studio policy

tuition assumptions

Term:

  • August 1 to May 31 OR September 1 to June 30 (43-44 wks). Since I have students with two different school year tracks, you may choose which one best fits your family.

  • Number of Lessons: 40. (39 private lessons, 1 group master class in December).

  • Number of Holidays: 3-4 (determined by teacher, depending on how many months with 5 weeks there are on your lesson day during the term). 

Summer term:

  • June 1 to July 31. (OR July 1 to August 31).

  • A minimum of 5 lessons in Summer term are required to maintain your lesson time reservation for Fall/Winter term.

  •  Summer lesson signups will be sent out mid-May and are priced according to the number of lessons scheduled.

  • Weekly summer camps are available as an option for fulfilling the five-lesson requirement.

holidays

No lessons will be given for three weeks of Christmas Break, on Thanksgiving, and one week for Spring Break. Any other specific dates will be posted at the beginning of the term or following Christmas break.

absence policy

  • Your tuition reserves you a weekly time slot and membership within the studio. There are no make-ups for student cancellations. The teacher has reserved the time of the scheduled lesson for the student for the entire year, regardless of whether the student shows up for the lesson.

  • If the student knows there will be a conflict, he or she may call me to find students who are willing to trade lesson times.

  • Please inform me of all changes.

  • Online lessons over Skype or Zoom are a great option if in-person lessons are unavailable due to travel, inclement weather, or mild illness. 

Teacher cancellations

  • Teacher cancellations outside of the predetermined holidays will be made up during the semester in which the lessons are canceled. 

  • Lessons missed by the teacher can be made up in the following ways: 

    • Extra time given at private or group lessons.

    • Rehearsals for recitals or performances. 

    • Competitions. Extra time given to prepare for contests. 

    • Make-up lesson. 

billing cycle

Fall/Winter term is based on a 10-month period and is divided into equal monthly installments. Summer term (June and July) is paid in full at the beginning of the term or divided into two equal monthly payments. 

payment

Payments are due the first day of each month. Payments can be made using Paypal, Venmo or personal check. Late payments are assessed a 10% late fee. 

tuition includes

  • Reserved weekly time slot

  • Group Class once a school year

  • Student development research outside of lesson time (conferences, teacher training, choosing method books/repertoire, making supplemental videos)

  • Recitals—two a year.

Group Classes

  • Group classes are held once every school year in addition to private lessons. They are included in the tuition/regular lesson fee.

  • Group lessons have many benefits:

    • A change in the regular routine of lessons

    • Regular opportunities to perform

    • Listening to more repertoire

    • More instruction time than if studying privately only

  • The students are placed in groups according to their age and grades in school.

  • Classes may have up to six students.

  • The length of the class is directly determined by the number of students in the class, the more students there are, the longer the class. Each student will spend half their private lesson time at the piano, and the rest listening and participating in the class.

  • At every group class, the student is expected to play one piece from memory (without music).

  • I will notify you at the beginning of the term when the class will be. Please try to arrange your schedule as best you can to attend.

Competitions and Recitals

Recitals are mandatory, and two are held a year. Competitions are optional, and can be an excellent way to boost motivation. Pieces must be well polished and approved by the teacher ahead of time. Professional/formal dress is appropriate and proper concert behavior must be observed. 

expectations

Student Materials

Students are expected to buy all books they will use for lessons. In addition, they should have a metronome, notebook, any CD’s or recordings of repertoire (YouTube is a great resource), and pencils. Students are expected to have an 88-key functioning and well-tuned piano with working pedals for practicing at home. Pianos should be tuned twice a year (spring and fall).

Note: Electric pianos are acceptable if they meet these criteria: a solid stand at the right height, a piano bench and pedals, and 88 WEIGHTED keys with touch sensitivity. Please consult the teacher about your instrument. Without a quality instrument, it can be difficult for the student to develop the correct technique and enjoy playing the piano.

student Behavior

 Students should obey in a respectful, kind manner. They should dress how they would like but remember that they are not going to the beach or the gym. Please make sure not to chew gum, and to maintain your nails clean and short.  

Parent Expectations

Assist in practicing, be supportive and be positive with your child. You are always welcome to attend lessons, and one other person can observe such as a friend or family member if you notify me first. Young children (under the age of 8-9) need active support in practicing, and as your child ages, I will help you know how to help them become independent. Remind your child to practice and confirm their practice hours by initialing their practice charts. Also, check your email regularly for studio updates. I often communicate through texts as well. 

Lesson Preparation

Regular practice Monday through Saturday (6 days a week) is expected. Quality of practice is more important that time spent practicing. Each student will have practice goals personalized to them, but generally, practice recommendations are:

  • Beginners: 30 minutes daily

  • Intermediate students: 40-50 minutes

  • Advanced students: 60+ minutes daily

Scheduling and dividing practice time before and after school is effective.  Review your lesson assignment pages and fill out your practice chart weekly.

Lesson Termination Policy

30 days’ advance notice is required if student decides to discontinue lessons. This allows time to fill the slot and finish lessons on a positive note. Notice should be sent via email at kleonardpianostudio@gmail.com, or phone (253) 241-1328. Payment should continue until the end of the month of lessons given. Failure to comply will result in an additional fee of $50.

Probation

Students may be put on probation and dismissed from lessons for: disrespect to the teacher or other students, insufficient practice, destruction or theft of property, failure to comply with this policy, or failure to pay tuition on the due date. 

Questions

Please try to limit questions to the beginning of the lesson time, rather than during the next students’ time. You can always send me an email or text, preferably on weekdays rather than weekends for a prompt reply.

Latecomers

Will not be given extra time. Latecomers to group classes may not play, but will benefit by listening to the others receive instruction. 

Sick Policy

Please do not come to lessons when sick. We can do online lessons through Skype or Zoom instead in your allotted time if you feel well enough.

Policy Changes

I reserve the right to update or modify these Studio Policies at any time and without prior notice, by posting the revised version of these Studio Policies on my website. Your use of the site following any such change constitutes your agreement with all posted Studio Policies updates, and you will be subject to the terms of the revised Studio Policies. You may access the current version of these Studio Policies at any time on my website.