Gold Music Studio Policy Handbook for Students and Families

Welcome! I am so excited to begin our work together. Understanding policies and expectations
will help ensure a fun, successful, and musical experience.

Lesson Overview: Tuition is $180/month for a 30-minute lesson once/week,

$200/month for a 45-minute lesson once/week, or

$220/month for a 60-minute lesson once/week.

I can work with you if you would like a lesson schedule that is more customized also. There is a $30
registration fee charged with your first lesson and each year afterward. This goes toward additional
lesson expenses and studio classes which are held twice per year.

All lesson fees are to be pre-paid monthly by cash or check, and due at the first lesson of each month. A
$10 late fee will be applied after the first lesson of the month.

A word about tuition: What you pay is tuition. It is not calculated as an hourly fee for services rendered
because teaching is more than the time we spend with your student. Tuition covers time spent with
students, preparation time, teacher training and experience, recital costs and preparations, professional
organization memberships, studio expenses, continuing education, and certification costs.

Practice: Daily practice is essential and expected. Playing piano is a physical, mental, and creative
exercise. Regular practice leads to physical mastery, which in turn allows us to express our musical ideas.
At the end of each lesson, students have a specific assignment for daily practice, detailed in the
assignment notebook. Practice assignments are carefully crafted in response to the successes and
struggles of the lesson as well as the strengths and learning style of the individual student. The best
indicator of enjoyment of a new activity is the feeling of growth. Nothing beats the feeling of having
mastered something new and challenging. Students of all ages can tell when they’re not progressing, and
the result of not practicing is a steep decline into boredom. I fine-tune assignments that I believe are just
challenging enough to help keep students on a roll of success, thereby maintaining their interest in music.
Students who practice regularly stay in the zone of being able to master each assignment, and they enjoy
piano because they feel they are excelling.

Materials: Each student will use a set of books and an assignment notebook. You may find the books
and purchase them yourself, or I purchase the materials in advance and include the cost with your
monthly tuition. The assignment notebook is our main point of contact. It details the practice assignments
in manageable steps, provides recommendations for better practice, and has space for students to log
practice. The assignment notebook is vital and should always be referenced when practicing and coming
to lessons.

Incentives and Tuition Rebates: I usually provide some type of incentive after the weekly lesson;
often candy. Additionally, students who complete full practice the previous month will earn a practice
rebate of $10.00 given to the student in cold hard cash at the first lesson of the next month. This is a
rebate TO THE STUDENT, not the parent. To receive the rebate monies, the parent must verify that the
student has completed an honest week's practice by signing their practice log. Students must have all
assignments current to qualify.
Student Expectations: Daily Practice: See notes on practice above and make it a good habit!

Attendance: Regular, on-time attendance with a polished assignment, hands

ready to play (nails should be kept short to ensure proper technique. Playing with long nails is like trying
to run in high heels!) Students always wash hands before lesson.

Parental Involvement: In the Lesson: Parents are always welcome in the lesson; however, I do not
recommend it. Students tend to focus and be more creative with fewer adult observers.

At Home: Help instill a good habit of practicing from the get-go by making it a
routine. Supervision isn’t always necessary but provide the quiet time and ensure that the assignment
notebook is being used. Remember the biggest indicator of enjoyment is the feeling of growth and
achievement, and growth only comes with practice.

Studio Classes and Recitals: Twice per year, students gather for an informal 75-minute studio class.
This is a chance to play for each other in a supportive environment, to get comfortable with performing,
and to build a sense of community in the studio. These classes also include other enrichment activities
such as rhythm games, ear-training, and sight-reading. Studio classes are for students only.

Recitals are festive events that celebrate the student’s most polished pieces with friends and family.
There will also be two of these held throughout the year, usually one in spring and one in fall. Students
are also always encouraged to play in front of family and friends, at school talent shows, and whatever
appeals to them outside of organized studio events whenever possible. For more advanced students, I
also provide the opportunity to compete in state and national competitions through the Idaho Music
Educators Association and the National Association of Music Educators.

Absence and Make-up Policy: Please take special not of this policy in order to avoid any
misunderstanding. Missed lessons are not refunded.

No-show or cancellation with less than 24 hours’ notice: You have forfeited the lesson and it will not be
made up.

Advance reschedule or cancellation: I provide 4 free student miss days per year. I can sometimes facilitate
a conversation between students to switch times with each other, but this is at my discretion and not
guaranteed. If a make-up time cannot be found I can apply the tuition for the missed lesson to the next
month, but remember, this can only be done 4 times so choose carefully.

Teacher cancellation: In the event that I must cancel, I will offer make-up days. If the lesson cannot be
made-up the tuition for that week will be applied to the next month.

Communication: I welcome feedback and communication. For last-minute needs on the lesson day,
text is best however I can also be reached by email and phone call.

Discontinuation: In extreme situations I reserve the right to discontinue lessons with a student at any
time. Disrespect, continual lateness or absenteeism, or an ongoing breach of any studio policy may result
in discontinuation. In this case I will prorate the current months tuition and refund any portion that has
not been used. The registration fee is not refunded.

Instrument: The best choice, if possible, is an acoustic piano. When playing an acoustic piano, the
vibration from the hammer striking the string travels through the fingers, creating much more nuanced
technique in the musician. A digital piano is slightly inferior in this way. It is a useful tool for imitating the
sound of a piano, but the physical responsiveness is somewhat lost. Space and cost are more comparable
between the two instruments than many people assume. Sound level is of course another practical
consideration. If you are unsure, I am happy to discuss this in person. Requirements for a digital piano:
Full range (88 keys), fully weighted keys (keys have a bit of tension to mimic the heavier keys of a piano),
equipped with music stand and pedal, set on a sturdy stand or table at proper height (about 28” from
floor), bench at a height that keeps forearms level while playing - use folded towels or a firm cushion to
increase bench height. A digital piano that doesn’t meet these requirements doesn’t work for piano
lessons.

I have a copy of the studio policies, have read the whole agreement, and agree to adhere
to all policies.

Parent Signature _______________________________________________________________________

Date______________

Student Signature______________________________________________________________________