Studio Policies
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Updated Summer Policies Coming Soon!
Updated for Fall of 2022
New policies go into effect on September 1, 2022.
About the Studio
Alyssa’s Music Studio is a private music studio that teaches lessons through virtual platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet. The studio began out of a need for virtual lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic and has developed into a studio that can teach students from all locations. This is a great option for students living in rural areas who do not have access to private instruction within a reasonable driving distance. Students will receive high quality instruction in musical notation, rhythm, ear training, and technique on their instrument of choice.
New Students
New students may begin at any time in the year as long as there are open spots in the studio (contact for more information).
Practice Policies
Private lessons are where the student is given the tools with which to learn the music, but it is unlikely that a student will be able to learn and retain musical knowledge if they only study it during one 30 minute/60 minute lesson each week.
While I do not require students to fill out practice charts, I recommend that elementary age students practice a minimum of 3 days a week for 15-20 minutes each. I recommend that middle and high school students practice a minimum of 4 days a week for 30-60 minutes each, especially when preparing for a performance or audition. I believe that students who choose to take private lessons should have the motivation to practice the appropriate amount for each lesson. Students will be given the opportunity to discuss their practice habits during each lesson, and through guided instruction will learn how to appropriately practice and schedule their own practice time each week. Practice charts may be used occasionally to help students develop awareness about their practice habits or to work toward an incentive, but they are not a core part of my teaching.
Studio Recitals
Studio recitals will occur at the end of both the fall and spring semester. Whether the recital is virtual or in-person will be determined by the number and location of the current students in the studio. Students are required to participate in recitals, as they are a necessary part of their musical training and a way to help students learn to create and work toward goals. If the recital is in person, a virtual option will be provided for students who are not able to participate in person.
Missed Lessons
Students are required to sign up for weekly lessons throughout the fall and spring. For an absence to be considered excused, the teacher must be notified at least 24 hours in advance (exceptions would be sudden illness, accident, or emergency). Only excused absences will be given the opportunity for a makeup lesson. Makeup lessons must occur within the same month as the missed lesson. No refunds will be given if a makeup lesson is not scheduled, and the payment will not carry over into the next month.
If the instructor must miss a lesson due to illness or professional commitments, the student will be notified at least 24 hours prior to the lesson and a makeup lesson will be offered to the student at a mutually convenient time. The makeup lesson can be scheduled within the same month of the missed lesson. In the case that there is not a mutually convenient time to reschedule the lesson within the month, the payment for that lesson will carry over into the next month.
Tuition
30 Minute Lesson: $20
45 Minute Lesson: $30
60 Minute Lesson: $40
Payments are to be submitted monthly and are due on the 1st of each month. Students/families will receive a PayPal invoice during the last week of the previous month. Payments must be submitted on time to ensure the student’s monthly lesson slots are reserved. If payments are not submitted on the 1st day of the month, a late fee of $10 will be charged on the 2nd of the month unless alternate arrangements have been made in advance. Tuition for unexcused absences will not be refunded or carried over to the next month. Submit your monthly payment via PayPal to alyssaflute2020@yahoo.com. Please contact the instructor if you need another option for payment. The teacher reserves the right to raise fees at the beginning of term to reflect increased cost of living and inflation rates, as well as increased professional development on the part of the teacher and general studio improvements.
Parents and Siblings
Parents, siblings, and family are welcome to attend lessons as long as they remain quiet and are not a distraction to the student. Family members are discouraged from helping students with their music during the lesson, as it can be difficult for the student to have instruction from both family members and the instructor at the same time and it is challenging in that situation for the instructor to know what the student can do on their own.