Policies & Tuition

Tuition & Fees

For the tuition listed below, the student is guaranteed that I will be present and prepared to teach 34 lessons as per the studio 2023-2024 calendar (barring emergencies). Tuition should be paid for either the entire term, by semester or divided into 10 monthly installments, September through June. Discounted tuition rates apply if paid by the 10th of each month. After the 10th, full standard tuition is due. Note: tuition is based on enrollment, not student attendance.

Monthly Tuition Rates:

Tuition should be paid through the parent portal on My Music Staff using your credit/debit card or bank account. Auto pay can be enabled so that you never miss the 10th of the month deadline. My Music Staff will send invoices and track payments. If an account becomes more than 30 days past due, lessons will be discontinued until payment is made.

Miscellaneous Fees:

Registration: $30 per student due with 1st payment of the term (except for returning students this year)

Recital Fee: Payable in May, $15 per student to offset recital costs.

Non-refundable tuition deposit: for returning students, 50% of September 2024 tuition is due by July 10, 2024 to reserve the lesson slot unless the student takes summer lessons. Deposit rate is based on 2023-2024 tuition. Rates will update in September 2024, and the balance of the new rate will be due.

Expectations & Attendance

Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. Please be assured that even if your student misses a lesson, your tuition is always working for your student. I spend a great deal of time outside lessons planning, researching, and problem-solving for students, in addition to attending conferences and continuing my education with your student in mind.

There will be no refunds, discounts, or make up lessons given unless Carrie is unable to teach 34 lessons by 6/30/24. However, if you encounter a scheduling difficulty, use one of the following options. 

• Virtual lessons: Use this option if you are stuck at home or if you are mildly ill. Options include Skype (carrieclement1), Facetime (207-236-4353), Messenger (Carrie Landrith Clement), Zoom, phone calls, or asynchronous videos. 
• Lesson Swaps: Let me know when you have a conflict and I will send you the current lesson schedule with others’ contact info. Arrange with another student to swap times and then let me know.  

Additional Concerns Regarding Missed Lessons

• In the event of bad weather, if you are unable to come to lessons, plan to meet online.
• Students who are ill should NOT come to lessons. They infect other students, other families, and me. As a matter of respect for others, in the event of illness, plan to meet online. I reserve the right to send a student home if they arrive sick. 
• If I am ill, I will let you know to meet me online. If I cancel a lesson for any reason (other than the two designated PTO cancellations), I will offer to make it up. Makeups must be completed by 6/30/24 or they are forfeited. The two PTO weeks are built into the calendar so that I may cancel for personal reasons without needing to make up the lesson.

Emergency

In case of medical or other emergency, I will use my best judgement in obtaining medical or necessary care for the student, and you accept the responsibility for any related expenses.

Lending Library Policy

Students should care for borrowed music more carefully than if it were their own. Music may be written in, but only in pencil. Borrowed music must be signed out in the library log before leaving the studio, and it must be returned upon completion of the assigned piece, or by the end of the term. Music not returned or returned in poor condition must be replaced at the student’s expense.

Termination of Lessons

Students are committing to and expected to complete the full term of lessons, 34 weeks. Payment is expected for the remainder of the term if students decide to terminate lessons. Exceptions will be made only for serious, unplanned family emergencies. The teacher reserves the right to terminate lessons if the student is not faithful to lessons, does not regularly practice as assigned, or is not well-behaved during lessons.

Arrival

Students & parents should not enter the waiting room until 3 minutes before their scheduled lesson time. Thank you for respecting others’ time.

Recital

Participation in recitals is required. (Optional for adults.)

Practice Requirements

Students must have an acoustic piano (properly functioning and tuned) or quality keyboard (88 weighted keys) in their home. This is essential for proper learning and motivation.

Students should practice 6 or 7 days per week. Parents should oversee the practice of all students. Parents should sit with young students to guide the practice. Older students should practice with their assignment notebook open in front of them daily so as to remember all items assigned.

Parents should ensure that students are putting in sufficient time to complete assignments well. (General guideline: practice for the same amount of time as the student’s lesson. Ex: 45-minute lesson = 45 minutes daily practice. For young students, it is helpful to split practice into two shorter sessions daily. First year pre-k and K students may only need 5-10 minutes of practice once or twice daily for the first few weeks.) 

When a student “forgets” to practice an item clearly assigned, or leaves an assigned book at home, the student must donate $.50 per item to the “OOPS” jar. It is best that this money comes from the student’s personal stash or is earned by doing a chore for the parent. Students and parents should check the assigned lesson carefully before coming to lessons. Otherwise come prepared with a supply of quarters each week.

Triangle for Success

When students decide to study piano, they need much more than their initial enthusiasm to ensure success. The students, their families, and their teacher all must make substantial commitments.

Teacher’s Role

• Provides a complete musicianship program to build a well-rounded musician.
• Plans lessons with specific goals in mind; gives students specific and clear weekly assignments.
• Maintains a consistent schedule and plans the calendar year ahead of time.
• Is knowledgeable, well-trained, and experienced in teaching piano.
• Is interested in the progress of each student; encourages the students.
• Makes lessons enjoyable, not a burden.
• Teaches the student how to practice at home.
• Provides ample performance opportunities.
• Communicates with the parent.
• Maintains personal musical growth.
• Establishes a consistent and fair tuition plan.

Parent’s Role

• Makes sure student is at lessons every week, except for true emergencies.
• Realizes that most students will tire of the discipline of daily practice, but expects commitment anyway. Encourages the student through times when motivation is lacking.
• Provides and maintains a quality musical instrument at home.
• Establishes a consistent practice routine. The chosen time should be focused, without distractions (TV, pets, children playing, etc.), and sufficient for the student to accomplish their assigned work.
• Takes the student to concerts by professional artists when possible, and encourages listening to quality music in the home.
• Communicates with the teacher, especially about practice problems.
• Makes tuition payments as contracted.
• Purchases music for the student, a music bag to store it in, and a one-subject spiral notebook for assignments.

For elementary students, attends lesson with the student. Observes the lesson without interrupting, takes notes for reference at home, writes the practice assignment in a dedicated notebook.

Sits with the student during home practice. Reads the assignment, helps the student to remember HOW to practice each piece as needed.

For older students, attends lessons once per month. Supervises practice to ensure the assignment has been practiced well. 

Student’s Role

• Practices 6 or 7 days per week on assigned lesson.
• Carefully follows each weekly assignment.
• Has a cooperative, enthusiastic, and teachable spirit, and is well-behaved.
• Participates in recitals.
• Comes to lessons on time and consistently.
• Takes care of music, both borrowed and personal.