STUDIO POLICIES

  1. tuition and payment

    Lessons are paid monthly, not per lesson. Instructors do not travel for lessons.

    All fees must be paid in full at the student’s first lesson of each month.  Checks should be made out to the instructor (Fiona Ladwig).  Venmo is accepted at @FionaLadwig.

  2. PREPARATION & MATERIALS

    Students are expected to come to their lessons prepared. This will mean different things for each student. This will always include coming to lessons with all of their materials, including assigned music and a pencil. In the rare case that a student leaves their music behind or does not complete the preparation asked, the instructor reserves the right to end the lesson early. 

    The student’s level will be determined in our first lesson. The student may be responsible for purchasing needed materials for lessons. Every student should have access to a metronome (digital or otherwise)

    There is a sitting area outside the studio. Parents are welcome to sit there during your child’s lesson. Siblings are also welcome to sit in the sitting area. However, the noise level should be kept as low as possible during lessons, and visitors should stay in the sitting room and not wander through the rest of the house. 

    There is also plenty of outside space for siblings to play. We ask that children stay out of the barn and other buildings on the property and that they be under the direct supervision of parents at all times.

  3. attendance

    ILLNESS

    If your child has a fever, vomiting, rash, sore throat, cough, and/or other contagious symptoms within 24 hours before the lesson, please stay home and rest.   Your child must be symptom-free at least 24 hours before their scheduled lesson.

    WEATHER 

    If winter road conditions make it impossible to get to the studio, we will notify students in the morning. Otherwise, use your best judgment when deciding to travel.

    PUNCTUALITY

    Students are required to be on time for their lesson, and encouraged to come early to warm up in the waiting room piano. Students ought to have their materials ready to avoid digging through bags or looking for books and music during allotted lesson times.

    CANCELLATIONS 

    There will be no refunds or credits given for cancellations or missed lessons. If the student arrives at lessons and they are sick, the student will be dismissed. If the student arrives more than 10 minutes late for their lesson, the instructor reserves the right to cancel the lesson. If the instructor needs to cancel a lesson, a make-up date will be scheduled. 

  4. Parental Duties

    Parents are responsible for their child’s education. Whether a child intends to pursue music throughout their life or not, it is important to keep excellence in all things in mind.

    Parents are expected to get their children to lessons on time, in case the student cannot drive themselves.

    Parents should encourage daily practice (a minimum of fifteen minutes each day). Provide a distraction-free practice space, free of screens, visitors, and unnecessary noise.

    Parents should check on the student’s progress frequently and help to hold them accountable for their work. Practice on par with math or spelling homework, and should be treated as such.

    Encourage “goal-setting”. This can be an amount of time practice, a certain passage conquered, or a technique improved!

    Parents, your children value and love your support and encouragement. Even if you don’t know anything about music, always support your child!