Studio Policy

STUDIO POLICY
MISSED LESSONS: It is very important to attend lessons during your scheduled time. However, the inevitable will occur on occasion therefore if a student needs to miss a lesson we ask that you notify the studio with at least 24 hour notice to qualify for a makeup. However, only (2) two lessons will be excused per semester.  Missed lessons are not refundable. If a student is ill they should not attend their lesson. All make-up lessons must be scheduled with the Instructor and cannot be rescheduled once confirmed.  Should an Instructor offer sufficient makeup opportunities and a mutually convenient make-up day and time not be agreed upon with the student, the lesson will be forfeited. Any scheduled makeup lesson missed by the student will be forfeited.  All make-up lessons must be completed by the end of the respective semester. Make-up lessons will not be allowed to be carried forward to the next semester or to the Summer Session. Remember that if you plan to be out for vacation or an extended period of time, we do not hold time slots. You will either need to pay for your time slot during absence to hold the time (You are paying to hold a time slot, not lessons. So they will not be made up), or request a new time when you return.

TUITION PAYMENT: Payment methods are electronic debit from checking account, personal check or credit card. Electronic debits will occur on the 1st of the month for each applicable month based on the payment option selected. A $25.00 NSF fee will be assessed for any returned check or declined electronic funds.

Private Lessons, Groups, & Choirs SCHEDULE: Our school year runs throughout the entire year, YEAR AROUND. You will have the same lesson appointment time each week. Tuition remains the same regardless of absence, holidays or vacation. Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable, and summer lessons are expected. Group classes must meet their minimum enrollment to continue on the schedule.

TARDY ARRIVAL: Students arriving late will not have their lesson time extended. Students who arrive late by more than half their lesson period will be considered absent.INCLEMENT WEATHER: In case of bad weather, please check our website for updates. We follow the local CMS for closings. If our school closes due to inclement weather, students missing lessons on that day will receive a makeup lesson.

HOME INSTRUMENTS, TUNERS AND METRONOMES, BOOKS: Please maintain your instrument in good repair. If a student’s instrument is not available on the day of a lesson, students are still required to attend their lesson, and the teacher will reinforce general music learning during the lesson time. Bring your tuner/metronome to your lesson. Students are required to bring their music with them to each lesson. If music is lost, immediately report this to the office and we will order you another copy (at your cost). Students who do not bring music to lesson may not be able to participate (we do not stock extra copies of all issued music).

WAITING ROOM, DROP-OFF, PICK-UP: The waiting room area is provided as a courtesy to the students and it is expected that everyone wait quietly, without disturbing ongoing lessons. Please be aware that THE WAITING ROOM IS NOT SUPERVISED. Please drop off students no more than five minutes prior to the scheduled lesson time and pick them up promptly.

DISCONTINUING LESSONS: Most students are with us for three years and beyond. If you cannot continue lessons at our School then we will certainly be sad to see you go however we understand. Registration is for our teaching year through July and summer lessons are included. There is no long term contract. To withdraw and suspend automatic tuition charges, one full month prior notification in writing from the first of the month is required, even if the first of the month is a School Holiday. Notification to our office is required, and withdrawal by telephone is not accepted. Tuition is not refundable, and not transferable. If a one full month notice is not provided, the fees and outstanding tuition (including tuition fees for the entire month) are still due and payable. Withdrawal Request. Any reduction in series requires a 30-day notice from the 1st of the month.

Photo Release: The school is hereby granted permission to take photographs/video/audio of the students to use in brochures, web sites, posters, advertisements and other promotional materials the school creates. Permission is also hereby granted for the school to copyright such photographs/video/audio in its name.

PRACTICE: Learning a skill requires home practice. Students should follow their teachers practice suggestions. Seven year olds and up should have a positive practice incentive program in place and parents are asked to sit in on lessons to observe – call our office for age appropriate ideas. It is normal to have ups and downs in practice motivation throughout the year. We all have busy lives, but practicing just 15 or 20 minutes four or five times a week will gradually increase skill and confidence. With more practice time, comfort and ability will increase rapidly and make music study much more fun and rewarding.Faculty: Our teachers have university training and/or real world performance backgrounds. They have been chosen for their extensive musical & arts background in their specific discipline. We have a very distinguished and diverse Faculty, representing many different cultures from around the world. NCMC will assign a teacher deemed best suited to the student’s needs. You will have the same teacher each week. In the event a teacher is ill, a substitute will be provided. NCMC reserves the right to substitute or change the student’s teacher assignment at any time. Please contact the Director if you wish to request a change in teacher assignment.

COMMUNICATION: NCMC sends updates and reminders by email, so it is essential that we have your correct email address. Families may contact our Faculty at LESSONS@NCMUSICCENTER.COM, or call the office to leave a message, or speak with teachers during their private lesson time or the last 5 minutes of group class.

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