Introductory Memo
Friday, July 29, 2022 | Uncategorized
This memo is to inform you of several things you will want to know about how I run my studio. I hope you find it helpful!
Please do be prompt in arriving for lessons, and also at the conclusion of the lesson. Your time is allotted, whether or not anyone is before or after you.
You may be aware that my husband and I have different last names. Consequently, if you call and ask, “Is this Schoen’s,” he can't truthfully say yes, and you may get a COMPLETELY different answer, depending on how ornery he feels! So just ask for Nancy. And while we’re on the subject of telephones: We have an answering machine. PLEASE USE IT!! I usually have it on while I am teaching, to avoid interruptions. Just leave your message and I’ll return your call as soon as I can.
TUITION(Effective 1 June 2022)
In the 2022-2023 academic year, in-person students may have a 15-minute computer lab time immediately before or after their individual lesson time. Software students will use in the computer lab includes Music Ace Maestro, Synthesia, Home Concert Extreme, Piano Maestro and various music websites.
Annual tuition is based on the term from 1 July 2022 through 31 July 2023; you will receive 40 lessons: approximately 36 lessons through 31 May 2023 and four (4) lessons during June or July 2023. You may choose one annual tuition payment due 1 July, or two semester tuition payments, due 1 July and 1 January, or 12 monthly payments, due 1 July and the first of each month after that.
The Registration Fee for the 2022-2023 academic year is $40 per student.
Tuition for the academic year 2022-2023 for 40 lessons:
30-minute lesson:
One annual payment: $1,006.00
Two semester payments: $512.00
12 monthly payments: $87.00
45-minute lesson:
One annual payment: $1,390.00
Two semester payments: $705.00
12 monthly payments: $120.00
60-minute lesson:
One annual payment: $1,550.00
Two semester payments: $790.00
12 monthly payments: $134.00
Adult à la carte 60-minute lesson: $50.00 per lesson
Family Discounts are as follows: Two students in family=4% discount; three (or more) students in family=8% discount. Discount applies to entire family tuition. Discounted amount will be deducted from yearly payment immediately, or semester payments in January, or monthly installments on last installment (June 2023). Discounts also apply if the same student takes more than one weekly lesson.
There is a Late Fee for tuition payments received after the 15th of the month. If I receive tuition by the 15th of the month, there will be no late fee. If I receive it on the 16th or later, there will be a $15 late fee charged. (If using the monthly payment plan, your regular monthly installment must be paid without reminder.)
Tuition is based on enrollment NOT attendance. There will be no refunds or credit for missed lessons. Festival registrations and other activity fees will be billed as needed.
Cash and checks accepted. (You don't even need to show me your driver’s license! J) Credit cards accepted at my website using Stripe. You may also use Zelle for electronic transfer. If you are paying by check, make it payable to Nancy L. Schoen. Or, you may have a monthly amount automatically debited from a bank account. (The automatic withdrawal will ensure you never have to pay the $15 fee!)
Students may have the option to take additional summer lessons.
OTHER COSTS
Please purchase staff/manuscript paper, if you don’t already have some. It doesn’t matter to me whether you get a notebook or loose sheets, but a notebook may be easier to keep track of! For younger students, I recommend wider staves, however. (Beginning level students may wait to purchase this until later.)
I would also like each student to eventually get at least one book or several sheet music solos of supplementary material. This would be in addition to your method books. I have a considerable library of supplementary material and am very willing to lend music for you to “try before you buy!” ( If you already have “extra” music that would be about the correct level, we can sure use that, too.) But I would like my students to begin building their own collection of music. I am willing to make the purchase for you, if you would prefer.
Regarding each lesson’s written assignments, please use a three‑ring binder. I will provide the paper.
NO‑SHOWS
I have a NO SHOW POLICY. If you miss a lesson due to illness or family emergency, I may make up that lesson on one of the Make-up Lessons Days. However, if a lesson is missed for other reasons, I cannot guarantee that the missed lesson will be made up at a later time. If you know in advance a lesson will be missed, please cancel it on the Studio Calendar online, and then register for another available lesson time. In order to be able to afford to continue my studio, I need to make the best use of my time. Should a chronic “no show” problem develop, the lesson time may be given to someone else.
When the weather is such that roads are slippery and “travel is not recommended,” you may choose to not attend your lesson in person. Music lessons are not worth risking your life. If you call me in advance of the lesson to inform me you will not be attending, I will make every effort to make up that lesson on one of the Make-up Lessons Days. If you do NOT call me in advance, I cannot guarantee that the missed lesson will be made up at a later time.
If you are unable to attend a lesson due to weather, illness, or transportation difficulties, we could do a Zoom lesson online. Please send a text or email to let me know that well in advance of the scheduled lesson time. (Note: online lesson time may be adjusted to allow in-person students access to the computer in the studio.)
HOUSEKEEPING
* When you arrive for music lessons, please do not bring gum, candy, drinks or other snacks. This includes anything still in the package and/or anything already in your mouth.
* If you have trash to dispose of, you may put it in the wastebasket near the piano, or take it with you when you leave. Please do not litter our neighborhood with it.
* Those waiting for students, please park on the street. Our driveway is fairly narrow, and this will make it easier for all concerned. Please keep your trash in your vehicle, particularly cigarette butts.
* If you choose to bring a ball, Frisbee or something else to play outside while waiting before or after your lesson, please stay in our front yard, out of the street. Keep in mind that I will not be able to supervise outside activity as my attention will be focused on the lesson in progress. It will be your responsibility to be inside on time for your lesson.
* If you wait inside, please do so quietly, so as not to disrupt the lesson under way. You may work on any musical activity provided, or bring your own quiet work.
PRACTICING
As with many other things in life, the QUALITY of practice is more important than the QUANTITY. I will be giving you (the student) a list of PRACTICE STEPS, and discussing “how” to practice. As for “when” to practice, it is much better to practice some EACH DAY, rather than practice for three hours the day before the lesson! It is best if you can find a regular time each day to practice, so it becomes a habit. For some families, this may be in the morning before school, or perhaps after the “after‑school” snack. You need to decide as a family what schedule will work best for you, and then stick to it!
I have implemented an “incentive” program for practicing. Each student writes a practice plan for herself, with the numbers of minutes per day, days per week and total minutes per week that she plans to practice. This “contract” is signed by the student and kept on file in the studio. Then at each lesson, the student records how many minutes were practiced that week. Further details are included on the Incentives Program memo.
Term Commitment
By returning the registration fee, you are enrolling for 40 weekly lessons for the 2022-2023 academic year. The reserved space is your personal and financial responsibility, and tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance. If for any reason you cannot fulfill your obligation, whether due to job relocation, severe illness, or other major life changes, and lessons are discontinued, you agree to pay one month’s tuition after giving termination of lessons notice.
THANK YOU FOR READING ALL OF THIS! If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me: Telephone 402-489-4007. If I don’t answer at home, leave a message or try calling or texting my cell phone, 402-326-1579. You may also contact me via email at <nschoen@neb.rr.com>. I’m looking forward to teaching and learning with you!
