School Contract
The Information You Need
Tuition, schedule, practice contract for 2023-2024
​How many and when
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For the school year of 2023-2024 a total of 32 regular lessons will be given. Vacations will be taken one week for Thanksgiving, two weeks for Christmas, and one week for Easter. Four weeks in May will be set aside for make-up lessons. Students may take lessons as desired over the summer and will pay at the time of each lesson. Summer lessons are not included in the school year tuition fee. Each student is responsible for bringing his or her lesson log to the lesson where and when the teacher will make an entry for each lesson. If the student loses the log and the teacher is unable to find record elsewhere of the dates of the lessons, the student may forfeit his or her right to make up lessons. It is very important to keep track of the lesson log!
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Makeups
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If the student misses for any reason, he/she has opportunity to make up no more than four lessons per year during the make-up sessions. More than 4 lessons missed by the student will not be made up. If the teacher cancels for any reason and is unable to fulfill the 30 lessons during the regular 30 teaching weeks, either the lesson(s) will be made up during the weeks set apart for make-ups or the student will be reimbursed at the end of the year for lessons missed.
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​What happens in May?
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If a student has perfect attendance and would like to take regular lessons during the weeks set apart for make-ups, then the parent will pay per lesson or prepay for several at the time of lesson during these four weeks. Please note: sometimes a student will complete all 32 weeks by April; however, the May payment still must be made because the cost of the tuition is spread out over 9 months including the month of May. The monthly tuition will be due in May regardless if the student receives any lessons at all during that month. To reiterate, the student will pay for and receive 32 lessons and regardless of when those lessons happen over the course of the year the monthly fee is the same and is to be paid every month from September through May.
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Summer Lessons
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Additionally, parents wishing to continue summer lessons throughout the summer portion of June, July and August, are required to pay weekly for each lesson at the time of lesson or prepay for as many lessons as they wish.
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Recitals
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Studio recitals will be held at least once in the fall/winter semester and once in the spring/summer semester, although there are often many other opportunities to participate in local performances. Students will be responsible for the two $25 recital fees which include 15 minutes of rehearsal time with pianist plus rent of venue. All students will contribute the $25 regardless if they provide their own pianist or not. The fee is included in the annual tuition. Since semi-annual recitals are mandatory students will not be refunded the recital fee if every effort is made to meet their schedule and provide ample planning time but they opt out of the recital or cancel at the last minute. Students will be refunded however if the teacher does not plan in advance and make arrangements for the recitals. Additional fees will be discussed prior to the recital such as extra rehearsal time or venue rental. Additionally, each student is required to attend one professional classical music concert per semester!
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Masterclasses
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Also included in the annual tuition fee are 2 mandatory masterclasses at $20 each. Students under the age of 10 are not required to attend but may if they wish to pay for the classes. There will be no refund for masterclasses not attended.
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Payments
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The total annual tuition is to be divided into 9 monthly payments which will be paid at the 1st lesson of the month. The monthly payments are not reflective of how many lessons are taught in that particular month, as it is the same exact monthly payment each time. Please remember the payment is the sum total of the cost of tuition divided by nine months (Sept-May.)
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If on the 1st lesson of the month the parent is unable to make payment for any reason and has not discussed with me in advance, an online payment must be made or a check must be delivered to the studio the following day. If payment is not made prior to the following lesson a $5 late fee will be charged and no more lessons will be given until payment is received. Payments are encouraged to be made through Zelle, Pay Pal, Google Pay or the Cash app.
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Tuition fees:
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Private Lessons:
Without masterclasses:
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$30 per half hour (32 lessons per year) $960= plus $50 recital fee =$1010/9 = 9 monthly payments of 112.22.
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​Including masterclasses:
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$30 per half hour (32 lessons per year) =$960, plus $50 recital fee = $1010 plus $40 masterclasses =$1050/9=9 monthly payments of $116.66.
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$45 for 45 minutes (32 lesson per year) =$1440, plus $50 recital fee =$1490, plus $40 masterclasses = $1530/9 = 9 monthly payments of $170.
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​$60 per hour (32 lessons per year) =$1920 plus $50 recital fee =$1970, plus $40 masterclasses = $2010/9 = 9 monthly payments of $223.33.
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Scales, Theory and Aural Skills
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In addition to private lessons students now have the option to sign up for group classes. Each semester each group class runs for 15 weeks. A student may be exempt up to two times per semester but after that there are no refunds. Parents can choose to be refunded for the absences or pay less on the final monthly installment. Parents can add the fees to their annual private lesson tuition and make 1 lump monthly payment including private and group fees or can divide the class payments into 4 monthly installments to be paid separately from the private tuition fee.
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Each class is $15 x 15 weeks =$225 divided by 4 monthly payments = $56.25 per month for 4 months.
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All classes with 3 or more students will be 45 minutes and classes with 2 students will be 30 minutes: $15 per student.
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Commitment
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I am committing to bring my child(ren) for 30 lessons. I agree to make 9 monthly payments in the amount of _____________ per month (including the month of May) for a total of ___________. I understand that not more than 4 student absences per year will be made up. I understand that I will only be refunded if the teacher cancels scheduled lessons or due to student’s prolonged illness of one month or more.
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Signed________________________________________________________________________
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Minimum practice commitments:
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​Without practice, progress is impossible. If a beginner student wishes to succeed with the violin, 30 minutes a day, 5- 6 times a week will be sure to see him/her to satisfactory levels of achievement. While every student is encouraged to practice 30 minutes a day and more, a minimum practice requirement must be fulfilled in order to remain in the studio. This minimum is mandatory and is the lowest level of acceptable practice which will allow the student to remain in the studio.
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6-7 years old: 10 minutes, 5 times a week.
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8-9 years old: 15 minutes, 5 times a week.
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10 and up: 30 minutes, 5 times a week.
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​If a student goes 2 weeks (not vacation weeks) without meeting the minimum requirements, then the student will receive a warning. The third week the student will be put on probation and if the behavior is not immediately corrected, the student will be asked to leave the studio.
I understand the practice requirements for my child and I will do my best to see that he/she fulfills these requirements.
Signed,___________________________________________________________________________
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Contact info:
Name: ________________________________________________
Phone Number:_________________________________________
Email Address:__________________________________________