Studio Policies

Student Responsibilites

The student agrees to arrive at each lesson punctually, well prepared, and with all necessary materials. In order to progress satisfactorily, FULL practice is necessary and required. FULL practice consists of six days of practice each week and completion of assignments per the teacher's instruction. Students will participate in a minimum of 2 performances during the school year that will be offered through the year. As a member of Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association, and Director of Keyboard Gymnastics of Northern Virginia, I will provide numerous opportunities for students to perform and attend different events.

Parental Responsibilities

Parents are welcome to attend lessons at any time. Please check your child's notebook weekly for assignment details. Parental support is a must for a child's musical growth. To help your child develop self-discipline and good practice habits, set aside a regular time for practice each day (this can be done all at once or divided into two or more daily practice sessions). Younger children especially need help with their practicing. The parent is to provide a piano in the best possible condition, a metronome, and a place allowing quiet and uninterrupted practice. Be helpful, interested and supportive!

Teacher Repsonsibilities

The teacher will provide a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere for learning. She will continue to further her teaching skills and music knowledge by belonging to professional organizations, attending workshops, reading professional publications, and engaging in other activities leading to professional growth.

Billing/Payment

Tuition is a monthly fee per student due on or before the first lesson of each month. Tuition is non-refundable. Payment for a full month's piano lessons is due in full whether the student attends each lesson or not. Each student is scheduled for a specific weekly time slot. Your payment reserves that time slot.

Cancelled Lessons

If a lesson must be missed, please call ahead. If the teacher cancels a lesson, it will be rescheduled at the earliest possible time. No payment credit will be provided for missed lessons. I cannot guarantee that I will be able to offer make up lessons even when you cancel because of illness. Your lesson is at a specific time each week and you are expected to attend at the scheduled time.

Tardiness

Please be on time! If a student arrives late, they will finish only the balance of the 45 minutes, and the lesson will not go over time, as it will interfere with the next students' scheduled lesson time.

Performance

There are several opportunities for performance during the year. All students must perform on at least two of these dates. Out of courtesy to the other performers at these events, please plan to stay for the entire recital. It shows great respect to the dedication of all performers to listen to the achievements of others. Recitals will be limited to one hour.

Practicing

Students are expected to practice six days each week to count as FULL practice. Full practice will be defined as completing each assignment a specific number of times each day. For example, practice the E scale three times perfect each day, review measures 10-18 five times perfect each day. I will be specific in the student's notebook. This may mean that the student's practice time may fluctuate depending on the length of time it takes to perfect certain passages.