Gracie's Music Workshop
Student Policy
2024-2025
Purpose:
The primary purpose of piano lessons is to develop musically sensitive people, who enjoy what they are doing. Excellence, creativity, sharing, and self-esteem are stressed and valued.
SCHEDULE AND CALENDAR:
My teaching year begins in September and goes through the following June.
You are expected to commit to lessons through June, 2025
I recommend all the students to take a minimum of 4 lessons during summer. On line lessons will be available.
(If you decide to discontinue lessons, I would appreciate a 30- day notice).
Students will average 4 lessons per month over the teaching year. The number of lessons each month may vary. They will average a total of 35 lessons in the school year.
The following holidays will be observed: Thanksgiving week (Nov 27th 28th 29th) Christmas Vacation, Spring Break, and Memorial Day (May 26th).We will have lessons on Monday January 20th (Martin Luther King) February 17th ( President’s Day) October 14th (Colombus Day)
Students are expected to arrive at their lessons on time so as to receive their full hour of instruction and not to disturb the other student's time.
TUITION AND REGISTRATION:
Registration fee is $30 for student and must be paid in May, to reserve the student's place in class. The monthly fee for piano lessons is $110 dollars and is due the 10th of each month.
The student will receive a 30 minutes private lesson and, as bonus, I offer an extra 30 minutes piano lab, when the student will be able to use all the other resources I have in my studio.
I recommend all my students 9 years old and older, to take advantage of this second half hour, but it is optional.
Please, understand that you are paying for 35 lessons during the school year, that are broken up into equal payments so you can more easily budget, whether the student get 2,3,4 or 5 lessons in a month.
Note: Registration fee is used to cover the cost of all the material I give to each student to file in their binders: Special Repertoire Music, theory papers, technique, composer’s biography and other supplies used in the studio. It also includes the time I spend preparing a lesson plan for each student.
OTHER FEES:
You will be advised of fees for participation in the Music Artistry Program (MAP), Festivals and Recitals
MAKE-UP LESSONS:
Lesson time is reserved for the student. I do not deduct for missed lessons except for an extended illness. If there is a planned absence, please call ahead of time, and I will try to re- scheduled if there is an opening that week. Cancelled lesson spots, in a given week, will be made available to other students for make-up lessons. You can also be part of the “Swap List” and exchange schedule with another family in the list.
If your student is sick, please don’t bring him/her that day. Let me know if it would be possible to coordinate an on –line lesson.
If I get sick, I don’t want to expose your child either. I have in my schedule 1 week in case of sickness where I will not be teaching. If I don’t get sick, students will receive 35 lessons. If I need to use those days, they will receive 34 lessons. The fee for the year remains the same whether I need to use the sick days or not. Thank you for your understanding
The Piano: You must have a piano or full–sized keyboard (88 keys) with sustain pedal. Please understand that a small keyboard will work for a student in an elementary level. Once the student reaches an intermediate level, he/she will need an acoustic piano. A piano must be tune at least once a year. I recommend Steve Anderson (509-433-4014) as a piano technician.
The piano should be located in a well-lit place that allows practicing to be done with as few distractions as possible.
ATTITUDE AND PRACTICING:
Students who establish good practice habits from the beginning will progress more rapidly and find piano practice and lessons more enjoyable. The amount of time required for good quality practice will vary depending on the student’s age and playing level. It is important that the practice is done on a consistent daily basis with a clear goal in mind. Specific practice assignments are given each week.
For very young students, (7 to 8 years old) it is very important to have a lot of support at home. They are not old enough to remember to practice every day. They need somebody at home to help them go through their homework. Don’t expect them to do everything on their own.
EVALUATION:
I will send a text message with an evaluation of the student every week. Students who obtain an “A” average during the year, will get a medal at the end of school concert for being an outstanding student.
Fingernails: in order to maintain a proper hand position, short fingernails are an absolute requirement.
RECITALS:
During the school year the students will have the opportunity to participate in festivals, adjudications and recitals. These recitals and activities are a good opportunity for parents to listen to their students play solos and ensemble music, and for the students to achieve goals during the school year.
HOMEWORK:
Every week I will assign homework which is very important for the student to accomplish. I recommend to the students to make a schedule of practice. This will help me know how much time the student practices at home.
Please, encourage your student to do all his/her homework which may include computer assignments, pieces from their method books and special repertoire for solos or ensembles
I highly recommend that the student practices immediately after the lesson if possible. Up to 50% of the knowledge acquired during a lesson is lost if practice is postponed until a latter day.