Studio Policies 2023
Thank you for choosing me as your music teacher! In order to ensure that you or your child get
the most effective and creative teaching possible, I have established the following policies.
By attending your first lesson, you agree to these policies.
Tuition and Fees, Refunds, Absences
Regular 30 minute lesson: $30
Lesson tuition is paid in advance by the month, and you may pay using cash, check or credit card. Tuition is due at the first lesson of the month. Students are “renting” or “reserving” the lesson block for that month and your payment guarantees that I will be present to teach during your appointment.
If you are unable to attend your regular lesson time, please contact me as soon as possible: in some cases a make-up lesson can be arranged at the discretion of the teacher. You will still owe for the lesson you miss regardless of the availability of a make-up lesson. The monthly payment may be reduced due to planned vacations only if prior notice is given by the first of the month.
I offer two options for lessons:
- in person in my home studio,
- online by zoom
Should a student decide to stop lessons in the middle of the month, fees for that month will not be refunded.
Students are responsible for ordering their own study books after consultation with me. I do not carry inventory.
Absence policy: missed lessons are not refunded. I will attempt to contact you if you do not show for your lesson in case you forgot.
If your family decides to take a vacation/trip/break and would like to preserve your child’s place on my tutoring schedule, a hold fee equal to 60% of your normal tutoring fees will be required during the weeks that they are absent from tutoring. If you elect NOT to pay a hold fee while you are away, your space will be given to another family and there is no guarantee that your child will be able to resume tutoring with me once you return.
If your child or anyone in your household is sick, running a fever or has a contagious illness please cancel our tutoring session or contact me to switch to a virtual lesson.
Daily Commitment
Parental support is crucial to the success of each student. Parents should ensure that the student is given a quiet practice area. Parents should monitor practices and ensure that all of the assignments given to the student are completed.
Music is a daily commitment. Regular practice is imperative to learn how to play proficiently. My students who practice consistently experience the most fun as well as the best progress. Lessons are taught on a weekly basis with time in between to practice and master the skills and muscle memory required to progress.
Dismissals and Termination
Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a student if any of these circumstances occur:
- Failure to pay tuition on time
- Persistent absences
- Uncooperative attitude
- Failure to follow practice as instructed
Visitors and Recitals
Parents are generally welcome in the studio during lessons if they so desire—you will be that much more able to understand and encourage your student, and most of the time this works well! Please plan to keep comments positive and distractions to a minimum for the sake of your student. There are situations under which the distraction becomes too much for the student; under those circumstances I will ask you to leave either temporarily, or, on the rare and extreme occasion, permanently. My decision is final. Siblings are also welcome if they are quiet and well-behaved.
Sharing music is so important! Due to schedules of both students and parents being so tight, I no longer host formal recitals. However, I encourage you and your student to seek out performance opportunities. At appropriate times we will record a performance during lessons which can be shared with family and friends, and also on our studio Facebook page.
Media Release
I grant permission to Esther L Jones studio and its agents or employees, to use photographs or videos taken of me or my minor child/children in classes or events of Esther L Jones studio for use in publications such as brochures, newsletters, and magazines, and to use the photographs on display boards, and to use such photographs or videos in electronic versions of the same publications or on Esther L Jones studio web sites or other electronic form or media, and to offer them for use or distribution in other non-company publications, electronic or otherwise, without notifying me.
I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photographs or videos or printed or electronic matter that may be used in conjunction with them now or in the future, whether that use is known to me or unknown, and I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the photograph or video.
I hereby agree to release, defend, and hold harmless Esther L Jones studio and its agents or employees, including any firm publishing and/or distributing the finished product in whole or in part, whether on paper or via electronic media, from and against any claims, damages or liability arising from or related to the use of the photographs or videos, including but not limited to any misuse, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion or use in composite form, either intentionally or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in taking, processing, reduction or production of the finished product, its publication or distribution.
Thank you so much for honoring me with your or your child’s musical education. A music lesson with my students is one of the brightest spots in my day! Thank you for your commitment to music lessons: I promise you will never regret learning more about music.
By attending your first lesson, you agree to these policies.