Studio Policy

At The Studio:

Students are expected to arrive for lessons on time with all their materials and music. Parents and siblings may quietly peruse the waiting area, wait in their vehicle in the driveway, or run errands so long as they return to pick up their student in a timely fashion. To discuss student progress, parents are welcome to talk with the teacher during the first five minutes of the student's lesson – but not afterwards, in order to respect the next student's time slot.
 


Calendar and Schedule:

The tuition rates are determined based on a calendar of weekly private lessons. By default, we are closed on most “bank holidays”, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. (unless otherwise stated by the online class calendar). We will typically have classes/lessons on Monday holidays like MLK Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, etc. The teacher does not teach during the week of Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas, the week after Christmas, and two weeks in the summer.
 
 
Tuition and Payment:

All lessons are prepaid. Payment for a months worth of lessons is due at the beginning of each month. When scheduling lessons you are reserving a once a week time slot and no refunds will be given for missed lessons. The teacher reserves the right to raise fees at the beginning of each academic year. Tuition may be paid via automatic check using your bank’s online bill pay, or credit card/debit card via Paypal.  Private Lessons:  $30/30 min session $60/1 hr session

 

Cancellation Policy:

  • No makeup lessons will be offered for any reason. Be sure to choose a lesson time that is one in which you feel confident that you will have no other conflicts. In the event of Ms. Hassell canceling a lesson, she will gladly reschedule at the earliest possible time.
  • Try to choose a lesson time in which you feel confident. Please understand that the tuition you pay reserves an exclusive weekly time in my schedule for your child. Unlike a doctor or a hairdresser, I cannot resell that time nor can I create extra teaching time in which to give lessons. Online lessons are great solutions for not missing your reserved time slot.
  • Regular attendance of lessons is an issue of responsibility and choice on the part of parents and students. Please be courteous to the teacher and fellow students by notifying the teacher at least 24 hours in advance regarding any known upcoming absences.

 

Equipment and Materials:

All students must have a piano or digital piano for home practice. The quality of your student’s home instrument plays a significant role in their potential for success. Acoustic pianos should be tuned at least once a year, and kept in working order. If you prefer a digital piano, please invest in a full-size keyboard (88 keys) with weighted, touch-sensitive keys and pedals. Parents are responsible for acquiring piano books, sheet music, or music downloads when requested.
 

 

Summer Lessons:

A minimum of 5 private lessons over the course of the summer are required to remain in the studio. Lessons are expected to continue during the summer as long as the teacher and student are both in town. The summer months are a wonderful chance to make great strides on an instrument, as school is not imposing on a student's time and mental energy. Regular practice is still expected, though conditions where an instrument is not available due to travel are understood. Students are expected to take their instrument with them to practice on long trips if at all possible. Students are encouraged to participate in summer music programs and festivals. The student is expected to consult with the teacher for their expert opinion regarding potential programs to ensure that the best decisions are made for the student's education. 

 

Discontinuing Lessons:

We’re sorry to see you go! Every student stops taking lesson at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure. For this reason, the teacher asks for one month’s notice prior to discontinuing lessons. However, the teacher respects the student’s right to end lessons at any time. Note: At the discretion of the teacher, students may be dismissed at any time if they have unpaid tuition, an excess amount of absences/unprepared lessons, or if they show a lack of interest.

 

 

Staying in Touch:

Please keep in mind that running a home-based business comes with necessary boundaries. You can help by following these simple requests:

  • Email: This is the best way to contact me. If I receive work-related email late at night or on weekends I will get back to you during business hours. Please try to be mindful of when you choose to send email.
  • Phone: If you need to speak with me, I do not take phone calls while I am teaching, after hours or on weekends.
  • Keeping in touch: I use email to send out studio information and newsletters from time to time, please make sure that I have a current email address.
  • Social Media: Feel free to follow the Facebook website to keep in touch and see updates. The teacher will not friend students on personal page.