Studio Policies

 The following are the current piano studio policies. 

  1. MATERIALS
    1. Each student needs to have a well-maintained instrument at home to practice on. An acoustic piano is preferred and strongly recommended. If an acoustic piano is not an option, a digital piano is an excellent alternative. Avoid the cheap keyboards that are available at Costco, Target, etc. A great option instead of outright purchasing an acoustic or digital piano is to rent one.
    2. Each student is assigned a 3-Ring binder, a set of method books or specific music books to work out of. It is the responsibility of the parents to purchase the method or other music books. By purchasing the music yourself, you are helping to build your student’s own music library.
    3. A metronome is required and essential to developing a good sense of rhythm and tempo. There is a plethora of free metronome apps available for both Apple and Android devices. You can also purchase a basic metronome from any music store for around $20.
  2. TUITION
    1. Tuition is a flat monthly fee due in the amount of $96.00 on the first lesson of each month and is due not later than the 10th of each month. Payment may be made either by cash, check, website (www.julieizatt.mymusicstaff.com), or Venmo (@Julie-Izatt). The fee remains the same whether there are 3, 4, or 5 lessons in a month.
    2. Tuition covers the following:
      1. Time spent in preparation for the student such as:
        1. Researching music and curriculum, lesson planning, bookkeeping, etc. It has been cited by professional music journals that for every 1 hour enrolled in piano lessons, you are investing in at least 2 hours of the teacher’s time.
      2. Time spent with the student
      3. Teacher’s training and experience
      4. Studio expenses such as:
        1. Computer software, instrument tunings & repairs, copying, etc.
      5. Music books, sheet music, CDs, and digital downloads
    3. Tuition is based on enrollment and NOT on attendance. Payment of tuition reserves a time slot for a private lesson. That time slot is set aside specifically for a lesson and the time passes whether or not you choose to attend a lesson.
  3. ATTENDANCE
    1. Regular attendance is necessary for progression in musical education. Lessons you choose to miss, or cancel will not be made up. Forgotten lessons will not be made up. Your tuition is a purchase of teacher and studio time. The time passes whether you choose to use or not use it. Missed lessons is time lost for the teacher. If the teacher must cancel scheduled lessons due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, those lessons may be made up at teacher discretion and convenience.
    2. IF YOUR CHILD IS SICK ENOUGH TO STAY HOME (OR COME HOME) FROM SCHOOL, HE/SHE IS TOO SICK TO COME TO PIANO LESSONS.
    3. Parents are welcome to sit in on any lesson if they choose. The function of the parent in the lesson is to be an observer and take notes of the teacher’s practice suggestions to the student.
  4. PRACTICE GUIDELINES
    1. Unprepared lessons cost the same as prepared ones, but their value is substantially compromised.
    2. Students are expected to come prepared for each lesson. A regular time should be set aside each day for practice to establish a routine that will become a daily habit.
    3. It is important that students learn to practice for results and not just a number on the clock. It is expected that students will practice 5 out of the 7 days in between lessons.
      1. At some point during lessons, your student will say something like: “I don’t want to practice”, “I’m too tired to go to piano lessons”, “I don’t want to go to lessons, I’d rather play with my friends”, “I want to quit”. Be aware that your student’s interest will probably not be consistent; but to be successful, you will need to be consistent in your encouragement and commitment to music lessons. In most cases, simply acknowledge your child’s comment and then proceed with your normal routine just as you would if you heard the comment, “I don’t want to brush my teeth”, or “I don’t want to go to school”.
  5. DISCONTINUING LESSONS:
    1. There may come a time when your student wants to discontinue lessons. Please make this decision thoughtfully and with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent and student so that lessons can cease (or continue!) with a positive sense of closure. Two weeks’ notice is required prior to discontinuing lessons.
    2. At the discretion of the teacher, students may be asked to discontinue lessons at any time if they have unpaid tuition, excessive absences/unprepared lessons, continual tardiness or if the student shows a lack of interest or refusal to cooperate during lessons.