Melody Davis

Developing Minds Through Music

Studio Policies

1. Lessons are scheduled in 30-minute, 45-minute or hour timeslots by parent and teacher.

2. Requests for changes in lesson time will be honored as availability permits.

3. The year is divided into 3 semesters: fall, spring and summer. Semester tuition may be paid at the beginning of the semester or divided into monthly installments. A 10% discount is offered to parents who choose to pay the fall and spring tuition by September 15.

4. Installment payments are due the first of each month. For convenience, the teacher allows monthly tuition payments to be paid at the first lesson of each month. Payment must be received before the regularly scheduled second lesson of the month. Failure to make payment when due will result in suspension of the second lesson and all future lessons until payment is received. Lessons missed due to late payment are not made-up. Non-payment of tuition for 30 days will result in a change of status from active to inactive student. After 45 days, the lesson time will be eligible to persons on a waiting list.

5. Students are responsible for purchasing their own lesson music and recordings. Music books and lesson notebooks should be brought to every lesson. Beginning students will be taught using Suzuki Method materials. Suzuki materials may be purchased from the teacher or by ordering from Young Musicians, 1-800-826-8648 or from Oak Cliff Sheet Music Store in Duncanville, (972) 296-9503.

6. Students with previous piano training should bring their music books to the first lesson. If appropriate, the teacher will continue training from those music books and also integrate the Suzuki repertoire.

7. In order to assist parents in working with their child at home, the lessons may be videotaped. The teacher has an 8mm video camera and will be glad to videotape the lesson. Parents will need to supply the 8mm videotape cassette to be used.

8. Practice is the key to learning. Students are expected to practice the piano every day. The more time spent in practicing the lesson assignments, the quicker the student will learn to play the piano. Parents should realize that failure to practice will result in a very small return on the investment they are making for piano lessons.

9. Periodic activity group sessions will be planned and student attendance is required. These sessions will be fun times for students to play for each other and participate in games and learning activities. At the beginning of the school year, the teacher will notify parents of dates for the classes.

10. The studio will have two recitals per year. All students are required to participate and parents are expected to attend. Other performance opportunities in local festivals will also be offered to students who meet the necessary qualifications.

11. All students are eligible to be a student affiliate of Texas Music Teachers Association. The purpose of the student affiliation program is to provide a wider musical experience with recognition for achievement in various phases of musical education and activity. Student affiliates are eligible to participate in the programs and festivals/contests of the local association.

12. Students are also encouraged to listen to classical music and read books about famous composers/performers. The teacher has cassette tapes/CDs and books available for student borrowing. Music other than lesson books may also be borrowed from the teacher. Any borrowed item must be returned within two weeks. Extended time must be approved by the teacher. Any borrowed materials lost by the student must be replaced or purchased by the parent.

13. The teacher will contact parents each August for scheduling of lesson times for the fall/spring semesters. Priority of preferred lesson times is given first to students who studied during the current summer term, secondly to other students (based on tenure with the studio), and lastly to new students.

14. Make-up lessons will only be offered to students who were unable to attend their regular lesson because of illness or teacher absence. Parents must notify the teacher of illness prior to lesson time if a make-up is desired. Teacher and parent will schedule a make-up lesson as close to the missed lesson as possible. A missed make-up lesson will not be rescheduled.

15. Lessons missed for reasons other than sickness will not be rescheduled. Parents are encouraged to swap lessons with other students. A list will be provided of lesson times and telephone numbers, so that parents can trade lessons. The teacher should be notified of all lessons which will be swapped. Any parent not wishing to have their name, telephone number, or lesson time on the list provided to all students, should contact the teacher.

16. The studio will be closed on the following national holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, January 1, Memorial Day, and July 4. The studio will be open on other national holidays. Prior notice is requested for students who plan to miss their lesson on any holiday when the studio is open. The studio may also be closed other days during the year. At the beginning of the fall term, a list will be provided of closures for the year.

17. Study during the summer is not required but encouraged. The summer semester will be June through August. Summer lesson times will be offered earlier in the day and a new lesson schedule will be made in late May.

18. The teacher is aware that some parents may be reluctant to study during the summer semester because of vacations or summer activities. For this reason, an elective program is available. This program entitles the parent to choose particular dates for lessons throughout the summer. Parents interested in this program should consult with the teacher and schedule selected lesson dates prior to June 1. These lessons will be subject to a higher lesson fee and should be paid in advance. The elective program is only offered during the summer term.