Policy Aknowledgment and Agreement

Miller Music Studios Policy
As a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) and NY State Certified there are certain guidelines and policies to which Miller Music Studios (the Studio) must strictly adhere. These are as follows:
 
1. BILLING POLICY
The Studio tuition rates are:
15 mins - $35; 30 mins - $50; 45 minutes - $65; 60 mins - $80.
Please note that these rates are subject to change.
 
2. PAYMENTS & LATE FEES
Tuition is invoiced monthly, according to the number of lessons that fall in that month, usually four (4) or five (5). To reserve a weekly time slot, payment is required in advance for the entire month, and due no later than the 1st day of each month. Payments can be made by cash, Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, ApplePay, or Zelle. Checks made out to Miller Music Studios are acceptable but discouraged due to a bank fee we incur.
 
Payments received after the 1st of the month will incur a $15 late fee to be paid with the outstanding invoice or will be added to the next invoice. If payment is not received by the 15th of the month, an additional fee of $5 will be charged per day. More than three (3) late payments may result in termination of lessons. New students are required to pay at the first lesson for that lesson and the remainder of the month. Casual, one-off, Per Diem & Extra lessons must be paid for before the lesson is given and are offered only according to the Studio’s availability.
 
3. OTHER FEES
A) Registration Fee: $47.00 per family, due at sign-up and each September thereafter.
B) Recital Participation Fee: $45 per student & $15 for each additional student from the same family. General admission tickets are $10.00.
C) Adjudications: ABRSM, Piano Guild and other competitions charge a participation fee. Participating students should make their payments to the Studio in cash which in turn pays the joint fees in full.
D) Materials: All study materials are available for purchase from the Studio payable by cash and carry only.
 
4. CANCELLATION & MAKE-UP LESSONS
The Studio shall not assume any financial responsibility for student absence(s) or arriving late or leaving early, and tuition fees shall not be adjusted nor refunded for missed lessons or lesson time. Students are entitled to a make-up lesson provided the Studio is given 24 hours’ notice prior to cancellation and the make-up lesson must occur by June 30th contingent on Studio availability. During the Summer Session (July & August), those summer missed lessons must be made up by the end of August. Unused make-ups will expire. We will not make up a missed make-up lesson. September 1st begins with a clean slate. Lessons cannot be subtracted from a month arbitrarily or substituted for next month.
 
5. CONTAGIOUS ILLNESS
Out of consideration for the health of Studio staff and other students, students with contagious illnesses are not permitted to attend lessons in person but can take them online; if you do not choose the online option, those lessons can be made up in accordance with the CANCELLATION & MAKE-UP POLICY per #4. above.
 
6. PARENT/GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT
Students under five (5) years old must be always accompanied by a parent/guardian. It is best to drop off all students 5 years of age and older at the Studio just as you do for school. Parents are discouraged from staying in the lesson unless requested by the teacher. Siblings must be always supervised and not allowed to disrupt the lesson.
 
7. PUNCTUALITY
Students shall arrive at their lesson time – not even 5 minutes early. If early, please stay in your car until your lesson time to not disrupt the lesson in progress. Washing hands is included as part of the lesson time as is talking to the teacher or giving payment. If a student arrives late, the lesson will still end at the scheduled time. No make-up time will be offered for missed minutes and tuition will not be adjusted. Students must be picked up promptly after class and wait in the entrance area until a parent/guardian arrives. Out of respect for other students and their need for parking space, parents/guardians must depart the Studio immediately after the lesson is over.                                                                                                                                                                   
8. SCHEDULE CHANGES
From time-to-time, the Studio may need to modify the schedule temporarily or permanently which may affect a student’s regular lesson time/day. If this occurs, a mutually agreeable alternative will be found. The Studio reserves the right to modify, change, or alter all students’ schedules if necessary.
 
9. NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
If your lesson falls on Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day or the 4th of July, we will either have your lesson as usual or reschedule, according to your preference. We have found students’ progress is adversely affected when they must miss lessons due to their lesson unfortunately falling on a Holiday. Students often use holiday time and school snow days to advance with extra lessons at the Studio.
 
10. SUMMER MONTHS
The Studio lessons continue as usual during the summer months. If a student needs time off but wants to retain their lesson day & time, the slot may be reserved by paying for the lessons in full and in advance. Unreserved time slots may be given away to another student.
 
11. RECITALS, ADJUDICATIONS, SYLLABUS, & COMPETITIONS
Each year, performance, competition, award programs and adjudication opportunities are made available to eligible students by the Studio and organizations of which the Studio is a member. Students who wish to participate in these events must commit themselves and strictly adhere to deadlines for preparation. Students whose piece(s) is/are not performance-ready by 2 weeks prior to the deadline shall be withdrawn from the event, and fees will not be refunded nor is there a refund if a student commits to an event and withdraws thereafter.
 
12. REFUSAL OF SERVICE
The Studio reserves the right to teach all students based on its methods, procedures, and policies, and reserves the right to refuse service without explanation.
 
13. LIABILITY WAIVER
The Studio expressly disclaims all liability and responsibility of every kind and nature whatsoever for any loss, theft, damage, destruction, and/or other casualty to any person and/or personal property owned by students or visitors. Students are advised and warned they must personally always take full responsibility for the safekeeping of all their property. Students/Guardians assume all risks and hazards incidental to participation in the Studio’s events and activities, and hereby release and waive all claims against the Studio and venues used.
 
14. SKILL / PROGRESS OUTCOMES
The Studio makes no guarantees, either express or implied, regarding a student’s musical progress or outcome.
 
15. TERMINATION OF LESSONS
A) Termination by Student: Lessons may be canceled by students with two weeks’ notice. Fees will still apply for the remainder of the month, regardless of attendance. There are no refunds or exceptions.
 
B) Termination by Teacher: The Studio reserves the right to terminate a student’s lessons for the following infractions with no refunds:
1. Inappropriate behavior towards the Studio staff, students, family members, including violence, swearing, defamation of character,
unacceptable advances or any other behavior which falls outside the realm of common respect and decency.
2. Destruction or damage of Studio property.
3. Attendance at lessons in any type of intoxicated state.
4. Failure to pay monthly lessons in full by the due date.
 
16. DURATION OF POLICY
This policy agreement automatically renews each year unless otherwise specified by the Studio.