Practice

In general, students should plan to spend at least 20 - 60 minutes (depending upon age and level of ability) practicing the piano daily. However, it is important to remember the quality of practice is as much if not more important as the quantity. During lessons I will model good practice habits for students to help make piano playing at home both fun and rewarding. You can also check out my Practice Pal updates for helpful hints throughout the week.

Equipment

It is required that all students have an in-home acoustic piano or full-sized (88 keys) weighted key, hammer action digital piano (not a keyboard or spring action digital piano) with a damper pedal. In the case of an acoustic piano, it is essential that it is well-tuned, with even tone and consistent key responsiveness. (I will be more than happy to help determine the particular status of your acoustic or digital piano and can also recommend wonderful piano consultants and technicians in the Westfield/Carmel area.) Your piano should be placed in a well-lit room of the house that is inviting, accessible, and free from distractions.

Tuition

Lessons during the school year are based on a monthly tuition which reserves your child a specific weekly time slot and membership within the studio. Tuition covers your private lessons during the school year. Tuition not only covers my time during lessons, but also time spent planning each lesson, attending professional meetings and national conferences, time spent choosing music for the lessons, and professional fees

Lesson tuition is the same amount every month, regardless of the number of scheduled lessons in a particular month. (While most months have 4 lessons per month, some have 3 or 5, depending on the studio calendar for that month.)

Tuition is due in advance, no later than by the first week of the month. (Checks should be made out to "Anne Misner".) If you will not be at the first lesson of the month for any reason, you must pay the tuition the week before or mail in the tuition by the due date. Late payments will be assessed a $5 late fee per week, per student.

2010-2011 Calendar

There will be no lessons held on the following dates:

Labor Day (Monday, September 6)
Thanksgiving Vacation (Wednesday, November 4 - Friday, November 26)*
Christmas Break (Monday, December 20- Friday, December 31)*
Spring Break (Friday, April 1 - Friday, April 8)*
Memorial Day (Monday, May 30)

Note: Indy Piano Studio follows the Westfield school calendar for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Breaks.

*As a reminder, tuition during the school year is the same amount each month, regardless of holiday schedule.

Attendance

Your tuition reserves your child a specific weekly time slot. Consistent attendance at the scheduled lesson slot is vitally important.

ABSENCES: If a student misses a lesson for any reason, there are no make-ups*, credits, or refunds. Please provide 24 hours notice (whenever possible) when your child is sick. In addition, lessons that are missed due to acts of God, i.e.; snow, ice, flooding, etc. cannot be made up or refunded. If I must cancel a lesson, I will work to reschedule the lesson as soon possible within the semester it was missed.

*Swap List: I will offer the phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses of students who are willing to be on a lesson swap list. Parents must abide by the Swap List guidelines stated on the Swap List. To keep the consistency of your child's and other student's lessons and practice, only 3 lesson swaps per school year are allowed.

LESSON ARRIVAL: Students must arrive at lessons promptly. There is no private waiting room in the studio, therefore students must not be dropped off more than 2-3 minutes prior to their scheduled lesson time, as it is a disturbance to the previous student's lesson. Students who arrive early must wait in the car until their appointed lesson time. To maximize lesson time, students should have all necessary books ready at the start of the lesson and hands washed prior to the lesson.

LESSON DEPARTURE: Students must be picked up promptly at their appointed lesson end time.

These policies apply to ALL students, including those whose lesson slot is the first or last lesson of the day. I am not responsible for watching your child beyond his/her scheduled lesson time.

Summer Lessons

It is important that students keep the momentum of their musical progress throughout the year. I do, however, allow more flexibility in scheduling during the summer to accommodate family vacations and other special activities. A minimum of 3 hours of lessons are required during the summer in order to hold your spot in my studio. As with school year lessons, summer lesson slots are reserved and tuition is non-refundable. A summer Swap List is available if you need to swap your reserved lesson slot for another. Summer tuition is due by June 1st.

In the rare case that a student is not available on any of the summer lesson dates (in the case of an extended summer absence, such as spending an entire summer overseas) a payment of $150 per student is required for the summer session in order to hold a lesson slot in the fall. In addition, the student must demonstrate that he/she has taken care to retain his/her piano skills during the absence.

Termination Policy

I require 30 days written notice for students terminating lessons for any reason. Payment of 30 days of lesson tuition is required following termination notification. In addition, I reserve the right to terminate lessons with any student for non-compliance with any of the stated lesson policies and requirements.