Studio Policies 2024-2025

Tuition

Registering for lessons indicates your acceptance of all studio policies and your commitment to a full year of piano study. Tuition is calculated on an annual basis and covers registration and enrollment for the entire studio year (September-July). If enrollment takes place after the beginning of the studio year, tuition will be prorated.

Annual tuition covers 38 weeks of lessons and is divided evenly into 11 monthly payments. Tuition for each month is due by your first lesson day of each month. Please email the teacher for current tuition rates.

A specific lesson time is reserved for each student, so there are no refunds for missed lessons, and makeup lessons are given only if the teacher is unable to teach at the scheduled lesson time.

Discontinuing lessons before the end of the studio year (July 31) requires one month’s notice with all tuition payments current and the final month’s tuition paid in full. The decision to discontinue lessons requires careful thought and should only be considered after discussion between teacher, parent, and student.

Attendance & Practice

Progress is dependent on daily listening to the Suzuki recordings, regular attendance at lessons, and consistent daily practice. Until a student is old enough to drive, the parent agrees to take responsibility for making sure these things happen.

A student’s motivation and skill development are highly influenced by the quality of the piano used for practice each day. Parents are expected to provide the best acoustic piano possible for their child’s practice and keep it tuned (once per year) and in good working condition.

When possible, observation of other students’ lessons will be part of each student’s piano study while they are in Suzuki Book 1. Scheduling is done on an individual basis with each family.

Students participate in three studio recitals per year (December, March, and June). Performing in recitals builds confidence and provides motivation for everyone! Beginning students usually attend at least one recital as an audience member before performing in a recital.

Illness Prevention

Measures will be taken by the teacher to minimize the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses such as colds, flu, RSV, and COVID-19. Facemasks may be required periodically at the teacher’s discretion.

Students, accompanying parents, and siblings should not come to the studio if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness, or if any family members at home are sick. An online lesson can take place during the scheduled lesson time instead. The teacher reserves the right to send home anyone who arrives exhibiting signs of illness.

Once inside the front door, everyone is required to remove shoes and wash hands with soap & water, even if they will not be sitting at the piano.

Inclement Weather

When South Kitsap Schools are closed due to inclement weather, the studio will be closed to in-person lessons, but an online lesson will be available during your regular lesson time. Please check the South Kitsap School District website for school closure information.

Discontinuing Lessons

Discontinuing lessons requires one month’s notice with the final month’s tuition paid in full. 

While it is my hope that every student will continue with lessons until they graduate from high school, I realize that this may not be realistic for every student or every family situation. If you are contemplating stopping lessons, it’s important to consider this decision carefully, with plenty of discussion between teacher, parent, and student. Students go through many different phases and many common reasons for quitting lessons can be resolved through readjusting practice expectations, modifying the lesson format, or shifting the focus of lessons. 

When discontinuing lessons, it is much less upsetting for everyone involved if the parent gives adequate advance notice. Knowing ahead of time that a student will be leaving the studio allows me to provide some closure for the student and parents, and to end lessons on a positive note. A final “goodbye lesson” offers a chance to share photos and memories, acknowledge accomplishments, and assure your child that there are no hard feelings.