Attendance and Scheduling
Weekly lessons are an important part of the student’s musical development. Each student will receive a regular weekly private lesson time based on mutual availability. The duration of the weekly lesson will be agreed upon by the teacher, student, and parent. Regular attendance and consistent preparation are expected. Daily practice reinforces material assigned at each lesson, and is vital to the student’s development. One consistent parent is required to attend each lesson, take notes, and practice with their child. Regular attendance at group classes is expected, both for students and parents. Work hard. Your teacher's assignments are not mere suggestions; they need to be carried out fully in order for your teacher to help you and your child do your best.
The teacher may need to reschedule lessons due to professional performing engagements or other personal scheduling needs. Notice for such scheduling differences will be given with as much advance notice as possible.
Absences and Cancellations
The student or parent must notify the teacher by email or phone at least 24 hours in advance of a cancellation. In the case of sudden illness or emergency, the student or parent will call with as much advance notice as possible. Payment represents a reservation of the teacher’s time; in the event that the student misses a scheduled lesson, no make-up lessons or refunds are offered, regardless of notice given. Do not come to a lesson or bring your child to a lesson ill. If your child is too sick for school, they are too sick to have a lesson. Zoom lessons may be arranged if you are not sure whether to come due to mild illness. Lateness is disruptive; time lost from lessons due to a student’s late arrival will not be made up. If a conflict arises one week, students may swap lessons if mutually beneficial; please notify Lisa if this is the case. A contact list will be distributed to parents early in the fall.
If the teacher needs to make an unexpected cancellation, she will provide at least 24 hours notice to the student or parent, except in case of sudden illness or emergency, in which case she will provide as much advance notice as possible. If the teacher cancels a lesson, a make-up lesson will be offered. In the event a make-up lesson for a teacher absence is impossible or impractical, that lesson will not count towards the student’s lesson total for the semester.
Attendance at group classes is expected and important. No refunds or make-ups will be offered for student absences from group class.
Transitions and Logistics
Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your lesson time. When you arrive, please be respectful of the previous lesson as you prepare for yours. Remove your shoes inside the door, wash hands, and wait in the kitchen until it’s time for your lesson, then come down to the studio and unpack so you are ready to start at your lesson time. Siblings are welcome at lessons and group classes as long as the participants are able to focus on the task at hand – please bring something quiet for them to do. Snacks and water are welcome – please make sure snacks are finished before the lesson in the kitchen. Mid-lesson sips of water from your own bottle are great.
For group lessons, please arrive early to unpack and get tuned, and take care of any other needs before the class starts. Be respectful of church property, and help your child do the same. Any toys taken out from the toy area need to be put back before you leave. You may use the restrooms downstairs, but please do not go to other parts of the preschool area.
Please set all electronic devices to silent and put them away during your lesson, with the exception of using phones to take photos or videos. Texting, using social media, or receiving phone calls during lessons is inappropriate and distracting; instead show your child that you enjoy and value this process.
E-mail or text messaging are the best ways to contact your teacher. Please e-mail your teacher to set up a conference about sensitive issues rather than discuss them in front of your child. These include questions regarding your child’s progress or insights into your child’s skill development. These issues are not appropriate to discuss in front of your child, and should be addressed in a private conversation with your teacher.
Tuition and Payment – 2023-2024 Season
Tuition covers 16 private lessons, 7 group lessons, a recital, and piano accompaniment per semester. Payment is due by the first lesson of the semester. The fall semester runs September-January, and spring from February-June. Summer lessons are flexible, but generally at least 5 lessons are required in the summer.
30-minute private + group = $959
45-minute private + group = $1299
60-minute private + group = $1639
Payment plan available upon request.