Home Studio Policies — katie mcshane

Lesson Times

Lessons are scheduled at a mutually agreed time when the student begins lessons, and at the beginning of each academic year thereafter.
Students can join the studio at any time.
If a student/parent wishes to change their lesson time mid-year this can be discussed on a case-by-case basis, however, this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
I offer 30, 45, and 60 minute lessons.
Lessons can be one-on-one (solo) or with a partner. Partners must be of similar age and level.
Contact me to find out which days currently have availability.

My studio calendar is divided into two semesters: Sept - Jan & Feb - June.
Each day of the week has the same number of total lessons in the year (except Monday, when there are no lessons).
All federal holidays are days off. Make sure to take a close look at the calendar for more information on studio breaks.
At the end of each session there is a “share” where students have opportunities to play for their peers. Dates will be announced at the start of the year.
Students can join the studio at any time during the year.
Following fall registration, I will automatically re-enroll private lesson students for the second semester unless I hear otherwise from you.
There are no regular weekly lessons in the end of June, July & August. Irregular summer lessons are available.

Click the calendar to be redirected to a PDF copy:

*Partner lessons are shared by two students. Tuition can be divided between partner families however they see fit.

Tuition covers lessons, concerts, and my personalized investment in your child’s development.
Tuition is spread out evenly over the year. No matter how many lessons are in a month, the monthly fee is the same.
You have the option to pay monthly or semesterly. Semesterly payments include a discount that is already applied.
There is an annual registration fee of $35 per child. This fee goes towards the cost of administration throughout the year and reserves your spot in the schedule. If you’re registering multiple children, the second child’s fee is $15 and the third child is free to register.
There is a referral discount available. For every new student you recommend that joins my studio, I’ll apply a $20 discount to your next invoice.
Students are required to purchase the appropriate books ($20-30) when moving up in levels. I will send you the links!
Summer Lessons (late June - August) can be purchased a-la-carte, or in packages for discounted rates. Information will be sent out at the end of the year.

A guardian is required at every lesson. Children are not allowed to be dropped off. This is in case of emergencies.
Guardians are welcome to join us in the lesson, or they can occupy themselves otherwise out on the deck or in the living room.

Lessons missed by students can be rescheduled if there is a cancellation within the week that I can fit you into.
If there are no openings within the week, the lesson cannot be rescheduled. This policy allows the studio to run smoothly with all students served equally.
If you must miss a lesson, you will be offered a pre-recorded video lesson from my library. These lessons contain bonus materials connected to each unit. It’s up to you whether you utilize the lesson.
If one student in a partner lesson has to miss, then the two together can decide if they’d like to look for a reschedule in the week or one student can come in while the other student has a video lesson.
These policies apply to all lessons that are missed by students, regardless of the timing of the cancellation.

If I have to cancel a lesson, you will be offered a make-up lesson at your normal time during a teacher make-up week.
There is one teacher make-up week at the end of each semester.

If I have to to cancel more than one lesson in a semester, I will offer a make-up lesson at a different time, or if a suitable time can not be arranged, I will credit you a refund.

In the event of difficult weather conditions, please check in with me about the status lessons.
Classes that are cancelled due to storms will be made up during a teacher make-up week.

Please plan to arrive 5 minutes before your lesson time!
If a student is late this simply takes time out of the lesson, i.e. the lesson will start when the student arrives and will still finish at the usual time.

You must provide at least one month’s notice when terminating lessons, and will owe payment for that final month of lessons regardless of attendance. Please notify me as soon as this decision is made so I can fill the open time.
If one student in a partner lesson decides to stop lessons, the remaining student will change to a solo lesson fee at the start of the next month.
I reserve the right to discontinue lessons for any reason. If I decide to terminate lessons, I will give as much notice as possible, and provide refunds/invoices, if applicable. Reasons for discontinuation may be: persistent absences/tardiness, excessive requests for scheduling changes, lack of progress due to insufficient practice, uncooperative attitude and/or general dislike of lessons, extremely late payments.

Adults who cannot meet weekly have the option of booking lessons irregularly.
Adult lessons are available during mornings and evenings. Contact me for specific availability.
Together we’ll find a time that generally works for you. Then at the end of each lesson, we’ll choose and confirm the date for each next lesson.
Adult students often keep the same time lesson to lesson but you are also welcome to change your time to different available slots as needed.

The fee for irregular adult lessons is $74 for one hour.
I will send you an invoice at the end of each month for lessons taken, with a two lessons per month minumum. If you only take one lesson in a month, you will still be billed for the minimum of two lessons. The minimum starts in the 2nd month of lessons.

Once we’ve confirmed a lesson date, there is a 24 hour cancellation policy excepting emergencies. In the case of bad weather we'll check in and reschedule if necessary.
If you need to pause lessons for one month, you will be asked to continue paying your monthly minimum. This is assuming you will be returning to lessons the following month.
If you need to pause lessons for two or more months, then it is up to you whether you continue paying your monthly minimum or not. If you continue to pay, I will guarantee a space for you in my studio when you return. If you pause without paying the minimum, it is with the understanding that I will have to fill vacated spots if I am able.