Ranae’s Piano Instruction

Piano studio updates and information

Studio Policy

Lessons

Piano lessons will be held weekly for 30 minutes.  I recommend that a parent come to the first few lessons.

Parental Responsibilities

  • Check www.pianocounts.com frequently for schedule and tuition updates.  I will post information on the webpage and typically write the information in practice books but it is your responsibility to check for schedule information.
  • Read practice books after student lessons and sign practice books before the next lesson.
  • Make sure that all of your child’s piano books and practice book make it to their lessons.  Hint:  Keep all of the piano items in a book bag.
  • Keep your child’s fingernails short to all for the correct hand position.
  • Listen to your child practice.  Help them form good habits of when and how they practice.  Help them follow through on practice suggestions and goals.  They are listed on their practice sheets.
  • Check to see that your child is well enough to come to lessons.  DO NOT send a child that is running a fever, has lice or other contagious illnesses!

Practice Time

Practicing is essential to having a positive experience and should be done at least 5 times each week. A student can’t progress unless they have time to practice their skills. Parents and students share the responsibility to ensure that good study habits are developed and maintained.

  • I start out asking for 15 minutes per day and gradually work up to 30 – 45 minutes as the student matures.
  • Mark down the number of minutes spent practicing each day in the practice book. This helps me to know if a new concept is confusing for the student or if there simply hasn’t been enough practicing done.  THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL.
  • Parental supervision of young students during practice sessions is very important.  I have only 30 minutes a week to work with them and children learn more quickly if parents help them follow through from the lesson.

Tuition

Tuition is $80.00 per month and should be paid at or before the first lesson of the month.

  • If you know that there is scheduling conflict, let me know before the first of the month and I will prorate the tuition.  After the first of the month, tuition amount will not be changed. If tuition is paid after the 10th of the month without first talking with Ms. Ranae, there will be a late fee of $10.00 charged. 
  • Lessons missed, other than those arranged before the month begins, will be reschedule only if my time permits.  If I need to cancel a lesson, it will be rescheduled or the tuition price reduced.
  • Most months of the year there will be 4 lessons given but occasionally there will be 5.  On those months the extra lesson will be given at no additional charge.

Books

Books and music will need to be purchased on a continuing basis.  A list of books required will be sent home 1-2 weeks before they are needed and can be purchased locally at local music stores, or online at web sites such as Amazon, sheetmusicplus.

I also have a large library of music that I allow students to use.  Music is to be returned in good condition to me when the piece is completed.  If music is lost or damaged, I may ask that you pay for the music.

Recitals

  • Group Lessons: Several times during the year I will hold group lessons lasting forty-five minutes to an hour for students.  This is a time to perform for other students in a non stressful situation, play music games and participate in activities to reinforce terms and concepts.  Please watch for notices in your child’s practice book and on my website of schedule changes for these weeks.
  • A formal recital will be held in May where parents and family are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Photos

Pictures and videos of students may be posted on the studio website with first name listed.  I would be happy to send you the files for those photos.

Termination

I will reluctantly terminate a student for continual lack of preparation or nonpayment of tuition.  It is important to me that students have a positive experience with music and I find this to be impossible when students are habitually unprepared for their lessons.

If a student or parent chooses to discontinue lessons for any reason, I require that you notify me 2 weeks in advance or pay for those lessons. 

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions concerning my policies.