Participation Expectations for Students and Parents
The discipline of daily practice leads to progress which fuels motivation to continue to practice and progress. Parents are expected to be actively involved in practicing with beginners and young children until they reach an age where they can be more self-directed in their practicing.
Daily practice for at least five days of the week is strongly encouraged. Length of practice will vary based on the student’s level of advancement. It is the parent’s responsibility to schedule and enforce daily practice. The weekly assignments should be viewed as "homework." Completion of homework and thorough preparation of assignments for each lesson is expected.
Parental support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Children whose parents take an active and honest interest in their child's progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive. Detailed lesson notes are provided at the end of a lesson. Please contact me if there are still questions in regards to what your child should practice.
Books and other Necessary Supplies
Instrument (piano students): I strongly encourage having an acoustic (not electric) piano, tuned at least once a year. If an acoustic piano is absolutely not possible, a full size (88 keys) with touch-sensitive, weighted keys may suffice for a time. I will be happy to help you locate a suitable piano. The piano should be located in a well-lit place that allows practicing to be done with as few distractions as possible (TV and other siblings).
Books/Music: When the need arises, I will determine which music books and supplies should be purchased. I will give ample notice and send you links for purchase. Occasionally, I may purchase a piece of music and after discussing it with you, will add it to your next month’s invoice for reimbursement. Try to keep music organized and easy to find.
Metronome - strongly encouraged. Contact me if a recommendation is needed. Lesson Notebook - Any small, lined, journal-type notebook will suffice, or you may purchase a specific music lesson notebooks online or through local music stores.
Attendance and Rescheduling Policies
Regular attendance of lessons is an issue of responsibility and choice on the part of parents and students. Lessons are conducted each week on a specific day and time, which is reserved for each student during the month. The studio shall not assume any financial responsibility for student's absence(s) due to illness, weather, sports, etc. The studio shall, however, assume financial responsibility should I (Sara Reyes) become ill, be out of town, or cancel for any reason. The month's regular fee will then be reduced accordingly.
Makeup lessons are not given for student cancellations unless a time becomes available during regular teaching hours. If a makeup time is not available during regular teaching hours and ample notice has been given (72 hours), your lesson will be excused and I will credit the lesson for the following month. You may have 2 excused absences per semester (Jan-April, May-August, September-December). After which, you forfeit that lesson’s tuition.
Excused absences are only given in the following circumstances:
Snow days
Illness
A planned vacation
Please note: makeups may be given online if you are currently an in-person student.
Planned Teacher Absences - I will let you know the month in advance if I am planning to take a vacation. I will likely take off school vacations (i.e. spring break, winter/fall breaks), but stay active in the summer. I will do my best to plan absences and keep them to a minimum. Again, I will take financial responsibility for my absences.
Tuition and Expenses Invoices are sent via email each month around the 1st. Payment may be made by check, cash, PayPal or Venmo and is due by the first lesson of the month. Receipts can be issued upon request. A late payment penalty of $10 will be assessed for tuition not received or postmarked by the 10th. A fee of $35 will be charged for returned checks. If you choose to pay via Pay-Pal, please consider absorbing the fees to minimize overhead.
Summer Months
Piano lessons continue as usual during the summer months. If you and/or your family will be out of town at any time during the summer, or need a different day/time that works for you, please let me know in advance so that I may adjust my teaching schedule. I do not recommend taking the entire summer off, as I cannot guarantee a spot in the fall and the student will lose so much progress during the hiatus. I will work with you to find a day and time in the summer that works.
Termination of Services Policy
If a student and/or parent should decide to terminate lessons at any given time during the year, the studio requires a TWO WEEK WRITTEN NOTICE. Such notice must be delivered to me (Sara Reyes) personally or via e-mail. Regardless of when appropriate notice is given, such student/parent shall be financially responsible for the following two weeks/lessons, whether the student/parent chooses to attend or be absent.
CODA
As a piano instructor, I support and care for all of my students and their families in a very special way. Nevertheless, the studio reserves the right to terminate a student's lessons for the following infractions:
Inappropriate behavior toward me on the part of the student.
Inappropriate behavior toward me on the part of a student's parent(s).
Failure to pay monthly lessons in full.
Thank you for taking the time to read and understand what I expect from myself, my students and their families. I look forward to continuing our musical journey together!