Heart Beats Music School

Policies and Procedures FAQ

What if I miss a lesson?

What if the student is sick?

What is the monthly tuition?

What if I am late with tuition?

What does my registration fee cover?

What forms of payment do you accept?

What is musicianship week?

What holidays and breaks do we take off?

Why do I get charged for holidays and breaks?

When are recitals? Are they mandatory?

What if I need to stop lessons?

Student’s Equipment

     Each student must possess an instrument on which to practice at home. An acoustic piano is ideal. Rentals and financed purchases can be found at extremely reasonable prices, please see me for questions or referrals. Digital pianos and keyboards are acceptable for beginner piano students, instruments must have 88 weighted keys. Students will be required periodically to purchase materials and equipment; they can either be purchased by the student, or by the teacher to be reimbursed by the student with a 5% stocking fee; teacher receives a discount on teaching materials that is passed on to students. Students are responsible for bringing all current books and materials to every lesson!

Practicing

     Students are expected to practice at home. This is a crucial part of their musical development. Practicing should become a part of their routine, and it is expected that it be given the same importance as sports practices and other extra-curricular activities. Getting into a practice routine can be a challenge, especially for beginners and—most especially—for young children. In the early stages of a student’s musical education, parental involvement is essential! Try to avoid sending young students off to practice; rather be involved and present until they become self-motivated. This can be a challenge for parents who have a limited knowledge of music, or of what their child is learning specifically, but don’t be intimidated! Parents are welcome to sit in on lessons to learn along with their children if they wish; in addition parents should feel free to contact me throughout the week with any questions they or the student might have—it’s better than waiting a week or getting frustrated. Students will be sent home each week with a practice sheet, outlining what they learned in their lesson and giving them their assignment for the upcoming week. It is important to remember that while piano requires dedication, it should also be fun and rewarding. The goal is to push and challenge the student, but only so far as they can feel balanced and healthy. Please do not hesitate to communicate with any questions regarding students’ workload or other concerns. There are also lots of creative ways to encourage students to practice, see me for ideas! (Tip jars are among my personal favorites)

Tuition - Schedule - Fees

Tuition is charged as a flat monthly fee. Tuition is due by the first lesson each month, and is considered late after the 10th. A late fee of $25 will be assessed for tuition payments received after the 10th, and an additional $2 for each day late after the 15th. Monthly rates are as follows, discounted rates are offered for families with multiple children taking lessons from the studio. 

Tuition covers 4 weekly lessons; however, based on the calendar, some months will have 4 lessons, some 5. Regardless, tuition will remain constant each month. The months with a 5th lesson will make up for the holidays and breaks observed by the studio. There will be no lessons on these days, and no required makeup, as they are balanced out by months with 5 lessons.

Studio holidays and breaks

❖ Labor Day
❖ The Monday-Sunday surrounding Thanksgiving
❖ December 24th-January 1st
❖ 1 week Spring break, TBA
❖ 1 week each summer, TBA

Registration Fee

Students are responsible for an annual registration fee of $25 per student, due upon beginning lessons, and/or with their September tuition. If a student starts lessons after March 31st, they will not be charged a 2nd registration fee in September of their first year. Registration fees help to subsidize the cost of renting recital venues and lesson services and resources. If this is cost prohibitive, please ask the teacher about options. This fee will not be pro-rated or refunded for cancelled lessons.

Methods of Payment

I accept checks (made payable to Ashley Arroyo), cash, Venmo (@AshleyArroyo) and Paypal (musicjoylaughter@gmail.com). You can also pay easily with a free bank transfer directly from your invoice. If you are interested in setting up automatic credit card billing, please let me know.

Musicianship week*

Every quarter, there will be a musicianship week, during which students attend group classes instead of regular lessons. Group classes are 60 or 90 minutes in length depending on age and level, and address music theory, history, ear training, performance practice, and more! Classes are a fun way to address musical concepts in depth through games and team work, and to build community in our studio. Group classes are mandatory and cannot be made up. There will be at least one group class offered at various times throughout the week, students may sign up for any class that works with their schedule and fits the recommendation of the teacher for age and level. Teacher will send out reminders and a link for sign-ups, as well as recommendations. Students can sign up for classes using Schedulista. Exceptions may be made at first for brand new or very young students at the discretion of the teacher.

Cancellation/missed lesson policy

Refunds and credits will not be offered for cancelled lessons. Lessons cancelled with more than 24 hours notice can be rescheduled/made-up. Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will not be made-up, with a few reasonable and limited exceptions—i.e., illness and emergencies. Sports events, parties, etc. are not acceptable reasons for cancelling a lesson without reasonable notice. All lessons cancelled by the teacher will be made up. These policies are enforced to protect the stability of the teacher’s income and respect both for the teacher’s time and the student’s education. However as life happens, and vacations and other holidays arise on both sides, I am happy to be flexible about rescheduling, as far as it is not detrimental to having a consistent schedule for student or teacher.

Make-up lessons

Students/parents are responsible for signing up for make-up lessons using Schedulista. Musicianship weeks are full of availability for make-up lessons; the schedule is also regularly updated with teacher's availability as students reschedule lessons, so make sure to check regularly for openings. Lessons must be made up within 6 months or they are forfeit. Scheduling make-up lessons is solely the responsibility of the student/parent. Please contact the teacher with any questions or issues scheduling make-ups. 

Illness

 Please note, it is much preferred that a student stay home when they are sick—piano is a great way to spread colds and flu! If a student has not attended school the day of their lesson, they may not come to their lesson. Students must be fever-free for 24 hours before coming to lessons. Students who come when sick may be sent home! Lessons missed due to illness can be made up. Please do try and give as much notice as possible.

Recitals*

Recitals will be held three times a year, in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Dates will be announced in the fall and students are required to participate. Students are required to participate in recitals. All family and friends are welcome to come support students in recitals. Families will be asked to bring either snacks or drinks. Students are required to dress up for the occasion.

Termination of lessons

Any student wishing to terminate lessons must give 30 days’ notice. Whether or not student continues lessons from the date of notice, no refunds will be offered for partial months, and pro-rated charges for upcoming billing cycles falling within the 30 days will be assessed. Tuition and pro-rated tuition charges will remain constant regardless of whether the month of cancellation has 4 or 5 lessons.

*Recitals are optional for students aged 19 or older; Musicianship week does not apply do students aged 19 or older.