GENERAL POLICIES
STUDIO CLASSES
To enhance the weekly private lessons, studio classes are provided on a monthly basis. All students are required to attend a studio class of the appropriate level on the third week of each month or as announced by the Studio.
LESSON POLICIES
Starting and ending times. Lessons will always begin precisely on time. Students should arrive at the studio on time for each lesson, preferably a few minutes earlier to allow ample time to settle down and be ready to start at their designated time. However, it is recommended that a student arrive no more than 10 minutes before their time to minimize distractions for another student who may be currently having a lesson. For the same reason, students should be ready to leave the studio immediately or no later than 10 minutes after their lesson has concluded.
In the event of a student’s late arrival, the teacher will proceed with the lesson using the remainder of that particular lesson time. There will be no adjusting of the schedule to accommodate late-comers.
Lessons at GAA are closely coordinated with the student’s teacher.
Practicing. Students are required to do their best to practice adequately (preferably every day) during the week in preparation for each week’s lesson.
Parental Supervision. To ensure optimal progress, close parental supervision is required for young beginners (through approximately age 8) both during lessons and at daily practices sessions at home.
Parents are most welcome to observe lessons in the studio at any time as long as the student does not object. Siblings and/or other children are allowed in the studio during lessons as long as they do not create a distraction or disruption.
Student Participation. A yearly Calendar of Events will be given to each student with the dates of all studio activities. All students are urged to participate in any or all of the studio’s programs and activities. Students are encouraged to attend all functions whether or not he or she may be performing or participating in that particular event.
Missed or cancelled lessons. Due to an extremely limited lesson schedule, no make-up lessons will be given nor will refunds be issued for missed or cancelled lessons or for studio classes. Any lessons or studio classes missed by the teacher which cannot be rescheduled will be credited to the student’s account at the discretion of the teacher during the next billing cycle.
Books and materials. Students are expected to arrive at each lesson with all necessary books and pieces ready to perform as required by the teacher.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Recognizing that success in every child’s musical studies requires the concerted efforts of both the parents and the teacher, the studio customarily holds Parent-Teacher Conferences in the Fall and the Spring. Parents are encouraged to meet with the teacher and discuss any concerns during the conference time. Parents may also consult with the teacher at any other time during the year as may be necessary.
SUMMERS and HOLIDAYS
Piano lessons continue throughout the summer and adhere as closely as possible to the regular school year schedule. Advance notification must be given to the studio for vacations. Students taking a break from lessons for more than two (2) weeks will be assessed a vacation fee (the amount of one-half of their monthly lesson fee or that of the number of lessons to be missed) in order to hold their lesson slot. If a student stops lessons in the summer without paying the vacation fee, the studio cannot guarantee that a time slot will be available during the school year.
The studio observes the following holidays. There will be no lessons on these dates:
Labor Day - Monday, Sept. 2
Thanksgiving - Thursday, Nov. 28
Day after Thanksgiving - Friday, Nov. 29
Christmas Eve - Tuesday, Dec. 24
Christmas Day - Wednesday, Dec. 25
New Year’s Eve - Tuesday, Dec. 31
New Year’s Day - Wednesday, Jan. 1
Martin Luther King Day - Monday, Jan. 20
Memorial Day - Monday, May 26
Independence Day - Friday, July 4