Mitani Music Studio Policy 2016-2017
My goal is to help my students become well-rounded musicians who are able to express themselves through music to enrich their lives, give voice to which they have no words for, and keep it for their lifetime enjoyment. In order to ensure that each student gets the most effective and creative teaching possible, I have established the following policies.
1. OFFERED LESSONS –
PRIVATE LESSONS: 45 or 60 minutes in length. Yearly tuition guarantees that I will be present to teach 43 weeks per year. Approximately three of the 43 weeks may possibly be group lessons. Students, grades 2-12, are required to take TMTA theory exams, and are suggested to participate in one festival and one recital per year. Exams are highly recommended for motivated students.
PARTNER LESSONS may be offered if students are same grade, and at same level of their piano study. Adult partner lessons are offered if their levels are the same.
SUMMER LESSONS: In order to keep up the skills students have achieved, and to hold a slot for coming fall, students must continue to take at least 8 lessons during summer. These lessons are scheduled to accommodate both teacher and student’s summer travels.
GROUP THEORY CLASSES are offered bi-weekly. Minimum of three students in one class.
PAY AS YOU GO: Available for adult professionals who are not able to take weekly lessons. Purchase a package of four private lessons at a time which will expire within two months. We will schedule each lesson at mutual convenient time. For rescheduling a lesson, 48-hour advanced notice is required.
2. TUITION STRUCTURE – Tuition covers not only the actual lesson time spent with the student, but time preparing for each student and lesson as well. This includes:
• An individualized plan for each student’s course of study
• Recital, Festival, Exam preparation, repertoire planning, and monitoring at the event
• Development of teaching materials, often including new compositions recently published
• Continuing education, training, and experience
• Studio expenses for instruments, tuning, and repairs
• Professional organization memberships
Private and Partner Lessons: Tuition is charged by the school year, paid in three installments or by monthly which is divided into 12 monthly payments; it remains the same while the number of lessons varies from month to month. Monthly tuition is prepaid by the 25th for the following month. A $20 late fee will be assessed for the tuition received after the 1st, and a $25 fee for a returned check. Term tuition is due by August 15 for the fall, December 15 for the spring, and May 15 for the summer. New students may enroll at any time of the year, and tuition will be pro-rated accordingly.
Group Theory and Pay as You Go: Tuition should be paid in advance, four lessons at a time. Late fee $20 will be assessed if there is no payment received by the first lesson of the four-lesson package.
3. REGISTRATION FEE – Each student pays a yearly, non-refundable registration fee. It is due by July 25 or at the time of registration. This covers for running the studio as well as the time spent in addition to actual teaching:
• Scheduling
• Bookkeeping
• Music books and CDs for music lending library
• Time spent for email and phone calls
• Technology program updated, music learning apps, Facebook page, website
• Printing cost
4. EVENT FEE – For grades 2-12 students. This covers TMTA Student Affiliate Membership, one Festival, one Recital, and one TMTA Theory exam per year. Additional event fee will be charged separately.
5. ATTENDANCE – Lesson time is dedicated to the student(s) and the lesson will begin and end at the time scheduled. Please arrive at each lesson punctually with assignment and music books. To help prevent the spread of illness, students must wash hands before playing the piano. Fingernails should be kept short and clean to maintain proper technique. Lost time due to a student's late arrival will not be made up. In case you have to miss a lesson, please inform me as soon as possible.
6. MISSED LESSONS – 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. Choose a lesson time in which you feel confident. Yearly tuition reserves an exclusive weekly time in my schedule for the student. The tuition covers far more than just lesson time so you do not need to worry that missing a lesson means wasting money. Missed lesson time is frequently used to plan for the student’s progress, locate materials, and choose repertoire. You can also opt to use a swap list, online/video lessons, or simply call to discuss about your (child’s) progress during the time that is reserved for the student. If I need to miss a lesson, it will be made up during flex weeks.
7. ONLINE/VIDEO LESSONS – In the event that students are unable to come to the studio, they can request FaceTime, Skype, or phone lesson at their scheduled lesson time. All assignment and music sheets should be emailed to me in advance. If students are unable to attend online lessons, they can send a video prior to their lesson time and I will be sending email with comments and suggestions to work on during the week.
8. PRACTICE and COMMUNICATION – Practice is one of the most important factors in achieving goals and success at any instrument, and parents play a vital role at home practice. In order to develop music skills and obtain the most from a music instruction experience, dedicated, quality practice is essential. Please establish a specific practice time each day that becomes a routine. All students are expected to practice five days per week. Please keep in contact with me regarding your (child’s) progress and practice habits, and do not hesitate to communicate any concerns. If something is happening at home or school/work that is affecting the student, please inform me so I can be sensitive to the needs of the student.
9. ILLNESS – I reserve the right to send students home if they arrive sick. If the students are mildly ill, please stay home and request an online lesson so that the teacher or other students do not get ill.
10. INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSING – I will adhere to the PISD’s decision on closing and there will be no make-up lessons provided. Students can request online/video lessons from home at their scheduled lesson time.
11. PROBATION and DISMISSALS – Students who are continuously unprepared or misbehaved may be placed on probation for one month. If there is no improvement during the period, the student will be terminated from the studio. Under certain conditions, students may be dismissed immediately. Any pre-paid tuition will not be reimbursed. These conditions include, but are not limited to:
• Non-payment or recurrent late-payment of tuition
• Persistent absences or tardiness
• Uncooperative attitude
• Failure to follow teacher’s guidance and instruction
• Inappropriate language/attitude or distracting behavior
• Being disrespectful to the teacher and/or other students
• Mistreating instruments, equipment, or materials in the studio
12. WITHDRAWAL – If for any reasons a student must stop lessons before the end of the year, the student and parent must give a written 30-day withdrawal notice, and responsible for paying through the 30-day period. At the time, the tuition or number of lessons for the final month will be prorated to reflect the number of lessons that the student has received. Pay as You Go adult students can inform me by the last lesson of current package that you are discontinuing.
13. PHOTO and VIDEO RELEASE – photos and videos of my students may be posted on my studio website or Facebook page with no names attached. In general, the students love to see themselves and find it motivating and exciting. If you do not want your (child’s) images to be used, please indicate it in the agreement form.
14. EMERGENCY – In case of medical emergency, I will use my best judgement in obtaining medical care for your child and you accept the responsibility for any related expenses. Please list emergency contact if it differs from your contact info.
15. CALENDAR – Forty-three (43) weeks per year. Please refer to the calendar page for details.
Fall term(17 weeks) :
August 22, 2016 – First day of the fall term
December 16, 2016 – Last day of fall term unless the teacher cancels lessons
December 19-23, 2016 – Flex week
Spring term(18 weeks):
January 9, 2017 – First day of spring term
May 19, 2017 – Last day of spring term unless the teacher cancels lessons
May 22-26, 2017 – Flex week
Summer (8 weeks) :
May 30, 2017 – First day of summer lessons
July 31, 2017 – Last day of summer unless the teacher cancels lessons
August 1-11, 2017 – Flex/Additional lesson weeks