General Information
Weekly private lessons are offered in 30, 45, 60 or 90-minute sessions, depending on the student’s age/level. Lessons are year round. With the exception of the vacation time set by the teacher, students are expected to continue lessons throughout the year. Lessons continue during summer. The student is expected to attend lessons even if they have not practiced. There are always plenty of things to work on in the lesson including working on pieces of music together, theory, aural, sight reading, general musicianship skills and computer lab activities.
At The Studio
Students are expected to arrive for lessons in a timely manner, with all required materials and music. No lesson will be extended for a student who is not ready on time. Parents and siblings may sit in on the lesson, wait in their vehicle, or run errands so long as they return to pick up their student in a timely fashion. To discuss student progress, parents are welcome to talk with the teacher during the first few minutes of the students lesson - but not after the lesson, in order to respect the next students time slot.
Practice and Instrument
Private students are expected to practice daily on a well-maintained piano. Acoustic pianos should be tuned twice a year.
Materials
Students are recommended to use a canvas tote bag to carry books to and from lessons. The teacher will obtain all needed books and materials for the student. The student/parent is expected to cover the costs of any required books and materials.
Lesson Length
Parents may choose to take a 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute lesson for any student; however parents are advised that it is not possible to fully cover all the important areas of musical education required by older or more advanced students in one 30 minute lesson per week. These activities include, instruction on the core piano repertoire, technical work, theory, aural skills, general musicianship skills, sight reading, scales, computer lab assistance, and extended areas of music such as arranging, composition and improvising. 30 minute lessons are designed for students in their first few years of study and are not long enough for advanced students. Parents should understand that in order to complete the wide range of musical activities required to ensure a student is making the most of their potential, longer lessons are often necessary for older or more advanced students.
Most students over the age of 8 would benefit from a 45 minute lesson and students over 10 find a 60 minute lesson is required to optimize their progress. Most students that have studied for more than 4 years are advised to take a 60 minute lesson. Students taking longer lessons make faster progress. Advanced students considering pursuing music at university usually require additional time for theory studies alongside their regular 60 minute lesson.
Makeup Lessons
Missed lessons cannot be deducted from the bill. If a student needs to miss a lesson 48 hours notice must be given in order to reschedule a make-up lesson. Lessons missed with less than 48 hours notice will be forfeited. Make-up lessons are normally scheduled during a time when another student is absent and therefore specific times for make-up lessons cannot be guaranteed. There can be a maximum of 4 make up lessons scheduled per year. Lesson missed in excess of 4 weeks per year will be forfeited. If a scheduled make-up lesson is missed a second one cannot be scheduled. Parents that have two or more children attending lessons may extend the lesson time of one child when a second child is not available for a lesson. Should the teacher need to cancel a scheduled lesson for any reason a make-up lesson will always be arranged. Lessons missed by the teacher cannot be deducted from the bill. Lessons missed by the teacher will not count against your annual allowance of 4 make-up lessons per year. Every effort will be made to reschedule this lesson during the same week, however, if this is not possible the lesson may be taken at another time during the year. Please be courteous to the teacher and fellow students by notifying the teacher at least 48 hours in advance regarding any known upcoming absences.
Bad Weather/Sickness
If the roads are impassible due to weather or a student is contagiously ill but feels well enough to play having a lesson online is a viable option for that week. Make-up lessons will be scheduled for lessons missed due to bad weather only when the Rockwood School District is closed for the day. Make-up lessons from Bad Weather will count against the 4 allowable make-up lessons per year during term time.
Summer Months
Students are required to continue weekly lessons as normal over summer. Make-up lessons for time taken off during the Summer vacation may be taken during Summer or at another time throughout the rest of the year. This time may also be made up by extending the time of several regular lessons.
Discontinuing Lessons
Every student stops taking lessons at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure. For this reason, the teacher asks for one month’s notice in writing prior to discontinuing lessons. However, the teacher respects the student’s right to end lessons at any time. Note: At the discretion of the teacher, students may be asked to discontinue lessons at any time if they have unpaid tuition, an excess amount of absences/unprepared lessons, or if they show a lack of interest.
Studio Events
Examinations: Students are welcome to participate in ABRSM piano and theory examinations. These opportunities require additional entry fees. Please contact the instructor for more information.
Communication
The best way to contact the teacher is via email, which will be promptly returned with an email reply or phone call. Phone calls are also welcome. The teacher does not answer the phone when teaching. The teacher always welcomes emails from students during the week if they have questions regarding their repertoire or other matters. Email may be used to request a rescheduled lesson. Please do not attempt to reschedule lessons by text message.
Practice Time
Students are advised to have a regularly–scheduled, non–interrupted, daily, practice time away from distractions (i.e. television, siblings, pets, etc.). Only consistent practice will create expected results as well as increase the enjoyment of playing the piano. Please call me if your child does not know how or what to practice. I always keep a copy of the student’s assignment and can provide you with suggestions. I can also plan to coach the student on good practice techniques at the next lesson.
Recommended practice time
Behavior
It is very important that each student come to his/her lesson ready for concentrated effort and learning. Students should not be overly tired or anxious about any activity that has preceded or immediately follows the lesson or class time. The time we will spend together each week is an important time for introducing new concepts and checking on progress made during the week’s practice time.
Visitors
Parents of kindergarten as well as first grade and some second grade students may find it necessary to attend occasional lessons in order to assist the student at home through the week. I encourage all parents to sit in the lesson whenever possible to observe the student/teacher relationship and to indicate to the student your interest in the process of learning to play the piano. I do not encourage other visitors in the weekly lesson and I respectfully request that only one adult attend each lesson and that parents do not invite their friends and family to observe the lessons with them. My time with the student is very short and we must both totally concentrate on the lesson. Siblings are not allowed to sit in on lessons unless they are supervised by an adult and can remain quiet.
Teacher’s Commitment
Given your commitment to these policies, I will take responsibility for the guidance in the musical education of this student. I will provide a complete program that includes many styles of music, plus theory, music history, and technique. My goal is to provide a friendly yet structured environment where the student will learn to enjoy music and learn to perform piano music at his/her attained level. Whilst the teacher will make every reasonable effort to improve the knowledge and ability of the student, students cannot expect to improve unless they fully co–operate with the teacher and in particular adhere to the practice sessions advised by the teacher.
Parent’s Commitment
I have read and understood these Studio Policies. I commit to upholding these policies and I will explain these policies to my child. I will assist my child in scheduling daily practice times and I will supervise practice time. I will ensure that my child follows up on all assignments and then sign the practice record. I will provide an encouraging environment for my child in his/her study of music. I will arrange the family calendar to fit the lesson schedule. Parents may help in the learning process by:
Mission Statement
Policies and procedures have been implemented to reflect the same standards adopted by other established music schools on a national basis.
It is my goal to prepare students to understand music and to skillfully play the piano so they can enjoy music for the rest of their lives. I want my students to become proficient so they can continue to grow in their musical understanding through adulthood. 'I am sure that you will appreciate the need for me to conduct the business side of my teaching practice in an organized and professional manner. These conditions are subject to occasional review and you will be given one months notice should any changes be necessary. Please contact me if you would like further information.