DEWMUSIC STUDIO PRIVATE LESSON POLICIES

DewMusic Studio endeavors to provide quality music lessons by integrating a variety of teaching methods.

Students will receive private lessons. The following policies explain how DewMusic Studio runs and what is expected of students.

DewMusic Studio's teaching philosophy centers on creating dedicated music students with a life-long love of music. The policies below reflect those goals.

Registration Fees + Tuition Rates/Payments

A registration fee of $45 will be required at the beginning of every year to secure your membership in the studio. The registration fee is also applicable to new students who may join at different times during the school year. Lessons will be paid in monthly installments beginning the first lesson of every month. DewMusic Studio accepts Cash, Check, Venmo, Cashapp, Zelle, or Paypal.

*5% Discount on multiple sibling lessons

Tuition covers the cost of:

• Lesson planning and repertoire selection

• Piano tuning and maintenance

• Incentive programs, game materials, and technology apps.

• Tuition does not include the cost of music. Students should expect to spend approximately $50 per year on repertoire.

• $15 Late Fee for all payments received after the due date.

• Please Note: There are no reimbursements for missed lessons and tuition is never adjusted unless the teacher cannot provide the promised number of lessons. 

Schedule

• Lessons are scheduled at a mutually agreed time when the student begins lessons, and at the beginning of each academic year thereafter.

• If a student/parent wishes to change their lesson time mid-year this can be discussed on a case-by-case basis, however, this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Missed Lessons and Swap List

Lesson times are standing appointments; a student’s lesson time is reserved for only them each week, and it is their responsibility to attend. Dance classes and sports teams do not offer reimbursements if you cannot attend a rehearsal or game – music lessons are no different. 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 unless the student/parent decides to utilize the Swap List.

The swap list is a curated list of other students’ contact information and lesson time. You can use the swap list whenever you have a conflict or if your student is sick. You can call, text/email the student and/or parent of a student whose time works better for you. Simply reach out and ask if they can swap lessons with you. Once you have confirmed your swap, please reach out to me to let me know and you’re good to go!

Please note! You may only Swap your lesson with another lesson of the same duration. 30min for 30min, 45min for 45min, etc.

• Students who are ill SHOULD NOT attend lessons. If you are too sick to attend school, you are too sick to attend your lesson. Please notify the teacher ASAP if you cannot attend. The teacher will schedule a Zoom lesson if the student feels well enough. Otherwise, the student can access the Swap List and schedule their lesson for a later time in the week.

Lesson Procedures

Please arrive at least a few minutes prior to your lesson. Students are expected to bring all materials (assignment folders, music books, and otherwise) to every lesson.

Keep it Clean! ALL students are REQUIRED to wash their hands before each lesson.

Food, gum, and non-water drinks are prohibited in the studio.

Waiting Room: Please feel free to relax in the waiting room. This allows the student my full attention and vice versa. exception – Feel free to use the restroom. Well-behaved siblings are welcome in the waiting room. Do not allow children to climb/play on the furniture.

** Siblings who take lessons back-to-back are welcome to wait in the studio and silently read, draw, play on tablets, or work on homework during each other’s lessons. Please bring enough materials to stay occupied.

Contacting the Teacher Outside of Studio Hours

Questions? Need to talk? Quick questions can be handled during your lesson time, text is welcome between 8 am-8 pm Monday – Friday.  Email me at any time and I'll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Practice Expectations and Instrument Requirements

How much practice is necessary?

This depends on the level and age of the student, and how fast they want to progress. The most important thing is that practice happens every day and that weekly assignments are completed. That said this is how long it will normally take to practice what I assign:

• Young students and beginners: 10-20 minutes a day

• Elementary students: 20-30 minutes a day

• Intermediate students: 30-45 minutes a day

• Advanced students: 45-60 minutes a day

Another handy guideline is that students should practice for three times their age. So a 5-year-old would practice for 15 minutes and a 10-year-old would practice for 30 minutes a day.

Parental Support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Students whose parents take an active role in their progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive. Create a quiet space where the student can practice, and schedule a time for practice each day.

Instrument Requirements: All students (voice included) should have regular access to an acoustic piano or an 88-key modern digital piano with a weighted hammer action. The 61 key keyboards sold at most large retail stores are not satisfactory for the continued study of piano, though they will suffice for voice lessons if necessary. An acoustic piano should be kept in good working order and should be tuned at least once a year.

Discontinuation of Lessons

Discontinuation of lessons requires a 3-week notice – This gives us time to wrap up any current projects and discuss how the student can continue to follow their music goals. This also allows me the necessary time to fill that empty lesson slot so that I can avoid a loss in income. Thank you for your consideration.