“Do not neglect your music, it will be a companion which will sweeten many hours of life to you.” – Thomas Jefferson

Studio Policy

2023-2024  Studio Policy & Expectations  

Prospective Students: Please read the following policy terms and expectations carefully. When you register online and click the “submit” button, you are committing to working in a mutually respectful partnership with Piano by Pam Studio, and are agreeing to all the terms outlined in this document. Please know the studio adheres strictly to the policy and clients are expected to do the same in order that the teacher’s time can be spent on what matters most  -  providing students with the highest caliber learning experience possible. The terms and expectations are clearly laid out. If you still have questions, please contact the studio for clarification before submitting your registration.

Lesson Information for Weekly Students
  • Private lessons last 45 minutes and occur weekly during the academic year (August 7 - May 24) except during designated breaks listed on the studio calendar
  • Lessons are live-streamed primarily via ZOOM, with other software used as needed
  • Zoom recitals (“Studio Showcases”) featuring pre-recorded video performances are offered once or twice a year IF enough students volunteer to participate
Lesson Information for "Flex" Students
  • Flex Students receive 20 private lessons during the 2023-2024 academic year, which runs from August 1st, 2023  to May 24th, 2024
  • Lessons are 45 minutes in length and occur approximately every two weeks except during designated breaks listed on the studio calendar
  • Students are assigned an “A” or “B” week lesson slot, and receive a “Flex Student” calendar which lists all their scheduled lessons for the entire academic year
  • Longer breaks between lessons sometimes occur due to holiday closures (see “Flex Student Calendar")
  • Lessons are live-streamed primarily via ZOOM, with other software used as needed
  • Zoom recitals (“Studio Showcases”) featuring pre-recorded video performances are offered once or twice a year IF enough students volunteer to participate

Process for Joining the Studio

  • Prior to acceptance into the studio, applicants will first have a complimentary “Meet-and-Greet” session on ZOOM to discuss their musical interests, dreams and goals, and to determine the ability of the studio to partner with them in achieving these goals
  • Prior to this initial meeting, applicants are required to complete the “Meet-and-Greet Checklist” and read the studio’s “New Student Packet” sent via email
  • If both parties agree they’re a good match for each other after discussing goals, policy terms, etc., a time slot will be offered to the student, who must do the following within 24 hours to secure it:
  • Students are expected to purchase all equipment and materials by the first official lesson, and set up the live-stream environment as close to specifications as possible so only minor tweaking is needed

Tuition & Payment Information

  • August through May, students pay a flat monthly subscription rate based on an academic-year package divided into 10 equal monthly installments. Monthly rates are as follows:
    • $214.00 per month for Weekly Students
    • $117.00 per month for "Flex" Students
  • For weekly students, the tuition package includes a reserved weekly lesson time between August 7th, 2023 - May 24th, 2024, for a total of 38 lessons, billed at a rate of $52 per 45-minute lesson
  • For "Flex" students, the tuition package includes the 20 reserved lesson times listed on the “Adult Flex Student” academic year calendar, billed at a rate of $52 per 45-minute lesson
  • The monthly rate remains the same regardless of when the student joins the studio during the year
  • Rate increases, if they occur, will only take effect August 1st of each year, and 30 days' advance notice will be given
  • Fees are due the first day of each month, payable via PayPal (link provided on invoice)
  • A $20.00 late charge is automatically assessed if fees remain unpaid after the 7th of the month (grace period for habitual use is NOT implied)
  • If tuition remains unpaid by the first lesson of the month, that first lesson will not be taught. The lesson will still be billed, however, and the missed lesson will not be eligible for a make-up lesson. A second occurrence will result in immediate termination of lessons.
  • Besides actual lesson time, tuition covers the many other costs of providing expert instruction. The studio highly values each enrolled student and invests time and money in each one whether they are present at lessons or not. Below is a partial list of what tuition subsidizes:
    • Studio subscriptions for live-streaming platforms, studio management software, and digital music libraries  
    • Online teaching support and mentoring organizations
    • Teaching apps, resources and aids
    • iCloud and Google Drive storage                       
    • Membership fees to MTNA and other  professional organizations and journals     
    • Instrument and equipment purchases and maintenance
    • PayPal fees        
    • Professional development (webinars, conferences, master classes)
    • Lesson preparation and follow-up, which includes custom-designed handouts, arrangements, booklets and videos to enhance instruction 
Absences, Refunds & Make-up Lessons
  • Weekly students are expected to attend all 38 scheduled lessons between August 7th, 2023 and May 24th, 2024
  • "Flex" students are expected to attend all 20 scheduled lessons between August 1st, 2023 and May 24th, 2024
  • Refunds are not given for student absences
  • If the teacher cancels a lesson, students receive a refund applied to the next month’s invoice
  • The refund rate for teacher-canceled lessons is $52 per 45-minute lesson
  • If the student joins the session late, the lesson will still end at the scheduled time
  • If a student is habitually tardy or cancels frequently, lessons will be terminated
  • If utility outages or disruptions occur during lesson times, including internet outages that are the fault of the service provider, student and teacher will work together to find a time to make-up the lesson.
  • Time will not be made up for internet disruptions that habitually occur on the student’s end due to inadequate coverage or devices
  • 30 days' notice is kindly requested to terminate lessons.
  • Refunds are not given for unused pre-paid lessons
  • Make-up lessons are offered three times a year on these designated “Make-up Mondays:”  November 27th, March 4th, and May 20th
  • The following stipulations apply to “Make-up Mondays:”
    • Make-up lessons are only available to students  who give advance notice of an impending absence via text or email (preferably 24 hours; teacher discretion will come into play here)
    • "No-show" absences are not eligible for make-up lessons
    • Lessons canceled by the studio due to unpaid fees are not eligible for make-up lessons
    • Lessons missed during the academic year cannot be made up during summer session
    • Slots on “Make-up Mondays” are available on a “first-come first-serve” basis
  • If a student injures an arm, wrist or hand, lessons are expected to continue. Countless skills and concepts can still be taught!

Summer Lessons

  • Lessons during June and July are optional but encouraged to maintain progress and momentum
  • Students may schedule lessons as their calendars and the studio's allows
  • Desired lesson dates in June and July must be scheduled and paid for a month in advance
  • Lessons are billed at the $52 per lesson rate (cheaper than the academic year’s monthly subscription rate - an incentive to continue lessons through summer!)
  • June and July fees are due the first day of the month
Fall Re-enrollment
  • Returning students will be asked to sign an updated studio agreement each fall
  • A combination of these factors are considered when granting scheduling requests for fall: seniority, attendance/payment records, general policy compliance, effort and attitude, summer lesson attendance

2023-2024 Studio Calendar

  • August 7th  ~  Academic year begins (Aug 1st for Flex Students)
  • Nov. 20th -24th  ~  Thanksgiving Break (no lessons)
  • Nov. 27th ~ Make-up Monday #1
  • December 22nd -January 7th  ~  Winter Holiday Break (no lessons)
  • March 4th ~ Make-up Monday #2
  • Spring Break ~ Floating Complimentary Holiday! (Already deducted from yearly tuition total)
  • May 2th ~ Make-up Monday #3
  • May 26th  ~   Academic year ends
  • June 3-28  ~   Summer Session 1 (lessons optional)
  • July 7th - August 1st ~ Summer Session 2 (lessons optional)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR ONLINE PIANO STUDY

Tech Set-Up & Equipment Requirements for Live-Streaming and Practicing
(See Resources page for photos and purchasing links)

  • Internet connection with a minimum download and upload speed of 50 mbps (check at speedtest.net)
  • Instrument located no more than one room away from the wireless router or a working range extender
  • A newer model laptop (not iPad or tablet) for live-streaming the lessons
  • Later generation iPad (not tablet) for each practice session. The iPad will be used for accessing practice apps assigned by teacher, video- recording student performances, etc.
  • External speaker(s) for listening to/playing along with apps and recordings - both in the lessons and during practice sessions. (Headphones are also useful for practice sessions)
  • Adequate lighting, adjusted as necessary to eliminate glare on the keyboard
  • An adjustable height + adjustable tilt laptop stand
    • You can get a floor stand or a table-top stand (see "Resources & Links" page)
    • If you get a table-top stand, you may need to place it on a small footstool
    • Whatever you get, the laptop’s camera eye needs to be 54-56” above the floor
  • To live-stream lessons, the laptop should be placed on left or right side of piano, and must capture the student’s profile
  • Student’s eyes, hands and keyboard should be visible in the screen (laptop screen will need to be tilted up or down as needed to achieve this)

Instrument

  • Acoustic piano that is regularly tuned to concert pitch and in good condition (all keys and pedals working) OR.....
  • Digital keyboard with 88 weighted, working keys and a working sustain pedal (see "Resources & Links" page)
  • Please note 61-key keyboards are not adequate for lessons in this studio
  • Piano/keyboard bench (absolutely no chairs) adjusted so forearms are level with key tops
  • A genuine keyboard stand if your keyboard is portable ( tables or other furniture are unacceptable)

Learning Materials & Supplies

  • Books and recordings in the format assigned by the teacher (links will be emailed)
  • A  three-ring binder with a three-ring pencil pouch, plenty of pencils, and tab dividers
  • A three-hole punch and a pencil sharpener
  • Apps the teacher deems necessary (plan on purchasing at least three)
IMPORTANT: All equipment, instruments and learning materials must be in place or at least ordered by the first official lesson!

Expectations of Students During the Lesson:

  • Begin each lesson with devices fully charged, pencils sharpened, materials assembled, nails trimmed to teacher specifications (very short!)
  • Avoid playing the piano when the teacher is talking
  • Ensure that occupants of the home avoid online activity during the lesson to limit connection problems
  • Ensure the lesson is uninterrupted by excess noise or distractions from pets/occupants/devices, etc

Expectations of Students During the Week:

  • Promptly print, hole-punch and file weekly homework sheets, assigned handouts and sheet music
  • Check daily for email messages from the studio and respond promptly if a response is requested
  • Promptly follow through on requests made by the teacher to buy needed materials or perform tasks that will enhance the learning process, improve the live-stream experience, etc.
  • During practice sessions: Access a shared Google Drive folder; work with assigned apps