Studio Info > Policies & Procedures
2014-2015 Policies & Procedures
Upon signing up for lessons, the student/parent will be asked to sign and agree to the studio Policies & Procedures.
General Information: Weekly private lessons are offered in 30, 45, or 60-minute sessions, depending on the student’s age/level.
At The Studio: Students are expected to arrive for lessons on time with all their materials and music. Parents and siblings may quietly peruse the waiting area in the living room, wait in their vehicle in the driveway, or run errands so long as they return to pick up their student in a timely fashion. To discuss student progress, parents are welcome to talk with the teacher during the first five minutes of the student's lesson – but not afterwards, in order to respect the next student's time slot.
Practice and Instrument: Private students are expected to practice daily on a well-maintained acoustic piano. Acoustic pianos should be tuned twice a year (January and June are the best times).
Materials: The annual $60 non-refundable registration fee (max of $100 per family) is usually enough to cover the cost of books and materials for the whole year for most students; however, if it is not enough the student/parent is expected to cover the additional costs. The teacher will obtain all needed books and materials for the student. The other material expense options might be discussed with parents if they prefer. Students are recommended to use a canvas tote bag to carry books to and from lessons.
Calendar and Schedule: The tuition rates are determined based on a calendar of 44 weekly private lessons. The teacher does not teach during the week of Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas, the week prior to Christmas, and two weeks in August (11-23). The other unpaid 3 weeks of the year are reserved for the teacher to take off from lessons as needed (due to extreme illness, teacher conference attendance, etc). If the teacher chooses not to use all 3, the student benefits by receiving those lessons free.
Makeup Lessons: Due to the teacher's limited availability, makeup lessons cannot be guaranteed. However, if an absence arises due to unforeseen situations such as an accident or family emergency and if the student indicates a desire for a makeup lesson, the teacher will make an effort to accommodate a makeup. Please be courteous to the teacher and fellow students by notifying the teacher at least 24 hours in advance regarding any known upcoming absences.
Tuition and Payment: Tuition is divided into equal monthly installments, due on or before the 1st of each month. (Please contact the instructor about the current rates.) Invoices will not be provided: the student is responsible for bringing tuition to the lesson on or prior to the 1st of the next month (or sent by mail, postmarked by the 1st). Late payments will incur a late fee of $1 for each day late. The teacher reserves the right to raise fees at the beginning of each academic year.
Tuition may be paid via cash/check, automatic deposit using bank routing number (ask Jana for information on setting this up with your bank account).
Summer Months: During the summer months (June 2 through August 11), private students are expected to continue taking lessons; however, they have two options:
Discontinuing Lessons: Every student stops taking lesson at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure. For this reason, the teacher asks for one month’s notice prior to discontinuing lessons. However, the teacher respects the student’s right to end lessons at any time. Note: At the discretion of the teacher, students may be dismissed at any time if they have unpaid tuition, an excess amount of absences/unprepared lessons, or if they show a lack of interest.
Parent Participation: Parents are encouraged to be supportive and active participants in practice at home. Parents are also encouraged to attend and quietly observe lessons once a month or more.
Communication:
At The Studio: Students are expected to arrive for lessons on time with all their materials and music. Parents and siblings may quietly peruse the waiting area in the living room, wait in their vehicle in the driveway, or run errands so long as they return to pick up their student in a timely fashion. To discuss student progress, parents are welcome to talk with the teacher during the first five minutes of the student's lesson – but not afterwards, in order to respect the next student's time slot.
Practice and Instrument: Private students are expected to practice daily on a well-maintained acoustic piano. Acoustic pianos should be tuned twice a year (January and June are the best times).
Materials: The annual $60 non-refundable registration fee (max of $100 per family) is usually enough to cover the cost of books and materials for the whole year for most students; however, if it is not enough the student/parent is expected to cover the additional costs. The teacher will obtain all needed books and materials for the student. The other material expense options might be discussed with parents if they prefer. Students are recommended to use a canvas tote bag to carry books to and from lessons.
Calendar and Schedule: The tuition rates are determined based on a calendar of 44 weekly private lessons. The teacher does not teach during the week of Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas, the week prior to Christmas, and two weeks in August (11-23). The other unpaid 3 weeks of the year are reserved for the teacher to take off from lessons as needed (due to extreme illness, teacher conference attendance, etc). If the teacher chooses not to use all 3, the student benefits by receiving those lessons free.
Makeup Lessons: Due to the teacher's limited availability, makeup lessons cannot be guaranteed. However, if an absence arises due to unforeseen situations such as an accident or family emergency and if the student indicates a desire for a makeup lesson, the teacher will make an effort to accommodate a makeup. Please be courteous to the teacher and fellow students by notifying the teacher at least 24 hours in advance regarding any known upcoming absences.
Tuition and Payment: Tuition is divided into equal monthly installments, due on or before the 1st of each month. (Please contact the instructor about the current rates.) Invoices will not be provided: the student is responsible for bringing tuition to the lesson on or prior to the 1st of the next month (or sent by mail, postmarked by the 1st). Late payments will incur a late fee of $1 for each day late. The teacher reserves the right to raise fees at the beginning of each academic year.
Tuition may be paid via cash/check, automatic deposit using bank routing number (ask Jana for information on setting this up with your bank account).
Summer Months: During the summer months (June 2 through August 11), private students are expected to continue taking lessons; however, they have two options:
- 5 lessons scheduled as convenient for the student and teacher.
- Or, students may continue weekly lessons (10 in total) as normal.
Discontinuing Lessons: Every student stops taking lesson at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure. For this reason, the teacher asks for one month’s notice prior to discontinuing lessons. However, the teacher respects the student’s right to end lessons at any time. Note: At the discretion of the teacher, students may be dismissed at any time if they have unpaid tuition, an excess amount of absences/unprepared lessons, or if they show a lack of interest.
Parent Participation: Parents are encouraged to be supportive and active participants in practice at home. Parents are also encouraged to attend and quietly observe lessons once a month or more.
Communication:
- Studio Newsletters: Upon signing up for lessons, your email will be added to the email list to receive e-newsletters once or twice a month.
- Studio Website: Visit pianostudio.JannaGainulin.com to find current studio policies and procedures, the studio calendar, archives of previous monthly studio newsletters, and much more.
- Facebook Page: "Liking" the studio’s facebook page (Janna Gainulin) allows students to interact with the teacher and other students while maintaining the full privacy of the students’ facebook profile.
- YouTube Channel: Visit youtube.com/user/? to view videos of student performances, posted only with written student/parental permission. These YouTube videos are often shared on the facebook page and featured on the studio website.