Policies & Tuition

Policies at Stone Coast Music

What to expect

Beyond the benefits of playing an instrument are the benefits of learning to practice. Practicing is a learned art, and it is our job to teach each student how to practice. Proper practice hones a student’s critical thinking, self-evaluation, attentive listening, goal setting, and determination. It’s not like solving a math problem once and for all – you are training muscle memory, which requires consistent reinforcement and repetition.

Students enrolling in our studio must commit to practicing at least 5 days a week. There are busy seasons in which exceptions can be made, but in evaluating whether you plan to commit to lessons, please consider whether your home schedule can include adequate time for weekly practice.

Tips for Successful Practicing

Carve out a daily time for practicing, before screen time, and when the student’s brain is fresh. Practice will easily get crowded out if it doesn’t fit into the daily routine. Most parents say that they don’t like to nag! If you both understand that piano practice is assigned at a particular time, every day, it will become an understood part of the routine. We all complain from time to time about some of our routines (like doing dishes) but we still exercise discipline and get them done! We will do our best to create engaging lesson assignments with reasonable expectations.

Make sure the tv/radio/sibling/phone/video game/pet isn’t in the same room. There’s serious work being done in there!

For the parent: Be acquainted with the assignment in your child’s notebook and help them stick to it. Encourage them to keep good body posture and a steady beat. Make sure that they are working on the things on their current assignment, not just playing familiar things they have already learned. It is great to review! But progress on new material is important.

Toward the end of the week, maybe the day before the next lesson, ask to hear all the things that were on the list that week. Scales and repertoire pieces should be flowing smoothly, there shouldn’t be a lot of starts and stops and hiccups and “I don’t know how to play this…” Sometimes there are bad practice weeks – but those should be the exception, not the norm.

Sit in the living room and listen to them perform for you. This shows them how much you value their diligent work and progress, while also helping them learn how to perform – something they will need to practice in preparation for a recital.

Tuition

Group Lesson Tuition

30-min classes: $100/month

45-min classes: $125/month

60-min classes: $145/month

Tuition includes 46 lessons from September through August and all books, materials and supplies. Tuition is due at the first lesson of each month. If you join the studio in the middle of the year, tuition will be adjusted to reflect the number of lessons you will have in the current term and is due at the first lesson.

Students in group classes have the option to take additional private lessons at a reduced rate of $30 per 30 min lesson. Lesson slots will be published by the month and will be offered on alternating Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Private Lesson Tuition

30 min lessons: $163/month

45 min lessons: $232/month

60 min lessons: $286/month

Tuition includes 46 lessons from September through August and all books, materials and supplies.  Tuition is due at the first lesson of each month. If you join the studio in the middle of the year, tuition will be adjusted to reflect the number of lessons you will have in the current term and is due at the first lesson.

 

Lessons scheduled on an individual basis

30 minute lesson: $40 • 45 minute lesson: $58 • 60 minute lesson: $72


Payment may be made by credit, check, Zelle or cash. Prompt payment is appreciated. Late fee for payments received after the 10th of the month – $25

Books are not included in the above rates. If books are lost or damaged beyond usability, replacement will be the student’s responsibility.

Your commitment to lessons is for the studio year. One month’s notice must be given if lessons are to be discontinued during the 2021-2022 calendar year. For example, if you tell us January 13 that you wish to discontinue lessons, you will be responsible for paying tuition through February 13. At that point, tuition will be refunded for any lessons that have not been given if tuition was prepaid.

Studio Policies

It is an honor for us to be a part of each of student's music education and we look forward to a great year of music making! Feel free to contact us at any time about what is happening with your child or to ask questions. We love hearing from you!