Policies

Below are the policies for my Home Studio operating under Progress Unlimited, LLC. While some policies may overlap, Music Settlement (TMS) students must review and follow TMS policies as outlined on the TMS website and enrollment materials.

LESSONS, RECITALS and SCHEDULE

Fall / Spring Lessons: The Fall / Spring Semesters are 18 lessons for Fall (except for Monday, which is 17 lessons) and 16 lessons for Spring (except for Monday, which is 17 lessons), for a school year of 34 lessons. In general, the fall session begins after Labor Day and Spring begins in early February. I follow The Music Settlement schedule to keep all of my students aligned. Please see my current schedule for specific dates.

Summer Lessons: I generally teach between 4 and 6 weeks in the summer. Because of varying vacation schedules, I am more flexible with scheduling.

Sample Lessons: New Home Studio (HS) students can schedule a sample lesson so we can both determine if it is a good fit. Parents must commit to helping their young children with daily practice and older students must commit to practicing daily on their own.

Recitals: I will schedule at least one recital each year, usually in the spring, and encourage all students to participate if at all possible. A maximum of two lessons prior to a recital may take the form of rehearsals in preparation for the performance.

ABSENCES

Because of the one-to-many teacher/student ratio, I reserve lesson makeups for my absences only and try to keep them to a minimum. It would simply not be possible for me to make up every student absence. There is a makeup week scheduled for each semester for my missed lessons, if any, which will be made up during that time or at other times with mutual agreement. In many cases I will make up anticipated absences in advance, which is my preference when I am aware of a future conflict. On the rare occasion that I am not able to make up my own absence, I will credit the lesson for the following period or refund it.

Please note: Once a re-scheduled lesson is confirmed, I expect the student to attend. If the student is absent during a makeup time, I will consider that a student absence.

ILLNESS

Considering the new “normal” due to COVID-19, I will cancel in-person lessons if I have symptoms (runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, or other symptoms as outlined by the CDC) or if I have a known exposure to a person with a confirmed positive result. I expect the same from my students. Students have the option for online lessons at the regularly scheduled time (if the illness is not so severe that the student can benefit from the lesson) rather than forfeiting the lesson (for a student absence) or rescheduling (for a teacher absence) to keep continuity and avoid a long period without lessons. The bottom line – if you are not feeling well, or suspect any exposure to COVID, please stay home. There are alternatives available to preserve the health of all.

ONLINE LESSONS, IN-PERSON LESSONS, and SAFETY

In-Person lessons are preferred. While online lessons are a wonderful solution to our current situation with the pandemic, they should only be used in cases of illness or possible exposure, and not as a convenience. Lesson times should be scheduled taking travel time into consideration, and the recognition that the best learning is done in the same room. My studio is equipped with a separate entrance, a clear barrier between me and the student, sanitary wipes, and hand sanitizer. Now that vaccinations are widely available, I require proof of COVID vaccination for students if it is available to their age group, and ask that masks be worn if there is any possibility a student may have been exposed to COVID or any other communicable illness. I will occasionally need to touch the student to adjust posture or demonstrate a technique, or the student’s instrument to tune or identify issues with it, and will sanitize my hands prior to, and after the interaction whenever possible.

WITHDRAWALS and REFUNDS:

Classes: Payment is due in full prior to the start of Group or Intro to Suzuki Cello class with no refunds unless the class is canceled.

Lessons: I ask that ongoing students commit to each quarter for lessons. I do not issue refunds within a current quarter except on a case-by-case basis (injury, serious illness, etc). New students who begin in the middle of a quarter are responsible for the remaining number of lessons within that quarter. Students who pre-pay by semester or year will be issued a refund for any lessons outside of the current quarter as long as I have received 30-day notice of withdrawal.

PAYMENT and DISCOUNT:

Please submit payment by check, cash, or credit card. Checks must be made out to Progress Unlimited, LLC, and credit card payments will show that name on the statement. Payment is required in advance for a minimum of one quarter (9 lessons). Please see the Fees/Schedule page for the current cost of lessons. You will receive an invoice from Square for the lessons with due dates as follows:

Classes: Payment is due in full prior to the start of Group or Introduction to Suzuki Cello class. No discount is available.

Individual Lessons: Payment is required in advance for at least one quarter (9 lessons). I will invoice you from Square for the lessons with the due dates as follows:

1st Quarter: By August 1st (for September start, or upon enrollment for new students)
2nd Quarter: By October 1st (for November start, or upon enrollment for new students)
3rd Quarter: By January 1st (for February start, or upon  enrollment for new students)
4th Quarter: (7 weeks) By March 1st (for April start, or upon enrollment for new students)
Summer: By May 1st (for all lessons as mutually scheduled) 

Payments for an entire semester (16 or 18 weeks) will receive a 5% discount. See the Fees/Schedule page for more information.