CANCELLATION POLICY

There will always be an attempt to reschedule a lesson if notified in advance. Since it is necessary to have staff schedules completed, and pay staff on time, there is a two week notice policy when there is a need to cancel or reschedule. Lessons cancelled with two or more weeks notification will not be billed. All others are billed. 

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Make-Up Credits

During fall and spring semester each student can receive 2 make-up credits. Summer semester each student can receive 1 make-up credit. Unused make-up credits do not carry over into subsequent semesters.  It is parent responsibility to request the scheduling of make-up lessons. 

 

 

To clarify:  last minute cancellations, or no-shows will be charged; even when sick. Make-up availability is contingent upon teacher availability and may take a few weeks to schedule. It is possible to have two lessons in one week to accommodate make-up lessons. It is also possible to schedule a make-up lesson with Rachelle if unable to schedule with assigned teacher. Habitual cancellations will not be rescheduled and will be billed.

 

SNOW DAY POLICY​

We DO NOT cancel lessons due to inclement weather or snow days.  However, if the weather is exceptionally severe, lessons will be switched to virtual. If you live a little further away where the weather may be worse, please feel free to reach out via text or phone call. You can use a makeup lesson and cancel if wanted. If make up lessons are used, canceled lesson will be billed. 

 

PRACTICE POLICY​

Unlike school there will be no grades given for private lessons, but it is expected that students practice a minimum of 45 minutes every week. Piano students should be aiming towards a minimum of 60-75 minutes since their instrument is not practiced during school hours.

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• Each piano student will receive a monthly practice record. They can turn in the practice record to earn prizes

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• Once the metronome is introduced, it is expected students practice regularly with it. To encourage metronome practice there are occasional "bonus metronome" months when students can earn bonus minutes on their practice record. 

 

• Since a lot of time, energy, and money are invested all students should be encouraged to practice as much as possible! If you have time, it is highly recommended to set up an at home reward system for the younger students. 

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BOOK & EQUIPMENT POLICY​

1. All students are required to have their own instrument to practice on.

2. All students are required to have books (band student most often use band books)

3. All students are required to have a metronome

4. Brass students are required to have a berp (see below)

5. All Band students are required to have a music stand for home practice

 

METRONOME – Each private student is required to have a metronome. You can download a free one from google play store, or purchase a digital one. Personally, I prefer a hand held metronome, as electronic devices can be distracting. Students who take piano lessons and play an instrument should purchase a METROTUNER. This is a tuner/metronome all-in-one device. I recommend Korg or Musedo brands for children. 

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BOOKS– Each private student is required to have books and bring them to every lesson. Piano students will need to purchase books, band students can most often use their band book. Occasionally supplemental materials are needed. 

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• Cost of piano method books will be approximately $30-$40 annually, depending on age and experience.  Occasionally supplemental materials are needed. They can be purchased from a local music store or online. Used book are fine as long as they are lightly used, as there are many written activities in the beginning piano books that are meant to help students learn. 

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• Method Books used: Bastien, Faber, Succeeding at the Piano, Alfred, and A dozen a day series. There is no one ‘perfect’ method book series. Each series has different strengths and weaknesses as well as teaching from a different perspective and focusing on different skill sets. One of our goals is to prepare students for the many diverse musical opportunities; there is no ‘one way’ to be a musician. When students use a variety of method books, they are becoming a more diversified musician and musical problem solver; this is a good thing.

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PIANO – It is most ideal for a piano student to have a weighted piano or keyboard for home practice. A weighted keyboard is necessary to play dynamics, loud and soft. It is also most ideal for the piano or keyboard to have a damper or sustaining pedal. Students are required to start learning how to use the pedal in most Level 1 method books. It is very difficult for a piano student to progress without these two components. A shorter weighted keyboard will suffice for a younger beginner for the first 1-2 years.​ 

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​​BERP for BRASS STUDENTS- All beginning brass students must purchase the ‘berp’, a practicing tool that will be used during lessons. Beginning students MUST have it before their first lesson. Berps vary in price $16-20. 

 

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