Studio Policy and Commitment
Contract
2023 - 2024
Welcome
piano students and
families! In this
document I have
listed all the
essential things to
know about piano
lessons. Feel free
to ask any questions
or voice concerns.
When you are
comfortable with all
the info, please
sign it, keeping one
copy for yourself
and returning the
other to me. This
must be signed in
order to continue
lessons.
Thanks
so much for taking
the time to make
music an important
aspect of your
family’s life!
Melissa Barker
|
Covid-19 Procedures
My students' physical, mental,
and emotional safety and health
is very important to me. As I
have debated how to teach piano
lessons in this world that we
are all currently living in, I
have decided to continue
teaching lessons in-person at my
home studio. All students will
wash their hands with soap when
arriving (as is our normal
protocol) and I strongly
encourage hand washing when
leaving, as well. I will also
have hand sanitizer available if
that is easier for the student's
exit strategy. Masks are not
required, but I am happy to wear
one at the student's request.
Online lessons are also
available by request.
If you are feeling sick
(sore throat, cold, fever,
etc) please do not come to
your piano lesson in person. Please
notify me ahead of time and I
will call you via
Google, Facetime, or Zoom
(whichever is your preference)
and we will do your lesson
online. If you would prefer to
try to swap lesson times with
someone, please use the swap
list and contact them directly
(names and schedule are listed
on this website; for a list of
phone numbers and emails, please
contact me). I will not be
offering make-up lessons.
What you can expect
Learning
to play the piano is much
more than reading a piece of
music. In our time together
we will not only be learning
notes and rhythms, but how
to make a piece of music
truly musical. We will
develop the ear by singing,
playing “by ear,” and
listening to recordings. We
will learn about the history
of music, how to play using
chord charts (instead of
written notes), and how to
compose or improvise your
own music.
Ultimately, our goal
is to enjoy the music we
make, no matter what type.
At lesson time
Students
are expected to be prepared
when coming to lessons each
week. This preparation
consists of showing up on
time, bringing the necessary
materials (notebook, piano
books, practice schedule,
and any other materials),
and putting in sufficient
practice time throughout the
week. Make sure your
fingernails are clipped (or
you will be clipping them in
the lesson), and your hands
are clean (please wash them
with soap and water
immediately before beginning
your lesson to prevent
spreading germs).
Practice Time
At
the beginning of each
lesson we will discuss how
practicing went the
previous week and will
decide upon a length of
acceptable practice for
the coming week. Most
students will be required
to keep a record of
his/her practice
throughout the week.
Although the precise
amount of time may differ,
a student is generally
expected to practice a
minimum of four to five
days each week,
completing each
weekly assignment,
no matter how large or
small.
Parents
are a key aspect to making
practice-time a productive
time. A parent must
be supportive and
encouraging of the student
and make certain that he/she
is practicing. This will
often take the form of daily
reminders, placing the
importance of practicing
right alongside homework.
Although families handle
practicing in different
ways, a scheduled routine is
successful for most
students. Try practicing at
the same time each day:
before leaving for school,
after getting home from
school, or just after dinner
seem to be times that work
well for students. Please
make it a priority in your
household.
Performing Experience
Performance
opportunities are essential
for students to develop
stage presence,
self-confidence, and the
desire and ability to share
their music-making with
others. I strongly encourage
students to take every
opportunity to perform in
front of others. Some
students thrive on
performances; for others,
they have some very real
fears to overcome. I am so
proud of each and every
student who courageously
places their musical
performance in front of
others. Please place the
following dates on your
family calendar:
Fall
Group Class
(for students
only)
|
Friday,
November 3, 3:45-5:00
(k-5th), 5:15-6:30
(6th-12th)
|
Melissa's
home
|
Holiday
party
(for students only) |
Friday,
December 15,
3:45-5:00 (k-5th),
5:15-6:30 (6th-12th) |
Melissa's
home
|
Spring
Group Class OR
Community Performance
Opportunity
|
Friday,
March 8, 3:45-5:00
(k-5th), 5:15-6:30
(6th-12th)
*Times may be adjusted if
we perform for the public
|
Melissa's
home
|
Spring
recital
(for friends,
family, and anyone who
wants to come!) |
Sunday,
June 2, 4pm, First Baptist
Church
|
Prineville
First Baptist Church
|
Materials Fee
At the beginning of the year each student
will pay $50 on
top of tuition
to cover
expenses such as
music books,
hands-on
learning tools,
composition
books, etc. This
is a non-refundable annual
fee. I will then provide all
materials the student will
need throughout the year.
Parents will not be
surprised with any
unexpected fees, unless they
choose to become involved in
contests or festivals as the
student becomes more
advanced and will, therefore
need to pay registration
fees.
Tuition
30-minute
lessons
|
$90/month
|
+ $50
annual materials fee
|
45-minute
lessons |
$130/month
|
+ $50
annual materials fee |
60-minute
lessons |
$170/month
|
+ $50
annual materials fee |
All
monthly payments remain the
same each month, even if the
months do not have the same
number of lessons. A
students' weekly lesson, as
well as their group lessons
are included in this monthly
tuition. Payments are due by
the 10th of each
month. Please make your
check out to Green Grass
Music or pay through Venmo
(@Melissa-Barker-36).
Make-up Policy
At
the beginning of each year,
I will hand out a “swap
list” with everyone’s names,
contact info, and lesson
times listed. In the case of
absences, a student (or
parent) may call or email
another student to swap
lesson times OR a student
may request an online lesson
at his/her normal lesson
time (via Skype, Facetime,
or Zoom). If it does not
work to swap lesson times or
do an online lesson, the
student forfeits his/her
lesson for the week. If I
miss a lesson due to illness
or emergency, I will make-up
the lesson or credit that
lesson to your next month’s
bill.
Year-long Calendar
2023/2024
Schedule
|
September
5 – May 31
|
We
will NOT be having
lessons the following
weeks:
September 18 -- 22
(Melissa out of town)
Thanksgiving week (Nov
20 – 24)
Christmas Break
(Dec 18 – 29)
Spring Break
(March 25 -29)
*All other lesson days
will continue as
scheduled,
even on "no school"
days.
|
I have read and understood
everything in the studio policy
and agree to the policies
therein.
Parent signature:
____________________________
Date: ________________________
I understand the importance of
the statements above and commit
to practicing the minimum of 4 -
5 days weekly, completing each
weekly assignment, performing at
least twice yearly, and coming
prepared to each lesson. I also
understand that if I am unable
to meet these commitments, a
probationary period of time may
be instated and if no change is
evident, lessons may be
terminated.
Student signature:
___________________________
Date: ________________________
|