STUDIO POLICIES
FEES
REGISTRATION
Every Students (both New and Returning)................................... $70
This fee includes payment for 1 Studio T-shirt, Receptions,and Administrative Fees. The Registration Fee is due when the Registration and Agreement are signed and turned in by August 15 in order to start class in September. The required Registration Fee holds a place for a student in one of our Group Piano Classes. No student will be registered, and no place will be held, until the Registration Fee has been paid in full. The Registration Fee is non-refundable. If you are registering after August 15, the Registration Fee remains the same, but the monthly fee will be adjusted based on the number of lessons you receive in the month in which you begin.(Maximum four students per class)
TUITION
The total cost of the Course for the year is $700.00 (including the Registration Fee). This represents payment for a minimum of 32 group lessons. The tuition balance may be paid in one of three ways:
- 1 Total payment due August 1.
- 2 Semester payments – one due by August 1, and one due on February 1
- 10 Equal payments – each installment due on the first lesson of each month from August through May (Classes actually begin in September. The August payment is your Registration Fee)
COURSE CURRICULUM
Students studying the Mayron Cole Group Piano Lessons through Level 10 are taught a stimulating, thorough, and graduated Course. This piano method is well known and accepted in musical circles as this country’s FOREMOST group piano method! Each level (except Menehune Music) has approximately 200 pages of original music, recital solos, practice sheets, rhythm exercises, theory fun sheets, music history, favorite classics, etc. Ensemble music for every level is available for class as well. Music for the Course must be paid for before distribution. Distribution will take place at the first lesson for the year. The Mayron Cole Group Piano Course is presented in a 3-ring, loose-leaf binder that can be added to as the student’s progress. Occasionally there is additional Ensemble, Fun, or Seasonal Music. These must be paid for at distribution. Notice will be given in advance of distribution, so parents can prepare for the expense.
LATE PAYMENT PENALTY
A $10 late payment penalty is added to any account left unpaid after the first lesson of the month. Failure to remit the late payment penalty and the current tuition or Course Curriculum payment before the 30th of the month will result in dismissal of the student.
RETURNED CHECK FEE There will be a $35 processing fee added to any account that has a check returned due to insufficient funds.
You may pay by Check, Cash, or Money Order
Make Checks Payable to Judith W Hurst
CLASS TIMES
The Course is broken up into 32 lessons. We celebrate the same national Holidays, Winter Break, and Spring Break as found on the Public School Calendar. You will be notified about other Holidays, i.e. “Teacher’s Work Days”, etc., as they occur. Classes begin in September and end in May. New classes with a minimum of one student may begin at any time. Tuition will be prorated for those beginning class after September.
PIANO CLASS INFORMATION
Piano classes are small, having only one to four students in each one. Each student has the individual use of an electronic keyboard. Piano classes are 45-minutes in length. Students are grouped according to age and ability. Sometimes, as students progress, a student may be asked to move to another class that is better suited to his or her ability.
MISSED LESSONS
Please do not come to class if you are sick! If you did not go to school, work, etc., then you are sick enough not to come to Piano Class. Out of consideration for the other students, please call the Studio as soon as you are aware that you will be missing class. This will allow you to receive a “Pass” for your absence. “Passes” are granted for absences based on personal illness, or a family emergency, only. Each student is allowed three “Passes” per Semester without being placed on *Probation. If you do not come and do not call, it will be considered a “No Show”. Two “No Shows” and you will be placed on *Probation.
Missing a lesson for reasons other than personal illness or family emergency will be considered a serious infraction which must be discussed with Mrs. Hurst, and may result in immediate *Probation, or Dismissal. This includes personal scheduling conflicts. We believe that your group piano lessons should be a high priority item in your schedule. We do not want anyone to fall behind. I am sure that you understand, the classes move through the curriculum together. One person falling behind can keep the whole class from progressing, as they should. Parents, please come to the studio and pick up the new music assigned, if your child misses class.
FORGOTTEN MUSIC
A student will not be allowed to participate in the lesson if the student forgets to bring his/her music to class. Participation is impossible without their music. However, they will be allowed to sit and observe, in order to keep them from falling behind, which would be even more detrimental to their progress. Forgetting your music more than two times per Semester is grounds for Probation*.
ATTITUDE OF THE STUDENT
We offer a great course in music education. We expect and require my students to have a positive attitude. One student’s attitude affects the entire group. Students with a negative or disruptive attitude will be put on Probation*. Please come with CLEAN HANDS, NO GUM, CANDY, FOOD, or DRINKS!
*PROBATION
If a student is put on probation, it will be for a period of one month. If the situation does not improve within that timeframe, the student will be dismissed. Any pre-paid fees will not be reimbursed. Situations where a student may be put on probation include, but are not limited to:
- Behavior or language that is inappropriate or distracting during lesson time.
- Not meeting the practice requirements.
- Mistreating equipment or materials in the studio.
- Being disrespectful to teachers and/or other students.
- Purposely interfering with the normal activities of others on the Studio property.
- Vandalism.
- More than one no-show in a semester.
- Paying late two or more times in a semester.
- Not returning borrowed materials when they are due.
IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL
Immediate Dismissal is completely at the discretion of the Instructor. Parents may appeal any decision made in this area only by scheduled appointment, not at the time of the dismissal. Immediate Dismissal situations include, but are no limited to:
- If parent/student refuses to pay (in full & including late fees), or if parent withholds payment for any reason not previously discussed with Mrs. Hurst.
- If parent/student threatens, harasses, or tries to intimidate the teacher or any other student.
- Stealing.
PRACTICE TIME
All students are required to play the week’s music assignment at least twice a day, 6 days a week, until the next lesson. Parents, please allow students to practice as soon as they get home from class. If they do not, approximately 50% of what they learned will be lost. Parents must accept their responsibility in seeing to it that the student does the required practicing. Consistent lack of practicing is grounds for *Probation.
ASSURING YOUR CHILD'S SUCCESS
Successful, satisfying piano study is dependent upon correct and consistent practice habits. In order for students, parents, and the teacher to experience success, the following are my recommendations:
- Arrange a set time 6 DAYS a week for your child to practice, and be consistent.
- Provide a practice setting free from distraction (siblings, TV, etc.)
- Check on your child's practice progress during the week, as you enjoy listening to them play.
- Make sure your child brings ALL the correct music & materials to lessons
- Check the music notebook weekly for communication from teacher
- Make sure your child is prepared for each lesson
- Arrive on time
RECITALS
Students will participate in 2 Class Recitals per year, one in the Winter, and one in the Spring. The students will play in ensemble some of the music they have learned that Semester. Students may play a solo during the Class Recital, but they are not required to do so. Notification of Dates, location, and time will be one month before the event, so families can plan early to attend and enjoy!
OPERETTAS & MUSICALS
As students progress, there will be opportunities to participate in Operettas and Musicals. We plan to produce at least one Operetta / Musical per year, with acting, costumes, sets, and wonderful music! We will need pianists to play the music, singers to sing the music (both soloists and group participants), artists to help create and paint sets, “techies” to take care of all the “backstage” stuff, and of course wonderful performers.
