Policies

Music Studio Lesson Policy Guideline

I established the following policies with one objective: to enhance the learning journey for my students. Guidelines for punctuality, attendance, and practice help instill a sense of responsibility and discipline in students. These qualities will support their commitment to learning and contribute to their growth, not just in music but in life.

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1. Lesson Attendance:

• Please do not arrive before your allotted lesson time to avoid disrupting another student.
• Weekly lessons are available in various durations:
  • 30-minute lessons (Recommended for beginners & students ages 4-6)
  • 45-minute lessons (Recommended for students who have been playing over a year)
  • 60-minute lessons (Recommended for students who have been playing over 2 years)
• I only offer weekly lesson plans because every two weeks is not enough and twice a week is too much.
• Parents are highly encouraged to sit in the lessons when possible. Parental involvement is pivotal to a child's success, especially for young children. The parent is a young child's teacher at home, so the child will benefit with a parent's support during practice. I can provide guidance to parents in how they can assist their children with their practice at home. A parent that is present during the weekly lessons can better assist the student in completing homework and daily practice.

2. Scheduling:

• Lessons must be scheduled in advance.

• I do my best to provide lessons on a consistent schedule for the student to ensure progress.

3. Cancellation and Rescheduling:

• If a student is unable to attend at their normal lesson date/time, please consider rescheduling rather than cancelling. While I'm flexible and don't charge for missed lessons when notified in advance, students often get setback when a weekly lesson is not rescheduled. Conversely, if you aren't available the entire week, I don't expect the student to reschedule 2 lessons for the following week.
• A minimum of 4 hours notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling.
• If this notice is not provided, I will still request the full lesson amount.
• Exceptions may be made for emergencies with timely notification.
• I occasionally need to cancel a student's lesson because I am a full-time student and frequently have rehearsals/concerts. I also perform gigs on the weekends as I play for two Mariachi groups. I will always provide timely notice for these cancellations and will offer to reschedule if convenient for you.

4. Payment Policy:

• I find it most convenient for both me and the parent to collect payment for all lessons of the month at the beginning of each month, due by the first week of lessons.
• Conversely, if you prefer to pay by lesson: payment is due in full at the time of each lesson.
• If payment is not received on time, I will send a text or remind you at the next lesson.
• I accept payment by cash, check, or Venmo.

5. Practice:

• I begin each lesson by asking the student how practice went that week. This is not to make them feel bad if they weren't able to practice much but I am continuously learning how I can help students with their practice sessions at home.
• My role is to guide students in how to keep practicing at home. Ninety-five percent of their progress is going to happen outside of my studio because improvement comes from consistent practice. I want students to learn and grow! I try to fit as much information I can in their one weekly lesson time but without daily practice, they won't improve at the rate you want them to.
• Some students need parental motivation to keep up with daily practice. This is best accomplished by setting up a routine with a consistent practice area and time every day. Students should practice at least the length of their lesson time at home every day.

6. Communication:

• Open communication between the parents, students, and myself is encouraged.
• Feedback and concerns should be addressed promptly to ensure a positive learning experience.

7. Discontinuation and Refunds:

• Parents have often asked me what to do when their child wants to give up. Ultimately, this decision lies with the parent. However, musicians have all experienced this feeling of wanting to quit and we all understand this feeling. When I was little, I also always asked my parents to quit. Today, I am grateful that my parents didn't allow me to. I think if they let me quit when I wanted to, that would have been my biggest regret. If a student feels like giving up, please reassure them that they can speak with me anytime if they need to discuss it.
• Please provide as much notice as possible for discontinuing lessons so I can wrap up final administrative matters and plan final lesson plans accordingly.
• Refunds will be provided for lessons not received when timely noticed is provided.

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By enrolling in lessons at Musically Dreaming, students agree to comply with the above policies. We believe that clear guidelines promote a positive and productive learning environment for all involved parties. Thank you for your cooperation and dedication to musical growth!

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