The Key Of Joy

In-Home Lessons

Students are expected to have materials ready when the teacher arrives. Lessons will take place in a clean, distraction free area of the home. Lessons are 30-minute or 45-minute sessions, and student progress can be discussed before or after class begins should time allow. Please keep in mind the teacher is traveling to your home, and may have other students to travel to as well. Therefore, the teacher may not able to stay any longer than allotted time.

Online Lessons

Students are responsible for attending virtual lessons on time and prepared, as if it were in person. Students must use a device capable of video call in order to sign up for online lessons. Lessons are 30-minute or 45-minute sessions, and student progress can be discussed before or after class begins should time allow. Students should check connection prior to lesson. If a lesson is unable to proceed due to connectivity issues, the lesson will be rescheduled once. Should the issue persist following a reschedule, that lesson will be considered cancelled. 

Practice and Assignments

Beginner Piano students are expected to practice daily on an in-tune acoustic piano or 49 key, 61 key or full-sized (88 keys) Keyboard. Students will use composition notebook to track weekly practice assignments. Students will transition to the app Tonara if they have access to a mobile device (iOS or Android) once system is available for use. 

Materials

Students are recommended to keep all materials near their practice area to avoid losing or damaging them. Students are responsible for purchasing required music books, as well as optional study materials should they need extra reinforcement. Most materials can be found on Amazon; the teacher will send direct links to Parents/Guardians for purchase if necessary. Students are expected have all required materials by start of their third lesson, or remaining sessions will be cancelled until the required materials are obtained. 

Performance

Students are encouraged to participate in the Spring Family & Friends Recital. Additional Recital opportunities will be available, and the teacher will help prepare students for such events as needed. 

Calendar

Tuition rates are determined based on a calendar of 45 weekly private lessons. There will be no classes the week of Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas and the week after Christmas, and three flex weeks during the summer. Students will also receive a list of Holidays and other closures when no lessons will be held. 

Missed Lessons

Due to the teacher's limited availability, rescheduling lessons cannot be guaranteed. However, if an absence arises due to unforeseen situations such as an accident, sickness, family emergency, or unsafe weather conditions and if the student indicates a desire for a makeup lesson, the teacher will make an effort to reschedule the lesson. If the teacher must miss a lesson, it will be rescheduled promptly. 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 based on 4 week, 6 week, and 8 week bundled lessons. Tuition must be paid directly through the website before lessons can commence. Once tuition is paid, there are no refunds for missed lessons. The teacher reserves the right to raise fees at the beginning of each calendar year (in January). 

Summer Months

During the summer months (May 22 through August 8), all Piano students are expected to continue taking lessons. Songwriting and Ear Training students have the option of continuing with lessons or taking a break during summer months. The teacher feels strongly about the value of continuing Piano students' musical education throughout the summer months, but the teacher's livelihood depends upon regular income throughout the summer months because the tuition rate has been determined based on a 12-month calendar. For these reasons, if a student does not continue lessons throughout the summer, the student unfortunately cannot be guaranteed a spot in the schedule especially if there is a waiting list.

Discontinuing Lessons

Every student will stop taking lessons at some point, for any number of reasons. Ideally, this decision is made after plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent/guardian, and student so that lessons can end on a positive note. For this reason, the teacher requests 30-day notice prior to discontinuing lessons. However, the teacher respects the student's right to end lessons at any time. Please note: The teacher retains discretion to dismiss students at any time if they have unpaid tuition, no materials, an excessive amount of absences/reschedules, or if they show lack of improvement due to disinterest. Students may also be dismissed for any repetitive unfavorable behavior during lessons. 

Parent/Guardian Participation

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to be supportive and active participants in practice at home. Parents are encouraged to attend and observe lessons at least once every 4 weeks.

Communication

Students will receive email newsletters at least once a month. Students can communicate with teacher at any time via text, email or phone call; the best way to contact the teacher is via text message. The teacher welcomes correspondence from students during the week if they have questions regarding assignments or other matters.