Studio Policies

Instrument
Students must have an acoustic (non-electric) piano at home. Electronic keyboards and digital pianos contribute to delays in development of a student's technique. An acoustic piano will allow students to learn proper techniques necessary to achieve finger control, various tone colors, phrasing, articulations, and pedal subtleties not possible on an electric or digital instrument. Please talk to me if you need advice on buying an acoustic piano.

Practice
In order to progress, students need regular, daily practice. Parents share the responsibility with the student to set aside a regular time for careful and accurate practice. Practice should be considered a priority, like school homework and any other components of a child’s education. Music is not always easy and may not always be “fun.” However, with sufficient time and structured practice, its rewards are plentiful.

Performances
School-aged students are required to perform in one of our two annual studio recitals. These recitals are optional for adult students.  In addition to these two recitals, there is an Honors Recital for the most advanced students of our studio.  There might be other performance opportunities that are optional.

All public performances not arranged through the studio must be cleared by me at least two weeks prior to the event. This includes school talent shows and church services.

Competitions
Students of the intermediate and advanced levels may have the opportunity to participate in competitions. I only allow students who prepare meticulously and demonstrate musical maturity to take part in these events. There are several solo and concerto competition opportunities in our local area and around the state. Please feel free to discuss this with me if you are interested.

Tuition
Tuition is a flat rate per month as follows: $195 for weekly 45-minute lessons and $260 for weekly 60-minute lessons. I offer a discount for families with children taking a total of 90 minutes or more of weekly lessons at our music school. Tuition is due for the entire month at the first lesson of each month. Please pay by check or exact amount cash. A $15.00 late fee will be charged if the full tuition amount is not paid by the 7th of the month. Since the monthly rate is always the same, I will not give tuition reminder notices.

Missed Lessons
Tuition credits will not be issued for missed lessons. If you must miss a lesson, I will not deduct the amount from the current month or the next month’s tuition. Instead, you will be able to attend a make-up lesson. Make-up lessons will be available to students regardless of the reason for canceling as long as proper absence notification is given and a student is up-to-date with monthly payments. 

All students are given access to my Google Calendar. When a student cancels a lesson, it creates an opening for another student to have a make-up lesson. All available times for make-ups are marked “Make-up” on the Google Calendar. If you see a time in which you would like to come for a make-up during one of these openings, please contact me. If you must cancel a make-up lesson, the same “Proper Absence Notification” applies. See “Summer Lessons” for information about extended absences.

Proper Absence Notification
If you must miss a lesson, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance. However, I understand that sometimes same-day illnesses or emergencies occur. I prefer that you call or text me as soon as possible.  Once lessons begin, I will provide my personal cell phone number.  You may also cancel via email at kdryer@dryermusicschool.com; however, email cancelations need to be sent no later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of your lesson. I will strictly adhere to the cancellation policy. Last-moment cancelations, “no-shows,” same-day cancelation emails after 12:00 p.m., and tardiness do not qualify a student for a make-up lesson.

Teacher Absence
Two calendar weeks of teacher vacation are built in to this schedule. I will take one week of vacation sometime in the summer and one week off at Christmas time. Make-up times will not be offered for these two weeks. If I must miss additional lessons, either planned in advance or a same-day cancellation, you will be able to sign up for a make-up lesson or receive credit to your next month’s tuition.

Snow Days
If I close the business due to inclement weather, I will call you the same day as your lesson. Feel free to call me first if you need to know sooner. I don’t usually make this decision the night before since we can’t always predict the weather and road conditions. If I am teaching, but you feel the weather is too bad for driving, you qualify for a make-up lesson if you call me as soon as you realize the weather seems dangerous to you.

National Holidays
The studio does not follow the public school calendar. The only holidays that we will not have lessons are Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. I will be happy to give make-ups for any of these missed lesson days, with the exception of Christmas, since as previously mentioned, that falls in to one of my vacation weeks.

Summer Lessons
It is important to continue lessons through the summer. Students who take off during this time return in the fall with rusty fingers and regression in note reading and rhythm. I understand that many students will miss lessons due to vacations. Please let me know about vacation dates at least two weeks in advance. I will not hold time slots for those who take off four consecutive weeks or more during the summer unless they pre-pay the full August tuition amount before leaving for the summer. Students who will miss four consecutive lessons during the summer must pre-pay for the month they will return. No refunds will be given to students who cannot keep the day and time I held for them or any of my other available lesson times.

Materials
All students need to have a notebook in which I will write the weekly assignments and a half-inch or one-inch three-ring binder. Expect to purchase piano lesson books at the first lesson and periodically afterwards when a level is completed. I will often recommend extra pieces in the form of sheet music or in books for recitals, festivals, and National Piano Guild Auditions. I will let students know exactly what music is needed and where to get it.

Other Fees
There are small fees for other optional events such as The National Guild Piano Playing Auditions, festivals, and competitions.

Termination of Lessons
Please notify me at least two weeks in advance if you wish to stop taking lessons. No refunds will be given for students who quit after they have paid tuition. I reserve the right to dismiss a student for not following studio policies, lack of practice, or any negative behavior.

Miscellaneous
*Food, gum, and drinks are not allowed in the studio or waiting room. Only water is permitted.
*Cell phones, watch alarms, and other noise-making devices must be turned off during lesson time.
*Fingernails must be short.
*Dangling bracelets and loose rings should be left at home.
*Please wear shoes that are conducive to pedaling (“flip-flops” are not good pedaling shoes).
*Please enter the studio with clean hands.
*Try to go to the bathroom before coming in to your lesson.