2024-2025 Studio Policy

Tuition & Fees

Tuition covers studio enrollment with all of its benefits

  • lesson/class time (I will be present to teach 40 weeks: subject to change, in which case tuition will change accordingly)

  • materials (music, binders, flashcards, learning aids, apps)
  • lesson planning
  • parent communication

  • studio administration

  • studio piano maintenance
  • class and recital space rental
  • technology
  • teacher development

Mini Musicians

$1020yearly
  • 45 minutes
  • $35 registration fee
  • 10% off additional siblings

Piano Launchpad

$1440yearly
  • 60 minutes
  • $35 registration fee

Buddy Lessons

$2856yearly
  • 60 minutes (30 one-on-one, 30 with buddy)
  • $70 registration fee

One-on-One Lessons

$2652yearly
  • 45 minutes
  • $70 registration fee

I must legally charge sales tax (the current rate is 6.2%)

Payment Options & Deadlines

Due September 30, 2024

The non-refundable registration fee is due yearly upon registration. This holds your spot in the studio.

Due September 30, 2024 and February 28, 2025

The non-refundable registration fee is due yearly upon registration. This holds your spot in the studio.

Due August 28, 2024 and before the 1st of each month moving forward.

The non-refundable registration fee is due yearly upon registration. This holds your spot in the studio.

Penalty Fees

  • There is a $35 late payment fee after a one-week grace period.
  • There is $35 fee for returned checks.
  • Accounts past due after four weeks will result in dismissal from the studio.

Missed Lessons

  • A studio calendar is provided at the beginning of each academic year.
  • Consistency of lessons is important especially when preparing for a performance or working with other students (class or buddy lessons).
  • I do not reschedule classes or lessons.
  • Refunds will not be provided for missed lessons or classes.
  • Cancellations should be infrequent and communicated as far in advance as possible.

You may request that I send an updated assignment through the portal during the time that is reserved for your student. Or simply call to chat about your child’s progress.

A video of the buddy portion of the lesson will be provided to the absent student. We will continue to move through the curriculum with the present student. Absent students are expected to watch the provided video before the next lesson to ensure they do not fall behind.

Communication

Please reach out about what is happening with your child or to ask questions. I love hearing from you!

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.

You can email me any time at info@melodymcgeary.com. You can also call or text me at 605-939-0654.

Office Hours
Wednesday 2:30-3:15pm
Wednesday 5:30pm-6:00pm
By appointment Lessons/classes are not the best time for conversations and updates

How to Communicate About Missed Lessons

Please use the portal (don’t text me) to cancel lessons, provide an explanation, and (optionally) request how I use the lesson time (See Missed Lessons policy above).

When you login, you can cancel an upcoming event right from the dashboard:

Or cancel from the calendar:

Here you can see the missed lesson policy and provide an explanation (and request if applicable):

How I Communicate

  • Email is my primary means of communicating important information. You can also find this communication under “Message History” or other applicable sections of the portal.

  • Please add noreply+xPfJf@mymusicstaff.com to your contacts. (This is the address used for incoming emails when I send them through the portal system. The sender should say “Melody’s Piano Studio via My Music Staff”)

Expectations

Students

  • Students (with the exception of Mini Musicians) are expected to make practicing a part of their daily routine (just like homework). They should practice consistently five to six days per week.
  • As students progress, the recommended amount of daily practice time will increase.
  • Quality of practice far outweighs quantity.
  • Students should remove distraction during a practice session (TV, pets, phone, etc.)
  • Students are expected to have completed their entire assignment before their lesson.
  • Learning to how to practice is part of learning an instrument, so I cover this in lessons. You can find practice tips and strategies here [add link].
  • Students are expected to bring all their materials to each lesson.
  • Sometimes I loan books, games, or other materials.
  • A list of loaned items can be found under “Lending Library” on the student portal.
  • Borrowed items must be returned on time!
  • 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.
  • When arriving for lessons or classes, students are expected to respect previous students by waiting quietly for their turn.
  • 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.
  • Students are expected to participate in regular studio recitals (performing solo music from memory)
    • 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!)
  • Students are strongly encouraged to participate in additional performance and adjudication opportunities as recommended.
  • Proper performance etiquette will be covered in lessons, but students are generally expected to dress nicely for recitals and wear shoes appropriate for pedaling. (No jeans and flip flops!)
  • To avoid allergy cross-contact 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-contact, please do not bring any food inside with you.
  • I reserve the right to establish additional health-related guidelines.

Parents

  • The support of parents is critical to a student’s success.
  • Parents are expected to provide and maintain a home instrument (with the exception of Mini Musicians students) and (as recommended) a metronome.
    • 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.
  • Parents are expected to remind and encourage consistent home practice.
    • 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.
  • Parents are encouraged to assist with home practice using the tools and resources provided by the studio. (You don’t need to know anything about music! Here’s a place to start [ADD LINK]).
  • Parents are asked to avoid playing the role of teacher. Learn from lessons and reinforce what I am doing with them.
  • Guide your student, but do not give away answers. (The goal is to develop independent practicing.)
  • Parents are encouraged to provide and participate in other musical opportunities (listening to music together, attending concerts, having family dance parties, etc.)
  • Parents are expected to ensure students bring all their materials to each lesson.
  • Parents are responsible for ensuring borrowed items are returned on time and in the condition they were received.
    • If students fail to do so, parents will be expected to purchase a new copy or pay a small fee for the studio to create a new copy.
  • A list of loaned items can be found under “Lending Library” on the student portal.
    • If you’re not sure what an item is or if you have all the components, see the “Notes” section
  • Parents are expected to ensure students arrive at lessons/classes/performances on time (meaning students have time to wash hands before the scheduled lesson/class time), well fed and having used the restroom.
  • Parents are encouraged to sit in on lessons regularly (in addition to the required parent observation days).
    • This can sometimes become a distraction (especially for younger students), in which case we may need to discuss strategies.
  • Parents are asked to resist the urge to intervene in addressing student behavior unless requested to.
    • While it seems helpful, this can actually make it more difficult by undermining my authority and confusing the student about who to listen to.
  • Siblings may attend lessons, but parents are responsible for providing quiet activities. If siblings become a distraction, we may need to discuss other options.
  • Please keep your student home if they are sick! (You can request a new written assignment.)

Terminations and Dismissals

If for any reason you must stop lessons, 30 days notice is required. At that time, I will pro-
rate the tuition for your final month to reflect the number of lessons that you have received based on the last lesson date.

Pro-Rated Tuition

Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a student if any of these circumstances occur:

  • Failure to pay tuition on time
  • Persistent absences
  • Uncooperative attitude
  • Failure to follow practice as instructed
  • Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfulfilled requirements