Tuition:

 

Tuition is based on a 48-week year, divided equally by 12 monthly installments. I reserve the right to change tuition rates at the beginning of each school year. Cash, Venmo, or checks made out to Sidsie Rubow are accepted by the 1st of every month.

 

• $90 per month for weekly 30 minute lessons 

• $135 per month for weekly 45 minute lessons (minimum requirement for regularly completing students) 

• $180 per month for weekly 60 minute lessons (advised for regularly competing students) 

 

Discounts:

 

• If paid before (no exceptions) the 1st of the month take a 6% discount: 

  • $85/month for 30-minute lessons 

  • $126.90/month for 45-minute lessons 

  • $169.20/month for 60-minute lessons

• If two siblings take lessons, any additional siblings’ tuition is 25% off.

• If you refer someone to the studio and they begin lessons, receive one free month of lessons per referred student (one referral will give you one month of free lessons for one person). 

 

Teacher Responsibilities:

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• Provide a positive and helpful learning environment.

• Provide quality instruction to the student in each musical area: technique, musicality, theory, aural skills, and creativity.

• Provide performance opportunities in recitals and festivals/competitions.

• Continue to develop skills as a teacher and musician to be able to provide the best instruction for your students.

• Answer texts and emails as soon as possible. Texts and calls will not be answered during teaching hours (M-F 2-6pm).

 

Parent Responsibilities:

 

• Provide a piano for the student to practice on daily. Acoustic grand pianos are best, as they allow for the student to develop good technique and musicality, but quality acoustic upright pianos offer a more affordable solution. If students or parents have any questions about their piano, please reach out to me.

• Provide a metronome, books, binder, pen or pencil, and other materials for the student.

• Set aside a practice time every day for the student. Consistency is key to success! Help younger students to practice at home (coming to the lessons helps you know how to help them practice). Young children need DAILY help with their practicing.

• Pick up/drop off students promptly before and after lessons. If there are two or more young students taking lessons, please have one adult stay with them during their lessons or drop them off one at a time (this is not a babysitting service).

• Communicate with me early if you need to reschedule, you or the student has a question, or a problem arises.

• Pay tuition on time.

• Sign the student's practice chart each week.

 

Student Responsibilities

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• Practice at least 5 days each week. Practice consists of completing weekly assignments, following the instructions written in all categories in your binder. A practice record must be kept in the student’s binder, which the parents verify by signing it, and will be reviewed weekly.

• The amount of practice per day is determined on an individual basis and written in the student's binder. At minimum, daily practice time should equal the lesson time, five days a week (students taking 30 minute lessons should practice 30 minutes per day).

• Always use a metronome while practicing. This helps the student develop rhythmic accuracy. Metronomes can be found at music stores, online, or even for free with smartphone/tablet applications.

• Bring all lesson materials to each lesson: all books used for lessons, solo music, binder, and other materials.

• No food or drink at the studio (water is allowed). No gum or candy. 

• Participate in at least one festival or competition each year.

• Participate in at least one recital each year.

 

Holidays:

 

• There will be no lessons:

  • The week of Thanksgiving

  • Between Christmas Day and New Years Eve

  • Two weeks in the summer (the student will be notified one month prior to when those weeks will be).

• Lessons will continue during Spring and Fall breaks.

• Lessons will continue on all other holidays. If you would like to reschedule a lesson that falls on a holiday, contact me at least 24 hours in advance.

• If the student will be out of town, please let me know at least 24 hours beforehand so the student's lesson(s) can be rescheduled or changed to online. The sooner you tell me, the more options there will be for rescheduling.

• Tuition will be the regular amount during months with these breaks, as tuition is based on a 48-week year, divided equally by 12 monthly installments.

 

Tardiness:

 

If you are late to your lesson, your lesson will end at its normal time and you will not be reimbursed. 

 

Rescheduling:

 

• If the student cannot make it to their lesson, they will need to reschedule or there will be no refund. 

• If the student needs to reschedule their lesson, please give me at least 24 hours’ notice by text or email and we will discuss options for rescheduling. If none of the times I have available work, the lesson will be canceled: there will be no make-up lesson and the student will not be reimbursed.

• If the student chooses to not reschedule a lesson, it will be canceled and the student will not be reimbursed.

• If for any reason I reschedule a lesson, the student will be notified and the lesson will be moved to a different time that works for the student or the student will be reimbursed. 

• In the case of a true emergency, please notify me as soon as possible so the lesson can be rescheduled.

 

Termination:

 

• Termination is defined as discontinuing piano lessons either permanently or temporarily.

• Termination of lessons can occur if: the student does not have consistent, quality practice for an extended period of time; if the student fails to pay monthly installments; or if the student consistently misses lessons for an extended time period. The student will receive a notification well in advance to being dropped, as each student’s individual situation should be given ample care. 

• If the student chooses to drop out of the studio, please give me one month’s notice to ensure a positive finish to the student’s piano experience.

• If the student chooses to temporarily discontinue lessons, their spot in the studio will not be saved, but they are welcome to restart when they are ready.

 

Struggling Students:

 

As each student and situation is unique, individual details and solutions will be worked out between me and the student/parent to help them achieve success. 

Please contact me early if any concerns arise.

 

Recitals:

 

• There will be two studio recitals each year, usually in the spring and fall. The dates of these recitals will be given at least one month in advance. Students will have the opportunity to play in the recitals when they are prepared, as they are great opportunities to learn performance skills, develop confidence, and share their talents in a fun and friendly environment.

• Additional recitals may occur throughout the year to help competing students prepare for an upcoming festival or competition. Non-competing students may be invited to play in these recitals if they show interest and are ready to perform at the time. 

 

Competitions and Festivals:

 

• Competitions and Festivals (non-competitive performances in front of a judge to receive feedback) are great opportunities to learn and perform more repertoire. In order to participate regularly in these, the student will need to take 45 minute lessons (or longer), and practice at least one hour per day.

• All students are expected to participate in at least one festival a year. There are different types of festivals available each month of the year (except December): performing solos, duets, or concertos; presenting technique and sightreading skills; taking a theory test; and creating a piano-related project (research papers, art, composing/arranging, and basically anything you can think of).

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