Policy & Pricing

INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENT

An acoustic instrument is the best for learning, as the mechanism provides a realistic response relative to technique. This impacts how students hear, feel, remember and connect to the sound. However, a quality digital piano with 88 weighted keys may suffice for lessons and is preferred over a poorly maintained acoustic instrument. Acoustic upright and grand pianos must be tuned annually to maintain their value and effectiveness for learning.

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS

A desire to learn and creative willingness to explore.

Quality practice sessions 5-6 days per week to ensure sufficient progress.

Participation in at least two performance events per year.

EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS

Support and encourage student’s practice routine.

Timely purchase of assigned books and payment of tuition

Effective communication with teachers or admin

PERFORMANCES

Teachers typically hold one or two recital annually. Additional festivals, competitions, recitals and theory tests are available for qualified students. These events may carry additional registration costs to pay for professional adjudicators, venue rental, instrument tuning, or recording.

PRACTICE SPACE

A well-lit area free from distractions will help students concentrate practice time and lessons.

Background music and televisions should be off during lessons and practice.

MATERIALS

Metronome, pencils, a bench for the student, a chair nearby for a parent or teacher, and a music bag and storage space to keep materials organized at all times. A notebook or a binder with loose-leaf paper is needed for the teacher or student to write assignments and practice notes, to be referenced at each lesson. Books and sheet music will be assigned after the teacher has met the student.

BILLING CYCLE

Tuition usually includes about 42 lessons over the course of 12 months paid in monthly payments due at or before the first day of each month. The cost of the lessons is divided into equal monthly payments.

METHOD OF PAYMENT

Some teachers still accept checks and cash, while others may require a bank draw via Stripe, or a credit card on Auto Pay.

TERMINATION AND REFUNDS

There is no early termination fee. However, 30 days’ advance notice must be given to your teacher and the director. Additionally, there will be no refunds given for registration lessons or unused lessons.

VACATIONS

Due to the variety of each family's schedules, Aspiring Minds does not establish vacation weeks. Parents and Teachers alike must communicate with each other well in advance which weeks they are taking off. Teachers usually will not offer lessons on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, or Independence Day, but they may teach lessons any other day that works for you. Lessons may or may not be held on Labor/Memorial Days in consult with your teacher.

MAKE-UP LESSONS

No make-ups are offered for cancellations communicated less than 24 hours in advance, even in the case of sickness or emergency. Absences due to schedule conflicts communicated well in advance may be made up at a later date.

MAKE-UP EXCEPTIONS

Teachers may reschedule lessons as needed for professional music engagements or personal family commitments when giving parents at least 1 week’s advance notice about the canceled lesson, which will be made up at a later time.

We allow up to 2 Inclement Weather Cancellations per year, if a storm make driving conditions dangerous. These must be made up, either as Remote/Virtual lessons or as Make-ups during a “vacation” week.

Emergency cancellations by a teacher must be made up and should not exceed two lessons per customer per year.