MusicMasters: Piano Lesson Policies, Pianos, Lessons, Classes, Austin, Texas

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Piano Lesson Policies

SCHEDULING	CANCELLATION	PREPARATION	PARENTS
GROUP CLASSES	TEXTBOOKS	TUITION	ENROLLMENT
TERMINATION	SUMMER LESSONS	PROTOCOLS	HOLIDAYS

1. SCHEDULING: MusicMasters Private Piano Lessons are scheduled to each student's age, interest, and availability. Very young piano students, (beginners who are 7 or younger), typically have a single half-hour lesson each week. Older or more advanced students have 45 minute or one hour lessons each week. We offer a la carte scheduling to new students starting lessons for the first time. However, once formally enrolled, a student's lesson time usually remains the same for that school year.

2. CANCELLATION: When adequate notice is given (24 hours prior to the scheduled lesson), missed lessons are made-up within one week of the missed lesson. Make up lessons are subject to the availability of an alternative time. However, we cannot guarantee that a make-up time will be available. We do not offer refunds nor credit for missed lessons, or lessons cancelled by the client.
         Any cancelled lesson not made up within a week of the missed lesson will be forfeited . However, when a lesson is rescheduled on our behalf, students are allowed to make-up this missed lesson at their earliest convenience. All make-up lessons are subject to the same cancellation notice as regularly scheduled lessons.

3. PREPARATION: Regular preparation is necessary to achieve success. Students need to practice daily and have all written work completed before each week's lesson.
         Environment: Students must have access to an acoustic piano every day. The piano needs to be in tune (tuned annually) and all of the keys and pedals should work correctly. The practice environment should be quiet and free of distractions (i.e. computer, radio, television or video games) during practice time. If these items are located in the practice area, priority must be given to any student who is seeking to practice.

4. PARENTS: Parents of young children (5 to 8 years old) are asked to observe and participate in lessons. We ask that these parents not only attend the lessons, but that they also supervise their child's daily practice sessions at home to establish good practice habits. Older children with established practice habits usually prefer to practice independently. In this instance, the parent should attend lessons occasionally and check-in on their child's practice sessions regularly.
         Any lesson observers, especially guests, should refrain from distracting the student during the lesson. With the exception to visits to the studio restroom, we ask that all clients and their guests remain seated in the studio or on our front porch. Siblings are welcome to attend lessons but need to be directly supervised (not left to wander unattended).

5. GROUP CLASSES: In addition to private piano lessons we offer group classes for Theory Exam tutorials, World of Music classes, and/or Master Classes. Participation in these classes is expected. However, fees for these classes are charged separately.
         Studio Recitals: Our studio hosts two class recitals each year. These include a Christmas Recital, and a formal Spring Recital at the end of the school year. All students are required to attend and/or play at these events. Parents are asked to attend these recitals. We do not charge additional fees for these recitals nor their receptions.

6. TEXTBOOKS: Beginning students use a collection of books including a Lesson Book, a Theory Book, a Solos Book, and a generic note pad. Future supplemental books may include a Recital Book, Hymn Book, Christmas Book, and/or a Repertoire Book. We will give families at least one week's notice to purchase any needed books.
         Some additional study materials, such as Texas State Theory Exams, and/or World of Music Curriculum, will be made available for purchase directly from our studio. Students must bring all assigned books to each lesson.

7. TUITION: Tuition is charged by the month. Payment is due by the first lesson of each month. If necessary, an alternative payment schedule, i.e. payment by the third week of each month, may be arranged. Current tuition rates are $29 for a 30 minute lesson, $40.50 for 45 minutes, and $50 for a one hour lesson.
         Deposit: A deposit equal to one month of lessons (four weeks) is required upon formal enrollment into our studio. This deposit will be refunded (minus any outstanding fees or tuition due) upon proper termination of lessons. (See Section 9)

8. ENROLLMENT: Beginning students are informally interviewed. They do not need to play an audition. Transfer students are asked to perform an audition to assess their skills and place them properly. If a transfer candidate is currently studying with another instructor, we cannot audition this student until after he or she has terminated his or her study with that instructor.

9. TERMINATION: Families may terminate lessons at anytime, however, we require 30 days notice and payment of any unpaid lessons remaining in this period. Any student who leaves the studio without proper notice will be charged for one month of lessons starting immediately after his or her last lesson. Your deposit paid at enrollment and any pre-paid lessons will be applied toward this amount due. Any remaining balance will be returned.

10. SUMMER LESSONS: We recommend but typically do not require summer lessons. Occasionally we may require summer lesson study. For example, summer lessons are often necessary for beginning students who start lessons midway through the previous spring semester.
         Vacation: If a student has already studied a year of piano with us, and is planning to study year-round, then we recommend that he or she take one month off from piano lessons in the summer. However, we do not recommend taking a full three-month summer break from piano lessons.

11. LESSON PROTOCOLS: Please be prompt for lessons. We recommend arriving five minutes prior to your schedule lesson time. Please park on the street in front of our home. Please do not block our driveway nor use the driveway for drop-offs or turnarounds. All students and visitors are expected to remove and leave their shoes outside on the front porch and enter the studio quietly. Students are asked to wear socks indoors and to wash their hands before each lesson.
         Please do not bring snacks, food, candy, nor drinks into our studio. We provide the use of our covered front porch for snacks and/or discussion. Siblings must be attended to by parents throughout the lesson and are expected to be quiet at all times. Good students and siblings are always rewarded with their choice of chewing gum at the end of lessons. Families are welcome to visit the park just behind our home for recreation. However, children should be supervised when playing in the park.

12. HOLIDAYS: We teach year-round (including the Summer) with the exception of major holidays, Christmas break, and Spring break. Our Studio is closed for the week of Christmas and the week of Spring break with no make-up lessons offered. The specific dates of these closures will be published at the beginning of the school year. The studio is also closed Thanksgiving Day, but with make-ups offered. For other holidays, such as the 4th of July or New Year's Day, etc., lessons typically continue as usual and merit advance notice for those seeking a make-up.

        If you have any questions, please Brian or Jeannie Henselman at (512) 301-3503 or email us:

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