Private Music Studio Guides by Mimi Butler

Policies

◊Mrs. Butler's Payment & Lesson Policies

1. All lessons must be paid for at the first lesson of the month. As of 1/1/2007 lesson fees will be $25.00 for 1/2 hour (generally for students under the age of 8); $37.50 for 3/4 hour, $50.00 for hour lesson plus $50 per class for musicians not studying on a regular basis. As of 1/1/09, if parents / students choose to pay for twelve (12) Lessons in advance, a 10% discount will be deducted from the total bill. For example:
12 lessons x #37.50 (for a 45 minute lesson) - 10% = $405 (instead of $450)
12 lessons x $50.00 (for an hour lesson) - 10% = $550 (instead of $600)

A $50.00 ($90 for a family of two students) recital fee will be added to the April bill. This will include the fees associated with the annual recital and other planned performances.

2. Students in String Builder Book 2 and beyond are required to take a 45 minute lesson.

3. Students will be given 3 or 4 (depending on the number of weeks in a month) private lessons a month and one chamber music class (the chamber class will be the same cost as a private lesson). The classes will meet each month except for most summer months.

If you are unable to attend a class, make-up classes will NOT be offered, but you can attend a different class at any time. If you miss a class you can NOT make it up with a private lesson. Also, make-up lessons will NOT be offered during the week of classes.

Students must bring all music and a music stand (with their name on the stand) to classes. The classes will be held in my home. Please try to be on time for the classes since it can be disruptive when a student joins the class after it has started.

During the classes, the following materials will be covered:
◊ Scales & technique
◊ Chamber music
◊ Alternative Styles such as fiddling and rock (intermediate & advanced)
◊ Memorization and performance skills
◊ Sight reading
◊ Preparation for the annual trip to the Senior Citizen Center, Chamber Music recital & exam in June

4. Only one make-up lesson will be offered per student per month.

Missed lessons must be made-up within thirty (30) days from missed date. If a scheduled make-up lesson is missed or not made up within thirty (30) days, a second one cannot be scheduled. If lessons are not canceled by 3:30 pm (9:00 am in the summer) on the day the lesson is scheduled, NO make-up will be offered.

5. If students choose to take a break from lessons for more than 2 months, the lesson time slot may not be held open. Emergency family or health problems will be taken into consideration as the exception.

6. Each year, students will participate in the New Jersey American String Teachers Association's Certificate Program for Strings in June. The cost ranges from $30 - $35. Students will prepare for this performance exam throughout the year and parents are asked to take the students to the location of their choice.

7. Students are required to perform in the annual chamber music recital in the spring unless there is an illness or family emergency. Preparation for the recital will take place before, during, and after classes. It is essential that all students remain for the entire performance.

8. A vacation week will not be offered during midterm and final exams week unless notice is given by the first of the month.

9. If a check is returned by the bank, you will be charged a $25.00 cash fee. Two returned checks, you will be required to pay cash, money order or certified check only.

10. NO visitors please in the studio, only students taking lessons & parents.

11. If lessons or chamber class attendance are terminated before the end of the month, all payments will not be reimbursed.

12. If payment is not received within thirty (30) days of the first lesson of the month, the regularly scheduled lesson times will be forfeited and assigned to the next student on the waiting list. Lessons missed can NOT be deducted from the bill. The monthly payment may be reduced due to planned vacations only if prior notice is given by the first of the month.

13. Please notify me of any health problems that I should be aware of and whom to notify in the case of an emergency.

14. If lessons are missed on a regular basis (more than two a month) for more than two consecutive months, lessons will be terminated without refund.

15. If a student requires the change of lesson time slot due to sport participation, there must be prior notice and I will do my best to accomodate.

16. Summer lessons need to be chosen by July 1 in order to be guaranteed a time slot.