Why do I pay the same tuition rate each month, even if there is a break/less lessons/more lessons in that month?
Tuition is charged per semester, not per month. If you're paying the monthly rate, it is simply the full-semester rate broken up into equal payments. I've found that everyone is happier when they know what they owe ahead of time, and the rate doesn't change when we have more/less lessons in a month. That gets confusing!
What happens if I quit lessons mid-month? Can I get a refund?
First off - I would be sorry to see you go! Please note that there are no refunds for tuition. I recommend continuing lessons until you've received all of the lessons you've paid for.
If I miss some lessons, can I pay less next month/get a credit for next semester?
No; you are paying to reserve the same time slot each week for the entire semester. Think of it like paying for a class; if you go to some of the classes, the class is still meeting (lesson is reserved) no matter if you are there or not. I recommend that all students make their lesson time a priority. If a student is sick, we have a make-up lesson at the end of each semester.
What if I'm sick for two lessons in the semester? Can I get a refund for one of them? Or a second make-up lesson? Or a twice-as-long make-up lesson?
Every student receives one (normal-length) make-up lesson per semester, regardless of lessons missed. Many students find that because I encourage all students to attend make-up week during fall/spring semesters (not just those who have missed lessons), they come out ahead some semesters and break even/behind in others. Most feel that it evens out in the end! You're still getting a great value for your tuition money.
But really, you never give refunds or credits? What if you miss a lesson? Or there's a weather cancellation?
Well, sometimes I do! Priority number one is to have the lesson, whether that means having a lesson over Facetime/Zoom or attempting to reschedule during the week. Students do best if they come every single week so that I can check their progress and teach new material. If I (the teacher) am unable to teach all of the lessons promised to you (and paid for), I will credit you those lessons for the next semester. I'm human too, and sometimes I get sick! If you have a make-up lesson to use, we'll use that first. If you've already used your make-up lesson, I'll credit you.
Myself or my son/daughter/spouse/niece/nephew/neighbor needs an accompanist. Will you play for them? Can we take part of our lesson time to rehearse?
I do work as a freelance musician outside of my regular lesson schedule! For inquiries, please contact me directly by phone or email. My accompanying rate is different than my lesson rate, and I ask that all rehearsals take place separately from the regularly scheduled lesson. We have work to do during piano lessons, and we need the lesson time to do it!
I want to take a break from lessons. Can I come back when I'm ready to start again?
The studio has an active waiting list, and there are others eager to start lessons. If you decide to take a break from lessons, you have two options: you can hold your spot by continuining to pay the tuition rate for lessons until you're ready to start attending lessons again, or you can give up your lesson slot and join the waiting list.
My child is not interested in lessons anymore. Can a sibling take their spot?
In the interest of fairness, anyone wishing to join the studio must first join the waiting list. A student giving up their spot means the next person on the waiting list is offered that spot. If you think a sibling may be interested in the future, please join the waiting list so that a spot will become available just for them!
Can you come to my house for lessons?
Occasionally, I will travel to a student's house for a lesson. This is usually done to check out a new piano or if a student will be giving a recital out of their home. For regular lessons, I do not travel. Lessons are scheduled back-to-back during the week. Also, there are a lot of insurance rules, hauling of books, etc. etc. that come into play.