Private lessons consist of music theory, music history, piano technique, listening skills, sight reading, and playing repertoire. I will work with each student on goals that have been set by the student, parents, and me. A written, weekly lesson assignment book will be provided, which will include some or all of the following: lesson book pieces to practice, keyboard skills, theory, music reading assignment, review pieces, and pieces for various playing opportunities. Group lessons may be offered from time to time.
Piano Tuition:
The year will consist of 40 weekly lessons, beginning in August 17th and ending June 17th. Families are welcome to pay by the year, pay by the quarter, or pay monthly by the tenth of the month. A late fee of $15 is added for any tuition payments not received by the tenth of the month. A $35 service charge will be charged to all accounts for checks returned for insufficient funds. Checks should be made payable to Piano Studio of Alicia Glatz. Please contact me via the Registraton page for tuition fees and available lesson times.
Attendance:
Attendance at lessons should have the same priority as school attendance. A lesson time is reserved for students each week and month of the school year whether or not the student attends each lesson. Therefore, students will be responsible for all 40 lessons whether they miss lessons or not. Should the student need to miss their lesson for the week, please notify me at least 24 hours by phone, text, or email. Your lesson may be rescheduled for a time that is mutually convenient for both of us. Families who do not provide 24 hours notice by phone, text, or email will not be guaranteed a make up time. Each student is allowed to reschedule 2 missed lessons per semester and must be scheduled before semester's end; it is the responsibility of the student/parent to reschedule the missed lessons with the teacher. Students who don’t show up for scheduled lessons with no notice will NOT be offered the opportunity to reschedule, regardless of the reason. Consideration will be taken for students who become suddenly ill, but even in this case should inform me the morning of their lesson if they do not go to school. Lessons missed by the teacher will be rescheduled as the calendar permits. Students who plan to discontinue taking lessons during the school year must give four weeks advance notice and payment for the same. This facilitates a more comfortable sense of closure for both the student and myself.
Daily Piano Playing:
It is important that students have a properly functioning instrument to practice on. A piano or a digital keyboard with full-sized keys is required to make progress. I encourage each family to purchase a piano if possible, as nothing can take the place of its touch and sound. Your piano needs to be kept in good repair and in tune. A metronome is necessary for all students, but may be purchased at a later date.
Each first year student must commit to playing the piano and the materials assigned daily for 15 to 20 minutes, five days a week (5 to 15 minutes daily for students 6 years old and younger). Families and students should have a plan for when this practice time will take place each day. Students beyond their first year of lessons must commit to playing their materials assigned daily for a minimum of 20-30 minutes, five days a week. It is consistent, efficient, daily practice that leads to the satisfaction and joy of steady progress towards solid musicianship.
Students may go through periods of hardship during piano lessons or practice time, and frustration is a common factor in a child's development while struggling to learn new concepts and develop musical skills. Parents are encouraged to call me with any questions or concerns regarding any problems the student may have. Our goal is to help the child enjoy music and find fulfillment through these lessons (mastering the instrument will be a natural outcome!). Remember: music is a team activity as well as an individual endeavor! However, if a parent or student chooses to discontinue lessons for any reason, they are expected to notify me at least two weeks in advance.
Performance Opportunities: Performance opportunities and group classes will be announced through out the year.
Please note that these policies are in accord with recommended professional policies of the Music Teachers’ Association of California. Tuition fees take into consideration that I must provide all of my insurance, retirement, social security, and continuing education costs, as well as bear the expense of equipping and maintaining my studio, instrument, equipment and supplies. They also take into consideration that I spend even more hours in planning, study, scheduling, phone calls, bookkeeping, and organizing other studio related responsibilities, than I do in actual lesson time. Teaching is my profession, my business, and my art; I wish to present and live up to policies that give me the time and financial security to devote most of my energy to the creative act of sharing music with people. I acknowledge my students’ and their parent’s place in a three-way relationship, and pledge to do my best to make music study a rich, growing experience for my students.