Studio Policy
 Purpose and Goal Lessons Materials Tardiness Lesson Etiquette |
Practice Time Absences Summer Session Tuition and Fees Note to Parents |
Purpose & Goal:
The purpose of an educator is to lead and guide students toward building knowledge, skill, ability and discipline. The concentration, creativity, and discipline necessary to succeed in music study can be applied to all areas of life. Benefits of music study may include improved independent problem solving skills, increased comprehension of abstract ideas and thought, creative expression, self-confidence and often a sense of well being. As a piano instructor, my goal is to instill in the student an awareness of the importance of music, teach my students how to create, understand and appreciate music, as well as have an enjoyable experience working toward these goals. This is achieved using various method books and an approach that places attention on the unique qualities and learning abilities of the individual - the individual - learning the music. Back To Top^
Lessons:
Weekly private lessons will take place at a time arranged by parent, student and teacher. My studio is located at Yenney Music. Private lessons will be 30 or 60 minutes, depending on age, experience, present level of study, as well as teacher availability. I teach Monday through Friday throughout the year, summer included. Please see the calendar page of my website for days that lessons will not be in session.
I encourage parents/guardians to observe their child's weekly lessons frequently. Back To Top^
Materials:
Students must bring all books currently in use to each lesson. This includes method books, supplemental materials as well as assignment notebook. Composition notebooks are available at one of many office supply stores in the Olympia area. The notebook is an essential part of the lesson. It allows me to keep a record of and review concepts being covered, as well as provide you with a guide for your work during the week. Please reserve this notebook for piano lessons only. I recommend that you avoid the tearing of pages from this book. Removing pages will degrade the quality of the notebook and most likely cause the loss of assignment sheets. Being prepared and responsible for your books is an important part of music study. Please note: if you forget your materials we will not use method books or other materials from the store inventory. I may have personal copies of materials suitable for the student at the studio, if materials are forgotten. You are welcome to use them during the lesson, if available. Back To Top^
Tardiness:
Please be punctual - in music, timing is everything! If you are late, I encourage you to attend the lesson for the remaining time, given that the lost time will not be made up or added to the end of your lesson. This rule must be followed in order to maintain a regular lesson schedule. Please be courteous to those taking a lesson after you. They have paid for their time and are looking forward to every minute of their lesson. Back To Top^
Lesson Etiquette:
Children may address me as Mr. Diaz or Mr. Ignacio. Adult students may call me Ignacio.
Students will not play the piano while I am speaking to them or to their parent/guardian. I teach for many hours a day, and simply cannot talk over piano playing. If you are observing a lesson, simply observe. If you and other children are observing the lesson I kindly request that noise be kept to an absolute minimum. Excess noise is very distracting, especially while the student and teacher are using acute listening skills.
Please have clean hands when you come to your lessons. I will ask you to wash your hands before playing the piano if they are not clean. If I have to make this request, valuable lesson time is lost.
No food or candy is to be consumed during the lesson. This includes soda. If you wish, a cup of water is acceptable, but do not place your water on the piano. Back To Top^
Practice Time:
A student must have uninterrupted and concentrated practice time set aside each day to insure success and progress in piano study. I highly recommend practicing within the first twenty-four hours of your lesson, a time equal to your lesson time. This will reinforce material and concepts covered during your most recent lesson. The amount of practice time required throughout the week for each student to complete assigned work varies, but I recommend the following basic guideline:
- Beginner: 20-30 minutes each day
- Intermediate: 30-45 minutes each day
- Advanced: 1-2 hours each day
Absences & Missed Lessons:
Make-Up Policy - Due to the number of students I teach, I do not guarantee make-up lessons.
Missed Lessons - Lessons that are missed, forgotten, or cancelled the day of the lesson will not be made up.
Student Planned Absences - If you must miss a lesson, please provide, in writing*, the following information:
- Date Notice is submitted:
- Student's Name:
- Date(s) and Time(s) of lesson that student will not attend:
- Alternate Lesson Days for rescheduling lesson:
Please Note: Effective September 1, 2003, credit for missed lessons, notified or not, will no longer be applied to upcoming months tuition. Back To Top^
Extended Absences
You may notify me in writing to reserve a lesson time in my schedule during an absence longer than two weeks. If you are reserving a spot for an extended absence, of any kind, your tuition payment will secure your regularly scheduled lesson time. I will reschedule up to two of the lessons missed during your absence. If you choose not to reserve a lesson time in my schedule, you may ask to be placed on my waiting list. Placement on the list does not guarantee that you will have a lesson time when you return. If you are placed on the waiting list you will be contacted when a lesson time becomes available.
Teacher Absences
If I miss a lesson it will be rescheduled. If I have planned a personal absence, I will notify in you writing, as well as post it on the Home page of my website. Days for which I have planned an absence will not be charged to your invoice. Please see the calendar page of my website for days that lesson will not be in session.
Summer Session:
Summer Session includes the days June 1st - August 31st. Summer Session lessons are required in order to reserve a lesson time in the fall.
If you are planning a summer vacation please notify me in writing a minimum of two weeks in advance of the absence. I will reschedule up to two lessons during the summer session that you miss due to family vacation. Lessons that are rescheduled during the Summer Session must be completed by August 31st. Absences beyond two lessons must be paid in full if you wish to reserve your lesson time, and are subject to the make-up policy. If you are taking a longer vacation and opt not to pay for the additional days you are absent, your assigned lesson time may be forfeited to a student on my waiting list. (Please see Extended Absences.) Back To Top^
Tuition & Fees:
Please make all payments payable to IDJR, INC.
Tuition - All tuition and applicable fees are due by the 26th of each month for the upcoming month. Payments made on the 27th of the month are considered late. You will receive an electronic or written invoice for tuition and applicable fees via email or US Mail each month. Please pay the exact amount stated on the invoice. Please do not change the amount stated on your invoice. If you notice a discrepancy in your billing, please notify me as soon as possible. I will reissue a corrected invoice. Payments may be delivered in person, at your regular lesson. If you will not be attending the lesson on or before the 26th, you may mail payment to:
| Mailing Address: |
| IDJR, INC. PO Box 414 East Olympia, WA 98540-0414 |
Late Payments - Late payments will accrue a charge of $10.00. If you are late with more than 3 payments I may dismiss you from my studio. Payments late a week or more are considered a withdrawal from the studio. If you are planning an extended absence please notify me in writing me at least one month before the planned extended absence when possible, or you may be billed for time you will not be attending lessons. (Please see Extended Absences.)
Registration Fee - When you register for lessons, a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $20.00 per family will be charged in addition to the first month's tuition.
Returned Checks - If your check is returned due to non-sufficient funds, I will add a $25.00 charge to the balance due. Back To Top^
Questions & Concerns:
Every moment of the lesson is valuable. If you have questions or concerns that must be discussed please do so at the beginning of your lesson. This time is yours to use as you wish. If you choose to discuss something in particular, this time counts as part of your lesson. I recommend sending an email. This is an extremely efficient use of time. You may contact me by email or phone me to discuss your questions or concerns in detail. I am available by phone from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. You may call my mobile number, 360-280-1363, 24 hours a day. Back To Top^
Note to Parents:
Piano study is an exciting experience that offers many challenges and rewards for the student. Your support and encouragement is essential for success. I encourage you to learn with them, especially if you have never played the piano before. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have as piano study progresses. I suggest that you visit the reading page on my website for additional information and resources regarding music study. It is my hope that you understand the importance of a disciplined and structured process regarding music study. By being aware of the many subtle aspects of music study, one will begin to see and experience the richness that music can bring to every aspect of your life. I am pleased to be working with you. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of your music studies and look forward to great successes from week to week and year to year.
Thank you for choosing me as your instructor. Together we will add value and joy to your life through music!
Ignacio Díaz, Jr., BM, MM.
Please visit my website often for updates regarding studio policy, announcements and additional information related to your piano studies. Back To Top^
09.01.2008. 00:19
Important Reminders:
January 2009
Tuesday - January 6, 2009
- Lessons will be in session.