Eldred Piano Studio Policy
LESSONS OFFERED:
I offer beginning students 30 minute lessons; intermediate students 30 or 45 minute lessons; and advanced and adult students 30 - 60 minute lesson. Payment of your tuition guarantees you/your child’s lesson time with me. Each student has a specific lesson day and time reserved with me. This is the same as renting a Post Office box or an apartment. You/your child’s lesson time during the semester will not be given away unless you have notified me that you/they will not be attending on a specific day. I will then attempt to fill that time with a student in need of a makeup lesson or rehearsal. There are no refunds for missed lessons.
Please make every attempt to arrive a few minutes before your lesson time. Take this time to wash your hands and prepare to begin your lesson on time. I make every attempt to keep each lesson on time. If you arrive at 3:10 PM for a 3:00 PM lesson, your lesson will still end at 3:30 PM out of respect to everyone’s schedule. If you are running late and have not notified me, I will wait 15 minutes and then will assume you are not attending. This will constitute an unexcused absence.
Parents are welcome to wait in the designated waiting area, in their vehicle, on the lawn or run errands during their child’s lesson. If you have any questions or items to discuss with me about piano lessons or your child, do so at the beginning of your scheduled lesson time. Your reserved lesson time will still end at its normal ending time. This will allow all lessons to run on schedule and show consideration for other students and their schedules.
STARTING LESSONS:
Filling out all registration paperwork and agreeing to the studio policies is required. During the first lesson, I assess the student’s current abilities, set beginning goals and answer any questions regarding lessons at the Lawson Academy and the policy sheets. For returning students, we will assess their goals for the year and determine a plan for the semester. We will also evaluate if new music or material is needed.
CONTINUING LESSONS:
Students make progress toward their musical goals through a combination of regular lesson attendance, consistent practice and proper encouragement.
ATTENDANCE:
If your child will miss a lesson, please let me know as soon as possible via text, email or written note. I am unable to check phone messages while teaching, so please use phone calls as a last resort. According to the Policy, Missed lessons are only made up in the following situations:
As a guide: vacations should receive 3 – 4 weeks notice; sports, appointments and special events 1 – 2 weeks; illness 1 – 3 days. If you/your child will misse a lesson due to an unexcused absence, please try to trade times with another student using the Swap List. Please refer to the Studio Calendar or website for scheduled breaks in lessons.
Students are expected to continue lessons for a full academic year (September – May). Continued study during the summer is strongly encouraged to maintain the student’s abilities and make consistent progress. To ensure a lesson time for the following September, students are strongly urged to take a minimum of 4 lessons during the summer (June – August).
PRACTICE:
Maintaining a regular at home practice routine is an essential part of a successful and enjoyable piano study experience. Students who practice consistently will see consistent progress; students who never practice should not expect any progress. As music becomes more challenging, more practice time is required and students may spend longer working on each piece. Practicing 5 – 6 days a week is ideal. At most, a student should never go more than 2 days without spending time at the piano. The amount of practice time will vary based on the student and will be discussed with the student and parent periodically.
Sometime during the course of taking piano lessons, your child may say “I don’t want to practice,” “I’m too tired,” “I want to play with my friends,” or “I want to quit,” etc…Just be aware that your child’s interest will probably not be consistent; but to be successful, you will need to be consistent in your encouragement and commitment to musical instruction. In most cases, simply acknowledge your child’s comments, but then go on with your normal routine just as you would if you heard the comment, “I don’t want to brush my teeth,” “I don’t want to stop playing with my toys,” or “I don’t want to go to bed.”
ADDITIONAL MUSIC FEES:
Students and parents are responsible for the cost of music books. New music is given out periodically throughout the year and may include music for Christmas, Recitals, Festival, Auditions and progression to the next level in their method books. I will notify the parent/student of the amount for new music either in the student’s lesson or via email. The music fee is due at the student’s next lesson.
There will be additional piano activities offered during the school year for students to participate in for free or nominal charges. These events are optional.
DISCONTINUING LESSONS:
Every student stops taking lessons at some point. This decision should be made thoughtfully and with discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can end with a positive sense of closure. Any termination initiated by the parent or student requires notice at least one month prior to the end of the semester as a courtesy.
STUDIO REFERRAL:
At the teachers’ discretion, a student may be referred to another teacher at the end of a semester for any of the following reasons after the parent has been notified of the situation and adequate time has been provided to correct the situation. Including, but not limited to: Inappropriate or disrespectful behavior; theft, and/or destruction of property; persistent absences or tardiness; consistent lack of practice and/or disregard for lesson material; disregard for studio policies; lack of reimbursement for music.