Student Absence and Makeup Policies
Students are charged for all lessons for which they register.
Please cancel lessons if you are sick. Our vocal cords become red, swollen and irritated when we are sick. Singing on irritated vocal cords can injure the voice. Furthermore, coming to lessons sick puts everyone in the studio at risk for catching the illness. To avoid both situations, I will send you home if you come sick to a lesson. Instead, send me an email and just cancel!
Makeup lessons are not guaranteed for any student absence. I will make up any lesson canceled by me.
All makeup lessons must be completed within the same term during which the absence occurred.
I offer one makeup lesson per student, per term, regardless of the number of lessons missed, and only for illness. While I understand that conflicts can occur, I do not offer makeup lessons for absences due to any reason other than illness.
Makeup lessons are not offered for weather-related cancellations.
Please cancel lessons if you are sick. Our vocal cords become red, swollen and irritated when we are sick. Singing on irritated vocal cords can injure the voice. Furthermore, coming to lessons sick puts everyone in the studio at risk for catching the illness. To avoid both situations, I will send you home if you come sick to a lesson. Instead, send me an email and just cancel!
Makeup lessons are not guaranteed for any student absence. I will make up any lesson canceled by me.
All makeup lessons must be completed within the same term during which the absence occurred.
I offer one makeup lesson per student, per term, regardless of the number of lessons missed, and only for illness. While I understand that conflicts can occur, I do not offer makeup lessons for absences due to any reason other than illness.
Makeup lessons are not offered for weather-related cancellations.
Tardiness and No Shows
Please call or text if you are running late. Students more than 15 minutes late for a lesson, forfeit the remainder of that lesson's time and will not be refunded. Recurring lateness may result in a student losing their lesson time.
I do not tolerate "no-shows." Failure to attend a lesson, or to notify me in advance of a planned absence, may result in students losing his or her spot in my studio.
I do not tolerate "no-shows." Failure to attend a lesson, or to notify me in advance of a planned absence, may result in students losing his or her spot in my studio.
Teacher expectations
Please:
Parents:
Students enjoy music lessons/classes MORE when they practice!
- wash hands before every class.
- stay home if sick.
- email or call the teacher 24 hours in advance If unable to attend.
- minimize absences due to other conflicts.
- PRACTICE!
Parents:
- Parents are welcome to sit in on the first lesson. After the first lesson, parents must receive their children's permission to remain.
- Please help me stay on schedule - email me with comments and questions.
- Encourage your child to perform at home for family and friends – music is meant to be shared!
- Expose your budding musician to live musical performances of all different genres.
- Vocal & piano students need Soccer Moms too! Even the most gifted and mature child has a hard time understanding that tedious daily practice leads to future artistic success and enjoyment. They need you, Mom and Dad, to create a quiet practice space for them, to schedule their practice times, to remind them that they are doing a GREAT job when they practice regularly, and to tell them how proud you are of their progress.
Students enjoy music lessons/classes MORE when they practice!
- Create a quiet practice space at home, free of distracting family members, televisions, and computers/iPads/cell phones/iPods/etc. A piano/keyboard and a mirror are also very helpful.
- It is impossible to make regular progress without regular practice. Regular practice means 30-60 minutes of practice, 5-6 days a week. The length of practice sessions depends on the student's age and experience.
- Parents: help structure practice! Students need help finding time, and following practice directions from lessons. I recommend busy students schedule their practice sessions or practice at the same time every day. Breaking practice session into two or three chunks and spreading the chunks out throughout the day also works well. Help your child put away cell phones and turn off distractions.
- Start every practice with a warm-up and stretching.
- 3-ring binder with paper & a pencil
- All handouts from previous lessons
- A positive attitude!
- A bottle of water
- Students are welcome to record classes with a digital recorder (example: iPod with the Voice Memo app).