Etudes Music Studio Policy 2025/26
Welcome to the new Piano Year. I am excited about all the students will be learning this year. The policies below will help us to have a very productive Piano Year. Please read and let me know if you have any questions.
Lessons and Make-Up Lessons
The Piano Year runs from 6 September 2025 through 31 May 2026. Students will have 33 regular lessons during the piano year.
The monthly lesson fee remains the same even if a lesson is missed. If your child needs to miss a lesson, let me know as soon as you can. It may not always be possible, but I will try to schedule a spot in another class that week to make-up the missed lesson. Lessons that are cancelled because I am unable to make it due to illness or some other reason, are not charged for. A refund will be issued back to your account.
Lessons cancelled due to inclement weather, will be made up at the end of the school year (from June 1 through June 5).
The Piano Year runs from 6 September 2025 through 31 May 2026. Students will have 33 regular lessons during the piano year.
The monthly lesson fee remains the same even if a lesson is missed. If your child needs to miss a lesson, let me know as soon as you can. It may not always be possible, but I will try to schedule a spot in another class that week to make-up the missed lesson. Lessons that are cancelled because I am unable to make it due to illness or some other reason, are not charged for. A refund will be issued back to your account.
Lessons cancelled due to inclement weather, will be made up at the end of the school year (from June 1 through June 5).
Lesson Fees
The Annual Lesson Fee will be divided into 9 equal monthly payments payable from September to May. No payment is due in June. Invoices will be sent out at the start of the month and payment is due 7th of the month. (The September payment is due by the 10th of the month as September invoices are sent out late).
The Annual Lesson Fee will be divided into 9 equal monthly payments payable from September to May. No payment is due in June. Invoices will be sent out at the start of the month and payment is due 7th of the month. (The September payment is due by the 10th of the month as September invoices are sent out late).
The $45 Annual Registration Fee will be included on the first invoice. This fee covers lesson materials, software, equipment maintenance, insurance, recital fees, recital refreshments, rental fees, treats, prizes, awards and the many things done for the students outside of the lesson.
A $15 late fee will be added to any payment received after the due date. Students will not be permitted to enter the lesson if fees are not paid by the due date.
The monthly invoices will contain Zelle / PayPal details, and the list of lesson dates/times for your child's lesson.
A $15 late fee will be added to any payment received after the due date. Students will not be permitted to enter the lesson if fees are not paid by the due date.
The monthly invoices will contain Zelle / PayPal details, and the list of lesson dates/times for your child's lesson.
PayPal charges a 3.5% processing fee for their services. This 3.5% processing fee will be applied to PayPal and credit card payments. Paying by Zelle or check will avoid the processing fee.
Online Students
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We will use the first week to ensure everyone is correctly set up, but after the first week, students will be muted until they are correctly set up so that they don't disturb the lesson for everyone else. A lot of lesson time is wasted on adjusting Zoom settings. Please show your child how to set the Zoom settings on any devices they will use for the lessons so they can be ready to go at the start of each lesson.
Students should be in the Zoom waiting room 5 minutes before the lessons begin. (They can use those 5 minutes to make sure they have the correct Zoom settings and to run through their music).
A quiet environment will help your child to concentrate during the lessons. It will be difficult to hear what the students are playing if there is a TV on, siblings are playing with toys or other people are conversing in the piano room. If this happens, the student will be muted so that the other students are not disturbed.
Students learn and focus better if a parent is within hearing distance of what they are doing. Please stay close by during the lesson - especially for younger children who sometimes have problems using zoom.
Students should be in the Zoom waiting room 5 minutes before the lessons begin. (They can use those 5 minutes to make sure they have the correct Zoom settings and to run through their music).
A quiet environment will help your child to concentrate during the lessons. It will be difficult to hear what the students are playing if there is a TV on, siblings are playing with toys or other people are conversing in the piano room. If this happens, the student will be muted so that the other students are not disturbed.
Students learn and focus better if a parent is within hearing distance of what they are doing. Please stay close by during the lesson - especially for younger children who sometimes have problems using zoom.
In-Person Students
Students should arrive at Nichols Bethel 5 minutes before the lesson. The entrance is at the back of the building. Ring the doorbell at Door #1 if the door is locked and someone will let you in. Please wait quietly outside the music room until the previous class is dismissed. Lessons will begin promptly so it is important to arrive on time so that your child doesn't miss any of the lesson.
Students should arrive at Nichols Bethel 5 minutes before the lesson. The entrance is at the back of the building. Ring the doorbell at Door #1 if the door is locked and someone will let you in. Please wait quietly outside the music room until the previous class is dismissed. Lessons will begin promptly so it is important to arrive on time so that your child doesn't miss any of the lesson.
Practice
Students are expected to practice 5 days a week. Practice time will take about 10 minutes for beginners and about 20 minutes for students at level 1 and above. Piano practice is homework - most students need to be reminded to do it. Most of the students are doing well with practice, but there are a few who did not make much progress last year.
Students are expected to practice 5 days a week. Practice time will take about 10 minutes for beginners and about 20 minutes for students at level 1 and above. Piano practice is homework - most students need to be reminded to do it. Most of the students are doing well with practice, but there are a few who did not make much progress last year.
Student Behavior
I reserve the right to terminate lessons for any student who shows disinterest, is disrespectful, or continually disturbs the other students in the class. We have a lot of fun, games and activities in the lessons, but respect, enthusiasm and working together is essential to keep our classes enjoyable and successful.
I reserve the right to terminate lessons for any student who shows disinterest, is disrespectful, or continually disturbs the other students in the class. We have a lot of fun, games and activities in the lessons, but respect, enthusiasm and working together is essential to keep our classes enjoyable and successful.
Recitals and Assessments
This year, students will take part in 2 Anne Arundel Music Teachers Association recitals, and we will have several studio recitals so there will be lots of opportunities for the students to perform.
Students at Piano Adventures Level 2A and above are invited to take part in the Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Exams. All Piano Adventures students are invited to take part in an online Piano Adventures Exam at some point this year.
While exams and recitals are optional, I encourage students to take part, as they provide students with clear goals, motivating them to maintain focus and practice consistently.
This year, students will take part in 2 Anne Arundel Music Teachers Association recitals, and we will have several studio recitals so there will be lots of opportunities for the students to perform.
Students at Piano Adventures Level 2A and above are invited to take part in the Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Exams. All Piano Adventures students are invited to take part in an online Piano Adventures Exam at some point this year.
While exams and recitals are optional, I encourage students to take part, as they provide students with clear goals, motivating them to maintain focus and practice consistently.
Thank you for abiding by these policies to help your child's piano lessons to be productive and efficient. I look forward to a great year!