Student & Family Responsibilities

Students agree to start each lesson well-prepared, with their completed assignments and books. To make good progress, practicing is very important. How long a student should practice goes by their age. The age times 3 will give you how long each student should practice at least three-four times a week. For example, if the student is 10 they should practice 30 minutes five times a week (10 x 3 = 30). To make sure each student completely understands every assignment, please ask questions. If you or the student forgets how to complete an assignment or where to put their hands for a song, please send me a message. I can explain as well as send pictures and/or videos to help explain. I’m almost always available. If it is during lesson times, I will get back to you as soon as I have a free moment.

Parents and/or family members are welcome to stay during lesson times. If you choose to stay in the room with us, I just ask that you remain quiet so that it does not interrupt my teaching and/or the students concentration. Please do your best to keep other children out of the room we are having our lesson in! I understand this might not always be possible, as long as an attempt is being made.

During virtual lessons, please try to keep noise in the house to a minimum. It is important that the student and I can hear each other when we are talking or playing.

- If something is happening at home or school that is affecting your child please let me know. Please err on the side of caution by letting me know more so I can be sensitive to the needs of your child. A quick text prior to the lesson can make the difference between a great lesson and a difficult one.

- All students are encouraged to play at the two recitals we have each year: One in the Spring (the first Saturday in May), and the other in the Winter (the first Saturday in December). Actual times and locations of recitals will be announced closer to recital date, but they will always be held the first Saturday in May and December. There will be a recital fee of $60.00 per student, the cost of recital is based on my hourly lesson cost. This covers the venue fee as well as plates, napkins, cups, refreshments, awards, and goody bags. If you wish to not participate in the recital, notice must be given 60 days prior to Recital date. Medals are ordered around this time, which is why I require such a lengthy notice. If you are not participating in the recital and you have given proper notice you will not be charged the recital fee. However, the week of rehearsals you will still be responsible for coming to the recital venue for that week’s lesson. 

- Students are required to have something to practice their assignments on. For piano students, a mid- size touch sensitive keyboard also called semi-weighted keyboard(61 keys), full-size touch sensitive keyboard also called semi weighted keyboard (88 keys), or actual piano will be required. For ukulele, guitar, drums, and clarinet students their specific instrument is required at the start of the first lesson.  

Tuition

30 Minute Lesson - $30 per week 

60 Minute Lesson - $60 per week

Tuition is due monthly by the 1st of the month. A $10.00 late fee will be charged every 5 days a payment is late for payments not received by the first of the month (unless other arrangements have been made). I accept Zelle, Cashapp, Venmo, Paypal, Cash, and Check. If for whatever reason a check bounces, there will be an added $50.00 returned check fee to cover the cost of my bank fees.

The first month is due up front once the student is enrolled. This is not only non-refundable but it is to guarantee the students time slot. 

If there are five days during the month on your specific lesson day, all five days must be paid for. For Example, If you have a lesson on Mondays and there are five Mondays that month, you will be paying $150 for a weekly 30 minute lesson and $300 for a weekly 60 minute lesson.

Tuition covers not only the actual lesson time spent with the student, but time preparing for each student as well. This includes:

• An individualized plan for each student's course of study 

• Written progress reports for each child at least once a year

• Development of teaching materials, often including pieces composed specifically for your child

• Training and experience

• Recital Preparation and repertoire planning

• Professional organization memberships

• Continuing Education

• Piano Maestro membership for your child

• Supplemental material

Attendance/Cancellation Policy

If there is inclement weather lessons will be virtual for that day. If too many students are sick on a specific day of the week or if I am sick, lessons will be switched to virtual. Please remember this can only happen if the entire day can be switched to virtual.  Because tuition holds your child’s time slot, cancellations will not be refunded. I do not offer make-up lessons for lessons canceled by the student. I will offer make-up lessons if I have to cancel for whatever reason. 

If a student is sick and there are any signs/symptoms of illness, please notify me of the cancellation as soon as possible.  I have to be careful not to potentially infect the other 30+ households I travel to each week.  

If we are doing virtual lessons, I will try calling twice but if there isn’t any answer, it is your responsibility to return the call. The lesson will still end on time regardless of what time you return the call.

If I show up to your house and you are not there, and you have failed to give me notice of being late, or having to cancel, I will charge a $10.00 fee for the time and gas spent coming all the way there.

Extended Leave From Lessons

If you will be gone for an extended amount of time and wish to have a spot to come back to, you can take an extended leave. An extended leave would be considered anything more than a month. If you will be gone for an entire month or more but wish to keep enrolled and have a spot to come back to, you can pay half of the amount owed for that time period.  I must be informed of this change 30 days prior to when you want it to be applied. Disclaimer: you will not be “owed” lessons from that time period, the fee being paid is strictly to hold a spot for you instead of the alternative which would be to terminate lessons and allow someone to else to potentially take your spot and then have to be put on the wait list until an additional spot opens up.

Termination of Lessons

If you are having an issue with the way lessons are being conducted or with having your child practice, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can attempt to help you through the issue. Sometimes there could be something small that is hindering practicing which is an easy fix.

If you want to terminate lessons, you must fill out a withdrawal form and you will be responsible for the termination fee. Notice must be given 30 days prior to the 1st of the month. Once the month has started you will be responsible for that month and the following month. (EXAMPLE: if you wish to stop lessons on May 30th, you must give me notice prior to May 1st. IF you give me notice prior to May 1st you will only have to pay for the month of May. If you give me notice on or after May 1st, you will be responsible for May’s tuition as well as the price of June's tuition.  The last day for lessons will be the last week of May.) The reason for this, is to adequately give me notice so that I can fill the spot. Please remember this is my sole source of income. It’s important to know of any changes to that income as soon as possible. If you wish to stop conducting lessons right away for whatever reason, you will still be responsible for the termination fee as stated above and will not receive any refunds for lessons already paid for.

If you are wanting to change the length of lessons, for example, you are paying for an hour long lesson but wish to change to 30 minute lessons. I will need 30 day's paid notice before this change can take place. This change can not take place for the final month of lessons unless notice is given 60 days prior. 

Contact Information

I answer calls, texts, emails, and Facebook messages. If you haven’t already, please “like” my studio Facebook page www.facebook.com/musiclessonsbymelanieshehata I will often post updates, or important information to the studio page.

 Photo Release

I have a Facebook page for my studio, which is made to keep the parents connected. From time to time I will take pictures and videos of the students throughout their progress, as well as recital pictures/videos, and will put these pictures/videos on the Facebook page. These videos and posts are helpful to other teachers and much appreciated. If you do not want your child’s image(s) and videos to be used, please let me know. In general, the students love to see their pictures and videos on my page. They find it motivating and exciting to think that others want to know what they are learning. Please contact me If you would like to be excluded from having the photos and videos used on my business social media.   

Lesson Material

For piano students, it is required each student have their own set of books, to be able to practice and conduct lessons with. For siblings I can make it work with one set of books, as long as they each have their own “Theory” book, since that is the written homework. When it is almost time for the student to get a new set of books, I will give you 1-2 weeks notice, to allow you time to purchase the books. I also ask that you provide the material to learn the music notes. This can be done by either purchasing an app for tablet/phone (approximately $5.00), flashcards from amazon (approximately $6-$7), or by printing your own flashcards which I can send you a link for. For recital performances if your child chooses a song that I do not have in my library/books, I will ask that you purchase the song.

I also incorporate iPad related games for the piano, as well as other games and worksheets to help learn the piano material. Please let me know if your child has an iPad or tablet they can access.

By signing up as a new student you are agreeing to the terms and conditions as stated in this policy