Minnix Music Studio Policies
Minnix Music Studio policies & guidelines are listed below. If you have any questions about any of the information, please let me know by e-mail. By registering for lessons, you are agreeing to abide by these rules and guidelines.
Payment Schedule for Private and Group Music Instruction
Private Lessons are charged in monthly installments. Payments should be made the on or before the first week of each month's lessons. Minnix Music can accept: cash, check, money order, most major credit cards and pay-pal. No-shows and cancellations will still be charged unless we receive at least 24 hours notice. We do not provide make-up lessons for no-shows. Cancelled lessons may be made up if there are times available. Lessons that can not be made-up will not be eligible for a refund. Exceptions may be made for emergencies or planned vacations.
Group Lessons are charged for the entire 10 week course, due on or before the first lesson. Due to the nature of the course, there are no make-up lessons available, and there are no refunds for cancellations and no-shows. If you are interested in group lessons, you must realize that they are a special type of event, and you should plan ahead as much a possible so as not to miss any of the classes.
- LATE PAYMENT FEES: Payment will be considered late if it is not paid by the end of the week of the first lesson. A fee of $25 will be added to your bill for late monthly payments.
- BOUNCED CHECK FEES: If you write a check, and that check gets returned to us due to insufficient funds, you will be required to reimburse Minnix Music for the late payment fee plus a $30 bank charge.
Music Lesson Cancellations
Please call and let me know if you must cancel a lesson for ANY reason. If I have to cancel a lesson for sickness or emergency, we will try to do a make-up lesson. If that is not possible, we will refund you for that lesson. If you need to miss a lesson and do not call me within 24 hours of the lesson there will be no make-up lesson and no refund given. If you cancel within 24 hours of the lesson, we will find a time to do a make-up lesson. If we can not find a time to make up the lesson in the same week, we can either do a double lesson the following week OR make-up the lesson another time. If you do not show up for lessons, there will not be a refund. Please remember that too many lesson cancellations may result in poor progress. Improvement greatly depends on consistent instruction and practice.
Refer-A-Friend Program
We offer a Refer-A-Friend Program for the first 6 months of 2015. For each student outside of your immediate family that you refer for lessons, who sign up for a month of lessons, you will recieve one free lesson. This program is very helpful for people who are trying to organize a Stringed Instrument Workshop, as it gives you an incentive to meet the required roster amount for each course. This program does not apply within your immediate family. For instance, if you bring one child, bringing your second child does not count towards the Refer-A-Friend Program. In addition, any friends you refer, must sign up for their students on their own, and will be required to fill out the online registration form. Each student must have a financially responsible adult register them for lessons. This also applies to private lessons. If you refer a friend to take private lessons, you can receive a free private lesson.
Practice Expectations
Students are required to practice at home between lessons. Daily practice is vital to musical progress. The recommended amount of practice time will be discussed with the student depending on their age and skill level. For most students the recommended amount of pracitce time is 20 minutes each day, or at the least 20 minutes five days each week.
Lesson Books and Materials
Books are chosen depending on each student. We will discuss appropriate lesson books at the time of your first lesson. You will be responsible to purchase the proper books following the first lesson. Other materials that may be required include a graph notebook, manuscript paper, colored pencils or markers, a pencil and a tuner (if playing a stringed instrument). Certain stringed instruments require other materials such as strings, picks, etc. These will be discussed with you as needed.
Parental Involvement at Lessons
Due to our insurance policy, Parents (or a responsible adult), are required to remain on the premises for the duration of the lessons. You may observe the lesson if you prefer, or you may wait in the waiting room. Siblings are welcome as long as they aren't disruptive to the lesson. Siblings and friends must be accompanied by an adult during lessons. We are not a day-care service; you absolutely cannot drop your children off and leave. It is imperative that parents are avialible to supervise their children at all times.
Music Lesson Time-Slot
We reserve a specific time-slot for each student. If I am running late with prior students, I will always extend the following lessons to their full length. If a student comes in late, I will extend the lesson up to 5 minutes after if there are no lessons afterwards. If there are lessons after, and the late student is more than 5 minutes late, I may not be able to extend the lesson. If you arrive more than 5 minutes early and I am teaching a lesson, please try to wait outside or let your children play in my backyard until lesson time. Some students are easily distracted or are very shy about playing in front of other people. I want to make sure each student gets their full lesson without interruption.
Summer Piano Lessons
We do provide lessons during the summer. If you decide to take the summer off, you will need to reregister in the fall, and will most likely need to pay the registration fee and possibly take a new time slot.
Holidays and Vacation
We will be closed during all of the major federal holidays (Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years and Easter), unless notified in advance. And you will be notified in advance of my vacation times.
Lesson Termination
We require a 2 week notification for lesson termination in writing.
Questions or Problems Concerning Lessons
Please let me know if you or your child have any problems or questions about your childs private lessons. You can call anytime and I will be happy to help you. As a parent and an instructor, I realize it can be frustrating for parents who have never played an instrument to answer their childs music questions at home. If any problems should arise, I am willing to modify lesson plans and practice schedules, etc. based on each families needs. By sharing your concerns, I will be better equipped to make piano lessons a positive experience for both you and your child.
Rules
Minnix Music reserves the right to modify these rules as needed. If the rules are modified, you will be notified in advance, and the changes will be posted on this site. Minnix Music also reserves the right to refuse lessons for any reason.