Jolly Voice Studio Policies 2017

Jolly Voice Studio strives to provide quality music lessons by integrating a variety of teaching methods, activities, and technology.

The following policies explain how Jolly Voice Studio runs and what is expected of students.

My teaching philosophy centers on creating dedicated music students with a life-long love of music. The policies below reflect those goals!

Jolly Voice Studio Policies 2017

The Fall/Spring Semesters are based on a 9 month calendar (Sept. – May). Fall Semester has 15 lessons and Spring Semester has 19 lessons. Most studio breaks coincide with the school systems in this area, but some holidays (e.g. Columbus Day) are not observed and lessons will occur.

The Summer Semester features a variety of workshops, and lessons are offered in flexible packages to allow for vacations and time off. Summer Schedule is announced mid-spring. Students who take lessons in the summer are guaranteed a spot during the Fall Semester.

Please Note: There are no reimbursements for missed lessons and tuition is never adjusted unless the teacher cannot provide the promised number of lessons. See “Missed Lessons” for more details.

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Tuition Payments and Schedule

Jolly Voice Studio accepts Checks and Cash. Online payments can be made via PayPal.

Tuition reserves your weekly time slot and studio membership. It also covers the cost of:

  • Lesson planning and repertoire selection
  • Piano tuning and maintenance
  • Recital venues and programs
  • Professional Teaching memberships
  • Music, sole-proprietorship taxes, and studio insurance.
  • Tuition does not include the cost of music. Students should expect to spend approximately $50-100 per year on repertoire.
  • $20 Late Fee for all payments received past the 10th of the month
  • $30 Fee for all NSF Checks
  • Forgot your payment? Miss the first lesson? Pay online or drop-off/mail payment to avoid the late fee.
  • If payment is not received by the second lesson of the month… no lesson will be given.
  • Should something come up where you cannot financially fulfill your commitment to your lessons, advanced notice and open, ongoing communication is appreciated and encouraged!
Inquiries: For current tuition rates, please contact Jolly Voice Studio via Email
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Practice Expectations and Instrument Requirements

If there is a lack of progress, there is probably a lack of practice! A student’s progress is determined by dedicated practice, not by simply attending lessons. Ideally, students should practice 4-5 days a week. Specific amounts of practice time are not assigned to each student. Instead, students should practice long enough to complete their weekly assignments.

The quality of practice time is more important than the quantity of practice time.

Parental Support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Students whose parents take an active role in their progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive. Create a quiet space where the student can practice, and schedule a time for practice each day.

Instrument Requirements: All students have regular access to an acoustic piano or a 61- 88 key modern digital piano with a weighted hammer action. Acoustic piano should be kept in good working order and should be tuned at least once a year.

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Practice Expectations and Instrument Requirements

If there is a lack of progress, there is probably a lack of practice! A student’s progress is determined by dedicated practice, not by simply attending lessons. Ideally, students should practice 4-5 days a week. Specific amounts of practice time are not assigned to each student. Instead, students should practice long enough to complete their weekly assignments.

The quality of practice time is more important than the quantity of practice time.

Parental Support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Students whose parents take an active role in their progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive. Create a quiet space where the student can practice, and schedule a time for practice each day.

Instrument Requirements: All students have regular access to an acoustic piano or a 61- 88 key modern digital piano with a weighted hammer action. Acoustic piano should be kept in good working order and should be tuned at least once a year.

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Lesson Procedures

Please arrive at least a few minutes prior to your lesson. Students are expected to bring all materials (assignment folders, music books, and otherwise) to every lesson.

Keep it Clean! ALL students are REQUIRED to wash their hands before each lesson. Students must also remove wet/muddy shoes before entering the studio. (Bring an extra pair of clean shoes or socks!)

Food, gum, and non-water drinks are prohibited in the studio.

Contacting the Teacher Outside of Studio Hours

Questions? Need to talk? Quick questions can be handled during your lesson time, or you can call or text me Monday – Saturday.  Please do not text me before 8am or after 9pm. (Email me at any time!)

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Missed Lessons

Lesson times are standing appointments; a student’s lesson time is reserved for only them each week, and it is their responsibility to attend. Dance classes and sports teams do not offer reimbursements if you cannot attend a rehearsal or game – music lessons are no different. Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson.  I will then use that time or other times to plan for the student’s progress, locate materials, etc. Please be assured that tuition pays for far more than the time spent during lessons (see “Where Does My Tuition Go?” above.)

  • Students who are ill SHOULD NOT attend lessons. If you are too sick to attend school, you are too sick to attend your lesson. Please notify the teacher by 12pm if you cannot attend. Students who are mildly ill can schedule a FaceTime, Skype, or Google Hangout lesson during their regular time.
  • Students are allowed to reschedule ONE lesson per semester in the event of illness, family emergency or school events. Please provide 48 hour notice if possible. Reschedules are not for students who miss lessons due to play dates, games, non-emergency appointments or family vacations.
  • “No-Show” Lessons are Forfeit: Repeat “no shows” will result in removal from the schedule without tuition reimbursement. (3 Strike Rule!)
  • Exceptions to the Rules: The more notice given, the more flexibility YOU have to reschedule. Look at your schedule in advance! Life can be crazy sometimes – talk to me – open communication is key!

Other Lesson Options for Students:

  • FaceTime/Skype/Google Hangouts/Phone Lessons: Mildly sick? No way to get to lessons? This is a valuable way to keep your individual lesson time and avoid rescheduling.
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Recitals and Group Lessons

Recitals offer students a great sense of accomplishment and pride for their hard work. They also help them learn the importance of setting and achieving goals. Students at Jolly Voice Studio will be given the opportunity to participate in one formal recital each year in addition to other performance opportunities. —See the calendar for recital and other performance dates.

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Holidays / Studio Breaks / Teacher Cancellation

Please Note that the studio is NOT closed on every national holiday. Sometimes Monday students WILL have lessons on a day when there is no school. The studio is ALWAYS closed on:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • 4th of July
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving/Black Friday
  • 23rd – Jan 1st

Additional Studio Breaks or days off may occur during holiday breaks or between semesters, and are always announced well in advance. The calendar is subject to change.

If the Teacher Must Cancel Lessons (this happens very rarely), students will be offered group lessons to make up for the missed lesson(s), or tuition may be prorated.

Studio breaks/closings: Additional studio breaks are announced on the studio calendar, which is accessible to students via the Students Only section of this site.

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Discontinuation of Lessons

Music is a lifelong pursuit, but lessons are not always possible for a multitude of reasons. Whatever the reason, I will never take discontinuation of lessons personally. Remember: if you are unsatisfied with your lessons for any reason or if you are contemplating quitting lessons, please speak freely to me about your concerns.

Discontinuation of lessons requires a 3 week notice – This gives us time to wrap up any current projects and discuss how the student can continue to follow their music goals. This also allows me the necessary time to fill that empty lesson slot so that I can avoid a loss in income. Thank you for your consideration.

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Mutual respect is a key goal in our studio. As studio owner, I reserve the right to remove students from the schedule if they have poor attendance, poor practice habits, or if they repeatedly break any studio policies