Studio Policies For All Piano4FUN! Classes

We are incredibly blessed to have this opportunity to share a breakthrough in music education through the Simply Music curriculum and are committed to achieving unprecedented results with our students. This requires a cooperative effort between student, teacher and parent (if the student is a child). The policies below are designed to facilitate the entire process and to ensure that your investment in this lifelong skill yields the highest return. We value all of our students and parents and welcome your feedback at all times.

STUDIO POLICIES:

Simply Music Goals
General Studio Guidelines
Roles and Responsibilities
- Student's Role
- Parent's Role
- Teacher's Role
Practice/Student Home Materials Use
Student Attendance
- Regular Attendance
- Missed Lessons
- Inclement Weather Policy
- Extended Student Vacations
Studio Holidays and Vacations
Flexible Learning Environment
Scheduling
Tuition and Fees
- Tuition
- Family Discount
- Late Fees
- Purchasing Student Home Materials
- Individual Student Sessions
- Private Lessons
- Payment Options
Discontinuing Lessons
Referral Bonuses
Performances

Simply Music Goals
Piano4FUN! is dedicated to realizing the fundamental and stated goals of the Simply Music organization: To maximize the likelihood that students will retain music as a lifelong companion.

Toward this end, Simply Music has stated four specific goals.
Students will:
- Experience playing as a natural self-expression
- Play a vast repertoire covering a broad array of musical styles and genres
- Develop the ability to self-generate, i.e. the ability to progress independently. This includes developing a foundation of music reading, writing, composition, improvisation, arrangement, structure and theory, etc.
- Have a highly positive, self-affirming experience throughout the music learning process

General Studio Guidelines

Plan to arrive several minutes prior to the scheduled class time. When it is time for your class to begin, please quietly wait in the hallway for the previous class to be dismissed.
Prior to entering the studio, please turn OFF your cell phone and put it away for the duration of the lesson. If you must accept an urgent call, please leave the studio prior to answering. This should be an occasional exception.
Food, gum, candy and beverages are not allowed in lessons. Adults may have a beverage in a covered/sealed travel mug.
The breakthrough nature of Simply Music requires an undistracted parent/life coach to be present at each lesson with children. Therefore, please make other arrangements for the care of younger siblings during lessons so that the life coach is able to devote his or her attention to the teacher and the lesson content. Siblings old enough to play safely and quietly without supervision are welcome to wait in the waiting area.
Loud, rambunctious behavior will not be tolerated; anyone in the studio or sibling waiting room who cannot quiet down after one warning will be required to wait quietly with a parent for the remainder of the sibling's class time that day.

Roles & Responsibilities

"There is a difference between interest and commitment.
When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient.
When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results."
~ Ken Blanchard

The roles and responsibilities outlined below are in place to help you to achieve the absolute best results. We understand that this level of commitment may not be for everyone; however, this is what we require so that we can give you the best value for your investment. Students, parents, and teachers all have equally important roles and responsibilities. Adult students act as their own "parent", so these roles are relevant to all students.

Student's Role:
- Maintain a "coachable" attitude regarding your lessons.|
- Maintain your playlist as directed by your teacher.
- Read your Notes Book every week to ensure your assignments are completed.
- Bring all relevant materials (books and playlist) to class each week.
- Practice 15-20 minutes per day, 5-6 days per week. After the first year, this typically increases to 30-35 minutes per day.
- Be courteous and respectful to everyone present in class.
- Commit to a long-term relationship with piano.
Parent's Role:
- Parents are their children's Life Coaches and are held accountable for supporting and encouraging the child's progress during lessons ("coaching sessions") and in the time between lessons (the "real learning" environment)
- Actively participate in the lesson and discussions.
- Provide an environment at home conducive to successful practice/playing sessions. For example, situate the piano or keyboard away from televisions or other electronics if they are in use regularly.
- Ensure that all assignments are completed and that the playlist is checked off during practice. It is not necessary that you actively engage in every practice session; however you should be available to offer help and support where needed, particularly when using the student home materials.
- Pay monthly fees on time. Familiarize yourself with the "Tuition and Materials Fees"section.
- Commit to a long-term relationship with piano lessons and structured practice at home.
Teacher's Role:
The teacher is your Method Coach and is responsible for imparting the concepts and skills during class necessary for students to do the processing and learning at home that week. Piano4FUN! takes pride in its teachers, each of whom completes several teacher training programs through Simply Music and through regular training events at the studio. Students and parents can expect the following from their teachers:
- Provide instruction appropriate for the level of the class.
- Be prepared for and ready to begin each class on time.
- Be enthusiastic and patient during lessons.
- Maintain open communication with students and parents.

Practice/Student Home Materials Use

Students are expected to practice 15 - 20 minutes per day, 5 - 6 days per week in the first year of lessons. If your schedule does not allow for this, please postpone lessons until sufficient time is available for this consistent practice routine.
It is important that the student practices on the same day of the lesson to reinforce what was learned. You will be asked to set aside a scheduled practice time each day to ensure progress.
The playlist must be kept alive, marked daily and brought to each lesson. Parents of children aged 16 and younger are accountable for ensuring that this happens.
The student home materials must be utilized as directed by your teacher. This includes the DVD, CD, practice pad, reference book, and music book when applicable.

Student Attendance

Regular attendance during the scheduled lesson time is expected.
A parent/life coach is required to attend as described in "Roles and Responsibilities".
Classes meet year-round, with four to eight weeks of holiday/vacation time throughout the year. (See "Studio Holidays and Vacations")
The length of classes is determined by the number of students in the class:
- 1 student (private) 30 min.
- 2 students 35 min.
- 3 students 40 min.
- 4 students 45 min.
- 5 or more students 50 min.
Missed Lessons:
- Contact your teacher prior to the missed lesson if possible.
- It is the responsibility of the student or parent to contact a classmate for class notes and clarification of assignments. E-mail addresses and/or phone numbers will be exchanged during class for this purpose. If your attempts are unsuccessful, then you should contact your teacher for the assignment.
- If another student misses a lesson and contacts you for the assignment, please respond promptly if possible.
- You may attend a different group session as a makeup session. Contact your teacher for appropriate options.
- A private makeup lesson may be scheduled with your teacher at a cost of $30 per half hour session.
- No credit will be issued for missed lessons.
Inclement Weather Policy
- In the event that schools are closed due to the weather, Piano4FUN! will generally remain OPEN.
- If you opt not to attend that day, the usual options for missed lessons are available.
If the weather is severe and we opt to close the studio, you will be contacted prior to your lesson time. PLEASE CHECK YOUR MESSAGES (email/phone/texts) regularly if you think there is any chance that classes may be cancelled.
- If the studio closes, makeup sessions will be scheduled. These sessions will be organized by level, not by individual class.
- No credit will be issued.
Extended Student Vacations
- If you must miss lessons for an extended time, re-enrollment is subject to the availability of classes at the appropriate level. Alternatively, you may reserve your class time by paying regular tuition during your absence with a commitment to remaining caught up with the class.
- Please note that "taking a month off" of lessons without payment is not an option.

Studio Holidays and Vacations

The Piano4FUN! studio will be closed during the weeks in which the following holidays fall:
- Independence Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas (two weeks)
Teachers take an additional 1 - 4 weeks of vacation for personal & professional reasons throughout the year. Your regular class will not be held during teacher vacations. Your teacher will inform you of these dates.
As tuition is pro-rated over 44-47 lessons per year, tuition for the months in which these fall is the regular rate. Tuition is also the same in months where 5 weeks of lessons occur.

Flexible Learning Environment
One way we ensure that our students thrive in our studio is by maintaining a flexible learning environment. For example, if it becomes apparent that the pace of a student's class is not optimal for him or her, we will try to place the student in a more appropriately paced class. If one is not available, the teacher may employ some other options in the existing class to help the student experience success. Because of this ongoing flexibility, you may occasionally experience one or more of the following:

A change in the configuration, size and length of your class
A request to change your regular lesson time (please see "Scheduling" below)

Scheduling
While it is important to maintain as much stability as possible in our studio schedule, we are flexible when necessary and ask the same courtesy of our studio families as we work with your busy schedules. Accordingly, your lesson time is not guaranteed to remain the same for an extended period of time. Please be assured that we make every effort to remain as consistent
as possible while continuing to provide the absolute best value for all of our
students. Most commonly, class times may be adjusted for one of the following reasons:

To accommodate a schedule conflict arising from studio families' outside activities
To place your child in a more appropriately paced class (see "Flexible Learning Environment" above)
If the class size decreases to 3 or less

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are due no later than the first day of each month. This tuition payment covers your lessons for that month, and should be paid during the last lesson of the month prior.
Monthly tuition is $75.00. This is a flat monthly fee which covers payment of 44-47 lessons per year (See "Studio Holidays and Vacations")
Family Discount:
- Each additional family member of a full paying student will receive a $10 discount off the regular monthly tuition rate.
Late Fees:
- If payment is not received by the due date, a $10 late fee will be assessed. An additional fee of $1 per day will be assessed for every day after the 5th on which payment is not received.
Purchasing Student Home Materials:
- To ensure both the teacher's and student's success, each student is provided with instructional materials to use at home. Professionally prepared to the highest standards, these video, audio and print aids allow students to easily and effectively review some of the material presented in their lessons. Regardless of the student's age or experience, the Student Materials dramatically increase his or her results and playing satisfaction.
- Materials fees are collected in full shortly before the materials are ordered. The cost of materials is as follows:
* $46 for each Foundation Level (typically completed every three to four months)
* $8 - $29 for auxiliary programs (added periodically throughout the curriculum, usually 2 - 4 times per year)
Individual Student Sessions
- Occasionally a private session may be necessary. This may be scheduled with your teacher at a cost of $30 per half-hour session.
Private Lessons
- Lessons are most effective in a shared lesson environment. However, private lessons can be arranged to accommodate special circumstances.
- Tuition for private lessons is $90 per month for weekly lessons
Payment Options
- Piano4FUN! accepts checks, cash, and most major credit cards.
- Payments should be made during the last lesson of each month for the following month's lessons.

Discontinuing Lessons

If you must discontinue lessons for any reason, we respectfully request a 30-day written notice.
Tuition is due in full for this 30-day period, even if you opt not to attend your lessons.

Referral Bonus

Piano4FUN! appreciates and acknowledges studio families who help our student body to grow by referring friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances.
You will receive $50 cash for each referral, after they have paid for their second month of lessons.
Bonuses are limited to $50 per referred household (i.e. two siblings from the same family equals one $50 bonus). However, you may earn as many bonuses as you wish by continuing to refer new families.

Performances

Opportunities are available throughout the year for students to share their talents (for example, at an assisted living facility, holiday event, etc,).
Performances encourage students to excel, play with confidence and have a self-affirming experience as well as provide a much-appreciated service to the community.
Larger studio events are held once or twice annually to provide students with a different venue in which to share their talents. These are fun, informal events which demonstrate different ways in which piano-playing skills can be enjoyed.
Parents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of at least two of these performance opportunities each year.
Separate events are scheduled for adult piano students who do not wish to participate in those opportunities with younger students.
Weekly classes also give students the opportunity to play for others, increasing their comfort and confidence levels, as well as providing a social setting in which to share music.

Our policies have been very carefully considered, and they are designed to afford Piano4FUN! the ability to operate as smoothly and efficiently as possible. In this environment, we have the greatest freedom to share the gift of music with our students and to help them achieve the breakthrough results promised by the Simply Music program. Feel free to contact us at any time with questions, comments, or concerns regarding your experience at Piano4FUN!.

Thank you!