Studio Policy

Music lesson Fees:

 

Parent(s)/Student(s) enrolling in private individual music lessons at the School agree to abide by all terms and provisions of this Policy and Agreement. This Agreement becomes effective upon the school's creation of a Studio Director account for the parent(s)/student(s).

​

Terms: 

Academic term starts on September 1, 2026 and ends on August 31, 2027 and includes:

• Fall Semester: September 1st - Dec 15th, 2026

• Winter Break: December 15th, 2026 - to January 3rd, 2027

• Spring Semester: January 3rd - June 5, 2027

• Summer Session: June 6th -  August 31st, 2027

• New Academic Year of 2026-2027: Begins on Sept 1, 2026

 

Lesson Format:

• Only private weekly lessons are offered (30, 45, or 60 minutes), based on the student's level and development.

• Each student is assigned a recurring weekly time slot, which must be maintained for the entire semester.

• Schedule changes are not permitted after the semester begins. Exceptions are reviewed case-by-case but not guaranteed.

• Students may enroll mid-semester, subject to teacher availability.

 

School Hours:

Monday - Friday:  1:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday - Sunday:  9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

 

School will be closed on the following days: ​

(NO MAKE-UP LESSONS)

​

• Labor Day                       9/4/2026 to 9/07/2026

• Halloween                      10/31/2026

• Thanksgiving Break       11/23/2026 to 11/29/2026

• Winter Break:                 12/15/2026 to 1/03/2027

• President's Day:             2/15/2027

• Spring Break                   4/02/2027 to 4/9/2027

• Memorial Day                 5/28/2027 to 5/31/2027

• Independence Day         7/02/2027 to 7/04/2027

• Labor Day                        9/03/2027 to 9/06/2027 

• Summer Break (2 weeks): Dates TBA (based on teacher vacation requests finalized in May)

 

Make-up lessons are not provided for school closure days.

Tuition and Fees:    

• Tuition is a flat monthly rate, regardless of the number of lessons in a month. Monthly tuition is a fixed rate based on a standard 4-lesson baseline per month. If a lesson credit or refund is issued under exceptional circumstances, it is strictly calculated against this 4-lesson rate, regardless of whether a given calendar month contains 4 or 5 scheduled lesson days.

• No refunds/credits for missed classes due to illness, holidays, or school closures.

• Tuition & Automated Billing: Tuition is due by the 1st of each month via credit card.  To ensure the payments process on time, credit cards on file are routinely charged 3 to 4 days prior to the 1st of the month. It is the parent's responsibility to ensure payment details in Studio Director are current prior to this processing window.​

• A $50 late fee applies after the 5th of the month. Lessons will not be conducted until payment is complete.

• It is the parent’s responsibility to keep credit card info current within the Studio Director software. 

  • Parent(s) can monitor all payments, fees, credits, attendance and more when logged into Studio Director.

• A registration fee will be charged every Semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). 

• Trial lessons will be charged as a single class without signing the Contract and Policy.

 

School reserves the right to increase tuition at the beginning of each new academic year.​​

​

Monthly tuition for piano, cello, violin, viola, guitar, flute:

• 30 minutes - $240

• 45 minutes - $360

• 60 minutes - $480

 

Tuition for violin, viola, piano with Mrs. Victoria Strochkova:

• 30 minutes - $260

• 45 minutes - $390

• 60 minutes - $520

 

Parent/Student(s) who would like to participate in Recitals, CM Test, Rehearsals, Workshops, Competitions will sign other Agreements with fees that are applied separately from tuition.

​

Registration fee (non-refundable):  

• New Student Registration: $150

  • Students who withdraw and later re-enroll are considered new students, and the $150 New Student Registration fee will apply.

• Semester Registration Fee (Fall, Spring, Summer): $40 each

 

Discounts:    

• Siblings: Families with more than one enrolled student will receive a 10% sibling discount on tuition. The first student pays full tuition, and the discount is applied to the second child and any subsequent children.

​​

• Referred Credit: One free lesson for each new student referred who enrolls in and completes their first month of lessons. Referred students must be new to our studio and cannot have previously attended any lessons.

 

Canceled or Missed Lessons:    

• 24-Hour Notice is Required: To be eligible for a make-up lesson, you must notify the school at least 24 hours before your scheduled lesson if you need to cancel.

• No Exceptions for Missed Lessons: Make-up lessons will not be given for no-shows or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance, regardless of the reason (e.g., sickness, school events, vacations).

• Make-Up Limit: Each student is allowed one make-up lesson per Fall & Spring semesters. (one in Fall, one in Spring).

• Summer Scheduling: If a make-up isn't completed during the regular Fall or Spring semester, it will be scheduled during the summer months, based on teacher availability.

• Final Scheduling: Once a make-up lesson day and time are agreed upon with the teacher, it is final. Make-up lessons cannot be rescheduled, credited, or re-offered if the agreed-upon time is missed. ​Teachers may offer an online lesson to fulfill a make-up request. Once the teacher offers an online make-up time, it is considered a valid make-up opportunity. If the student/parent declines or cannot attend the offered online session, the make-up is considered forfeited and will not be rescheduled, credited, or re-offered.

​

Summer Enrollment Policy:

• Maintaining Consistency Through the Year:  To ensure the stability of our programs and to keep our instructors available for your children, as mentioned in our above school policy, our school operates on a year-round, flat-rate tuition model. This includes the summer months and allows us to guarantee that your specific time slot and teacher remain reserved exclusively for you.

  • To hold a time slot, full summer tuition must either be paid in advance or maintained through regular, uninterrupted monthly payments. For any lessons missed due to vacation plans submitted by May 15th during this paid period, the teacher will work to reschedule those missed lessons during the summer or academic year, subject to availability. To hold a time slot, full summer tuition must be paid. Tuition is never prorated, waived, or paused for an entire month, regardless of how vacation weeks are distributed.​

• Flexible Makeup Options & Extended Lessons: We understand that some families may be away for an extended period. While we continue to hold your spot, we are committed to ensuring you receive every lesson you pay for. If you cannot coordinate separate makeup dates, we are offering several flexible option:

• • Extended Lesson Time: For students who currently take 30-minute lessons, teachers can add extra time to your regular weekly sessions during the summer or fall. This allows students to catch up on missed material without needing to schedule extra trips to the school.

  • Enriched Curriculum: Taking longer lessons is highly beneficial for students who have maintained the same lesson length for several years. Summer provides a unique, low-stress environment to focus on extra curricula and advanced techniques that can be difficult or stressful to cover during the busy school year.

  • Extended Makeup Window: If summer makeups are not possible, our teachers are willing to provide extra classes throughout August, September, October, November, and December based on teacher and student availability.​​​

• Re-enrollment Policy: If a student is absent for more than two weeks during summer without full payment, enrollment may be terminated, and the time slot re-assigned OR for families who choose to terminate enrollment during the summer and return in the fall, please keep in mind that the student will be processed as a new enrollment. This means standard registration fees will apply to secure a new spot, and we cannot guarantee the same teacher or preferred time slot upon return.

 

CM Test, Recitals, Rehearsals, Workshops Fees:    

 

Separate signed agreements are required for:

• Recitals

• Certificate of Merit (CM) Tests

• Rehearsals, Workshops, and Competitions

 

Recital Fees (Non-Refundable):

• Beginner: $50

• Intermediate: $60

• Advanced: $70

 

Rehearsal Fees with Accompanist & Teacher (Non-Refundable):

• 10 min: $30

• 15 min: $45

• 20 min: $60

• 30 min: $90

• 40 min: $120

• 45 min: $135

• 60 min: $180

 

CM Test Policy:

• Students must sign a CM Agreement by October 1st.

• First-time students must have 1–2 years of study and teacher recommendation.

• CM students must remain enrolled over summer. Breaks longer than 2 weeks may require skipping a year.

• CM Fees (Non-Refundable):

  • Prep–Level 3: $40

  • Levels 4–6: $50

  • Levels 7–9: $60

  • Advanced: $70

​

In-School Progress & Level Placement Assessments:

• To ensure high musical standards and track growth for every student, our school conducts structured internal progress and level placement evaluations.

• Mandatory Requirement (Effective May 2027): Starting in May 2027, annual internal evaluations will be required for all enrolled students who are not actively participating in external examination tracks (such as Certificate of Merit (CM) or ABRSM).

• Purpose & Value: These assessments establish clear skill benchmarks, evaluate technical development and music theory proficiency, and ensure accurate placement within our curriculum—giving students clear goals to work toward in a supportive, constructive setting.

• Format & Feedback: Testing takes place at the school during designated assessment weeks. Each student receives a comprehensive evaluation from faculty, written performance notes, and an official level completion certificate.

• Assessment Fees (Non-Refundable):

  • Beginner (Levels 1–4): $110

  • Intermediate (Levels 5–7): $140

  • Advanced (Levels 8–10): $170

​

School Expectations from Parent/Student:

• Respectful behavior toward teachers, staff, students, and property is mandatory.

• Students must:

  • Greet and thank the teacher at each lesson.

  • Arrive on time to all lessons, recitals, and other School sponsored events with required materials (books, notebook).

  • Wash hands before class and keep nails trimmed.

  • Practice and complete assignments daily.

• Parents may discuss progress updates with the teacher during lesson time. For all other matters (payments, scheduling, personal concerns, etc.), please email the School to schedule an appointment with the Director - sanramonmusic@gmail.com .

 

The School will provide Parent/Student with verbal or written warning of breaches School’s Expectations, and the Parent/Student has the opportunity to correct or rectify such breaches. Repeated or frequent breaches may result in discontinuation of lessons.

 

Hygiene:

• Clean Hands: Please have your student wash their hands with soap and water in the bathroom before lessons.  Clean and germ-free hands show respect for the other students/teachers.

• Nail Condition: Please make sure your nails are trimmed twice a week, so they are short each time you practice. For parents of small children, please help them maintain their nails as specified.

• Respiratory Hygiene: SRM&FAS encourages all staff and children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the corner of the elbow. Dispose of soiled tissues immediately after use.

 

Illness Policy: 

​

STAY HOME WHEN:

• Fever (100.4°F or higher), chills, body aches

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Unidentified or contagious skin conditions

• First 24 hours after starting antibiotics

• Doctor-required stay-at-home notice

 

If mildly ill (e.g., cough/runny nose with no fever), contact the teacher before 12:00 PM to arrange an online lesson (FaceTime, Zoom, Skype).​

​

Discontinuation of Lessons & Teacher Departure Policy​:

​

Discontinuing Lessons:

• Lessons are Continuous: Your music lessons are ongoing, and this agreement—including all termination/discontinuation policies—is effective immediately upon the commencement of your lessons.

• How to Discontinue: If you wish to stop lessons for any reason, you must provide 30 days' written notice of termination of lessons to the School.

• Accepted Methods: You can submit your termination notice by email - sanramonmusic@gmail.com. Phone calls & text messages will not be accepted for discontinuation/termination.  This 30-day notice period takes effect from the date the written notice/email is received. You remain responsible for all tuition payments through the end of the final month of enrollment, and no prorated refunds will be issued for lessons remaining in that month.

• School's Right to Discontinue: The School reserves the right to discontinue a student's music lessons for any reason, at its sole discretion.

 

Teacher Departure:

• Student Enrollment Continues: If a teacher leaves the School, your student remains enrolled in our curriculum.

• New Teacher Provided: The School will provide another teacher to continue lessons.

• Referral Option: If no teacher is available, the School will recommend alternatives.

• Teacher Non-Solicitation (1-Year Period):

  • Departing teachers are prohibited from attempting to solicit, persuade, or influence any current or prospective School students to seek music education elsewhere.

  • Departing teachers may not accept current or referred School students as private pupils, nor acquire them through School activities or publicity.

​

Parent Presence & Behavior Policy:

• Observation: Parents are welcome to quietly observe lessons, but only with the teacher's permission. This applies to both in-person and online lessons.

• Recording Devices: The use of any recording devices is prohibited without the teacher's approval. This applies to both in-person and online lessons.

• Lesson Room Access (In-Person): Due to space limitations and to ensure student focus, only the enrolled student may be in the classroom during lesson time. Siblings, grandparents, caregivers, and other non-students cannot stay in the lesson room.

• Food & Drinks: Food and sweet drinks are not allowed in the school lesson rooms.

• Childcare: The School is not responsible for providing childcare before or after lessons.

• Parental Supervision (Under 6): Parents of students under 6 years old are required to remain on school premises during lessons.

• Online Lessons: A parent must attend online lessons for children ages 4–6 or as needed.

• Awareness of School Activities: It's the parent's and student's responsibility to be aware of school activities, including recital dates, rehearsal times, and school closures. The School will post notices on the bulletin board and/or emailed.

 

Discussions with Teacher, Staff & Director:

• Progress Updates: If you'd like an update on your child's progress, please speak with the teacher during lesson time.

• Other Matters: For all other inquiries, such as those concerning payments or scheduling, please email the School's main office to schedule an appointment with the Director. sanramonmusic@gmail.com 

• Respect Our Schedule: To ensure we stick to our teaching schedule, please do not approach teachers or the Director for discussions directly before, after, or between lessons.

 

Media Consent:

• Parent/Student grants the School permission to use video, photo, or audio recordings of student performances for educational or promotional purposes only. All claims to such materials are waived.

 

Dispute Resolution:

• In case of disputes, both parties agree to first resolve matters through good-faith negotiation and mutual agreement.

 

Waiver of Liabilities; Indemnification:

• PARENT/STUDENT WAIVES ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE SCHOOL, ITS STAFF, AND REPRESENTATIVES ARISING FROM PARTICIPATION IN LESSONS, EVENTS, OR SCHOOL PROGRAMS, WHETHER ON OR OFF CAMPUS. PARENT/STUDENT AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE SCHOOL FROM ANY RESULTING DAMAGES, FEES, OR CLAIMS.

​

Acknowledgment:

• BY SUBMITTING PAYMENT THROUGH THE SCHOOL’S SOFTWARE, THE PARENT/STUDENT CONFIRMS THAT THEY HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO ALL SCHOOL POLICIES, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO TUITION, ATTENDANCE, CANCELLATIONS, AND EXPECTATIONS.