Available lesson times will vary. I try to work with each of my students in order to give them the most convenient lesson time possible. I hope we will be able to work together to provide the maximum quality time for each student.
Attendance
When you enroll in lessons, you are paying to secure a specific time, on a specific day. This is your time that you are paying for and this time is set aside for the entire Lesson Cycle as your exclusive time. Lessons will only be made up if the student notifies the teacher with a minimum of 1 weeks notice. Regular and prompt attendance is required to make appropriate progress. Please plan to arrive and depart from lessons on time as this will help facilitate efficient use of time. In the event of an emergency, I may not be able to contact you ahead of time and therefore may not be at the scheduled lesson location. I will not be held responsible for your child if you drop your child off without checking to see if I am here or fail to pick your child up on time. Siblings and friends are not allowed to sit in on lessons unless they are quiet and supervised by the student's parent. I reserve the right to ask any disruptive individual to leave. Parents are expected to stay on-site during their child's lesson. However, exceptions to this can be discussed prior to lesson times.
Recitals
Recitals are a learning experience for all students and part of your student's piano experience. Students participating in recitals will be required to attend the entire event and may not leave early. Due to the nature of this program, recital times will vary in format and time throughout the year, sometimes as an in-house concert and sometimes on a more formal level at an outside location like the Berkeley Piano Club.
Payment
Tuition is due at the first lesson of each month. Payments not received within 48 hours of the due date will result in a loss of your lesson time. Tuition and material fees are subject to change. There is a $25.00 fee for returned checks. There are no refunds given for any classes missed, or for termination before the end of a month or on materials. You are paying for 4 lessons per month. You will not be charged an additional fee for months that have 5 weeks. Those months will be compensated by holidays.
Holidays
Tuition is pro-rated over the year. Therefore there will be no class on regular holidays and no credit for holidays. Please see holiday schedule.
Vacations/Leave of Absence
Scheduled lesson times will not be reserved for students taking extended vacations or a leave of absence unless the time is paid for in advance.
Missed Lessons
In the event of teacher absence, we can either make up your lesson or your tuition will be credited for the lesson missed in the following month. A student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. There are no refunds or discounts given. However, families may trade their lesson time with another student to help avoid absences. This is handled strictly by the students and not by me. No make up lessons will be given if any confusion from this arises. Should 2 people arrive at once, I will teach the one whose lesson is normally at that time. Please inform me if you do not wish to have your name included on the exchange list.
Illness
I have a variety of ages in my classes and do not want to expose children, adults or myself to illnesses any more than necessary. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Please do not arrive sick or with a sick students or sibling. If you do, you will be asked to leave.
Parking
Berkeley: free residential street parking up to 2 hours Hercules: free residential street parking
Dismissals and Termination
Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a student if any of the following occurs:
Failure to pay tuition on time
Persistent absences
Uncooperative attitude on the part of student and/or parent
Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfulfilled requirements
There will be no refunds on tuition or materials on termination.
During Class
During lessons there will be no gum chewing, no drinks and all snacks need to be finished prior to class. Please be considerate of the other students and wash your hands, dress comfortably, remove your shoes prior to the start of class, and be prepared for lots of fun!