kate's keys piano studio policy
Introduction
I am excited to start lessons with your student! Thank you for choosing me as your piano teacher. Please read over this policy so you are informed about studio procedures. Feel free to contact me by phone or email with any questions. I am happy to help!
incentive Programs
There will be short and long term incentive programs to celebrate and motivate students who are progressing. For every 4-line piece that a student passes off, they will be given a raffle ticket to write their name on and turn in to me. Each month I will draw two random winners that will be announced via email. The winning students will choose a gift card to Sweetaly, Cold Stone, Chick-fil-a, or Yogurtland at their next lesson.
Each year will be themed with a new musical challenge. At the end of the year, the students who accomplished the challenge will receive a medal for their persistence and hard work.
Lessons
Lessons are held weekly. Students are expected to bring all music books and arrive on time. Lesson materials are tailored to the students needs, therefore, each child will learn from books as chosen by the teacher. Topics such as theory, performance practice, technique and sight-reading will be covered. If a student chooses to drop lessons over the summer, their opening may be given to a student on my waiting list. A student who quits for summer may not be guaranteed a place for fall.
Makeups/Cancellations
Tuition covers four monthly lessons. On the fifth week of the month, all regularly scheduled piano lessons will be cancelled in order to give opportunities for makeups. Please refer to the calendar for makeup days.
Materials
Any new music books that are assigned to the student will be purchased by the teacher and given to the student at the lesson. The parent will be notified of the cost, which will be added to the monthly bill. Supplemental music may be loaned to students throughout the year. It should be returned promptly and in good condition. If it is lost or damaged, the student will be responsible for the replacement cost. Writing in music should be done on sticky notes or pencil in order to keep the music clean for other students. If a student is practicing regularly and progressing, the parent should expect to spend between $30-70 a year on music per piano student. It is important for students to build their own music library instead of always borrowing music.
Recitals
Two recitals will be held throughout the year. Students are expected to memorize their solo pieces. All students are required to participate in piano recitals and arrive on time in their best recital dress. Families and friends are encouraged to attend and should be respectful to other performers by staying for the entire duration of the recital. During the recital, monthly tuition will remain the same, however, only three lessons will be held. All lessons that occur in the week of the recital will be cancelled. The "4th lesson" is considered a recital fee to cover venue rental, refreshments and programs.
Competitions
Competitions are optional. If you would like your student to prepare for competitions, please discuss it with me and we can choose the right competition for them. There are a variety of low-key competitions for those who like to ease into it.
Practicing requirement
Students should be practicing on a bench that allows them to sit at the correct height. A low bench will cause difficulty controlling fingers, wrong wrist placement and flat fingers. When seated at the piano with both hands on the keys, the elbows should be level or higher with the piano keys, never lower. Fingernails should be kept trim in order to maintain good hand position.
In order for any student to progress, consistent practicing is required. Parent interaction in practicing varies based on the individual student and their skill level. This involvement can be discussed with me if you have questions. A first year student should practice 20 minutes five days a week. Students who are second year and higher should be practicing 30 minutes or more, five days a week.
“Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.”
– Tom Lehrer, singer-songwriter and mathematician.
Introduction
I am excited to start lessons with your student! Thank you for choosing me as your piano teacher. Please read over this policy so you are informed about studio procedures. Feel free to contact me by phone or email with any questions. I am happy to help!
incentive Programs
There will be short and long term incentive programs to celebrate and motivate students who are progressing. For every 4-line piece that a student passes off, they will be given a raffle ticket to write their name on and turn in to me. Each month I will draw two random winners that will be announced via email. The winning students will choose a gift card to Sweetaly, Cold Stone, Chick-fil-a, or Yogurtland at their next lesson.
Each year will be themed with a new musical challenge. At the end of the year, the students who accomplished the challenge will receive a medal for their persistence and hard work.
Lessons
Lessons are held weekly. Students are expected to bring all music books and arrive on time. Lesson materials are tailored to the students needs, therefore, each child will learn from books as chosen by the teacher. Topics such as theory, performance practice, technique and sight-reading will be covered. If a student chooses to drop lessons over the summer, their opening may be given to a student on my waiting list. A student who quits for summer may not be guaranteed a place for fall.
Makeups/Cancellations
Tuition covers four monthly lessons. On the fifth week of the month, all regularly scheduled piano lessons will be cancelled in order to give opportunities for makeups. Please refer to the calendar for makeup days.
Materials
Any new music books that are assigned to the student will be purchased by the teacher and given to the student at the lesson. The parent will be notified of the cost, which will be added to the monthly bill. Supplemental music may be loaned to students throughout the year. It should be returned promptly and in good condition. If it is lost or damaged, the student will be responsible for the replacement cost. Writing in music should be done on sticky notes or pencil in order to keep the music clean for other students. If a student is practicing regularly and progressing, the parent should expect to spend between $30-70 a year on music per piano student. It is important for students to build their own music library instead of always borrowing music.
Recitals
Two recitals will be held throughout the year. Students are expected to memorize their solo pieces. All students are required to participate in piano recitals and arrive on time in their best recital dress. Families and friends are encouraged to attend and should be respectful to other performers by staying for the entire duration of the recital. During the recital, monthly tuition will remain the same, however, only three lessons will be held. All lessons that occur in the week of the recital will be cancelled. The "4th lesson" is considered a recital fee to cover venue rental, refreshments and programs.
Competitions
Competitions are optional. If you would like your student to prepare for competitions, please discuss it with me and we can choose the right competition for them. There are a variety of low-key competitions for those who like to ease into it.
Practicing requirement
Students should be practicing on a bench that allows them to sit at the correct height. A low bench will cause difficulty controlling fingers, wrong wrist placement and flat fingers. When seated at the piano with both hands on the keys, the elbows should be level or higher with the piano keys, never lower. Fingernails should be kept trim in order to maintain good hand position.
In order for any student to progress, consistent practicing is required. Parent interaction in practicing varies based on the individual student and their skill level. This involvement can be discussed with me if you have questions. A first year student should practice 20 minutes five days a week. Students who are second year and higher should be practicing 30 minutes or more, five days a week.
“Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.”
– Tom Lehrer, singer-songwriter and mathematician.