Foreword

Section 1 - Payment Policy:

1. Lessons may be credited toward the following month; there are NO refunds. Lesson credit
amounts are based on the lesson type shown on the final page and are explained further in
Section 2.
2. Payments are received via MyMusicStaff, Zelle, check, or cash before lessons begin –
during the first week of each month before the first lesson of each month.
3. Payments are fixed according to the monthly schedule shown on the last page and
amounts only change when a lesson is credited due to the teacher needing to
reschedule/omit lessons. This is to ensure the reserved spot, encourage attendance, and
keep pricing consistent.
4. Payments encompass all services including lesson rates, travel fees, studio fees, syllabus
exams, recital fees, festival/competition fees, and books/materials in the month they are
incurred. Lesson rates are set for the month according to the payment schedule regardless
of number of weeks and they keep the reservation while covering any schedule changes
needed. This simplifies the process so that we do not need to spend time counting weeks,
the price of individual books/materials, and infrequent festival/competition fees.

Section 2 - Sickness, Rescheduling, Holiday/Break Lesson Policy:

1. If lessons are missed for any reason beyond serious emergency, they can be
rescheduled if time permits or will be missed entirely without refund.
2. If lessons are missed due to the teacher, then it can be rescheduled if time allows or will
be credited to the following month’s payment.
3. Holidays, breaks, and common vacation seasons will have lesson flexibility with
adjustments built into fees as displayed on the final page.
Section 3 - Travel/Buffer Times and Late Arrival Policy:
1. Due to traffic uncertainty and other related conditions, an approximate arrival time of 10
minutes before and 15 minutes after the scheduled time is reserved. If the teacher is
more than 15 minutes late the student/parent will be notified with an option of
rescheduling or crediting the lesson to next month if necessary.
2. If a student is late by more than 20 minutes to their lesson the lesson may be rescheduled
or omitted. For travel lessons this may result in rescheduling or a shortened lesson (same
rate charged).
3. The teacher includes up to 15 minutes after the lesson to discuss weekly assignments
and other necessary information. The buffer time is included on top of the lesson time
and is paid for as part of the lesson fee.

Section 4 – Supervision, Practice, and Performance Policy

1. Performance opportunities include online studio classes (usually held monthly on the
penultimate Saturday of each month), in person studio classes, music
festivals/competitions through the Oregon Music Teacher’s Association and the National
Federation of Music Clubs, and annual recitals (at least one held in December or January
with a secondary recital in June). Adult students are not required to perform in any
performance but all students aged 7-22 MUST perform in studio classes and annual
recitals.
2. Dress codes and other info are sent in advance of all performance opportunities.
3. Instrument Recommendations: piano bench or seat of appropriate height (varies per
person), stable stand or piano legs, 88 fully functioning keys, weighted or ideally graded
action, dynamic sensitivity (volume can change softer or louder depending on how hard a
key is pressed), and a pedal or electronic equivalent. If multiple of these qualities are
absent or of poor quality on the instrument then playing will be inhibited!
4. Practice/playing is an essential daily requirement for all students taking lessons with
varying lengths depending on age. It is critical for all students to establish an accessible
routine.
5. Parent/guardian presence is required with parents remaining in proximity of the lesson
location. Parents are welcome to sit in on lessons at any time.