STUDIO POLICY

Ms. Susan’s Piano Preparatory Academy
Studio Policy

Prelude:

Welcome to Ms. Susan’s Piano Preparatory Studio. I’m excited to be teaching your child Piano. Piano lessons is a gift that your child can use throughout their lives to serve and help others, which will bring them joy and happiness. Through piano lessons your child will gain self-discipline, self-control, coordination, cognitive thinking, organization, memorization and communication skills. This piano preparatory studio will stimulate, inspire and enhance your child’s intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual growth through music education. Music fills our world with love.

Major Notes:

Tuition:
Tuition is due on the 1st lesson of each month. Tuition is $50.00 monthly for group lessons, and $60.00 monthly for private lessons, if child practices 5 days a week, $60.00/$70.00 if child does not practice. Tuition is on the honor system. A yearly registration fee of $30.00 per student is due at the 1st lesson in September and the 1st lesson in January. If tuition is not paid by the 2nd lesson a $15.00 late fee will be charged. If not paid be the 3rd lesson your child will not be taught. ALL MISSED LESSONS MUST BE PAID FOR! If your child cannot attend a lesson, it is your responsibility to contact another student in the studio and swap lessons with them. A list of student’s names and numbers will be given to each family in the studio. NO MAKEUP LESSONS.

Recitals:
My studio presents two formal recitals a year. Every student is expected to perform and attend. The student’s pieces are required to be memorized when performed. I also will host a December performance party where each child can perform a Christmas or classical piece. This piece does not need to be memorized. Summer study is not required but strongly advised. Those that study in the summer have first chance for scheduling lessons for fall.

Attendance:
All students are expected to attend every lesson in the semester, however I understand that if a student is out of town or sick they cannot attend. Please arrange a lesson swap with another student if this occurs. If you cannot make a swap contact me ASAP to inform me of student absence.

Materials:
All students need: 1. Assigned music, 2. 1” binder, 3. pencil, 4. flash drive, 5. music bag, 6. metronome, and 7. 2 SASE for mailing assignment sheets for missed lessons. Optional materials: I-pod, and colored pencils. 1. Students are required to bring materials to lessons each week except for metronome. Be sure to have your child check their bag to see if they have their practice sheet and their music each week when you pick them up.

Practice:
The big P word! Your child is required to practice at 5 days each week. I award perfect practice trophies at the end of the spring semester for every child that has 100% practice throughout the year. I ask younger student’s to practice each song 5 times. Older students need to practice until they’ve accomplished their weekly goals. This usually takes 45-60 minutes a day 5 days a week. CORRECT PRACTICE IS IMPORTANT! The first practice session after each lesson is vital. Don’t let your child procrastinate their practice. It should be done immediately after their lesson if at all possible. Please help your child practice the first and last lesson of each week. Children love the attention they receive from the help you give them, thus enabling them to come prepared to lessons. Being prepared each week will give your child self-confidence in knowing they have done their best.
Schedule your child’s practice session the same time every day. This ritual helps children get the job done, creating excellent time management skills. At times your child will need a jump start, we all do! I have fun incentives to help. (100 days of practice etc). If your child still struggles with practice, let me know. We all know what’s best for our children. Doing homework, household chores and practicing is hard but needs to be done, and your child will feel accomplished when completing each of these tasks. Remember, practicing piano lessons creates self-discipline, responsibility, and instills a powerful work ethic in your child that they will need to compete in the world today. I know this is a sacrifice for you as parents however they will thank you someday for what you have given them. I know this for a fact!



Minor Notes:

Incentives:
100% Practice Award: Any student who is willing to practice 5 days a week all year long will receive the highly coveted 100% Practice Trophy at the Spring recital. (If child goes on vacation or sick, they can practice twice a day to make up practice. Parent signature required for this award)

AAA Club: To belong to this club student must be able to perform 3 memorized pieces Anytime, Anywhere, and in front of Anyone. They will receive a membership card for every 3 pieces they have memorized. Student will receive a crystal for each memorized piece and 5 crystals for becoming a member of this prestigious club.

100 days of Practice: Try to practice 100 days straight for a special reward each semester!

PAWS of Strength: Super Susan Student’s need to trace their paw of strength, and list 5 goals on each finger that they will work on throughout the semester. 1 crystal for each goal completed will be given at the end of the semester. If student has completed all 5 goals, 10 crystals will be given.

Superstar Award: At the end of the spring semester each student who completes the superstar goal sheet will receive a star award. This is a fantastic service award that children can participate in to help in their church and throughout the community.

ICE AGE INCENTIVES:
I have listed extra incentives this year as well. See attached sheet, or look on my blog for more information.

ICE AGE CAVE (Store):
The metropolis store will be open at the Friday group ensemble lesson at the end of each month. All students will be able to buy prizes with the crystals they have earned.

Termination of Lessons:
Termination from my studio will transpire after 3 weeks of non-practice during one semester or 3 missed lessons without an explanation of excuse. I will warn a student and then write a letter to the parent’s with the proposed termination if necessary. If student desires to terminate piano lessons it is necessary to advise me of this, 4 weeks prior to last lesson.

mssusanpiano.blogspot.com:
I will keep everyone updated on my monthly blog informing student’s of any studio changes, recital information, current fine art events, composer of the month, SBC (Susan’s Book Club recommendations) and practicing suggestions. There are also piano games, and music freebies on this site.

Communication:
If you have any questions, please e-mail me at mssusankmusik_piano@msn.com. I teach over 100 student’s a week, and is very hard to contact me on the phone. If you need to talk with me leave a message and I’ll respond as quickly as possible. Please remember that I work Monday-Friday 8:00-6:30. Please limit calls to these hours unless it is an emergency. No calls will be answered or returned on Saturday or Sunday.

Postlude:

I’m excited to start a new piano year with your child, what a wonderful opportunity your child is going to have by adding music in their lives. My love of music and children is evident in my studio. I’m dedicated and committed to help every student succeed in their musical abilities.



I have read and I understand this studio policy.


Student Signature__________________________________________


Parent Signature___________________________________________

ICE AGE PIANO!

MS. SUSAN’S PIANO PRESENTS:
ICE AGE
(Dawn of the Student)
FALL SCHEDULE and STUDIO MELTDOWN!
Don’t let your piano lessons become extinct!

WELCOME BACK for a journey of exciting piano study. Lessons begin the week of August 31st. No lessons Thursday September 3rd-Wednesday September 9th. Lessons resume Thursday September 10th.
Mammoth Incentives to keep us on TRACK:
Manny award=100% practice for entire year!
(5 days a week with parent signature and teacher approval, 2 stickers each week) =Folkmanis Wooly Mammoth or Big Trophy!
Ellie award= 100 days of practice throughout year!=Ice age trophy
Sid’s S/R award=Practice and Pass off S/R each week=Jar Laughy Taffy
Diego award=AAA CLUB, Take on new challenges and tackling them! PIANO PIN/Saber Treat
Herd award=Come to all ensemble Friday lessons with ensemble music!!!=1 movie pass
Acorn award=Most Improved Student (1 student each piano level)=Folkmanis Squirrel Puppet
Opossum award = Know each WOW word weekly (Spelling and Definition)=BIG CANDY BAR OF CHOICE or PRANKSTER TOY!

ICE AGE CRYSTALS=1=come to lessons with good attitude, 1= Bring all music, 5=practice x 5 days, 1=Pass off of Scales, Arps, cadences, aug, dim, and inversions, 1= WOW word pass off, 10= pass off of all M5FP’s, without any stops 1=Organized binder being brought to class each week, 2= good hand position, 5=S/R pass off, 1st time, 3=2nd time, 2=Spelling of WOW word, 3=own composition, 5=memorized piece or 1 page of memory, 10=Scale chant under 1 minute, 10=Written composition or orchestration of song. 10=Goal Paw completed each semester, 10=Materials purchased and brought to lessons each semester, (3 ring binder, thumb drive at least 2 gigs, pencil, music for each level, a composition journal or manuscript paper notebook, and note and key signature flashcards in a carry bag) Ice Crystals are redeemable at the Ice Cave Store on Ensemble Fridays! HERD DAY!

TEEN INCENTIVES: A 100 Point Punch Pass worth $10.00 in merchandise from the Ice Cave store or cash when Teen's punch out all the points on their card by practicing correctly! Each week they can punch up to 10 points!

HERD DAY(ENSEMBLE FRIDAY PRACTICES) through Semester: September 25th, October 23rd, November 20th Times: 4-5pm all 1st and 2nd year, 5-6pm 3rd year-Teen.

THE MELTDOWN, Studio Prices: $50.00 a month for group lessons, $60.00 a month for private students. A Registration Fee of $30.00 per student will be due on the first lesson of each Semester.

CELEBRATIONS: Clav Fest: Theme: Broadway or Movie: November Piano Gallery Theme: A Classical Christmas: December 19th 4-6pm/Piano Gallery We will migrate from the digital pianos in November to the Acoustic Piano’s in December.

PIANO LESSONS is very challenging at times, it takes a lot of self-discipline and hard work, but remember we can’t playing the piano become extinct. I work hard to create stimulating repertoire, group lessons and exciting incentives to motivate each child to do their best, but I know I cannot do this alone. Without your help and support I would become extinct. Thank you for everything you do to help your child grow in this musical journey.