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Studio Policies and Procedures

Welcome to Doyle Piano Studio!  Thank you for choosing me as your child’s piano teacher!  Please take a few minutes to read the following information so you and your child will know what to expect at piano lessons, and so you can get the most out of your time in my studio.  If you have questions not covered in this guide, let me know and I’ll be happy to answer them.

TUITION AND PAYMENTS

  • The Annual Tuition Rate is $XX for your first child and $XX for additional siblings.  Tuition is divided into 12 equal monthly payments of $XX for your first child and $XX for additional siblings.  (Contact me for current rates.)

  • Invoices are emailed on the 25th of each month, and tuition payments are due on or before the 10th of each month. 

  • The Annual Studio Fee is $30/child or $50/family, and is to be paid upon enrollment or with your September payment.  Enrollment applies to the entire studio calendar year (September through August).

  • Types of payment accepted: cash (exact change), check or automatic checks using your bank's online bill pay (made payable to “Leigh Doyle”), or online using Zelle or Google Pay (send to “doylepianostudio@gmail.com”).

  • Any payments received after the 10th of the month will incur a $15 late fee.  When an account becomes more than 30 days past due, it will be considered in default and lessons will be terminated.

  • Consistent monthly payments are required in order for your child to remain enrolled in the studio.  As such, I am unable to accommodate unpaid breaks in lessons due to vacations, other extracurricular activities, etc.

 

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

  • Because a specific weekly lesson time is set aside for each student, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson.  I will then use that time to plan for the student’s progress, work on additional assignments for that student, etc.

  • If an absence arises due to unforeseen situations, such as an accident or family emergency, and if you indicate a desire for a makeup lesson, your child will be offered a lesson during Make Up Weekend in April (see the 2019-2020 Calendar for specific dates).

  • If roads are impassable due to weather or your child is contagiously ill but feels well enough to play, having a lesson via Skype or FaceTime is a viable option for that week.

  • There are no refunds or credits issued for missed lessons unless I am unable to teach the set number of lessons offered throughout the year.  Your monthly tuition payment ensures that your child receives a regular lesson time each week, whether he/she attends those lessons or not.

  • If your child cannot make it to a regularly-scheduled lesson, feel free to take advantage of the “Lesson Swap” opportunity which is explained below.

  • Remember that your tuition pays for far more than just lesson time with your child.  See “Where Does My Tuition Go?”

  • For more information, please read this excellent article:  “Make-up Lessons from an Economist’s Point of View”

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STUDIO CALENDAR

  • The studio calendar year runs from September 1 through August 31.  Tuition rates are determined based on 45 weekly private lessons.  

  • The studio follows Anderson School District One's holiday schedule: closing during the week of Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas, the week after Christmas, and Spring Break.  During the summer months, the studio is closed during the week of July 4th and one week TBD.

  • One flex week per calendar year is also reserved for me to take off from lessons as needed (due to extreme illness, family emergency, etc).  If that flex week is not used, your child benefits by receiving that week's lesson free. In the event that I need to use a flex week, I will inform you via text or email.

 

LESSON SWAP RULES

  • If you OPT IN on the Enrollment Form, you will receive a copy of the Swap List.

  • I must be asked about a swap before arranging it.  I must be informed about the swap within 24 hours of arranging it.

  • I recommend that you communicate your need at least one week in advance of the lesson that you’d like to swap.

  • The parent who arranges the swap must email me with the details of the swap and CC the parent with whom they are making the swap.

  • No make-up lessons will be given if any confusion from a swap arises.

  • Should two students arrive at once, I will teach the one whose lesson is normally at that time.

  • Exchanges are not obligatory, they are reciprocal.  If someone says NO to a swap request, please respect that.  If someone exchanges with you, please be kind and return the favor when possible.

  • The Swap List is NEVER to be used to solicit funds for schools or any other organization for any purpose including any kind of SPAM.  Those who do so will be permanently removed from the list.

  • Don’t forget that Skype or FaceTime lessons during the student’s regular lesson time are also an option if you can’t make it to a lesson.

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EXPECTATIONS DURING LESSONS

  • Students are expected to arrive on time to each lesson and be prepared with their materials and music.  If you arrive more than three or four minutes before your scheduled lesson time, please wait outside or in your vehicle before entering the studio.

  • If you arrive late for your scheduled lesson time, your child will receive the remainder of the lesson and end according to the normal schedule.

  • Be sure your child comes to lessons with clean hands and trimmed fingernails.

  • My studio includes a parent waiting area.  If younger siblings attend the lesson, they should remain quiet.  You are welcome to run errands as long as you return by the end of your child's lesson.  Our neighborhood is also great for walking while you wait and is approximately 0.88 miles around the loop.

  • Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices must be silenced during lessons.

  • If you must have a cell phone turned on for business purposes, please leave the studio for calls.

  • No gum, food, or drinks are allowed in the studio.

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PRACTICING AT HOME

  • All students need an acoustic piano that is tuned at least once a year (it is very discouraging for your child to play an out-of-tune instrument!) or a digital piano (not a keyboard) for daily practice.  I can recommend a highly qualified piano technician for tuning your piano.  Digital pianos are available to rent from the studio.  See the Digital Piano Rental Agreement for more information.

  • A regular time should be set aside each day for practice to become a daily habit, to consistently reinforce concepts, and to avoid cramming the day before the lesson.

  • Treat practicing like other homework and expect it to be done daily.  Unprepared lessons cost the same as prepared ones, but their value and enjoyment are substantially compromised!

  • I stress quality practice over quantity, but the following recommendations will help your child achieve satisfactory results.  Your child should practice at least 5 days a week.

    • 5-7 years old:  15-25 minutes

    • 8-10 years old:  25-35 minutes

    • 11-14 years old:  35-45 minutes

    • 15 and older:  45-60 minutes

  • Weekly practice instructions are written in your child’s binder at each lesson.  Be sure to look at these and encourage your child to reference them during daily practice sessions.

  • Students should write their practice minutes on the assignment sheet OR write tally marks on the lesson book pages.

  • Your child’s interest in piano will probably not be 100% consistent; but to be successful, you will need to be consistent in your encouragement and commitment to music lessons.  Your child may say, “I don’t want to practice” or “I want to quit”, etc. In most cases, simply acknowledge your child’s comments, and go on with your normal routine just as you would if your child said, “I don’t want to brush my teeth.”

  • You are always welcome to attend and quietly observe lessons in order to be better equipped in helping your child with practice at home.  See the Parent Practice Guide for more tips.

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SPRING RECITAL

  • All students are expected to perform in the studio’s Spring Recital, which is held on the first Saturday morning in May.  This is a fun opportunity for students to showcase what they have been learning over the previous year.

  • Family and friends are welcome to attend and are encouraged to give positive feedback for performing students.

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SUMMER MONTHS

  • Students are expected to continue taking lessons during the summer months (June 1 through August 31).  I offer three summer lesson packages. Monthly tuition remains the same with each option.

  1. 6 lessons scheduled as convenient for your family, plus two 4-day summer camps (one in June and one in July);

  2. 8 lessons scheduled as convenient for your family, plus one 4-day summer camp; or 

  3. Students may continue weekly lessons as normal.  Students who choose this option may also participate in one or both summer camps for an additional fee.

  • Not only do I feel strongly about the value of continuing your child's musical education throughout the summer months, but my livelihood depends upon the regular income throughout those months (because the tuition rate has been determined based on a 12-month calendar).  For these reasons, if your child does not continue through the summer, he/she unfortunately cannot be guaranteed a spot in the fall, especially if there is a waiting list.

  • Summer piano lessons are much more flexible than school-year lessons.  You are welcome to swap your child’s lesson with any lesson times marked “AVAILABLE” on the Summer Lesson Schedule.

    • Contact me via text or email at least 24 hours prior to the lesson time that you would like your child to attend.

    • The calendar is updated frequently.  If you wait to choose a lesson, check the calendar again to make sure the time is still available.

    • Lessons are available first come, first served, so please let me know what days your child will miss and/or what lesson you would like as soon as possible.

    • Students are allowed only one lesson per week.  Please keep that in mind when choosing an available lesson time.

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DISCONTINUING LESSONS

  • Every student stops taking lessons at some point.  Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between you, your child, and me so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure.  For this reason, I ask for one month's written and paid notice prior to discontinuing lessons. Send me an email in order to stop lessons. No refunds are given for lessons not taken.

  • Regrettably, a student will be dismissed from my studio for any of the following reasons, including, but not limited to:  

    • consistent late payments;

    • excessive absences or being unprepared for lessons;

    • uncooperative attitude and/or continual misbehavior;

    • lack of motivation and progress;

    • failure to practice as instructed.

 

COMMUNICATION

  • The best way to contact me is via email or text, which will be promptly returned with a reply or phone call.

  • I always welcome emails or texts from students during the week if they have questions regarding their assignments or other matters.

  • Feel free to contact me if you have questions about your child’s progress or need to discuss something related to lessons.  I’m always happy to talk with you about your child.

 

I’m looking forward to a year of musical growth and development for your child in my studio!


 

Musically yours,

 

Leigh Doyle

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