Lesson Schedule

The studio operates August through June.  Your tuition includes 30 total lessons from September through June (“lessons” includes in-studio or online lessons, piano performance parties, recital rehearsals, and June summer lessons). See Studio Calendar for more specific dates.

 

Lesson Formats (see Lessons)

 

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Tuition

Please remember…tuition covers more than my time with your pianist at the lesson. Your timely tuition payment is an investment in quality music instruction, a guaranteed place in my studio and my planning outside of the lesson.

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If starting at the beginning of the school year, tuition is divided into 10 equal monthly payments (Sept-June) regardless of number of lessons taught each month. All payments are due on or before the 1st of each month.

 

You can start lessons anytime during the year. The Annual Enrollment Fees (includes registration, materials and other incentives) will still apply. Monthly installments will be figured on how many lessons you will receive from your start date.

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*Tuition is subject to a rate increase at the beginning of each school year. Please contact the studio for current rates.

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Annual Fees and Deposit - $95 (non-refundable) – due August 1st (or at time of sign-up)

• Secures lesson placement; covers administrative fees and studio "swag"

• Partially covers music books and sheet music, assignment binder, piano games, incentives, recital awards and venue costs

• Partially covers the cost and time needed to stay current with the technology trends and equipment for lab and lesson assignments

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Payment Options

• Lightbody Music Studio accepts Cash, Check, PayPal and all Major Credit cards.

• Invoices will be emailed monthly on the 20th and are due on the first day of the month.

• Payments are late after the 5th of the month and will be assessed a $15.00 late fee.

• Payments may be made online or in person.

• Make checks payable to Laurie Lightbody.

• A $35.00 service charge will be applied for checks returned for insufficient funds.

 

Practice

Efficiency is more important than the amount of practice time. Every student should develop a plan so that 5 practice times are part of the weekly schedule (just like soccer practice, homework time, TV time, etc.) Practice plans will be discussed at individual lessons and goals will be set based upon each student’s level.

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Absences and Makeup Lessons

No makeup lessons are guaranteed. However, if I have an opening available during my regular teaching schedule, I will offer that to those who need to miss their regular lesson. Unfortunately, credit cannot be given for a missed lesson or class, and the Studio is unable to discount the month’s tuition when a class is missed. In order to keep lessons on schedule for all of our students, I cannot extend a lesson if the student arrives late.

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Online Lessons vs. In-Person Lessons

In the event of a pandemic or similar event, lessons will move to online format (Zoom, Facetime or equivalent) in order to ensure the safety of the teacher, students and families. Fees and deadlines will remain the same. Technology assignments will be assigned for completion at home. Parents have the voluntary choice to bring the students to the studio for lessons. If at any time a parent would feel more comfortable switching to online lessons, please contact the Studio to make that change. Online lessons can be attended at the same time as in-person lessons.

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Lesson Termination

It is expected that a student will commit to lessons for a full year. If lessons are discontinued by you before the end of the year the following will be due:

• $50 cancellation fee

• and the equivalent of two weeks’ worth of lessons.

 

Lessons may be terminated by the teacher at any time if…

• Students consistently exhibit a disrespectful attitude and/or are regularly unprepared;

• Tuition balances are not paid;

• Late payments occur on a regular basis.

 

Drop-off/Pick-up

Prompt drop off and pick up are expected. Please be quiet and considerate of others still doing work when dropping off and picking up students. Students are not to be left at the Studio for excessive time before or after lessons.

 

Injuries/Care of Students

Parents/guardians waive the right to any legal action for any injury sustained on Studio property resulting from normal lesson activity or other activity conducted by the students before, during or after lessons. The Studio is not responsible for providing care for students before or after lessons.

 

Recitals and Public Performances

Each student is expected to participate in at least two performances per year (Christmas program and Spring recital), though all performances are optional. Recital rehearsals will be scheduled in place of regular lessons.

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In the event of a pandemic or other unforeseen circumstance that would hinder holding the recital in person, a virtual recital will be held instead.

 

Festivals, Auditions and Theory Exams

Each student will have the option of participating in several competitions. Participation is not required. Entry fees for these events are separate from any fees charged by the Studio. Entry fees are non-refundable. Deadlines for entry fees will be announced in lessons.

 

Inclement Weather

Should the need arise to cancel lessons due to bad weather, the lessons will be rescheduled or taught online (via Facetime or YouTube video lesson). Two “flex” weeks are built into the schedule in May. Should the need arise to cancel a lesson due to weather, an additional week will be added to the schedule in May.