Etudes Music Studio Policy 2026/27
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 8 September 2026 through 30 May 2027. Students will have 33 regular lessons during the piano year. Lesson days can be seen on the Piano Year Calendar.
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 is not always be possible, but I will try to schedule a spot in another class that week to make-up the missed lesson. If the lesson can't be made up, students can text a recording of their practiced music and I will send back any corrections that need to be made, as well as information on what we covered in 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 refunded or made up on "no-lesson-days" where possible.
The Piano Year runs from 8 September 2026 through 30 May 2027. Students will have 33 regular lessons during the piano year. Lesson days can be seen on the Piano Year Calendar.
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 is not always be possible, but I will try to schedule a spot in another class that week to make-up the missed lesson. If the lesson can't be made up, students can text a recording of their practiced music and I will send back any corrections that need to be made, as well as information on what we covered in 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 refunded or made up on "no-lesson-days" where possible.
Lesson Fees
The Annual Lesson Fee will be divided into 9 equal monthly payments of $115 payable from September to May. Invoices will be sent out at the start of the month and payment is due on the 7th of the month. (The September payment is due by the 12th of the month as September invoices are sent out late).
The Annual Lesson Fee will be divided into 9 equal monthly payments of $115 payable from September to May. Invoices will be sent out at the start of the month and payment is due on the 7th of the month. (The September payment is due by the 12th of the month as September invoices are sent out late).
The $45 Annual Registration 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 and any late fees are unpaid.
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 and any late fees are unpaid.
The monthly invoices will contain Zelle / PayPal details, and the list of lesson dates/times for your child's lesson.
PayPal charges a 3.49%+$0.49 processing fee for their services. This processing fee will be applied to PayPal and credit card payments. Paying by Zelle or by check will avoid the processing fee.
Online Students
Online students have lessons on Wednesdays and Fridays. We use Zoom for the online lessons.
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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 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.
In-Person Students
In-Person lessons take place at Nichols Bethel Church (1239 Murray Road, Odenton MD 21113). The entrance is through Door #1 at the back of the building. 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.
In-Person lessons take place at Nichols Bethel Church (1239 Murray Road, Odenton MD 21113). The entrance is through Door #1 at the back of the building. 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 Beethoven Buddies students and about 20 minutes for all other students. Piano practice is homework - most students need to be reminded to do it. Please help your child to set up a practice schedule and help them to stick to it so that they don't fall behind the other students in their class.
Students are expected to practice 5 days a week. Practice time will take about 10 minutes for Beethoven Buddies students and about 20 minutes for all other students. Piano practice is homework - most students need to be reminded to do it. Please help your child to set up a practice schedule and help them to stick to it so that they don't fall behind the other students in their class.
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.
Student Withdrawal Policy
Students are encouraged to remain enrolled through the full piano year. However, circumstances can change, and there may be times when a student needs to discontinue lessons. Please communicate with me before making the decision to withdraw so we can see if there is a solution that allows the student to continue their piano journey. I understand that sometimes no solution can be found and I will ensure that the student finishes their lessons with us on positive terms and with a sense of accomplishment.
Registration fees and tuition payments already made are non-refundable, so if your child needs to withdraw from classes, it is best to do so at the end of a month.
Students are encouraged to remain enrolled through the full piano year. However, circumstances can change, and there may be times when a student needs to discontinue lessons. Please communicate with me before making the decision to withdraw so we can see if there is a solution that allows the student to continue their piano journey. I understand that sometimes no solution can be found and I will ensure that the student finishes their lessons with us on positive terms and with a sense of accomplishment.
Registration fees and tuition payments already made are non-refundable, so if your child needs to withdraw from classes, it is best to do so at the end of a month.
Communication and Updates
Email is our primary method of communication for studio announcements, invoices, recital details, inclement weather notices. On average, you'll receive 2 emails per month - an invoice and a monthly newsletter. In the past, students have missed recitals, gone to the wrong recital venue, showed up for lessons on no-lesson days etc., all of which can be avoided by reading the newsletter, so please ensure that we have an email address that you check regularly.
Email is our primary method of communication for studio announcements, invoices, recital details, inclement weather notices. On average, you'll receive 2 emails per month - an invoice and a monthly newsletter. In the past, students have missed recitals, gone to the wrong recital venue, showed up for lessons on no-lesson days etc., all of which can be avoided by reading the newsletter, so please ensure that we have an email address that you check regularly.
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 many 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. Piano Adventures Level 1 students are invited to take part in the online Piano Adventures Exam on completion of their Piano Adventures Lesson book.
Exams and recitals are great for providing students with goals and motivating them to maintain focus and practice consistently, but participation in them is completely optional.
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 many 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. Piano Adventures Level 1 students are invited to take part in the online Piano Adventures Exam on completion of their Piano Adventures Lesson book.
Exams and recitals are great for providing students with goals and motivating them to maintain focus and practice consistently, but participation in them is completely optional.
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!