KIDS THAT LOVE PIANO LESSONS!
Policies:
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of teaching your child piano! In order to make our time the most productive, I have established the following policies. 
Lessons:
Lessons are divided quarterly with 4 quarters per year:
Winter: January 1st-March 31st
Spring: April 1st- June 30th
Summer: July 1st- September 30th
Fall: October 1st-December 31st
Every lesson is 30 minutes in length.
No lessons will be given on the days that are blocked off on the calendar in MyMusicStaff.com. These are dates of most school closings for D49 School district, holidays, etc. If you elect to cancel your lesson on the day you are scheduled for a lesson, this will be your loss unless you are able to switch your lesson time with another student.
Tuition: Payment is due on the First lesson day of the quarter. If payment has not been received by the 7th of the month, a $10 late fee will be assessed. The fee will remain the same regardless of weeks in a given month since the tuition is calculated on a quarterly basis. Each student receives the same amount of lessons per quarter. Spring, Summer, and Winter quarters each consist of 11 lessons, and Fall quarter consists of 10 lessons due to all the holidays. Summer quarter also has a 6 lesson reduced rate for those who need additional days off. If during the quarter I need to cancel, I will do my best to make up the lesson or credit will be given you.
The preferred method of payment is Venmo, but I accept cash, check, and credit.
*Families should expect a yearly increase in tuition (every July) appropriate to cost of living increases and services offered.*
Book fees and all other registration fees may be included in the quarterly tuition payment.
Tuition Rate for the quarter (11 lessons) : $460 per student
Location and Schedule: Piano lessons are offered at my studio. 18315 Steeplechase Drive, Peyton, Colorado 80831. To give everyone as productive and uninterrupted of a lesson as possible it is very important that you observe the following:
•My break times are designed to help me re-group, organize, breathe, and do other necessary things to assist me in teaching you most efficiently. Because of this, I ask that you not arrive early or stay later than your lesson time.
•If you are more than 5 minutes late picking your child, a $5 charge will be added to the monthly tuition fee per every 5 minutes of being late.
•Parents are required to be available during lessons (either at the lesson or via cell phone). In the event of an emergency, if a parent cannot be reached, you agree that I will be permitted to exercise my discretion in providing care and treatment for your child. Parents agree to hold me harmless for any such care and treatment decisions.
Missed Lessons:
There will be no financial adjustment for missed lessons. If in the event of a conflict or illness on your regularly scheduled lesson day, please contact Cat as soon as possible. Here are some options for missed lessons:
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Phone or “Facetime” lessons during the student’s regular lesson time are an option. In the case of inclement weather—please check your email/phone for lesson status.
You may log in to the student portal on http://cpianostudio.mymusicstaff.com/ to cancel your lesson, and sign up for an "available" slot.
Lesson swaps: Families of private students may trade their lesson time with another student.
(“Lesson Swap”) to help avoid absences. Here are the rules of a the lesson swap:
1. I must be informed prior to and after arranging a swap.
2. No make-up lessons will be given if any confusion from this arises.
3. Should 2 people arrive at once, I will teach the one whose lesson is normally at that time.
4. Please inform me if you do not wish to have your name included on the swap list.
Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. Tuition covers far more than the time with your child, so you do not need to worry that missing a lesson means wasting money. Other things that it covers are, professional journal subscriptions, teacher membership fees, recital costs, studio expenses, (copying, computer/i-pad software, tunings, etc.,) music books, taxes, and continuing education cost. I frequently use missed lessons to plan for your child’s progress, locating materials, and seeking additional repertoire.
There are no refunds or discounts given unless I am unable to teach the promised number of lessons.
Illness:
Students who are ill should not come to piano lessons. I reserve the right to send a student home if they arrive sick. If students are only mildly ill, please email me and we can do a phone or Facetime lesson.
Communication:
Please keep in contact with me regarding your child’s progress and practice habits. Email is my most efficient method of communication cpianostudio@gmail.com or you may text/call me at my phone: 720-670-7607. Feel free to write me at anytime about what is happening with your child or to ask questions. I love hearing from you!
Website/Facebook Page Privacy:
Pictures and videos of my students may be posted periodically on my website and/or Facebook Page. If you would rather me not use your child's picture/name, please inform me and I will respect your wishes. These pictures/videos are for the benefit of growing my business.
Recitals and Opportunities:
Many opportunities for recitals and other keyboard events occur every year. I keep my students informed of these opportunities through the calendar on Mymusicstaff.com. I do require my students to participate in a minimum of 3 events per year. At least one event must be in the Fall, and at least one event must be in the Spring. Participation in Guild is also required as this is an excellent program to ensure a thorough music education and evaluation. Other optional outside studio activities include nursing homes, restaurants, libraries, and other businesses. Participation in these events will be at the student and parent’s discretion.
Books and Materials: I will let you know what books are necessary for the student's progress, but obtaining them will be your responsibility. Most books can be purchased at Sheetmusicplus.com. It is important that books be purchased promptly. I understand the expense that books can incur and I promise that I will only choose books that I think are necessary and beneficial for the student's progress. A metronome is also necessary for all students. A metronome app will be sufficient as long as the student has access to it at all times.
Practice Time and Other Requirements:
Parents must read thoroughly through all emails/messages received by the teacher, and respond promptly.
Students must practice on a regular basis.
5 days a week
Each piece/exercise 3 times a day
All Kits assignments completed
All Theory assignments completed
Please keep your hands clean, and nails trimmed.
Respect for parents, self, and Catherine
I like to emphasize the quality versus quantity of time practiced. As students advance and mature these requirements will increase. I try to be very specific about practice techniques to the student and the parent so that each knows what quality practice consists of. Students are required to report on their practice session in their practice journal. Parents should read their children’s assignments and comment and initial in the appropriate box. Please make comments on how you think your child’s practice is going at home. Weekly assignments of theory and technique are of utmost importance. Theory should be completed at the first of the week and technique should be practiced every day to help enhance the learning process. Practice on a piano is required to make progress. Please try to have your piano tuned twice a year (the best times are spring and fall). Fingernails must be kept short at all times. Parents should plan to attend their child’s lesson at least once every 3 months (more if necessary). This helps keep you in touch with your child’s progress, accomplishments and difficulties.
Dismissals and Termination:
If for any reason you must stop lessons, 1 month’s notice is required.
Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a student if any of these circumstances occur:
*Repeated failure to pay tuition on time
*Failure from parent or student to respond to messages sent by the teacher.
*Persistent absences
*Uncooperative attitude
*Failure to practice as instructed
*Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfulfilled requirements
There is no refund if a student quits in the middle of the quarter.
Payment of the tuition is your agreement to the above policies.
Thank you for abiding by these policies to help your child’s piano lessons be the most productive and efficient! Thank you also for the privilege of allowing me to teach you! I look forward to a great year.
