Studio Policy

Parent Responsibilities
  • Provide music books, a working metronome and other materials as requested.
  • Provide quality listening music for your child to help them to become aware of different musical styles and provide a broad background and knowledge of classical music. 
  • Attend live concerts with your child.
  • Provide time, support, encouragement, and discipline for regular and consistent practice.
  • Make sure that your child practices the piano each day. Many students will not take the initiative to do this on their own and need to be reminded.
  • Be involved in your child’s practice at home. Particularly with younger students or beginners, parents will need to help the child organize.   It is helpful to review the lesson assignment with your child to ensure reasonable preparation for lessons. Remember, parents need to initial practice time weekly, indicating you have actually listened to the student practice.
  • Check your email regularly. I often communicate through email and/or by texting.

Student Responsibilities 
  • Students should come to lessons well prepared with all assignments from the previous lesson. 
  • Keep fingernails trimmed short to ensure proper hand position and technique.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before your lesson begins.
  • Read the assignment pages in your notebook and practice those assignments.  
  • Practice as recommended below. Each student will have a personal practicing recommendation that may differ based on their level, potential, and ability. Dividing the practice time before school and after school works well. 
  • Recommended amount of practicing per week:
               Level One (1A and 1B) — 30 minutes daily —  six days
               Levels Two and Three (or 2A-3B) — 40 minutes daily — six days
               Levels Four and Five —  50 minutes daily — six days
               Levels Six and higher — 60 minutes daily — six days

Attendance
A student not attending a lesson simply misses the benefit of that lesson. Your tuition reserves you a weekly time slot in my teaching schedule. There will be no make-up lessons when canceled by the student. If the student misses a lesson, it will not be made up or refunded except in rare emergency situations.  Online lessons via FaceTime and Skype are an option for students who are unable to meet in person due to inclement weather. You may call me to find students who are willing to trade lesson times for that week due to illness, vacation, etc. Please inform me of any changes. If I must miss a lesson, I will call and reschedule with you.

Tuition
  • Tuition based on a 12-month period and divided into monthly payment installments that can be paid with different payment options: PayPal, Venmo, monthly checks, or cash.
  • Tuition remains the same each month and is based on enrollment, not attendance, reserving your exclusive lesson time during the year, whether you attends lessons or not. 
  • Tuition is not adjusted/credited for any reason.
  • Tuition is due by the first week of each month.
  • Payments made after the first week of the month will be assessed a $10 late fee.
  • Make checks payable to Desiree Gonzalez.
  • Returned checks will require a $25.00 bank fee.

Holidays/ Breaks
Students are expected to continue lessons during the summer months. If you continue through the summer you will be guaranteed a spot in September. During December I teach the first two weeks of the month. The Piano Studio is closed for Christmas Break. Tuition remains the same. To inform you of current events, recitals and student recognition in my studio, information is e-mailed to you or can be found on the studio website.

Recitals and Performances
Recitals are NOT optional. They are a requirement of my studio. The student and his/her supporters must arrive on time and stay until ALL students have played. Achievement In Music (AIM), Federation, chapter competitions, and other exciting piano events occur several times throughout the year and are optional.

Discontinuing Lessons
In the event there is a decision to discontinue lessons, either a one-month notice or a two-month lesson fee is required. This allows me a chance to fill the time slot and finish the lessons on a positive note for the student.

Termination of Lessons
Students may be dismissed from lessons for any of the following reasons:
  • Inadequate practice 
  • Destruction or theft of property in my home or studio 
  • Disrespect or uncooperative attitude toward teachers or other students
  • Failure to comply with studio policy 
  • Failure to pay tuition on the due date

Studio Etiquette
  • Parents must bring and pick students up on time
  • No food, drinks or gum in the music studio
  • Young children may not be left unattended

Your Piano
  • Piano students are expected to have an appropriate well-tuned fully furnished 88-key piano and working pedals for home practice.
  • Pianos should be tuned twice a year (spring and fall). If you would like me to recommend a tuner/technician, please ask.
  • The piano needs to be in a well-lit area with appropriate heat and cooling to ensure as few distractions as possible.

Policy Changes
I reserve the right to update or modify these Studio Policies at any time and without prior notice, by posting the revised version of these Studio Policies on my website. Your use of the site following any such change constitutes your agreement with all posted Studio Policies updates, and you will be subject to the terms of the revised Studio Policies. You may access the current version of these Studio Policies at any time on my website. 

It is my sincere desire that my teaching and your support at home, we will form an effective team. Giving the gift of music to your child will be one of the most enjoyable experiences of a lifetime.