2023 Studio Policies

Students and parents,

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of teaching you or your child piano! In order to make our time the most productive, the following policies are established for the Edmond Piano Studio.

Location and Schedule: To give everyone an uninterrupted lesson, it is very important that you observe the following:

Please come in the front door at your lesson time (you may ring the bell but I may be teaching and won’t hear it). If I am teaching another student, come to the studio door so that I will know you are present, and then wait outside the studio.
My break times are designed to help me re-group, organize, breathe, and do other necessary things to assist me in teaching most efficiently. Because of this, I ask that you not arrive early or stay later than your lesson time.
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 best judgment in providing care and treatment for your child. Parents agree to hold me harmless for any such care and treatment decisions.

Cancellation Policy:
Regular and prompt attendance is required to make appropriate progress. Lesson planning and preparation is made for every lesson. Please respect my time and give advance notice if a student will be unable to attend a lesson.

Makeup lessons:
If a student/parent is unable to attend a lesson and desires an alternative time, I make attempt to find another time, if possible, but only if notice is give at least 24 hours in advance.

Summer Months
Piano lessons continue during the summer and I don’t recommend taking extended time off, since much progress is lost during this time. If summer months are taken off, please keep in mind that the students studying piano during the full year have first choice of schedule once school starts.

Tuition Scholarships
I provide a designated amount for scholarship funds each year. This is used to fund partial tuition for those who cannot afford the full monthly tuition. The distribution of the funds is based on the number of students who request it. To be fair to all students, it is necessary to substantiate an actual need for the scholarship. If you are interested, please send me an email with an explanation of your need.

Illness:
Students who are ill should not come to piano lessons. I reserve the right to send a student home if they arrive sick. I will make my best effort to make up these missed lessons.

Recitals and Other Opportunities:
Recitals provide a lot of value for students in helping them set goals, work within deadlines, and to work on one’s poise and concentration in a stressful situation. I will frequently provide opportunities for students to perform in order to become comfortable playing for an audience. I urge you to take part in these occasions as often as possible.

Practice Time and Other Requirements:
I like to emphasize the quality versus quantity of time practiced. However, in order to make reasonable progress, a minimum of 30 minutes a day, five days a week is necessary. (Less time for students under 9 years old is acceptable in the beginning). As students advance and mature, the need for practice time increases and students in year 2-3 of study should practice at least 45 minutes daily). I try to be very specific about practice techniques with the student and the parent, so that each knows what quality practice consists of. Students may be required to track their practice in a journal.

A metronome is necessary for all students. 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.

Many students have electronic keyboards instead of pianos. Please realize that it is impossible to learn to play the piano without a piano. I understand that a piano is a significant investment, and not everyone can spend that much money. A keyboard will allow a student to learn music reading, keyboard theory, and some other incidentals, but not to play the piano. I am willing to teach students with keyboards, but after the first year, progress is limited without a piano. If you have a piano, please try to have it tuned 1-2 times year (the best times are at season changes.)

Thank you for abiding by these policies to help your child’s piano lessons be the most productive and efficient! I look forward to a great year.