Maria Khavin Piano Studio Policies 2016-2017
We work together as parent, student and teacher. I promise to help the student become the best musician possible by maintaining my own piano skills and education and offering varied opportunities for learning and performing.
THE PARENTS' JOB:
1. Be supportive of your student! There will be the times of high and low. It’s important to persevere even when things are difficult or not moving forward.
2. Make sure the student practices at least 5 days out of 7. The most important time to practice immediately after the lesson.
3. Provide encouragement and praise, not criticism. Please don't overschedule your child. Music will become nothing more than another chore for them and there will no time or energy for practice.
4. Play classical music in your home daily. I can't educate style and beautiful tone in only one lesson per week. Your child needs to have that sound in the ear every day. ATTEND AS MANY GOOD QUALITY CONCERTS AS POSSIBLE!!!
THE STUDENT'S JOB:
1. Plan when you are going to practice each day. Practice daily following instructions given at your lesson and noted on your assignment. Listen carefully while you practice!
2. Keep a good attitude. You won't like every piece on your assignment, but you should see what you can learn from it. Practice and study EVERYTHING on your assignment.
THE PIANO AT HOME:
It is empirical that a student has an instrument to practice on, which is available to them whenever they are. An ACOUSTIC piano is required for a successful progress. Digital pianos simply don't have that capacity or ability to create the sound or touch. If you are choosing (or otherwise) to stay with digital piano, then please understand that some of the work we are doing in class is not replicated the same way at home, and some purely pianistic and musical concepts are achievable only on acoustic instrument. Please choose an instrument that is newer, has a good sound and an overall appeal. Keep it tuned; I can recommend a piano tuner(s). Either upright or baby grand is great, but please stay away from spinet, which usually has shorter strings and, therefore, less attractive sound. If you are shopping for an acoustic piano, your teacher is HAPPY to assist with finding your perfect instrument. There are a variety of resources available on purchasing (or renting) a good piano.
ATTENDANCE
Prompt and regular attendance is important. Please be on time and prepared for each lesson. Students arriving late for lessons will not have their lesson extended beyond the scheduled time. I reserve the right to dismiss a student early from a lesson when they are unprepared or if their behavior is inappropriate.
Lessons are conducted weekly at a specific day and time, which is reserved for each student. Students who are not regular in their attendance might be dropped from the studio.
If the student has stayed home from school due to illness on the lesson day, please keep them home from their lesson. A lesson via Skype/Facetime can be arranged to take place during the regular lesson time.
Dismissal of the student by the instructor:
The grounds for dismissal are:
30 min. --$135/month
45 min.--$190/month
60 min.--$265/month**
*Tuition is based on 10-month school year. Summer lessons are paid on per-lesson basis, at $67/hour.
*The tuition for each month (September-June) will be the same, regardless of the number of lessons. Most commonly, a student will have FOUR lessons a month. Some months (usually 2-3year) will have five lessons, and some (due to a holiday or a vacation) will have three. The TOTAL of private lessons for the year between September and June will be 39; there will be one or two group classes, additionally. Make checks out to Maria Khavin.
**An-hour long lesson is actually about 70 min, designed to encompass larger repertoire and more theory work.
*Twice-weekly lessons are available and highly encouraged! For twice-weekly lessons I can provide a small discount.
*Adult students can pay monthly or at each lesson at hourly rate of $67.
*If you are enrolled continuously September-June, I guarantee 39 lessons on average, for each student. This is taking into consideration teacher's weeks off (see below) and make-ups. If the lesson was missed by the student and could not be made up, the lesson missed will be added to the total of the lessons per year.
*When a student starts their lessons mid-year, the numbers will be pro-rated.
An enrollment fee of $30 per student/ $50 per family of two students is due once per school year and in September or at time of enrollment for student enrolled mid-year. This fee helps cover materials, piano maintenance, music purchased/ordered, copying, miscellaneous supplies and recital fees.
*Please remember that you are purchasing a TIME SLOT reserved for you only, not just lessons themselves. Once the time is missed, it cannot be re-used.
Teacher's days off:
It's empirical your instructor has a few days a year of non-teaching, for obvious reasons. Students need a break, too!
My vacation weeks are three weeks out of approximately 43-44 weeks of September-June time span.
I will be taking a one week vacation at:
Prompt payment (cash/check/via website) is expected by the first lesson of that month. Payments are considered late at 5 days and are subject to a $10 late fee. Nonpayment is grounds for dismissal. Bounced checks will incur a $25 check fee plus the $10 late fee in addition to tuition, payable in cash.
Missed Lessons
No refunds for missed lessons. Lessons missed by the teacher (besides the abovementioned vacation weeks) will be made up or credited for next month.
I will offer TWO MAKEUP lessons in a school year, missed for any reason. Any makeups beyond two will be approached individually (like in case of extreme emergency), but never guaranteed. Makeup lessons should be done within the same month as an originally scheduled lesson. Alternatively, you may be able to reschedule a lesson in the same week if there is a cancellation in my regular schedule or by lesson swap with another student, especially if the absence is known in advance.
What my tuition includes?
Definitely more than a lesson itself!
-Your teacher’s higher education and expertise in piano performance and pedagogy.
-Individualized program of study created for each student.
-Preparation for EACH lesson.
-Time spent searching for appropriate materials, new music, concert/performance venues, and preparation for recitals.
-Time spent communicating with student/parent, emailing, enrolling students to various events, which is usually hours of paperwork.
-Continuing education -- going to seminars, workshops, numerous student performances and teacher meetings, lessons with professors.
-Memberships to professional organizations, which makes it possible for STUDENTS to be part of various performing and educational opportunities.
-And still more!
Tuition paid is non-refundable. Upon client-initiated termination of lessons, tuition will be calculated with a 30-day notice based on lessons that were offered, not necessarily attended.
MISCELLANEOUS
Once you start lessons, it is assumed you will be continuously taking them for the rest of the school year.
Parents are welcome to sit in unless it seems to distract the student. Moreover, parents are encouraged to videotape the lessons with the purpose of practice help at home. Please take cell phone calls outside.
Please be on time to pick up your child at the end of the lesson.
Recital participation is required and recital dates will be posted. If your lesson falls on the recital day, that counts as a lesson. Participation in ADJUDICATIONS is REQUIRED for every student in the studio enrolled for at least six months at the time.
Additional fees apply for enrollment/participation in various events. They vary $15-$50 and more.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I read the STUDIO POLICY for 2016-17 school year and I agree with every item discussed in this document. Policies can be revised at any time and the corrections will be communicated to me as soon as possible.
Signed: Date:
We work together as parent, student and teacher. I promise to help the student become the best musician possible by maintaining my own piano skills and education and offering varied opportunities for learning and performing.
THE PARENTS' JOB:
1. Be supportive of your student! There will be the times of high and low. It’s important to persevere even when things are difficult or not moving forward.
2. Make sure the student practices at least 5 days out of 7. The most important time to practice immediately after the lesson.
3. Provide encouragement and praise, not criticism. Please don't overschedule your child. Music will become nothing more than another chore for them and there will no time or energy for practice.
4. Play classical music in your home daily. I can't educate style and beautiful tone in only one lesson per week. Your child needs to have that sound in the ear every day. ATTEND AS MANY GOOD QUALITY CONCERTS AS POSSIBLE!!!
THE STUDENT'S JOB:
1. Plan when you are going to practice each day. Practice daily following instructions given at your lesson and noted on your assignment. Listen carefully while you practice!
2. Keep a good attitude. You won't like every piece on your assignment, but you should see what you can learn from it. Practice and study EVERYTHING on your assignment.
THE PIANO AT HOME:
It is empirical that a student has an instrument to practice on, which is available to them whenever they are. An ACOUSTIC piano is required for a successful progress. Digital pianos simply don't have that capacity or ability to create the sound or touch. If you are choosing (or otherwise) to stay with digital piano, then please understand that some of the work we are doing in class is not replicated the same way at home, and some purely pianistic and musical concepts are achievable only on acoustic instrument. Please choose an instrument that is newer, has a good sound and an overall appeal. Keep it tuned; I can recommend a piano tuner(s). Either upright or baby grand is great, but please stay away from spinet, which usually has shorter strings and, therefore, less attractive sound. If you are shopping for an acoustic piano, your teacher is HAPPY to assist with finding your perfect instrument. There are a variety of resources available on purchasing (or renting) a good piano.
ATTENDANCE
Prompt and regular attendance is important. Please be on time and prepared for each lesson. Students arriving late for lessons will not have their lesson extended beyond the scheduled time. I reserve the right to dismiss a student early from a lesson when they are unprepared or if their behavior is inappropriate.
Lessons are conducted weekly at a specific day and time, which is reserved for each student. Students who are not regular in their attendance might be dropped from the studio.
If the student has stayed home from school due to illness on the lesson day, please keep them home from their lesson. A lesson via Skype/Facetime can be arranged to take place during the regular lesson time.
Dismissal of the student by the instructor:
The grounds for dismissal are:
- Gross negligence of Studio Policies, both general and financial.
- Non-payment or continuous tardy payments.
- Failure to progress within reason; chronic lack of interest and motivation for growth.
- Disrespectful behavior towards the instructor and other students.
FINANCES
30 min. --$135/month
45 min.--$190/month
60 min.--$265/month**
*Tuition is based on 10-month school year. Summer lessons are paid on per-lesson basis, at $67/hour.
*The tuition for each month (September-June) will be the same, regardless of the number of lessons. Most commonly, a student will have FOUR lessons a month. Some months (usually 2-3year) will have five lessons, and some (due to a holiday or a vacation) will have three. The TOTAL of private lessons for the year between September and June will be 39; there will be one or two group classes, additionally. Make checks out to Maria Khavin.
**An-hour long lesson is actually about 70 min, designed to encompass larger repertoire and more theory work.
*Twice-weekly lessons are available and highly encouraged! For twice-weekly lessons I can provide a small discount.
*Adult students can pay monthly or at each lesson at hourly rate of $67.
*If you are enrolled continuously September-June, I guarantee 39 lessons on average, for each student. This is taking into consideration teacher's weeks off (see below) and make-ups. If the lesson was missed by the student and could not be made up, the lesson missed will be added to the total of the lessons per year.
*When a student starts their lessons mid-year, the numbers will be pro-rated.
An enrollment fee of $30 per student/ $50 per family of two students is due once per school year and in September or at time of enrollment for student enrolled mid-year. This fee helps cover materials, piano maintenance, music purchased/ordered, copying, miscellaneous supplies and recital fees.
*Please remember that you are purchasing a TIME SLOT reserved for you only, not just lessons themselves. Once the time is missed, it cannot be re-used.
Teacher's days off:
It's empirical your instructor has a few days a year of non-teaching, for obvious reasons. Students need a break, too!
My vacation weeks are three weeks out of approximately 43-44 weeks of September-June time span.
I will be taking a one week vacation at:
- Between Christmas and New Year, 2) Mid-Winter or Spring break, 3) One ‘flex’ day, such as for illness or emergency.
Prompt payment (cash/check/via website) is expected by the first lesson of that month. Payments are considered late at 5 days and are subject to a $10 late fee. Nonpayment is grounds for dismissal. Bounced checks will incur a $25 check fee plus the $10 late fee in addition to tuition, payable in cash.
Missed Lessons
No refunds for missed lessons. Lessons missed by the teacher (besides the abovementioned vacation weeks) will be made up or credited for next month.
I will offer TWO MAKEUP lessons in a school year, missed for any reason. Any makeups beyond two will be approached individually (like in case of extreme emergency), but never guaranteed. Makeup lessons should be done within the same month as an originally scheduled lesson. Alternatively, you may be able to reschedule a lesson in the same week if there is a cancellation in my regular schedule or by lesson swap with another student, especially if the absence is known in advance.
What my tuition includes?
Definitely more than a lesson itself!
-Your teacher’s higher education and expertise in piano performance and pedagogy.
-Individualized program of study created for each student.
-Preparation for EACH lesson.
-Time spent searching for appropriate materials, new music, concert/performance venues, and preparation for recitals.
-Time spent communicating with student/parent, emailing, enrolling students to various events, which is usually hours of paperwork.
-Continuing education -- going to seminars, workshops, numerous student performances and teacher meetings, lessons with professors.
-Memberships to professional organizations, which makes it possible for STUDENTS to be part of various performing and educational opportunities.
-And still more!
Tuition paid is non-refundable. Upon client-initiated termination of lessons, tuition will be calculated with a 30-day notice based on lessons that were offered, not necessarily attended.
MISCELLANEOUS
Once you start lessons, it is assumed you will be continuously taking them for the rest of the school year.
Parents are welcome to sit in unless it seems to distract the student. Moreover, parents are encouraged to videotape the lessons with the purpose of practice help at home. Please take cell phone calls outside.
Please be on time to pick up your child at the end of the lesson.
Recital participation is required and recital dates will be posted. If your lesson falls on the recital day, that counts as a lesson. Participation in ADJUDICATIONS is REQUIRED for every student in the studio enrolled for at least six months at the time.
Additional fees apply for enrollment/participation in various events. They vary $15-$50 and more.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I read the STUDIO POLICY for 2016-17 school year and I agree with every item discussed in this document. Policies can be revised at any time and the corrections will be communicated to me as soon as possible.
Signed: Date: