Studio Policy Statement

School Year 2011-2012

Daily practice

In order for you to make the most progress, it is essential that you set aside time each day for good concentrated practice. If you take a half hour lesson a week, you should practice the equivalent of 30 minutes a day. It is not always possible to follow this regimen with a busy schedule, but this routine will move you along faster in the long run than a long marathon practice one or two days a week. If you take a forty-five minute or a one-hour lesson per week, you should practice that same amount of time each day.

Lesson Preparation

Students are expected to come prepared to lessons. Voice students who do not read music must bring a blank CD to record exercises and music. It is advisable for all voice students to bring a CD. Keep a bag, or folder, or notebook in which you can organize your music and practice pages. Do not come to your lessons without your music.

Tuition and Payment Schedule

The fee structure this year is based on a 17-week semester in the fall and in the spring.

For one 30-minute lesson per week per semester:
$564   OR   3 payments of $189.

For one 45-minute lesson per week per semester:
$836   OR   3 payments of $280.

For one-hour lesson per week per semester:
$1108   OR   3 payments of $370.

Payment is due at the first lesson of each semester. If you pay in three installments, they are due on the first lesson of September, October, and November in the fall semester, and the first lesson of January, March, and April for the spring semester.

Calendar

Fall semester begins Monday, August 29, 2011 and ends Saturday, January 14, 2012. Fall break will be observed from October 16-23. There will be no lessons during the Thanksgiving weekend November 24-27, or during winter break, December 21 through January 3, 2012. Lessons resume on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. Makeup lessons may be scheduled as time allows throughout the semester and during Makeup Week, January 16-21, 2012.

Spring semester begins Monday, January 23 and ends Saturday, May 26, 2012. Spring break will be observed from March 11-18. Makeup lessons for spring can be scheduled again as time allows throughout the semester and during the week of May 28.

Summer lessons may be scheduled beginning Monday, June 4, 2012. There are no Saturday lessons in the summer. You are encouraged to schedule a minimum of three lessons during the summer to reserve your time slot for the following year. Four or five lessons are recommended to keep your technique at its best. Fees for the summer are a standard rate of $32 per half hour; $48 per 45-minutes, and $64 per hour, payable at the time of the lesson.

Makeup Policy

When you register for a lesson time, that time is yours for the semester. If you must miss for any reason, you must cancel 24 hours in advance to be eligible for a makeup lesson. One makeup lesson per semester is guaranteed. An unusual number of cancellations or absences may result in your time slot being given to another student. If the teacher must miss a lesson, a makeup lesson will be scheduled with no penalty to the student.

Recitals

Recitals are scheduled at the end of each semester. Make note of the dates now and add them to your calendar: Thursday evening January 12, Sunday evening January 15, and Thursday evening January 19, 2012; in the spring recitals are scheduled for Thursday evenings: May 17, 24 and 31. Every student is strongly encouraged to perform two songs for memory on one of the three scheduled recital dates. Attendance is mandatory. The recitals will take place at the Steinway Piano Gallery, 12033 Dorsett Road in Maryland Heights, just east of the Highway 270 interchange.

Studio Contract

Please print out the studio contract form by which you agree to the terms set forth in the Studio Policy for 2011-2012. Please sign, date, and return along with payment at the first lesson. For students 18 and under, both student and parent must sign the contract. Please indicate whether you are paying in full, or in three installments.