Drummond Piano Studio Policies

The best results from piano lessons are achieved by continuity, dedication, and time. These policies are meant to provide a basic framework for participation in Drummond Piano Studios.

I. TUITION

• Tuition is a flat rate, monthly system. The fee will be the same no matter how many lessons are in a particular month and will average out over the course of the calendar year. Some months will have five lessons and some will have three. Each student will average four lessons per month.

* Fees include two weeks of flexible vacation for myself to be used throughout the year in addition to holidays and breaks (See studio calendar).

• Tuition is due and payable on the 1st of each month.
• In order of preference, forms of payment include:
  • Cash
  • Direct electronic transfer through paypal, venmo, or google pay
  • Check (automatic bill pay or written check) – payable to Daniel Drummond
• If payment is not received at the beginning of the first lesson of the month or by the 7th (whichever comes first), it is considered late and a $10 late fee will be assessed.

II. ATTENDANCE AND CANCELLATION

• In accordance with other extracurricular activities, music related or not, when a student has secured a weekly lesson time, it is the student’s responsibility to attend those lessons. Once a student is scheduled and cancels a lesson, I cannot turn around and resell that time slot to another student or make more teaching time to accommodate.
• Students must notify me at the beginning of the last lesson day of each month about any lesson conflicts for the upcoming month.
• Please understand that with a full teaching schedule, it is nearly impossible for me to schedule make-up lessons. Because of this, there are NO make-up lessons granted to students for any reason other than sudden illness, family emergencies, or weather related cancellations initiated by the instructor. If you occupy a time slot that continues to be a problem, please communicate with me so I can attempt to find a more suitable regular lesson time.
• Make-up lessons are subject to instructor availability and must occur within 30 days of the original missed lesson or it is forfeited. It is the responsibility of the student/parents to initiate the scheduling of these make-up lessons.
• Instructor initiated absences will be made up. If no make-up can be arranged, a credit will be applied to the following month of study.

III. ETTIQUETE

• Please plan to arrive to your lesson no more than 5 minutes before the scheduled lesson time. Early arrival can cause a distraction for the student whose lesson is still in progress.
• Students: Please silence and stow all electronics while lessons are in progress unless told otherwise by the instructor.
• Parents: Keep electronics on silent or vibrate. If you must take a call, please step outside of the room to prevent distraction.

IV. INSTRUMENT

• An acoustic piano should be purchased of appropriate quality that will allow for growth.
• If a digital piano is the only option, it must have 88 keys with a weighted touch. There should be resistance adequate enough for finger exercises and strengthening and should also include a damper pedal.
• Before making a purchase, please consult with your piano instructor to make sure the instrument in question is sufficient.
• Proper maintenance and upkeep of your instrument is vital to student motivation and growth. Please plan to tune your instrument at least two times per year.

 V. PERFORMANCES

• Drummond Studio student recitals will be organized twice per calendar year in late Spring and Fall.
• Students 18 years and younger are expected to participate in each studio recital.
• Adult students are not required to participate but are strongly encouraged.

VI. MEDIA RELEASE

• Photos, videos, and audio recordings taken during performances and lessons may be edited, displayed online, used in digital and printed promotional items as well as workshop materials by Daniel Drummond. Identifying information will be excluded or limited to first name only in any publications unless express consent is given. Parents wishing to exempt their students from any published media may do so by providing a written exclusion request.

VII. DISCONTINUING LESSONS

• Students occasionally discontinue lessons due to relocation or other reasons. Please make this decision thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can end with a positive sense of closure.
• If a student must discontinue lessons, a written, two-week notice is required. No tuition will be refunded for lessons not taken.
• The instructor reserves the right to dismiss a student for multiple infractions of the following:
  • Failure to make payments promptly.
  • Failure to maintain practice standards.
  • Failure to honor studio policies.
  • Persistent unexcused absences or tardiness.
  • Inappropriate or disrespectful behavior.
  • Repeated neglect in regard to bringing lesson materials, following assignments and practice directions.