Advance notice (24 hours) is required to reschedule a lesson. If a student is ill or there is an emergency, I will do my best to accommodate. A student that misses a lesson without advance notice will not be given a make-up lesson. If unable to reschedule, you will still be charged for the lesson. I am allotted two lessons per academic year of paid sick-leave. If I am ill or have to cancel a lesson for personal reasons outside of my allotted two lessons per year, and we are unable to reschedule, you will be credited the amount for the lesson on the next month’s tuition and not charged for the lesson.
In the case of inclement weather or other circumstances which prevent a student getting to the studio, lessons will be done online via Zoom/Skype/Facetime/Teams, according to which platform is most available to the student and teacher.
Students with three years’ or more of experience are expected to practice 20-60 minutes a day, three days per week. The exact amount of practice time will be determined by the teacher with the input of the student. In some cases, the student will be given a goal-centered practice plan instead of a time-specific requirement. I encourage parents to help their student remember to practice daily as they develop good habits. Students are encouraged to write down questions they have about any of the material in their notebook to help make better use of the lesson time.
Students just beginning the piano, (particularly those around ages 4-6) are expected to practice a minimum of three days per week. Instead of a time allotment, these students are expected to practice each assignment a minimum of three times per practice session.
I can be reached by call, email or text.
See the attached sheet for the schedule and vacations. Schedule is subject to change.
TUITION Tuition includes 11 lessons per quarter. Payments are made monthly. Please note that the three monthly payments are for the quarter, (11 lessons) not the whole month. Number of lessons per month may vary. You may choose to sign up for one of the following:
$65/monthly for 20-minute lessons ($17.73 per lesson with 11 lessons per quarter)
$60 if paid before the first of the month
This option is ONLY available for students ages 4-6 in addition to less than one year of previous piano lesson experience.
$85/monthly for 30-minute lessons ($23.18 per lesson with 11 lessons per quarter)
$80 if paid before the first of the month
$125/monthly for 45-minute lessons ($34.10 per lesson with eleven lessons per quarter)
$120 if paid before the first of the month
Monthly tuition payments are due by the 7th of each month. A discount is offered to students who pay before the first of the month. A $5 late fee will be applied for each week after the 7th that the payment is late. Tuition for summer quarter is $240 for the quarter, or three payments of $80 due by the first of June, July and August. No late payments will be accepted. Advanced students, (normally $120 per month) will be discounted to $80/mo in the summer. Pre-school age students who attend 20-minute lessons will have 45 minute lessons instead of 60 minute lessons, and will continue to pay the $60/mo. Tuition may be paid via cash, check, (payable to Melinda Olliff) or through Wave. Tuition covers the following:
Individualized lesson plans for each student
Lesson aides and printed handouts.
Training and experience
Recital fees and related repertoire planning
Lending library, (for supplementary music)
Required Materials
Piano or keyboard (preferably with weighted keys)
Metronome, (can be an app on a phone rather than a physical metronome)
Lesson books (as assigned by the teacher)
Blank notebook
Commitment A student who enrolls in lessons is committing to lessons for the entire school year. Summer lessons are available (see details below) and are required to reserve the student’s place in the studio for the following year. If a student needs to terminate lessons for any reason, notice must be given one month in advance. *In the event of further closures due to the Covid-19 outbreak, lessons will move to an online format. Lesson adaptations have been made, (including music theory games being moved to a fun, online option!) and can be adapted for each student. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. In-Studio Festival The annual In-Studio Festival takes place during the student’s lesson time at the end of the academic year. Students will prepare a piece as they would for a recital and play it for adjudication in the lesson. They will be judged at their level and rated the same way they would if they participated in a Music Festival. This is an opportunity to celebrate what the student is doing well and gives us time to discuss the things on which we would like to focus during the summer. Students who receive a Superior rating will be awarded at the final Performance Class of the quarter. Summer Lessons Summer lessons are a distinctive experience in my studio. Rather than continue with traditional lessons, the student will have six one-hour classes held throughout the summer. Summer lessons feature a variety of musical activities that will strengthen the student’s weaker areas, as well as help them retain what they have worked on throughout the school year. Featured skills for summer lessons include composing, sight-reading, ear training, rhythm, note-reading, technique, and harmonization. The pieces we compose during summer lessons will be performed at our October recital. While these skills and information are included to an extent in regular lessons, summer is a time to make it fun and relaxing so the student feels like they are getting a vacation while continuing to grow as a musician. Summer lessons are an essential component to the student’s education in order to guarantee knowledge-retention from the year and offer consistency to each student. Termination Policy Termination of lessons requires one month advance notice. If the student chooses not to come to lessons for that month or begins with another teacher, the tuition for the month will still be required. If a student is put on another teacher’s waiting list, Mrs. Olliff must be notified immediately. Click below to download and/or print my contract.
