Clive Piano Studio Policies
1. Tuition: payment of fees is due on the first lesson of the month. Tuition covers weekly private lessons, monthly group classes, recital costs, overhead and incentives, teacher’s administrative time, and teacher's extensive volunteer time at events, and in helping to organize events. Every family has a folder located at the entrance to the studio called the “Inbox” to keep track of fees. Checks can be left in the wall pocket labeled "Checks" or Venmo is accepted. I am @S-Clive. If you pay by the semester (I: SEP-DEC, II: JAN-APR), you may deduct 5% of the total semester cost from your check each semester as it saves me time bookkeeping (equal to about one free lesson). Summer lessons are scheduled individually based on yours and my availability and no discount is available in the summer. I do not teach in May.
2. Fees: charges for books and festival registration fees are written on your accounting worksheet in your family file folder. I ask a $150 deposit each summer to cover music and fees that will accrue in the upcoming year. Any funds remaining at the termination of lessons will be refunded to you. Feel free to check your folder frequently and check my math, as well as for any papers, certificates or books you might have accidentally left behind.
3. Group classes: (see Calendar). Many students say their favorite part of piano is group class. Group class cannot be replaced by more practicing or lesson time. It is about performance and immediate peer feedback. It’s about friendly competition and esprit de corps combined. The perception that it is “an extra” is hard to overcome because it is less frequent, but regular attendance is mandatory and indispensable. In addition, performing and attendance at our two annual recitals is mandatory – no early exits. All other musical events are optional.
4. Create success: I strongly encourage you to audio or video-record your lesson. Listening to or watching your lessons later and making a practice plan is the best way to improve more than twice as fast as the average student. Parents are responsible for providing students with opportunities to be exposed to and listen to great music, in the car, at home and in live performances. Parents are also responsible for providing students with a well-working tuned acoustic piano, and a practice area free from distractions. Parents are reminded to create a calm environment on the way to the lesson, free from electronics or stress so the child arrives ready to focus. Well-nourished and hydrated students focus much better in lessons. You are encouraged to arrive 5 minutes early in order to use the washroom. Students must wash hands before coming to the piano. Be sure nails are cut short.
5. Parents and Practicing: the “practice parent” is of the utmost importance, especially for beginners as the actual learning goes on at home. Children get lonely practicing by themselves, and they can quickly get the feeling you have decided he/she will “do piano”, and you are leaving it to them to accomplish it. By sitting with the child, guiding and reminding, praising and rewarding, you show you feel it is important enough that you devote some of your own valuable time to it. There are many resources online as well as books to help parents with ideas on making and keeping practicing fun and positive. Parents should strive for positivity, consistency, and organization. In the lesson, the parent should be a “silent observer”, not a second teacher.
6. Practicing guidelines: the first year of lessons, parents practice with students on all 5 practice days and attend all lessons and take notes. Year 2 parents practice with the student on days 1,2,4 and 5; year 3, parents practice with student on practice days 1,4 and 5; year 4 parents practice with students on days 1 and 5; year 5 parents practice with student on day 5 only. From then on the student practices on their own and parents should attend lessons as needed until the student is advanced or driving. Remember, it is normal to balk at practicing, even after years of accomplishments and achievements! The best advice on getting kids to practice is this: decide on a specific time to practice each day including weekend days, and stick to that plan. The best days to practice are after your lesson the day of your lesson (review lesson video and take notes/make a plan for the week), and the day after your lesson. Practice bucks can be earned for practicing all 7 Piano Habits at every practice session for 5 or more practice days, and can be spent in the Studio Store. Practice bucks end starting 9th grade. Beginner students are expected to practice at least 45 minutes a day; intermediate students 1-2 hours per day; advanced students 2 hours a day or more.
7. Volunteer: Parents must volunteer a half-day for a minimum of one event during the school year for each of your children in my studio. It may be less if you get lucky, who knows. Volunteers help keep your program costs low, and it's fun!
8. Due to limited studio time and in the interest of maintaining the highest quality standards, students who do not progress at an accelerated rate may be asked to transfer to another studio. 30-days notice is kindly requested before terminating lessons.
8. I have very few openings each year. Students are accepted into the studio based primarily on their audition, past accomplishments, work ethic, and chemistry with the teacher. I take very few true beginners, and they usually come during the daytime hours. I love all children, but when it comes to my studio time, it is used for students who have demonstrated a real passion for the piano.
9. Cancellations: Busy students occasionally have activities that conflict with lesson times. I wish I could accommodate everyone! I will of course refund or make up any lessons missed due to teacher cancellation. However, there are no refunds or make-up lessons for missed lessons. If you have questions about this policy, please go to ottawasuzukistrings.ca/makeuplessons/
10. If for any reason you desire to discuss the progress of your child in times other than the lesson, feel free to contact me. Email is best, and for very urgent matters only, texting is fine. It is helpful when I am kept up to date on what is going on at home, good or bad, or if there are ways you can see that I can help your child learn better.