About Melody McGeary

Melody has been playing piano since she was 8. In 2017 she graduated from Ithaca College with a bachelor of music in performance. She loves children, teaching, designing, and making music. Read her full bio here.
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2020–2021 Tuition and Fees

Where tuition and fees go:

  • private lessons
  • performance classes
  • materials (music, notebooks, flashcards, learning aids, apps)
  • festival & competition participation fees
  • lesson planning
  • parent communication
  • studio administration
  • studio piano maintenance
  • class and recital space rental
  • technology
  • my further development/networking

Fall/Spring:
16 lessons (Tier 1: 45-minute, Tier 2: 60-minute)
2 performance classes
1 recital/performance

Summer:
? lessons (Tier 1: 45-minute, Tier 2: 60-minute)

Registration fee:

  • There is a $65 registration fee to cover the cost of materials/festival & competition participation.
  • Due upon initial enrollment and yearly upon reregistration.
  • Funds will roll over between academic years.
  • Should you choose to terminate lessons at any point, you will be reimbursed the current balance in this account.
  • Should the necessary materials exceed the current balance, you will be expected to cover the additional costs.

Studio tuition discounts (only eligible if enrolled by November 1, 2020):
Pay-in-full discounts:
10% off studio tuition with upfront annual payment

5% off studio tuition with semester installments plan

Family discounts:
5% off studio tuition for each additional student from the same immediate family

Group class discount:
5% off studio tuition for students participating in group classes

Studio tuition and payment options (decimals rounded):
Monthly installments: Due before the first of each month

Tier 1: fall and spring terms: $1329/9 months = $148
Tier 2: fall and spring terms: $1659/9 months = $184
summer term: calculated based on availability submitted according to the studio calendar

NOTE: paying monthly installments against the yearly studio tuition (not paying for the number of lessons in each month)

Semester installments – 5% discount: Due August 31 (Fall Term), January 18 (Spring Term)

Tier 1: fall and spring terms: $665 – $33 = $631
Tier 2: fall and spring terms: $830 – $41 = $788
summer term (no discount): calculated based on availability submitted according to the studio calendar

Yearly tuition – 10% discount: Due August 31

Tier 1: $1329 – $133 = $1196
Tier 2: $1659 – $166 = $1493
summer term (no discount): calculated based on availability submitted according to the studio calendar

Sales tax:

  • I am required by law to charge sales tax on my services (4.5% state tax + 2% city tax = 6.5%).

Late payment policy:

  • $25 fee for late payments after a one-week grace period
  • Accounts past due after 4 weeks will result in termination of lessons.
  • I will not schedule a lesson time until I receive the registration fee.

Making payments:

  • Checks payable to “Melody McGeary”
    • $25 fee for returned checks
  • Online through the student portal
    • with online convenience fee of 2.9%

Mid-semester enrollment:

  • Pro-rated tuition for mid-semester enrollment

Refunds:

  • No refunds for missed lessons.
  • I will refund lessons I cancel and cannot make up.
  • Pro-rated refund policy with 30-day notification of termination or if I must terminate lessons.
  • Without 30-day notification of termination, families will be held responsible to pay 30 days from the date I am informed of termination (except in the case of an emergency, and I reserve the right to determine what constitutes an emergency).

Additional opportunities

(NOT included in studio tuition)

Group classes (3 per semester) (see page 8 of enrollment packet)

  • Pricing and payment options:
    • Yearly rate: $300
    • Semester installments: $300/2 terms = $150
    • Monthly installments: $300/9 months = $34
    • Payment deadlines: year – Aug. 31, semester – Aug. 31 & Jan. 18, month – before 1st of each month
    • Students participating will receive a 5% discount on studio tuition.
  • Refunds:
    • No refunds for missed classes.
    • Pro-rated refund policy with 30-day notification of termination.
    • Without 30-day notification of termination, families will be held responsible to pay 30 days from the date I am informed of termination (except in the case of an emergency, and I reserve the right to determine what constitutes an emergency).
    • Should a student terminate class participation, they will lose the 5% discount on studio tuition.
    • Pro-rated refund policy if I must terminate classes for whatever reason.

Five-day summer camp (mornings)

  • $100 x 5 days = $500 per student

Coached practice sessions

  • scheduled on an individual basis
  • $25.76 per 30-minute session
  • $36.06 per 45-minute session
  • $46.38 per 60-minute session

Close Tuition & Fees

2020-2021 Studio Policy

Services Offered

Included in Tuition

  • 45- or 60-minute private piano lessons
  • Performance classes

Additional Instruction

  • Group classes (see page 8 of enrollment packet)
  • Coached practice sessions
  • Summer camp (if enough interest)

Eligibility

Criteria for Beginning

  • Age, maturity, and interest
  • Parental support
  • Student-teacher dynamic
  • I reserve the right to determine who I accept.

Criteria for Continuing

  • Attendance
  • Motivation and interest
  • Paid tuition
  • Preparation for lessons
  • Student-teacher dynamic
  • I reserve the right to terminate lessons.

Practice

Expectations

  • Students are expected to make practicing a part of their daily routine (just like homework). They should practice consistently 5 to 6 days per week.
  • As students progress, the recommended amount of daily practice time will increase.
  • Quality of practice far outweighs quantity.
  • Students should avoid distraction during a practice session (TV, pets, phone, etc.)
  • Students should be focused and work to improve things covered in the lesson rather than merely playing through entire pieces.
  • Often multiple shorter sessions will be more productive than a single long session.
  • Practicing at the same time each day is recommended. Morning practice times are best if at all possible.
  • Consistent practice is essential for progress.
  • Regular rest is also important.

Parental Involvement

  • The support of parents is critical to a student’s success.
  • Parents are encouraged to quietly observe lessons.
    • There is a required observation week each term (see pages 9–11 of enrollment packet for calendar).
    • I reserve the right to request a parent not sit in on lessons if it negatively impacts lesson atmosphere.
  • Students may need reminders and encouragement to practice consistently.
  • Parents can help children practice even if they don’t know anything about music.
    • Ask them about their lessons.
    • Go through the assignments with them and make sure they have done everything.
    • Encourage their progress.
    • Remind them to try again, maybe a little slower. (Sometimes children do not like repeating things.)
    • Guide your student, but do not give away answers. (The goal is to develop independent practicing.)
    • Avoid playing the role of teacher. Learn from lessons and reinforce what I am doing with them.
    • Allow your child to have fun doing his or her own thing at the piano, but maintain a clear distinction between this and true practicing.
    • Have high expectations for your child and communicate them clearly.
    • Avoid comparing your child to siblings or other friends. Each child learns differently and at a different pace.
    • Don’t expect your child to maintain a consistently high level of interest and enthusiasm. It’s normal for this to fluctuate, but perseverance will pay off. Learning a musical instrument is fun but requires hard work and diligence, so do not be alarmed if it does not always feel like fun and games.
    • Encourage your child to play for friends and family, and praise their good work.
  • Open communication with parents is vital. We want to be working together as a team to help your student learn. I can use parental feedback in order to learn how to better motivate and encourage your child.
    • Please contact me immediately if you perceive a problem with your child’s piano lessons.
    • Please express concerns with an approach or assignment in private (not in front of the student).

Lesson Etiquette

Preparation

  • Students are expected to arrive early enough that the lesson can begin at the scheduled time.
  • Students are expected to bring all their materials to each lesson.
  • Students are expected to have completed their entire assignment before their lesson.

Waiting

  • Students are expected to wait quietly for their turn.
  • Siblings are allowed to sit in on lessons provided they bring an activity and are able to wait quietly without distracting the student.

Hygiene

  • To avoid allergy cross-contamination and the spreading of germs, students are expected to wash their hands upon arriving for their lessons.
  • Students are expected to keep their nails reasonably short. If nails are too long, they can make it difficult to play appropriately with tips of fingers.
  • To prevent allergy cross-contamination, please do not bring any food inside with you.

Behavior

  • Students should act respectfully and listen well to directions.
  • Students may not play the piano while I am talking to them.
  • Students should ask questions if they are confused or don’t understand something.

Performance

Performance Classes

  • I typically provide four performance classes per year (see pages 9–10 of enrollment packet for dates).
  • Students have the opportunity to perform for each other and give/receive constructive feedback.
  • Students are expected to attend regardless of whether they are performing.

Recitals

  • I typically provide at least two recitals each year (see pages 9–10 of enrollment packet for dates).
  • I strongly encourage all my students to participate in the recitals.
    • Performances provide excellent motivation for a student’s study and are an important part of developing as a musician. (It’s normal to get nervous!)
    • The recitals also provide a great opportunity for parents, family, and friends to see the students’ progress.
    • Sometimes I will hold a recital at a retirement community or special needs home, where the residents really enjoy performances. So it’s a great way to bless others with their playing.
  • Students are expected to perform solo music from memory.
  • I reserve the right to determine whether a student is prepared to perform. A poor performance experience can be more detrimental to a child’s love of music study than we sometimes realize.
  • Students are expected to dress nicely for recitals and wear shoes appropriate for pedaling. (No jeans and flip flops!)

Festivals and Competitions

  • Late elementary to advanced students are encouraged to participate in local piano festivals and competitions.
  • The first $60 of fees/lesson materials are covered in tuition (see page 12 of enrollment packet for a breakdown of tuition & fees).

Instrument/Materials

Instrument

  • An acoustic piano at home is ideal, but a digital piano is fine as well if it has 88 weighted keys and a sustain pedal.
  • A keyboard without weighted keys is strongly discouraged!
  • An acoustic piano should be tuned at least twice per year.

Materials

  • The first $65 of materials/festival or competition participation fees are covered in tuition (see page 12 of enrollment packet for a breakdown of tuition & fees).
  • Having a metronome at home for practice purposes is strongly recommended.

Borrowed Materials

  • Sometimes I loan books, games, or other materials.
  • A list of loaned items can be found under “Lending Library” on the student portal.
  • Students may not write in borrowed books without permission.
  • Borrowed items should be brought to every lesson.
  • Borrowed materials should be returned in the condition they were received.
    • If students fail to do so, they will be expected to purchase a new copy.

Scheduling

A studio calendar is provided at the beginning of each academic year.

  • Group/performance class dates
  • Recital dates
  • Required parent observation weeks
  • Special events
  • Make-up weeks
  • Breaks
  • Payment deadlines

Lesson time sign-ups for fall and spring terms take place through the student portal before lessons begin in September.

Cancellation Policy

  • Consistency of lessons is important especially when preparing for a performance.
  • Cancellations should be infrequent and communicated as far in advance as possible.
  • Refunds will not be provided for missed lessons or classes.

Make-up Policy

  • Please try to swap lesson times with someone else in the studio before contacting me about rescheduling
    • Cancel your lesson through the student portal
    • Look for available times on the calendar that work for you
    • If none, select “Show Full Events” and click on a time that would work to see the current attendee
    • Find the student/parent contact information under “Contact Info” and contact them about the possibility of swapping lesson times
    • Once they cancel their lesson and register for your time or another available slot, you can register for that event using your make-up credit.
    • Be sure to plan a swap at least one week in advance (for the sake of lesson planning).
  • If swapping is not possible, I am happy to work with you to reschedule any missed lessons when possible, but I do not guarantee it.
  • I also provide make-up lesson weeks (see pages 9–11 of enrollment packet for calendar).

Tuition

A breakdown of tuition and fees is provided at the beginning of each academic year.

  • Tuition is calculated based on per-lesson/class rates and administrative costs (see page 12 of enrollment packet for a breakdown of tuition & fees).
  • There is a yearly fee to cover the cost of materials, festivals, and competitions.
  • Discounts available (see page 12 of enrollment packet for details).
  • Group classes and summer camp are not included in tuition (see page 13 of enrollment packet for pricing).

Location & Parking

I teach lessons in my home.

  • See enrollment packet for address.
  • Please remove your shoes after stepping inside. The piano is in the large room just down the hall.
  • Please park in the “guest” spot or the house number spot in front of the house.

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