The purpose of this contract is to familiarize all piano students and their families with the regulations and policies of my piano studio. Music is a form of art that can be considered a universal language because it has the ability to inspire, enrich, and ennoble every society in the world. Therefore, my overreaching goal in teaching music is not to create virtuoso pianists, but to guide the student toward advancement in their musical studies, and, most importantly, to help them come to love and enjoy making music. My curriculum focuses on a variety of musical styles, forms, genres, and techniques. I base my teaching on classical approaches, therefore, being a balanced musician requires the understanding of theory, technique, rhythm, form, and musicality. All of these will be considered over the course of the piano lessons, but none take precedent over the beauty, enjoyment and FUN of making music. Music lessons are extremely important and beneficial to a child’s development and well-rounded education (see The Mozart Effect). Parents play a key role in the degree of advancement and progress. Since I can only work with the student for 30 minutes each week, regularity in practice at home is essential. The amount of practice time each day varies with each child and their individual levels of advancement; however, daily practice should ideally last as long as the student’s lesson. Parental enforcement of regular and disciplined practice is essential. Etiquette for Students Please do not park in the driveway. Use the front door and let yourself in when it is time for your lesson. Please wipe your feet and leave your shoes in the inside front foyer area. Once inside the house, make an immediate left into the hallway by the stairs. Walk down the stairs to the basement, enter through the double French doors, and quietly take a seat on the waiting area couch. Parents and siblings are more than welcome to sit in the waiting area during the lessons. There will be a table set up if waiting students or siblings would like to do homework, use their computer, etc. Policies, Tuition and Makeups Please contact me for current tuition rates. Families with more than one student in my studio will be given a discount for each additional student. I require tuition for the entire month to be paid in full on the first week of every month. Every subsequent week that tuition is late will accrue a $5 late fee to be paid with that month’s tuition. Please note that during the regular school year, the policy is to charge the same amount every month. This means that during holidays, there may only be 3 lessons that month but the price stays the same. However, you do not pay extra when you receive 5 lessons during the months that have 5 weeks in them. Tuition will be raised periodically to account for inflation and cost of living increases. I will always give several months notice for these increases. I do not refund cancellations or missed lessons. Teaching piano is my profession, my only means of support, and I need to be able to rely on a set income every month. You are financially responsible for all regularly scheduled lessons--if the student must miss a regularly scheduled lesson you will still be charged for that lesson in order to hold that time slot for your student. Also, because tuition costs include more than just the weekly 30 minute private piano lesson, (tuition also includes the administrative side of piano lessons including the extra 30-60 minutes spent per week per child on lesson planning, picking out and playing through repertoire that would suit each individual student, etc.) it is only fair that I charge for missed lessons since I still would have spent the extra administrative time that week on that student whether they decide to have their private lesson or not. However, students are more than welcome to swap lesson times/days with other students in the studio for the occasional time conflict or illness so as not to forfeit that week’s lesson. I will be handing out a “swap list” with each student’s name, their parent’s name and the family’s phone number/email address so that you can make “swap” arrangements whenever need be. If a swap has been arranged, please just email me with the change so I know which student to expect and when. Two absences due to sickness, emergency or other unforeseeable circumstances will be granted makeup lessons per school year (September-May). (Makeups for more than two missed lessons per school year will not be granted so please do not ask). All makeup lessons will be completed at the studio, unless by chance we are able to squeeze a makeup lesson in during the regular weekly schedule. Due to a completely full teaching schedule during the week, makeups will be scheduled on specified weekend makeup days, or before or after the weekend group classes that will take place periodically at my studio. If a student, for whatever reason, must miss more than two lessons per school year (September-May), the free group lessons are designed to take the place of a missed lesson. If I, for any reason, have to cancel a lesson, a makeup will be scheduled at a time and place convenient for the student, or a credit in tuition will be given. Many families take trips during summer break, (I usually take some time off as well) so the summer schedule (June-August) is much more flexible (i.e., I won’t charge for canceled lessons), but a minimum of 7-8 lessons during the summer months are required per student in order to reserve a place in the studio for the fall semester. If a student decides to discontinue piano lessons, I require that they please give me two weeks paid notice so that I can have time to find another student to fill their spot. Because I need to stay on time with my tight schedule, as lessons are back-to-back on the schedule, if you have something of great length to speak to me about please email me or call on any weekday morning. (I will do likewise and call/email if I have something of length to discuss with you). And on the first week of each month, please have tuition ready to hand in at the beginning of the lesson. An acoustic piano, whether it is a spinet, upright, or grand piano, is a necessary element of piano lessons. All students are strongly encouraged to have an acoustic piano to practice on at home. Electric keyboards, especially if they are not full-length keyboards, are not conducive to learning proper piano technique and touch. I ask that my students’ families get their pianos tuned once a year. Students must also keep their fingernails trimmed. Short nails are imperative for learning proper hand position and technique. Please have your students trim their fingernails frequently. Recitals and Festivals I hold one mandatory formal recital per year, typically in the spring, in which each student is asked to play at least one memorized piece of their choosing. These are fun events and are intended to give the students experience in performing. A well-rounded musical experience should include performing, which is what all the many hours of practicing each week prepare us for. (Imagine going to weekly soccer practices and never playing a real game!) Concert attire is semi-formal: no jeans, shorts, casual flip-flops, midriffs, or sports-wear. I also strongly encourage participation in the annual Multiple Piano Festival, held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. MPF is an exciting festival of duets performed on 12 grand pianos simultaneously. It truly is an amazing opportunity for students, and one of the only festivals of its kind in the entire state. Group lessons Group lessons and play parties are held at the piano studio. Usually scheduled on a weekend, the group setting is ideal for teaching aspects of improvisation, collaborative piano, theory, jazz/blues, and performing that are difficult to address during an individual private lesson. Giving the students a chance to play for each other in a fun, relaxed environment not only gives them experience in performing, but also exposes them to a wide variety of great piano repertoire that cannot always be presented in their private lessons, and allows them to make friends with other piano students their same age. The group lesson will be in addition to the student’s private lesson for that week. Also, because there is no extra cost in tuition for these fun events, they are designed to count as a makeup for a lesson that might have been missed due to family vacations or other circumstances throughout the year. Other Performance Opportunities As a member of MTNA, CSMTA, and BAMTA (Music Teachers National Association, Colorado State Music Teachers Association, and Boulder Area Music Teachers Association), my students will have several opportunities throughout the year to participate in the festivals, achievement days, recitals, or competitions that these organizations offer. These are not mandatory, but I strongly recommend participation in at least one event per year as they are truly fun, rewarding opportunities for musical growth and enlightenment.

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The purpose of this contract is to familiarize all piano students and their families with the regulations and policies of my piano studio.

Music is a form of art that can be considered a universal language because it has

the ability to inspire, enrich, and ennoble every society in the world. Therefore, my overreaching goal in teaching music is not to create virtuoso pianists, but to guide the student toward advancement in their musical studies, and, most importantly, to help them come to love and enjoy making music.

My curriculum focuses on a variety of musical styles, forms, genres, and techniques. I base my teaching on classical approaches, therefore, being a balanced musician requires the understanding of theory, technique, rhythm, form, and musicality. All of these will be considered over the course of the piano lessons, but none take precedent over the beauty, enjoyment and FUN of making music.

Music lessons are extremely important and beneficial to a child’s development and well-rounded education (see The Mozart Effect). Parents play a key role in the degree of advancement and progress. Since I can only work with the student for 30 minutes each week, regularity in practice at home is essential. The amount of practice time each day varies with each child and their individual levels of advancement; however, daily practice should ideally last as long as the student’s lesson. Parental enforcement of regular and disciplined practice is essential.

Etiquette for Students

Please do not park in the driveway. Use the front door and let yourself in when it is time for your lesson. Please wipe your feet and leave your shoes in the inside front foyer area. Once inside the house, make an immediate left into the hallway by the stairs. Walk down the stairs to the basement, enter through the double French doors, and quietly take a seat on the waiting area couch. Parents and siblings are more than welcome to sit in the waiting area during the lessons. There will be a table set up if waiting students or siblings would like to do homework, use their computer, etc.

Policies, Tuition and Makeups

Please contact me for current tuition rates. Families with more than one student in my studio will be given a discount for each additional student. I require tuition for the entire month to be paid in full on the first week of every month. Every subsequent week that tuition is late will accrue a $5 late fee to be paid with that month’s tuition. Please note that during the regular school year, the policy is to charge the same amount every month. This means that during holidays, there may only be 3 lessons that month but the price stays the same. However, you do not pay extra when you receive 5 lessons during the months that have 5 weeks in them. Tuition will be raised periodically to account for inflation and cost of living increases. I will always give several months notice for these increases.

I do not refund cancellations or missed lessons. Teaching piano is my profession, my only means of support, and I need to be able to rely on a set income every month. You are financially responsible for all regularly scheduled lessons--if the student must miss a regularly scheduled lesson you will still be charged for that lesson in order to hold that time slot for your student. Also, because tuition costs include more than just the weekly 30 minute private piano lesson, (tuition also includes the administrative side of piano lessons including the extra 30-60 minutes spent per week per child on lesson planning, picking out and playing through repertoire that would suit each individual student, etc.) it is only fair that I charge for missed lessons since I still would have spent

the extra administrative time that week on that student whether they decide to have their private lesson or not. However, students are more than welcome to swap lesson times/days with other students in the studio for the occasional time conflict or illness so as not to forfeit that week’s lesson. I will be handing out a “swap list” with each student’s name, their parent’s name and the family’s phone number/email address so that you can make “swap” arrangements whenever need be. If a swap has been arranged, please just email me with the change so I know which student to expect and when.

Two absences due to sickness, emergency or other unforeseeable circumstances will be granted makeup lessons per school year (September-May). (Makeups for more than two missed lessons per school year will not be granted so please do not ask). All makeup lessons will be completed at the studio, unless by chance we are able to squeeze a makeup lesson in during the regular weekly schedule. Due to a completely full teaching schedule during the week, makeups will be scheduled on specified weekend makeup days, or before or after the weekend group classes that will take place periodically at my studio. If a student, for whatever reason, must miss more than two lessons per school year (September-May), the free group lessons are designed to take the place of a missed lesson.

If I, for any reason, have to cancel a lesson, a makeup will be scheduled at a time and place convenient for the student, or a credit in tuition will be given.

Many families take trips during summer break, (I usually take some time off as well) so the summer schedule (June-August) is much more flexible (i.e., I won’t charge for canceled lessons), but a minimum of 7-8 lessons during the summer months are required per student in order to reserve a place in the studio for the fall semester.

If a student decides to discontinue piano lessons, I require that they please give me two weeks paid notice so that I can have time to find another student to fill their spot.

Because I need to stay on time with my tight schedule, as lessons are back-to-back on the schedule, if you have something of great length to speak to me about please email me or call on any weekday morning. (I will do likewise and call/email if I have something of length to discuss with you). And on the first week of each month, please have tuition ready to hand in at the beginning of the lesson.

An acoustic piano, whether it is a spinet, upright, or grand piano, is a necessary element of piano lessons. All students are strongly encouraged to have an acoustic piano to practice on at home. Electric keyboards, especially if they are not full-length keyboards, are not conducive to learning proper piano technique and touch. I ask that my students’ families get their pianos tuned once a year.

Students must also keep their fingernails trimmed. Short nails are imperative for learning proper hand position and technique. Please have your students trim their fingernails frequently.

Recitals and Festivals

I hold one mandatory formal recital per year, typically in the spring, in which each student is asked to play at least one memorized piece of their choosing. These are fun events and are intended to give the students experience in performing. A well-rounded musical experience should include performing, which is what all the many hours of practicing each week prepare us for. (Imagine going to weekly soccer practices and never playing a real game!) Concert attire is semi-formal: no jeans, shorts, casual flip-flops, midriffs, or sports-wear.

I also strongly encourage participation in the annual Multiple Piano Festival, held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. MPF is an exciting festival of duets performed on 12 grand pianos simultaneously. It truly is an amazing opportunity for students, and one of the only festivals of its kind in the entire state.

Group lessons

Group lessons and play parties are held at the piano studio. Usually scheduled on a weekend, the group setting is ideal for teaching aspects of improvisation, collaborative piano, theory, jazz/blues, and performing that are difficult to address during an individual private lesson. Giving the students a chance to play for each other in a fun, relaxed environment not only gives them experience in performing, but also exposes them to a wide variety of great piano repertoire that cannot always be presented in their private lessons, and allows them to make friends with other piano students their same age. The group lesson will be in addition to the student’s private lesson for that week. Also, because there is no extra cost in tuition for these fun events, they are designed to count as a makeup for a lesson that might have been missed due to family vacations or other circumstances throughout the year.

Other Performance Opportunities

As a member of MTNA, CSMTA, and BAMTA (Music Teachers National Association, Colorado State Music Teachers Association, and Boulder Area Music Teachers Association), my students will have several opportunities throughout the year to participate in the festivals, achievement days, recitals, or competitions that these organizations offer. These are not mandatory, but I strongly recommend participation in at least one event per year as they are truly fun, rewarding opportunities for musical growth and enlightenment.