Piano lessons are like a triangle-it takes three sides to make a successful musical experience. The student, parent, and teacher must all work together; hence, cooperation and communication between all parties is essential.
Student Responsibilities
The student agrees to arrive at each lesson punctually, well prepared, and with all necessary materials in hand.
In order to progress satisfactorily, daily quality practice is necessary and required. Be sure to ask Mrs. Neilson questions during lessons so you completely understand the assignment. Students will participate in a minimum of two performances during the school year that Mrs. Neilson will arrange.
Teacher Responsibilities
Mrs. Neilson will provide a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere for learning. She will continue to further her teaching skills and music knowledge by belonging to professional organizations, attending workshops, reading professional publications, and engaging in other activities leading to professional growth. Mrs. Neilson will encourage a feeling of success at each student's individual rate of learning and guide each student towards musical independence with a balanced program of theory, technique (scales and hanon), music history, sight-reading, hymns and performance skills and opportunities. She will make piano as fun and entertaining as possible!
Parental Responsibilities
Encourage progress! Many small steps throughout the year yield great results! Parents are welcome to attend lessons at any time. Please check your child's notebook weekly for assignment details and pertinent information. Parental support is a must for a child's musical growth. To help your child develop self-discipline and good practice habits, set aside a regular time for practice each day (this can be done all at once or divided into two or more daily practice sessions). Younger children especially need help with their practicing. The parent is to provide a piano in the best possible condition (most keyboards and organs are not appropriate), a metronome, and a place allowing quiet and uninterrupted practice. Provide a practice environment that is free from interruptions (family, friends, TV, computer or phone). Be financially responsible and pay tuition on time. Be helpful, interested and supportive!
Fees
Tuition is a monthly fee of $85.00 (for 30 minute weekly lessons) or $105.00 (for 45 minute lessons) per student due on or before the first lesson of each month. Tuition is non-refundable. Payment for piano lessons is due in full whether the student attends each scheduled lesson or not. Each student is scheduled for a specific weekly time slot. Your payment reserves that time slot. As with University tuition, piano lesson tuition is payable whether the student attends or not.
Payment Due Date/Late Fee
Payment is due at the first lesson of each month. There is a late fee of $5.00 for each week payment is past due. Please include the late fee with your late payment.
What Tuition Covers
Tuition covers not only the contact time spent with the student, but also the time spent in preparation for the student:
- An individualized plan for the student's course of study
- Development of teaching materials
- Preparation of recitals, programs, and venue costs
- Professional organization membership to enhance teaching skills and professional development
Materials
During the course of the year, various materials are required. Each student must have the following materials provided by the parent (unless otherwise specified):
- Metronome
- Notebook
- Repertoire books (assigned by Mrs. Neilson; provided by the parents)
When possible, we will use music that the student has already purchased. Photocopied materials are illegal and will not be used unless the original music is no longer in print and we have permission from the copyright owner.
Cancelled Lessons and Make-up Lessons
Your lesson is at a specific time each week and you are expected to attend at the scheduled time. No payment credit will be provided for missed lessons. If the teacher cancels a lesson, it will be rescheduled at the earliest possible time.
Tardiness
Please be on time! If a student arrives late, they will finish only their remaining lesson time and will not go into the next students' time.
Performances
There are several opportunities for performance during the year. Out of courtesy to the other performers at these events, please plan to stay for the entire recital. It shows great respect to the dedication of all performers to listen to the achievements of others. Recitals will last approximately one hour.
Practicing
Students are expected to practice six days each week to count as FULL practice. Full practice will be defined as completing each assignment a specific number of times each day. For example: "Practice the E scale three times perfectly each day." "Review measures 10-18 five times perfectly each day." Mrs. Neilson will be specific in the student's notebook. This may mean that the student's practice time may fluctuate from day to day, depending on the length of time it takes to perfect certain passages.
Terminating Lessons
The teacher may terminate lessons due to repeated inappropriate behavior, failure to practice, or failure to comply with studio etiquette. Any termination initiated by the parent or student requires one month written and paid tuition notice.
Student/Parent/Teacher Agreement
We have read and agree to adhere to these policies. We recognize that failing to follow these policies will limit our success and could end our association with the Leavitt Piano Studio.
Student Signature / Date:
Parent Signature / Date:
Teacher Signature / Date:
