Studio Policy
(As of March 2026)
Welcome to our studio! Thank you for choosing me as your child’s piano teacher. To ensure a safe, productive, and respectful environment for all students and families, please review our studio guidelines below.
My teaching objective is to help instill a love, understanding, and appreciation of music in students of all ages. Learning piano builds skills such as dedication, focus, confidence, creativity, attention to detail, and so much more! Piano is the ideal foundation instrument for opening the musical door to other instruments and opportunities.
By enrolling in lessons, you agree to the following studio policies. A signed form will be collected and held on file from each family signifying agreement to these policies.
Attendance & Portal
Please arrive on time; lessons cannot be extended for late arrivals.
MyMusicStaff: All families must use the online portal to manage scheduling, view invoices, and track practice.
Registration Fee: A $20 registration fee per family is due at the first lesson of the school year, or upon enrollment during a school year.
If a student misses a lesson, they will miss the benefit of that lesson. See below sections for video & time swapping information.
A lesson missed without 24 hours notice will be charged except in cases of illness.
Canceling 2 lessons within 8 weeks for reasons other than illness will be subject for removal from the studio.
Do not come to the studio when sick. If you are well enough for a lesson, we can do it via video.
I have students at many different schools. School delays and cancelations do not apply to lessons. Please see “Weather” for related policy.
Commitment
Consistently practicing is necessary to be able to become a better musician.
A minimum of 20 minutes of practice, 5 days a week is required and expected. For students under age 9, at least 10 minutes a day 5 days a week.
Any theory homework that has been assigned must be completed for the following lesson.
Assignments are always marked with a circle and paperclip in books.
You must have an acoustic piano or weighted digital keyboard at home. I am happy to help you find a quality instrument. Parents, please not buy a digital keyboard without consulting me. Acoustic pianos require maintenance and tuning. I can provide you with contact information for local technicians.
Ending Lessons
If for any reason you will be stopping lessons, 2 weeks’ notice & payment is required.
Students will be regrettably dismissed when: multiple late payments, persistent absences, uncooperative attitude, lack of progress due to unfulfilled requirements or insufficient practice
Hygiene & Readiness
Hygiene: Students must arrive with clean hands & clean bodies to maintain a sanitary environment & protect the instrument.
Bathroom: Use the bathroom before coming to lessons. We have limited time together, and I cannot have 40 students using my 1 home bathroom.
Fingernails: should be trimmed neatly to allow for proper technique & to avoid damaging the keys.
Materials: Bring all current piano books to every lesson.
Property & Safety Rules
Outside: The entire outdoor property including zipline, swing, and lawn are strictly off-limits for liability reasons. This is due to cars coming & going, natural hazards, and ongoing maintenance.
Siblings: Siblings must wait quietly with a parent/guardian on the kitchen bench or in their vehicle. They may not be left unattended anywhere on the property.
Video Lessons
Video lessons are not a permanent replacement for in-person lessons.
A student will be expected to attend a video lesson at the scheduled time if swapping with another student cannot be arranged in advance.
Can be utilized in cases if minor illness and other extenuating circumstances. Let Ashley know when you need to switch to a video lesson.
FaceTime, Messenger, or WhatsApp
Weather
LEVEL 1: Lessons continue as scheduled
LEVEL 2: If you are concerned about road conditions, we can have a video lesson at the scheduled time. Let Ashley know at your earliest convenience.
LEVEL 3/TORNADO WARNING: In-person lessons are canceled. If possible, we can hold video lessons.
Swapping Times
Please consult MyMusicStudio for the calendar. Go to Calendar, then view "All Events." If you're on a phone, tap the day you'd like to swap to, and scroll down. You will see the list of students for that date below the calendar. Parent contact information is available in the Student Portal. If no students are available to swap, or for a permanent time swap, contact Ashley.
Tuition & Fees
SUMMER LESSONS: Summer lessons will only be available on Mondays and Tuesdays. If these days do not work for you, please contact Ashley. Students can start summer lesson times when their school year concludes. Please schedule summer lessons directly in MMS. Week-to-week payment is fine in the summer, $25/lesson.
FALL 2026: August 31 - Dec 17. 3 full sessions and one 3-week session, $375. Tell Ashley what time you would like for the school year as soon as you have an idea.
Payment of $100 due at lesson week of Aug 31, Sep 7, Oct 5, and Nov 2; $75 due Nov 30
***There will tentatively be no lessons September 10-20th, figuring out my travel schedule***
If you would like to do lessons on M/T/W the weeks of Thanksgiving or Christmas, please add these accordingly.
SPRING 2027: January 4 - May 27, 20 lessons. $475-$500 depending on final week of May.
***No lessons week of March 15th***
Payments of $100 due at lesson the weeks of the following dates of Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 5, $75 or $100 May 3rd depending on Memorial Day lessons and FCS student summer schedule.
Tuition can be paid up front for the entire semester, or at lessons on dates listed above. A late fee of $20 per week will be applied to payments not made by the end of the day of a scheduled lesson. Books & recital music are not included in tuition fees. There are additional performance opportunities throughout the year, some of which have participation costs that are not included in tuition.
