Studio Policies
Welcome to Esther’s Music Studio – we are glad you have chosen to attend lessons and classes with us! Please read the following guidelines and procedures and refer to them often as we travel on this musical journey together.
Listening
Students enrolled in private lessons should listen to the songs they are learning every day. This is vital for the development of any musician and is a key part of the Suzuki Method of learning, often called the “mother-tongue method.” This type of instruction draws on the many parallels between language learning and music learning, in which the student first learns by hearing, then imitating and then reading.
Home Practice
Home practice is one of the most crucial aspects of music lessons. It is important that parents/guardians take an active role in making sure that practice happens at home. This is where the bulk of a student’s learning takes place and progress cannot happen without it.
It is expected that a parent or guardian of a very young student (ages 4-6) will practice the assignments alongside their student until the student is able to practice on their own.
A beginning student should plan to practice for 10-15 minutes at a minimum of 5 days of week. As the student progresses, they should increase their practice time accordingly.
Parents/guardians are responsible for purchasing or renting a violin or piano for home practice as well as purchasing any books and materials assigned by the teacher.
Private Lessons
Private lessons will be held on an almost weekly basis (an average of 3-4 lessons per month). A parent or guardian is required to attend all lessons and group classes and take extensive notes for students ages 10 and under. A parent or guardian of very young children (ages 4-6) should be prepared to take an active part in the songs and activities.
Group Class
Group classes will be held approximately once a month for students enrolled in private lessons. Participation is mandatory for all minor students enrolled in private lessons. There is no extra charge for group classes. Group classes are an important part of learning to play a musical instrument – we will be participating in community building activities as well as learning how to make music with others and perform in front of a group.
Recitals
There will be one culminating recital at the end of the academic year, near the end of May. All minor students enrolled in private lessons are required to attend the final recital, whether they perform or not. Performing in the recital is highly encouraged for all students but will be discussed with Esther on a case by case basis. A number of smaller performance events will occur throughout the academic year and will be announced as they are scheduled.
My Music Staff
All students will be given access to My Music Staff upon submitting the registration form. This is where you will be able to view invoices, see your schedule, make cancellations or sign up for alternative lesson times on the studio calendar. Students enrolled in private lessons are also given access to a wide array of supplemental materials, digital recordings, and practice videos.
Schedule
Private lessons will be held for an average of 3-4 lessons per month. Over the course of an academic year (September-May), students will receive a minimum of 30 scheduled lessons. Some months may only have 2 lessons, while other months may have as many as 5 lessons.
There will be no lessons or classes during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Spring Break. The remaining 5 weeks of no lessons may be taken at anytime throughout the year. Planned time off or vacations will typically be found on the studio calendar. Esther reserves the right to take time off at any time in case of illness or emergency.
Summer lessons (June-August) will be scheduled and billed per lesson in order to accommodate vacations and summer activities.
Tuition and Fees
Private lessons (September-May):
Registration fee: $50 per student upon submission of the registration form
30-min lesson: $100 per month
45-min lesson: $150 per month
60-min lessons: $200 per month
Summer private lessons (June-August):
Registration fee: $50 per student upon submission of the registration form
30-min lesson: $35 per lesson
45-min lesson: $52 per lesson
60-min lessons: $70 per lesson
Billing and Payment Policies
Tuition is due at the beginning of the month for private lessons. Invoices will be sent via email near the first of the month and follow up texts will be sent out within the first week of the month. Payments may be made using Zelle, Venmo, Paypal, check, cash, or through the student portal.
Tuition for private lessons during the academic year (September-May) is charged as a flat monthly rate regardless of the number of lessons, group classes, or recitals per month. There will be no adjustments to monthly tuition for any reason and no refunds for missed lessons. Please note that some months may have as few as 2 lessons, while others may have as many as 5 lessons. Conversely, there is no additional charge for group classes, recitals, or piano accompaniment fees.
Tuition for private lessons during the summer (June-August) is charged per lesson at the beginning of each month. For example, if a student signs up for two lessons in one month, they will be charged the total of both lessons at the beginning of the month. There is no additional fee for group lessons. Students may choose to pay the flat monthly rate instead if they plan to attend 3 or more lessons for the month.
There may occasionally be special events or classes that are charged separately from the normal monthly tuition. Participation in these events or classes is optional.
Cancellation Policies
There will be no adjustments to tuition or refunds for missed or cancelled lessons under any circumstances. If you are unable to make your scheduled lesson time you may choose one of the following options:
Choose an alternative “open lesson” time on the My Music Staff student portal
Switch lesson times with another student (please let Esther know if you have switched with another student)
Request a virtual lesson in place of an in-person lesson
If none of these options work, feel free to reach out to Esther. Another time slot may open up that does not appear on the My Music Staff student portal.
If none of these options work, please mark yourself or child as absent in the My Music Staff student portal calendar.
Please give at least 1 day notice of any changes to your lesson time. Students who cancel their scheduled lesson the day of the lesson are not entitled to an alternative lesson time, however, you may still be able to switch to a virtual lesson as long as adequate notice is given on the day of the lesson.
Teacher Cancellations: If Esther needs to cancel a scheduled lesson, an alternative lesson time will be offered. If an alternative time cannot be scheduled within a reasonable amount of time, Esther will use an emergency week off.
Termination of Lessons
Please provide at least 30 days paid notice if you would like to discontinue private lessons. Students who have not paid tuition for over a month will be discontinued. Esther reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
Note: All schedules, fees and tuition are subject to change without notice.
Welcome to Esther’s Music Studio – we are glad you have chosen to attend lessons and classes with us! Please read the following guidelines and procedures and refer to them often as we travel on this musical journey together.
Listening
Students enrolled in private lessons should listen to the songs they are learning every day. This is vital for the development of any musician and is a key part of the Suzuki Method of learning, often called the “mother-tongue method.” This type of instruction draws on the many parallels between language learning and music learning, in which the student first learns by hearing, then imitating and then reading.
Home Practice
Home practice is one of the most crucial aspects of music lessons. It is important that parents/guardians take an active role in making sure that practice happens at home. This is where the bulk of a student’s learning takes place and progress cannot happen without it.
It is expected that a parent or guardian of a very young student (ages 4-6) will practice the assignments alongside their student until the student is able to practice on their own.
A beginning student should plan to practice for 10-15 minutes at a minimum of 5 days of week. As the student progresses, they should increase their practice time accordingly.
Parents/guardians are responsible for purchasing or renting a violin or piano for home practice as well as purchasing any books and materials assigned by the teacher.
Private Lessons
Private lessons will be held on an almost weekly basis (an average of 3-4 lessons per month). A parent or guardian is required to attend all lessons and group classes and take extensive notes for students ages 10 and under. A parent or guardian of very young children (ages 4-6) should be prepared to take an active part in the songs and activities.
Group Class
Group classes will be held approximately once a month for students enrolled in private lessons. Participation is mandatory for all minor students enrolled in private lessons. There is no extra charge for group classes. Group classes are an important part of learning to play a musical instrument – we will be participating in community building activities as well as learning how to make music with others and perform in front of a group.
Recitals
There will be one culminating recital at the end of the academic year, near the end of May. All minor students enrolled in private lessons are required to attend the final recital, whether they perform or not. Performing in the recital is highly encouraged for all students but will be discussed with Esther on a case by case basis. A number of smaller performance events will occur throughout the academic year and will be announced as they are scheduled.
My Music Staff
All students will be given access to My Music Staff upon submitting the registration form. This is where you will be able to view invoices, see your schedule, make cancellations or sign up for alternative lesson times on the studio calendar. Students enrolled in private lessons are also given access to a wide array of supplemental materials, digital recordings, and practice videos.
Schedule
Private lessons will be held for an average of 3-4 lessons per month. Over the course of an academic year (September-May), students will receive a minimum of 30 scheduled lessons. Some months may only have 2 lessons, while other months may have as many as 5 lessons.
There will be no lessons or classes during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Spring Break. The remaining 5 weeks of no lessons may be taken at anytime throughout the year. Planned time off or vacations will typically be found on the studio calendar. Esther reserves the right to take time off at any time in case of illness or emergency.
Summer lessons (June-August) will be scheduled and billed per lesson in order to accommodate vacations and summer activities.
Tuition and Fees
Private lessons (September-May):
Registration fee: $50 per student upon submission of the registration form
30-min lesson: $100 per month
45-min lesson: $150 per month
60-min lessons: $200 per month
Summer private lessons (June-August):
Registration fee: $50 per student upon submission of the registration form
30-min lesson: $35 per lesson
45-min lesson: $52 per lesson
60-min lessons: $70 per lesson
Billing and Payment Policies
Tuition is due at the beginning of the month for private lessons. Invoices will be sent via email near the first of the month and follow up texts will be sent out within the first week of the month. Payments may be made using Zelle, Venmo, Paypal, check, cash, or through the student portal.
Tuition for private lessons during the academic year (September-May) is charged as a flat monthly rate regardless of the number of lessons, group classes, or recitals per month. There will be no adjustments to monthly tuition for any reason and no refunds for missed lessons. Please note that some months may have as few as 2 lessons, while others may have as many as 5 lessons. Conversely, there is no additional charge for group classes, recitals, or piano accompaniment fees.
Tuition for private lessons during the summer (June-August) is charged per lesson at the beginning of each month. For example, if a student signs up for two lessons in one month, they will be charged the total of both lessons at the beginning of the month. There is no additional fee for group lessons. Students may choose to pay the flat monthly rate instead if they plan to attend 3 or more lessons for the month.
There may occasionally be special events or classes that are charged separately from the normal monthly tuition. Participation in these events or classes is optional.
Cancellation Policies
There will be no adjustments to tuition or refunds for missed or cancelled lessons under any circumstances. If you are unable to make your scheduled lesson time you may choose one of the following options:
Choose an alternative “open lesson” time on the My Music Staff student portal
Switch lesson times with another student (please let Esther know if you have switched with another student)
Request a virtual lesson in place of an in-person lesson
If none of these options work, feel free to reach out to Esther. Another time slot may open up that does not appear on the My Music Staff student portal.
If none of these options work, please mark yourself or child as absent in the My Music Staff student portal calendar.
Please give at least 1 day notice of any changes to your lesson time. Students who cancel their scheduled lesson the day of the lesson are not entitled to an alternative lesson time, however, you may still be able to switch to a virtual lesson as long as adequate notice is given on the day of the lesson.
Teacher Cancellations: If Esther needs to cancel a scheduled lesson, an alternative lesson time will be offered. If an alternative time cannot be scheduled within a reasonable amount of time, Esther will use an emergency week off.
Termination of Lessons
Please provide at least 30 days paid notice if you would like to discontinue private lessons. Students who have not paid tuition for over a month will be discontinued. Esther reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
Note: All schedules, fees and tuition are subject to change without notice.