Pianos Are Fun!

​Pianos Are Fun

 Studio Policy

2026-2027 School Year

                      Lessons begin September 8th and continue through May 14th

 

LESSONS:  Private one on one  piano lessons or class piano  by Nationally Certified teacher are 45 minutes once a week with the exclusion of holidays. 

TUITION: Tuition for school year is averaged and divided into 9 equal payments September 8th through May 14th.  Invoicing and payments are handled through  Auto pay on the 1st of every month, September through May 2. 

 

ABSENCES:     A missed lesson is still purchased teaching time for which payment is due. Lack of practice is not an excuse for a missed lesson.  Please, notify me if you are unable to attend.  In the case that I must miss a lesson, the lesson will be made up or refunded. 

 

TERMINATION OF LESSONS:  Students are expected to complete the school year. A notice of a minimum of one month is required and payable when terminating lessons.   I shall be compelled to terminate lessons when a student is irregular in attendance, repeatedly fails to prepare assigned material, is uncooperative, repeatedly late payments, or in breach of studio policy contract.”.  

 

DEPOSIT:   A $150.00 deposit is required of every student for the school year. The  deposit is due and payable upon reciept of the invoice.  The deposit is designed to avoid additional monthly charges. It also confirms the student’s place in the schedule and includes fees for student activities, events, music, or other books, studio license, subscriptions, and guild.

 

THEORY POLICY:   Theory is an extremely important part of a well rounded music education.  I believe a well rounded music education includes learning to read and understand music and it's compositional structure.  Even as beginners we start recognizing patterns and sections in the music composition and recognizing notes on the staff.  Written theory done at home in addition to physical home practice provides yet one more way to solidify music reading and performing skills. We participate in the Texas Music Teachers Association Theory Test. Our goal is to test on your school grade level, rather than your piano level.  We have been using "The Piano Program" to help save lesson time with theory test preparation. This  theory instruction course provides videos, and written exercises the student prints out. Learning theory with this format allows better use of time during the lesson. Allowing us to learn pieces with applied theory rather than just teaching to the test. Applied theory helps provide a better understanding of the harmonic structure, composition form, and mental memory for each piece. I believe it takes both written and applied theory to fully understand and retain this knowledge. 

 

STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITIES:   Learning piano is a long-term commitment that requires time, effort, and consistency through practice at home.  Students are expected to read the assignments in practice space on a daily basis and practice every day until the assignment goal is met. Consistency in Practice is the key to progress and is also the key to brain improvement. New Neural Pathways can only be created by consistent repetition.  Follow the practice instructions given for each piece and be prepared to perform the piece at the next lesson.  Keep up with your memorized pieces. Do assigned theory work. Work to complete the assigned goals for each piece.  Participate in studio events. 

 

PARENTS RESPONSIBILITIES:  Parents are encouraged to attend lessons. The parent, student, teacher triangle results in a more successful and confident student.  It is the parent’s responsibility to schedule a regular daily practice routine and enforce it. Length of practice should be focused on producing progress rather than being a clock watcher.  Be supportive and encouraging.  Never threaten punishment for the lack of practice.  Reward based training is always best.  Provide a worthy instrument tuned and in working order.  "A master is only as good as his tools."

 

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES:  Events, performance opportunities and access to adjudicated events provide the opportunity for musical growth.  Adjudication provides a second opinion from another teacher on the student’s progress . Performance opportunities also provide  motivation for practice and a deadline for memory.  It is my belief as well as that of many of my former students that Piano lessons provide life lessons. Consistency, determination, perseverance and learning to see and feel the pride of knowing your hard work has resulted in success is one of life's most useful lessons. 

 

The world is  continuing to move forward with technology and I always try to add technological advances in the studio each year. It is important for teachers to continue to further teaching skills through continued education, workshops, webinars, conferences and more.​​

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STUDIO HOLIDAYS and EVENT DATES: 

Labor Day September 7

Fall Recital October 17 Place TBD

TMTA Theory Test TBD

Thanksgiving:  November 20-30

Christmas Performance Friday December 11th  Place TBD

Christmas: Break December 17-Janurary 4

Spring Break: March 5-15

Spring Theory Test TBD

Springer Manly Festival TBD

AMTA Piano Solo Contest  TBD

GUILD May 10-11 upon Approval 

Studio Spring Recital May 14

These MAJOR holidays follow the AISD calendar.  We do NOT miss lessons for every Monday that AISD celebrates small holidays.

 

Normally I attend the MTNA conference at the end of March.  Which may be optional depending on circumstances.

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 Acceptance of this studio policy is a binding contract between teacher, parents, and student.  A check box and signature line are provided on the enrollment form for your acceptance of this policy.