POLICIES
TUITION
1) Private piano students are on a month-to-month contract. Tuition includes one lesson a week, with the exception of holidays. All tuition is billed at a monthly flat rate, that is based on 48 lessons per year. Some months will have 5 lessons, and others may have fewer due to holidays and closures. Payment is due on every 1st of the month to guarantee your lesson slots.
2) All lessons will be temporarily suspended until all charges and fees are resolved.
3) Monthly tuition is only prorated in the first month of lessons. Tuition is not prorated at any other time of the year.
Payment Options :
a) E-transfer (Bank Deposit via ZELLE). Pay to: pinemusicacademy@gmail.com
b) Checks. Please make all checks payable to “Pine Music Academy”.
ASSIGNED LESSON TIMES
It is expected that students will keep their assigned lesson day/time throughout the school year. If it becomes necessary to change your scheduled lesson day/time, this may be done no more than once during the school year.
SCHEDULE REQUESTS
Please be mindful of the instructor’s schedule and of other families in requesting frequent changes to the schedule. We will do our best to accommodate everyone. However, as most lessons occur after school hours and during the weekends, it would be best if you could reschedule lessons way in advance to get the best slot for your child.
WITHDRAWAL / SUSPENSION OF LESSONS
Withdrawal of Lessons:
For students withdrawing from private lessons, 1-month notice is required.
If for some reason, you, the parent/student, must conclude lessons entirely, a 1-month paid notice is required. You have the option to take 4 lessons covered by the notice, or pay the 1-month notice and stop immediately.
Lessons cannot be discontinued in the middle of a billing cycle. No partial refunds will be given, however you may always gift these lessons to a family member or friend.
We DO NOT offer refunds. Once payment has been received, the student must commit to taking the purchased lesson(s), or they will forfeit the remaining lesson fee(s).
Suspension of Lessons:
Students may pause their private lessons for 30 days or 60 days at a time for any reason by filling out this suspension form. Please kindly note that Pine cannot hold a student’s time slot during their pause from private lessons.
CANCELLATION/MAKE-UP POLICY
Cancellations for lessons must be given at least 1 week in advance in order to receive a make-up lesson that is to be taken within the month of the cancellation. If the parent/student fails to comply with the 1-week cancellation policy, the lesson will be considered a loss for the student, and the instructor is not obligated to refund or reschedule the lesson.
MAKE-UP LESSONS:
All lessons cancelled less than 1-week notice by the student/parent will not be made up. However, we permit ONE makeup lesson for any sole discretion personal reasons. Makeup lesson must be made up by the end of the year of enrollment — they cannot rollover. After the ONE makeup lesson, all lessons are subjected to the strict 1-week notice.
All makeup lessons can be held remotely or at the studio. Please do contact the studio to make arrangements, and slots are subject to studio’s availability.
Scheduled make-up lessons cancelled for any reason CANNOT be made up. If it is necessary for the INSTRUCTOR to cancel, a make-up lesson(s) will automatically be scheduled as soon as possible or any available time during the year.
ILLNESS:
In cases where you or your child fall sick on that day itself—please let us know very early in the day. No students should attend lessons when sick (i.e. fever, nausea, vomiting, etc.). We will need to dismiss a student from a scheduled lesson if the student arrives exhibiting symptoms of illness. In that case, a makeup lesson will not be offered. Please cancel if you are too sick to go to school or work, we ask that you do not bring them to their lesson. If they feel well enough for a lesson, but shouldn’t share space, let us know and we will get zoom lesson setup for regularly schedule time! We will do the same, as a courtesy to you.
Please contact the studio to make arrangements for your permitted make-up lesson(s). For In-Home students, you will have to attend your make-up lesson(s) at the studio, and if your instructor is not available, we will have a proficient substitute instructor for you.
TARDINESS
The student is expected to arrive on time for the lesson, only a 10-minute waiting grace period is allowed, and will then have the right to leave. There will be no make-up time in case the student arrives late to his/her lesson. If the instructor is late, the time will be made up at a time mutually convenient for the teacher and the student.
As we offer back to back piano lessons, if a student is late, it will be up to the instructor’s discretion as to whether or not to they extend the lesson.
HYGIENE
All students must wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before their music lesson.
For Piano students:
Piano keys should also be wiped down frequently. Fingernails must be kept short to ensure they do not click and slide on the piano keys.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Students must have their own instrument(s). All piano students must have a piano or at least an 88-keys keyboard for lessons and practice time. The piano must be tuned and maintained regularly. A metronome (or an app with a metronome feature) is also required. All books/materials used in the course of study will be purchased by the parent. If there are additional materials necessary for the student(s) lesson plan, the instructor may purchase the books/materials and will be billed to parent/student accordingly.
PRIVACY CLAUSE & PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents/Guardians are strongly advised and encouraged to leave their child during lesson time so that teaching and learning will function at their optimum level.
Parents are encouraged to show a genuine interest in their child’s learning music, to encourage their child (or children) to practice regularly, following the instructor’s guidelines and instructions, and to be patient about their expectations. Parental patience, interest, and encouragement are often critical factors in whether a student retains his or her interest in music, and will often make the difference between a good student and a great student.
Supervised and constructive practice time spent between the parent and student on a daily basis is necessary for the progress of the student. Parents of young children or beginning students must be willing to set aside 15–20 minutes per day to help their child practice and/or read their assignment book. Parents/guardians of older children are asked to assist their child by assigning a regular practice schedule at home. Consistent practice time is a must in seeking progress.
CALENDAR HOLIDAYS
Lessons will not be conducted if it falls on a major holiday.
We are closed on the following days:
2023
May 29 Memorial Day
July 4 Independence Day
Sep 4 Labor Day
Nov 23 Thanksgiving Day
Dec 19 - Jan 1 Winter Break
2024
May 27 Memorial Day
July 4 Independence Day
Sep 2 Labor Day
Nov 28 Thanksgiving Day
Dec 23 - Jan 6 Winter Break