Alisa Phillips Music Studio

Policies

Please notify me by phone, text, email, or facebook message when a student will be late or miss a lesson or class, (602) 509-9218.

Lesson Preparation

• Students need to arrive prepared for their lessons.  The suggestion is a MINIMUM of four practice sessions per week.  Please arrange your family schedule to allocate for music practice.  
• Students will receive a practice sheet every week with what needs to be practiced.  Students need to indicate what is practiced in each practice session, and the date.  Parents need to verify that each practice session has occurred.  
• If you lose/forget a practice sheet, please notify me and I can email a new copy.  
• Lessons will be recorded.  The recording is in mp3 format and will be emailed to the student or parent or both.  (Please provide me with email addresses.)  The student must have a CONVENIENT method to retrieve the recording and listen to some of it AT LEAST ONCE during the week.  The recording is an excellent way to "refresh the memory" of was was worked on in lesson.  
• All students must have access to a metronome.  Preferably, each student will have his or her own, that can be taken to lesson.  Metronomes are available for $30.
• All guitar students must have a well-sized guitar, guitar tuner, footstool, music stand, and chair appropriate for playing guitar.  A firm case is also advised for the guitar.  

Late to Lessons

• If a student arrives late for a lesson the remainder of the lesson will count as the entire lesson time. 

• If a student is more than 15 minutes late, the lesson is forfeit.

• It is preferable to call and notify the teacher, as it may be possible to reschedule even at a late date.

Missed Lessons

• A lesson fee is charged for missed lessons and there is NO MAKE UP LESSON where no advance notice was given. 

• If 72 hour advance notice is given, a makeup lesson will be available.

• For missed lessons where less than 72 hour notice is given, a makeup lesson may be given at the teacher's discretion and convenience.

• If the teacher misses a lesson it will always be made up.

• As a courtesy, please notify teacher after the fact of a missed lesson even if advance notice is not given.  Late notice may be submitted via email, text, or facebook messaging. 

• Students who miss 2 lessons in a row with no notice given whatsoever are considered to have withdrawn and the lesson time and any funds deposited considered forfeit.

Missed Classes

• Should a student miss a class due to a planned event, such as a vacation, etc., and give at least 2 week notice, the total cost of the class session may be reduced $8 per class missed, or $8 per class missed credited towards another class session or music lesson.  

• There is no credit or refund for missed classes where less than 2 week notice is given.

• Please notify teacher after the fact of a missed class even if advance notice is not given.  Later notice may be submitted via email. 

• Students who miss 2 classes in a row with no notice given whatsoever are considered to have withdrawn and the place in the class and any funds deposited may be considered forfeit.

Makeup Lessons 

• Make-up lessons will be scheduled shortly after the missed lesson (schedule permitting), between semesters, or subsequent lessons will be lengthened, as agreed by the teacher and student/parent at the time of the missed lesson. 

   

Makeup Classes

• There are no makeup classes. 

• A student may attend a different class in lieu of the usual class if another class is available. 

Receipt of Payments

• Payment for lessons is due before or upon the first lesson of the month, for the monthly payment option. 

• Payment is due at the time of the lesson for the per lesson payment option.

• There are no late fees, however payments received after the beginning of the month are subject to the single payment price for that month.

• Full payment for group classes is due by the second class of the session to receive the full session rate.  Otherwise, the per lesson fee is charged.

Refunds

• Generally, any credits to the student will be applied to future lessons or classes.  

• A student who withdraws with at least 2 weeks notice is refunded the remainder of funds paid. 

• If less than 2 weeks notice is given for withdrawal, the funds for the remainder of the 2 week period are forfeit, and the balance is refunded.

• A student who withdraws permanently with no notice forfeits all funds deposited for further lessons. 

Piano Lessons Only

• Students or their parents are expected to purchase all written music used by the student.  They may purchase it from me at cost or obtain it from the local music store.
• I have been asked if it is okay for students to learn on a keyboard instead of a piano.  It is acceptable for the first level, but not preferred.  There is technique that cannot be learned or practiced on a keyboard.  A decent used piano can usually be purchased for $800 - $2000.  Another option is a digital piano, which begin at $500 and go up from there.  Digital pianos take up much less space, simulate the touch of a real piano, and the student has the option of practicing with headphones. 

Singing Lessons Only

• Students are responsible to purchase or obtain the written music used in lessons and to provide copies to the teacher and the accompanist, if any.
• I can play the piano for the singing lesson, but this divides my attention.  The student may choose to bring an accompanist.  Payment for the accompanist is the student's responsibility.
• Students are highly advised to bring a tape recorder or other recording device to record the lesson and serve as a practice aid.

Practice

• I do not insist that students keep a practice log.  This is probably because of my many years of experience of disliking to keep such logs. 

Waiting before and after lessons, etc.

• Parents, please, pick up your child promptly after lessons or classes.  I cannot be responsible, especially while I am teaching other lessons.  Also, I often schedule other events immediately following lessons or classes and may need to leave. 
• I do provide coloring and activity books, pens, and crayons to entertain children who arrive early or are waiting for a ride.
• Parents, siblings, etc., are welcome to wait in the room during lessons, as long as they remain calm and quiet.  They may also leave or wait outside.
• Parents and siblings are not welcome to wait inside for classes, as there is limited space and it is needed for class associated activities.   
• Students may not leave by themselves after a class or lesson unless the parent or guardian has given pre-authorization for this. 

CDs

• The standard charge for any CD copy is $5, regardless of the number of songs or data contained on it.
• This charge includes the CD-media, the case or sleeve, as well as the time it takes to burn it and record or rip the music in the first place.
• I can copy songs from a CD owned by the student and include this in a CD compilation for the student, however, the responsibility for having a copyright (i.e., legal copy) to the music remains with the student or parent. 
• The cost of the CD remains the same even if the student or parent provides the CD-media and/or the case or sleeve.