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Studio Policies and General Information
In this outline you will find information about the procedures and policies of Miller Music Studios (henceforth referred to as "the Studio") and related topics. Please take the necessary time to carefully review the contents of this section in order to avoid misunderstandings, hurt feelings, late fees, etc. Please note: I cannot change this policy for anyone. These guidelines are consistently maintained and cannot be altered as they allow the business portion of piano lessons to flow smoothly and equitably. 2. THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC Music is a language--and like any language, there are many basics which must be mastered prior to advancing to more complex applications. During a course of study, I endeavor to cover all areas of musicianship, the rudiments of scales, chords, cadences, arpeggios, etc. in all keys, theory, technique, formal analysis, harmony, ear-training, sight-reading, performance, improvisation, and a comprehensive study of musical literature in a progressive fashion. I truly feel that a well-rounded musical education helps students define for themselves what music means to them. PLEASE NOTE: it is up to the student to fully comprehend and incorporate what I am teaching. Each student must give me his or her full attention and try their best in order to progress and ultimately reach his or her full potential. For example, if a student is not committed to daily, consistent practice, the student will not learn the language as well as he or she might have otherwise been able to. Plus, valuable lesson time which would have been spent on the new lesson plan must be spent again on reviewing and re-teaching what the student should have mastered with home practice. A student needs to immerse oneself in a language to acquire mastery. Please bear in mind that no two students are exactly alike, and children (as well as adults) learn at different rates of speed. Even brothers and sisters within the same family differ radically in motivation, temperament and ability. Therefore, I approach students as individuals and attempt to challenge each according to their unique potential. Music is not easy, and may not always be "fun". However, given sufficient time and structured practice, it does become enjoyable and satisfying to master the many different aspects of this art. 3. BILLING POLICY A) Private Lesson Fees: As a member in good standing with the New York State Music Teachers Association, the Music Teachers National Association and several other professional music organizations, there are certain guidelines to which I must strictly adhere regarding missed lessons, the billing process and late fees. Currently, my rates for private piano and voice lessons are as follows:
Lessons will be billed on a monthly basis for however many lessons fall in each month. If your lesson falls on a holiday, you will not be billed for that lesson. There are nine holidays I will observe per year: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day and the 4th of the July. These are the only holidays in which lessons will not be billed. Usually there are four lessons that fall in a calendar month, sometimes there will be five lessons in the month, and rarely there will be three lessons in the month if one of your lessons falls on a holiday when I am not teaching. THESE MONTHLY FEES RESERVE A TIME SLOT which works like rent one would pay for an apartment. These are flat fees to reserve your or your child's weekly time for lessons WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND OR MISS. Fees are charged by the month, and are not lowered nor refunded for missed lessons. You may schedule extra single lessons which are paid at the beginning of that lesson. You are entitled to two make-up lessons per year from September 1st through August 31st. These must be taken while you are a student and within the September through August time range. Thus, if you quit for any length of time, and did not use the make-up lessons, you lose them. We will start the new calendar year every September 1st with a clean slate. This policy is for full-time students who pay by the first of the month; no make-up lessons will be given in any month that payment was received after the first of that month. C) Other Fees: 1. Late Fee: Payment is due by the 1st of each month or when you begin lessons if it is past that date. A $10.00 late fee shall be assessed for any payments received after the 1st of each month. This late charge would best be paid at the time that the month's fee is remitted, or it will appear on the following month's statement. If payment has not yet been received by the 15th, additional late charges at the rate of $2 per day shall be added to the original fees. Consistently paying after the first of the month unfortunately may result in termination of lessons. 2. Registration Fee: There is a $30.00 per family Registration Fee at the time a student signs up for lessons and each September thereafter. 3. Recital Fee: Due to the rising costs for our recitals, the participation fee is $30 per student, and $10 for each additional student within the same family. Tickets costing $5.00 each for general admission is required for the audience attendees. This includes the Christmas Musicale and the Spring Recital. 4. Adjudications: The National Federation of Music Clubs, Piano Guild, MTNA auditions, and other competitions of this nature charge a participation fee. Students who qualify and want to participate will pay the Studio the fee charged by the organization and the Studio will pay the organization one lump sum. 5. Materials: Each student is given the books, metronome, and other materials needed for study at lessons and home practice; charges will be included in the following month�s bill. 4. MISSED LESSONS AND "MAKE-UPS" The Studio shall not assume any financial responsibility for a student's absence(s). Monthly rates are flat fees, and shall not be lowered nor refunded for missed lessons. You are entitled to two make-up lessons per year from September 1st through August 31st. These must be taken while you are a student and within the September through August time frame. Thus, if you quit for any length of time, and did not use the make-up lessons, you lose them. We will start the new calendar year every September 1st with a clean slate. This policy is for full-time students who pay by the first of the month; no make-up lessons will be given in any month that payment was received after the first of that month. If, for some reason, a lesson must be missed, please notify me at least one week (or not less than 24 hours if possible) in advance so that I can schedule another student in your time 5. TERMINATION OF LESSONS A) Termination by Student: If you should decide to terminate lessons at any time during the year, please give me TWO-WEEK�s NOTICE. Regardless of when notice is given, such student shall be financially responsible for the rest of that month, whether the student chooses to attend or not. There can be no refunds or exceptions. B) Termination by Teacher: As a piano instructor, I support and care for all of my students and their families in a very special way. One-to-one education is very concentrated, and the bond between teacher and student can grow quite strong. Nevertheless, the Studio reserves the right to terminate a student's lessons for the following infractions: a. Inappropriate behavior toward me on the part of the student. This includes violent outlashings, hitting me or the piano, swearing, defamation of character, unacceptable advances or any other displays which fall outside the realm of common respect and decency. b. Inappropriate behavior or verbal abuse directed toward me, my husband, or my children on the part of a student's parent(s). This includes all of the above. c. Attendance at lessons in any type of intoxicated state. d. Failure to pay monthly lessons in full by the due date. 6. PAYMENTS AND LATE FEES All fees for lessons are due by the 1st of each month or when you begin lessons if it is past that date. Bills are submitted during the last week of each month for the following month. For example, the last week in August you will know what you owe the first day of September, etc. You must pay in advance of receiving lessons. If you pay by mail, please be certain to send the remittance so that I receive it by the 1st of the month, however we do not recommend payment by mail because mail can be late and has been lost � which would incur a late fee. Please be sure to remit by the 1st of the month. Late payments upset my personal and Studio bill-paying process as well as my personal income. It is necessary to ensure that these payments are received on time. Therefore a $10.00 late fee shall be assessed for any payments received after the 1st of each month. This late charge would best be paid at the time that the month's fee is remitted, or it will appear on the following month's statement. If payment has not yet been received by the 15th, additional late charges at the rate of $2 per day shall be added to the original fees. Consistently paying after the first of the month unfortunately may result in termination of lessons. 7. BUSINESS PROTOCOL Miller Music Studios can be equated to a music school and thus has business aspects which must be attended to. There is a very definite division of responsibilities at Miller Music Studios. I am considered the teacher and prefer to concern myself with the student, music, lessons, performances, etc. - I prefer NOT to concern myself with the tuition aspect of the business. My husband, Deryl Miller, is in charge of the monetary aspects. Any questions regarding policy finances should be directed to him (business phone: 845-342-2149). When Deryl is present, please hand your payment to him so he can record it and I can start the lesson promptly. 8. ATTENDANCE Regular attendance of lessons is an issue of responsibility and choice on the part of parents and students. Again, the Studio shall not assume any financial responsibility for student's absence(s) due to illness, weather, sports, etc. The Studio shall, however, assume financial responsibility should I (Diane L. Miller) become ill, be out of town, or cancel for any reason. The lesson(s) that I miss will be rescheduled; if I cannot reschedule then the following month's regular tuition bill will be reduced by that particular amount. 9. NATIONAL HOLIDAYS There are nine national holidays the Studio observes during which there will be no regularly scheduled lessons and for which you will not be billed: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year�s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day and the 4th of July. The Studio will be open for lessons on all other holidays. There will be no rate reduction for those choosing to be absent on additional holidays. 10. SUMMER MONTHS Piano lessons continue as usual during the summer months. This is a private studio and does not follow any type of "academic school year." If you and/or your family will be out of town at any time during the summer, please let me know well in advance. If a student will be taking time off in the summer, such student's time slot may be reserved by paying for the missed lessons in full and in advance as usual. I do not recommend taking an extended time off since the student will lose so much progress during the hiatus. Nevertheless, you will lose your weekly time slot unless the full fee is paid to reserve it. Thus, your regular time slot will be given to another student if it is not reserved.
11. MUSIC SUPPLIES Any music-related supplies a student needs for study will be supplied by the Studio and reflected on the next month�s bill for reimbursement. This includes karaoke CD�s and equipment, sheet music, metronomes, etc. This is a courtesy the Studio offers you inasmuch as the local music store may or may not carry these items in stock and special orders may take a long time which interrupts the flow of lessons. The Studio charges you the regular retail rate plus the tax, however usually absorbs the shipping costs � the only exception would be if large karaoke equipment has an exorbitant shipping charge it would be passed along to you at your prior agreement. Please supply your own blank CD�s for recording lessons; our recording equipment works best with CD-R Music blank CD�s. If you prefer for the Studio to provide blank CD�s they are available for $1.00 each. 12. PRACTICE AND PARENTAL SUPPORT Sufficient scheduled practice time on a daily basis is the surest guarantee that the student will experience consistent progress at the piano or voice lessons. Learning the necessary skills to become proficient will not occur by simply attending lessons. It takes committed practice on a daily basis to put into motion the skills covered at each lesson. Parental support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Children whose parents take an active interest in their child's progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive. However, this does not mean yelling at them, scolding them or any sort of interruption during the lesson. Please understand, I have a lesson plan for each child. I request that you allow me the full scope of teaching at the lesson. The students whose parents have trusted my judgment fully with their child's education have made the best progress, experienced the most success, and had the least frustration. Therefore, please refrain from telling me how or what to teach at each lesson. I know what each student needs at each step of musical development. Please be advised that if a parent or student insists on what to study, I might oblige, however the result is usually not good when it is out of sync. Please trust your teacher and her judgment, she is the expert and has your best interest at heart.
As mentioned before, music is not easy and can, at times, become frustrating. Adults� structure and guidance of daily practice is needed because children are rarely self-motivated and lack the maturity and self-discipline to put in that all-important consistent practice session on their own. Commitment to learning the art of music requires the decision to practice on a regular basis. Regular, diligent practice and the eventual progress results in pride, satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
13. SPORTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Although this is a private piano and voice studio, and is not affiliated with any school district, it is no less an educational institution and must be regarded as such. It is the position of this Studio that lessons are to be treated with the same level of importance as any other subject your child may be studying in school. It is also the position of this piano studio that sporting events and other extracurricular activities are not considered valid excuses for not practicing during the week. As a music instructor, I would no more accept this reasoning than any other teacher at an educational institution. Sports and music may not always be mutually compatible, but need not be mutually exclusive. Please respect my curriculum and my commitment to your child's musical education by maintaining a priority level for piano and voice studies equal to that of other school subjects--regard it as a "private extension" of academics that would otherwise be unavailable to your child. 14. RECITALS AND PERFORMANCES During the year, several performance opportunities are made available to qualified students. These events provide pupils with further incentive to practice and excel, and can have a positive effect on a student's sense of accomplishment. Recitals build confidence and reinforce the concept that good practice habits result in success. A list of these accomplishments also looks impressive on college applications. When students reach an appropriate level of adequacy, they will be eligible to participate in the Studio's Christmas Musicale, competition for Music Teacher's National Association's Honor's Recital, the National Federation of Music Clubs adjudications with the potential for earning a trophy, the National Guild of Piano Teachers Division of the American College of Musicians, the National Music Certificate Program (formerly RACE/Royal American Conservatory Exams), NYSSMA, opportunities to perform in Master Classes, the Spring Recital, and more. These take place in various professional locations and will be announced. See the Billing Policy for information on recital and competition fees. We suggest that students who take part in these programs commit to the event at least four months in advance, thereby giving ample time to prepare their respective piece(s). All music - except duets - is to be memorized. Deadlines for preparation are imposed and strictly adhered to in order to ensure that all participating students are secure with their piece(s). Those students whose piece(s) is/are not performance-ready by the deadline shall be withdrawn from the program. Students scheduled to perform for recitals are required to attend and perform. Except in cases of family emergency or illness, students may not "drop out" from the program. Such behavior then affects the entire recital. Performers must be at the facility no later than 20 minutes before the beginning of the recital. Participating students and their families are expected to remain for the duration of the entire recital, thereby providing ample audience and respect for all performers. PERFORMANCE ATTIRE - not mandatory but strongly suggested Proper etiquette for recital attire: dress is formal for everyone. Boys - tuxes are great, however a suit is good also; girls - floor length black skirts or dresses are appropriate. Pianists - girls should always have shoulders covered. Vocalists - can be as flashy as modesty will allow. 15. ADJUDICATIONS, SYLLABUS, FESTIVALS AND COMPETITIONS Each year, the various organizations of which I am a member provide educational and competitive opportunities for qualified students. Such events may be offered by me to those students who seem to possess the necessary maturity, discipline, talent and temperament to participate in such events. If a student/family is interested in participating or attending any event, please let me know and I will provide you with pertinent information. Bear in mind that these opportunities require a high level of determination, more serious practice habits, and the ability to perform in a competitive arena with a high level of confidence and intensity. As is the case with recitals, deadlines shall be imposed and strictly adhered to. Students who commit to such events must be performance-ready by the deadline or must be withdrawn. 16. PARKING All Studio parking shall be along the street only, either side is acceptable, as long as you park in the direction of traffic and allow enough room at the mail box for a mail truck to pull in and drive through for their delivery between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM Monday through Saturday. The driveways on our street are off limits to all vehicles, and are not to be used as location to head in/back out for turnaround purposes. Please drive down Commonwealth Avenue and turn right at the end of the street and right again to get back onto North Street. At no time is parking in our driveway or blocking our driveway permitted. Please always remember to put your emergency brake on since some cars have rolled and hit the neighbor's fence and mail box. Please do not use any of our neighbors' driveways for any reason. 17. GROUNDS The Studio is part of my private residence and must always be regarded and respected as such. Please do your part to maintain the premises for the sanctity of my home. Please! No playing on the lawn, ripping up grass and throwing it, throwing stones, etc.. I cannot supervise other children when I am teaching lessons in my Studio nor can I be held liable if they get hurt. It is difficult for me to concentrate on teaching a lesson when I am worrying about children whom I am not teaching who are on our premises.
18. FOOD Neither students nor parents are permitted to bring food or drink into the Studio. When this is disregarded and mishaps occur, the student or parent should assume full responsibility for the expense of cleanup or repair of damage to my carpeting and electronic equipment due to spills or other accidents. Spilling water in the piano causes serious damage and results in a large repair fee. Please take personal responsibility to uphold this directive--it is very uncomfortable for me to have to continually remind people not to eat or drink in the Studio. The student is only with me for a short time and can eat or drink before arrival or after leaving the lesson. I may have a drink or protein bar at my side while I teach due to the demanding schedule I keep and sometimes I do not have time before or after lessons to eat or drink. If I chew gum it is to keep myself from becoming hoarse with all of the singing and talking I must do for many hours at a time with students. Students should not chew gum during lessons since it can throw off their beat while playing the piano and interferes while singing. They should not ask me for gum since I cannot have enough for all my students. Especially at recitals, performers should not be chewing gum.
19. STUDIO AND STUDIO PROCEDURES Remember, the Studio is an extension of my private residence and must be regarded (and respected) as such. Please remove your shoes (check them before entering) during rainy weather or if they are dirty or muddy. Do not ring the front/rear door bells of the house when it is your lesson time. Please drop off your student five minutes before the scheduled lesson; wait in the front hall until the lesson time, then come in to the Studio so that I can see you are here as I am saying good-bye to the prior student. Parents - please be waiting in the car in front of my house at the end of the lesson; this is so that your child will not worry and need to interrupt the next lesson to ask if he or she can use my phone to call home.
20. CODA (In Conclusion) If you should arrive early for your scheduled lesson time, please wait until five minutes before your scheduled time before entering the Studio. Furthermore, please be prompt in picking up your child after his/her lesson. Lesson time must remain as focused as possible--siblings and friends cannot attend the lessons; even if they remain still and quiet the student is aware of their presence and cannot fully concentrate on the lesson at hand. It is very difficult and tense if I have to teach while a sibling is being disruptive. The only ones who should be present at a lesson are the student(s) and possibly parent(s). On my part, some interruptions are inevitable, however I will always endeavor to focus all my attention and energy on the student and lesson at hand and consistently try to have no distractions. If you have any questions or comments, please see the contact section of this site. Thank you for taking the time to read what I expect from my students and their families and what I offer you. I look forward to our musical journey together!Sincerely, |