MILLER MUSIC STUDIOS POLICY
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Diane L. Miller is a New York State and Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. Ms. Miller is a faculty member and a professional international adjudicator for the American College of Musicians Piano Guild. She is also a Piano Guild Hall of Fame Teacher for having over 300 students attain national and international awards. She is the Chairman of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) for Middletown, NY. Under her direction, Miller Music Studios (hereafter referred to as “The Studio”) has been in business since 2003. The following policy ensures that The Studio remains solvent and sustainable for years to come.
1. TUITION
Full-time tuition reserves a weekly lesson time slot. One-off tuition reserves one lesson time slot. Students may reserve additional time slots to extend lessons per studio availability. Tuition rates are subject to change.
The Studio tuition rates:
30 mins - $55; 45 minutes - $70; 60 mins - $85
2. PAYMENTS & LATE FEES
Tuition is invoiced monthly, according to the number of weeks that fall in that month, usually four (4) or five (5). To reserve a weekly lesson time slot, payment is required in advance for the entire month and is due no later than the 1st day of each month. Payments can be made by cash, Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, ApplePay, or Zelle.
Payments received after the 1st of the month will incur a $25 late fee to be paid with the outstanding invoice. Lessons will not resume until the outstanding invoice is paid. No make-up lessons will be scheduled for lessons missed due to outstanding invoices. More than three (3) late payments may result in termination of lessons. New students are required to pay upon registration for the remainder of the month.
One-off and extra lessons must be paid before the lesson is given and are offered only according to The Studio’s availability. Click Here to book a one-off lesson the morning of the lesson day only.
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 each.
C) Adjudications: ABRSM, Piano Guild, and others charge a participation fee. The Studio may also charge a small processing fee. Participating students should make their payments to the Studio within the deadlines provided. These fees are not refundable or transferable.
D) Materials: Many study materials are available for purchase from the Studio.
4. MISSED & MAKE-UP LESSONS
The Studio shall not assume any financial responsibility for student absence(s), arriving late, or leaving early. Tuition and fees shall not be adjusted nor refunded for any reason, including but not limited to, missed lessons or lesson time. Full-time students are those who have reserved a weekly lesson time slot.
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Full-time students with current accounts may be eligible for a make-up lesson, provided the Studio is given 24 hours' notice before the missed lesson, within 30 days of the missed lesson, and contingent upon Studio availability. Each student may not accrue more than two make-up lessons at any given time. Students must have paid by the 1st of the month to qualify for a make-up lesson in that month. Students are not eligible for make-up lessons after full-time lessons are terminated. Make-up lessons will not be made up or rescheduled.
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To give 24 hours' notice, text 845-741-3145.
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The Studio provides three options for making up a missed lesson: in-person, video, or virtual. If eligible for a make-up lesson option, follow the steps below for your preferred option.
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Option1: Make-up In-Person Lesson
Students may book a make-up lesson for the same amount of time as their missed lesson, provided all eligibility requirements have been met per the make-up policy.
Click Here to book a make-up lesson within 30 days of the missed lesson. These are the only available make-up time slots and are available on a 'first come, first served' basis.
Option 2: Make-up Video Lesson
Students may request a video lesson, provided all eligibility requirements have been met per the make-up policy. Students will receive a 10-15 minute video link during the time of the missed lesson, with an individualized lesson plan. This link can be viewed at the student’s discretion. Click Here to request a video make-up lesson.
Option 3: Make-up Virtual Lesson
Students may switch a reserved time slot to an asynchronous virtual lesson, provided all eligibility requirements have been met per the make-up policy. Click Here to request to switch to a virtual lesson during your lesson time slot.
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 until they are cleared by a doctor or are symptom-free for at least 24 hours before the lesson. Please see the missed and make-up lesson policy in section 4.
6. CAREGIVERS & STUDIO SPACE
Students under five (5) years of age must always be accompanied by a caregiver. Students who are five (5) years of age and older should be dropped off for lessons just as you do for school. Caregivers and non-students may sit in the waiting room during lessons. No food or beverages, other than a water bottle, are allowed in The Studio or waiting room. Out of respect for other students and their need for parking space, caregivers must depart The Studio parking area immediately after the lesson is over.
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 ensure that you do not disrupt the lesson in progress. Ring the bell at your lesson time only. Washing hands is included as part of the lesson time, as is talking to the teacher. 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 or refunded. Students must be picked up promptly after class. Students may sit in the waiting room until a caregiver arrives.
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 slot. If this occurs, a mutually agreeable alternative will be found. The Studio reserves the right to modify students’ schedules.
9. NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
Lessons that fall on national, local or cultural holidays are held as any other day. Should students wish to miss lessons on these days, they should follow the Missed and Make-up Lesson policy in section 4. We have found students’ progress is adversely affected when they miss lessons. 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 weekly lesson time slot, the slot may be reserved by paying for the lessons in full as usual through the summer months. Unreserved time slots become immediately eligible for other students.
11. RECITALS & PROGRAMS
Each year, recital, performance, 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 are eligible and wish to participate in these must commit themselves and strictly adhere to deadlines for preparation. There is no refund if a student commits to a recital, performance, award program, or adjudication, and withdraws.
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When performance schedules are set by the adjudicating body, The Studio has no control over the dates and times assigned. They may fall during the school day. Maximum possible notice will be given, and attendance notes are available upon request.
Eligibility for recital, performance, award programs, and adjudication opportunities is based on account standing, attendance, performance-readiness, and/or The Studio’s discretion. Student accounts must be up to date with zero balance to be eligible. Students must have consistently attended lessons including immediately before, and up to, the recital, performance, competition, award program, and adjudication.
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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.
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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 that they must personally always take full responsibility for the safekeeping of all their property. Students/caregivers 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.
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14. PROGRESS OUTCOMES
The Studio uses both classical and contemporary proven teaching materials and methods to ensure that students have every opportunity to evolve as growing musicians. Because student progress is based on a variety of factors, The Studio makes no guarantees, either expressed or implied, regarding a student’s musical progress or outcome.
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15. TERMINATION OF LESSONS
A) Termination by Student: Lessons may be canceled by students with two weeks’ notice. Tuition and 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 to Studio property.
3. Attendance at lessons in any type of intoxicated state.
4. Failure to pay monthly tuition in full by the due date.
16. DURATION OF POLICY
This policy agreement automatically renews each year unless otherwise specified by the Studio.