Policies

Policies

Policies & Procedures

LESSONS:

  • Lessons are typically held weekly following the yearly calendar that is published on the studio website. There are no lessons during school breaks such as Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks.
  • Please be on time for your lesson. Lesson start and end times will be based on the scheduled lesson time, not the arrival time of the student. For example, if your lesson is from 4:00pm-5:00pm and you come at 4:15, the lesson will still end at 5:00pm. This insures that lesson appointments will stay on schedule.
  • Students are expected to continue lessons in the summer months. Students who do not continue lessons in the summer will be added to the studio waiting list.
  • Please make sure finger nails are trimmed.

BOOKS & MATERIALS:

  • Parents are responsible for purchasing lesson books, metronomes, flashcards, and occasionally other books or materials. The teacher will provide information on how/where to purchase these items.

INSTRUMENT:

  • Be certain your piano is tuned and in good condition. It is very discouraging to play on an out-of-tune instrument. Putting off tuning is not cost effective; a piano that is very out of tune will most likely require several tunings over a period of weeks or months to bring it back to pitch. A list of local recommended tuners/technicians are listed on the studio website. If your child is starting on a keyboard it must have 88 keys that are weighted or hammer action and a pedal.

TUITION:

  • Tuition is based on a 9-month period (September-May) and divided into equal monthly payment installments that can be paid with credit card (auto-pay is available) or charter school P.O.s. The studio runs much like a private school; Tuition remains the same each month and is based on enrollment, not attendance, reserving the student’s exclusive lesson time throughout the piano year, whether he/she attends lessons or not.
  • A commitment for a minimum of 1 semester (Fall is 4 months, Spring is 5 months) is required with a one-month written and paid notice before the semester ends should the student decide to discontinue lessons. (Fall Semester: September-December; Spring Semester: Jan- May) Tuition does not change regardless of the actual number of lessons per month (See yearly calendar). This policy covers both semesters for the school year. If the student begins in the fall semester, re-registration in the spring is not necessary. It will be assumed that both Fall and Spring semesters will be taken unless the studio receives your one month notice before the end of the semester. Re-registration for the following year is done every spring and due by May 1st. In order to hold a spot for the Fall, each student must participate in the summer course OR pay the equivalent of such.
  • Tuition is due by the 1st of each month via Auto-Pay only. There is a 3-day grace period to turn in tuition without penalty. If payment is more than 3 days late, a $15.00 per student late penalty will be added to the invoice.
  • A Non-Refundable $30.00 per student Studio Registration Fee per student is required for each academic year or whenever a student begins lessons. The Studio Fee enables the studio to provide students with Supersonics music, Flat.io access, and other studio licensed music.

ATTENDANCE:

  • A student who does not attend a lesson simply misses the benefit of that lesson.
  • Tuition reserves the student’s weekly time-slot and benefits within the studio.
  • If you cannot attend please let the teacher know via a email or a quick text message.
  • If the teacher must miss a lesson, the teacher will reschedule with you, or in rare occasions offer a special group make-up class.

DISCONTINUING LESSONS:

  • Every student stops taking lessons at some point. Please make this decision thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can conclude with a positive sense of closure. Because tuition includes much more than the reserved lesson time the studio requires a one-month written and paid notice before the semester ends. The student must finish the remainder of the semester paid in full or forego any unused lessons, as there is no refund given (i.e. Fall Semester: one month notice by Dec. 1st; Spring Semester: one month notice by May 1st). If appropriate, a parent/student teacher conference may be scheduled before the last lesson to establish if this might be a temporary setback that can be resolved.

DISMISSAL & TERMINATION:

  • A student may be immediately dismissed at any time for reasons including (but not limited to) those listed below. No refunds will be given.
    • excessive absence or tardiness
    • habitually late/nonpayment of tuition
    • lack of lesson preparation
    • behavior or attitude problems

PRACTICING:

  • Students are required to complete their assignments each week. Daily practice is vital to musical progress. If piano lessons are treated like an academic subject, students will progress and grow and enjoy it more in the long run. Students are encouraged to keep a practice record, and to work toward musical goals rather than simply counting minutes. The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it is also work. The recommended amount of practice time will be discussed with the student. The student should practice at least 5 days a week. However, Samara Rice Music stresses quality practicing over quantity practicing. Your child will receive a practice record, which is to be maintained by the student and signed by the parent each week. Remember, “You get out of it what you put into it.”
  • Important note: Sometime during the course of taking piano lessons, your child may say something like, “I don’t want to practice,” or “I’m too tired to go to piano lessons,” or “I don’t want to go- I want to play with my friends,” “I want to quit,” etc… Just be aware that your child’s interest will probably not be consistent; but to be successful, you will need to be consistent in your encouragement and commitment to music instruction. In most cases, simply acknowledge your child’s comments, but then go on with your normal routine just as you would if you heard the comment, “I don’t want to brush my teeth,” “I don’t want to stop playing with my toys,” or “I don’t want to go to bed.”

COMMUNICATION:

  • Email or text is the best and preferred way to reach Samara Rice Music. If you need to cancel a lesson at the last minute, please text. Email is checked several times a day. I let the voicemail take calls during lessons. Calls, texts, and emails will be returned during business hours Tuesday through Friday. Samara Rice Music is closed Saturday through Monday.

MISCELLANEOUS:

  • Samara Rice Music and Samara Rice are released from any liabilities, accidents or injuries that may incur from the enrolled student with the participation of piano lessons, group classes, piano parties or piano events.
  • During student and group gatherings and performances the teacher reserves the right to use video recording or to take photographs of students for use in the studio scrapbook, advertising materials, lesson demonstration and studio websites/platforms. Photos taken by the teacher OR that are shared with the teacher by other parents or students of gatherings or performances become the property of the studio and can be used at the discretion of the teacher in regards to the studio. The studio follows online safety rules in this matter.

MY RESPONSIBILITY:

  • My responsibility to the student is to provide an atmosphere for learning and a well-balanced musical education. Professional standards will be maintained and definite goals will be established for each student. It is my goal to give your child the best possible music education. I belong to professional organizations, attend workshops and educational programs, subscribe to professional publications, and engage in other activities on a continuing basis in order to provide opportunities for professional growth and enhance my own teaching skills.