Michelle Humphries Piano Studio

  REGISTER EARLYREGISTER EARLY   

Although you may enroll in piano lessons at any time throughout the semester, we encourage you to register early, since spaces are limited and may fill quickly.  A waiting list is available if there are no spaces available at the time you register.


  MY INSTRUMENT

Before the first lesson, you must have an appropriate instrument.  No student will be allowed to start lessons without an instrument in the home.  Access to a church piano or grandma's across the street is not acceptable.


 Be certain your piano is tuned and in good condition.  It is very discouraging to play on an out-of-tune instrument.  Putting off tuning is not cost effective; a piano which is very out of tune will most likely require several tunings over a period of weeks or months to bring it back to pitch.  I can recommend a tuner.

 
If your child is starting on a keyboard, it must be touch sensitive, have a sustaining pedal, and have at least 61 keys.  Please be aware that this will only get them through the first year, maybe two.  An electronic keyboard severely limits the technical and musical skills a student can practice on at home.  After that you will need to invest in either a full size, 88 key, acoustic piano or a good digital piano with weighted keys to get the full benefit of piano lessons.


  WHEN TO ARRIVE/PARKING

Arrive on Time for lessons.  All lessons will end on schedule regardless of the time the student arrives. 
Please keep in mind that lessons are scheduled every hour for rotating lessons and parking can be an issue.  There can easily be as many as six vehicles at one time in the driveway.  Please make use of the concrete driveway and circle around facing the road.  If you are going to wait for your child, please park as close to the edge of the driveway as possible without getting in the grass.  Do not block the garage door or the sidewalk.


  CLEAN HANDS

Students will be expected to have washed their hands thoroughly at home or when they get to my house. 

Long fingernails prevent the development of good piano technique, so please be sure they are trimmed no longer than the end of the finger.  This is necessary preparation for every lesson.  If they are too long, we may use the lesson time to study theory.  *A basketball player wouldn't play in high heels!


  CANCELLATIONS

A student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson.  Your tuition reserves you a weekly time slot within the studio.  A student roster swap list will be provided to every parent. If you will not be able to attend your lesson, you will be expected to use this list to swap with another student.  Should two people arrive at once, I will teach the one whose lesson is normally at that time. 


  PRACTICE AND ASSIGNMENTS

Students are required to complete their assignments each week.  Daily practice at home is vital to musical progress.  If you treat piano lessons like an academic subject, students will progress and grow and enjoy it more in the long run.  Students are required to keep a practice record and to work toward musical goals rather than simply counting minutes.  The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it is also work!  The recommended amount of practice time will be discussed with the student and detailed assignments written in each assignment book by the teacher.  In this studio, quality practicing more than quantity practicing is stressed.  Remember:  YOU GET OUT OF IT WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.  Unprepared lessons cost the same as prepared ones but their value is substantially compromised. 

Important note:  Sometime during the course of taking piano lessons, your child may say something like:  "I don't want to practice," or "I'm too tired to go to piano lessons," or "I don't want to go-I want to play with my friends," or "I want to quit," etc.  Be aware that your child's interest will probably not be consistent.  But to be successful, you will need to be consistent in your encouragement and commitment to music instruction.  In most cases, simply acknowledge your child's comments, but then go on with your normal routine just as you would if you heard the comment, "I don't want to brush my teeth," or "I don't want to go to bed."


  DISMISSAL AND TERMINATION

Should any of the following situations occur after parental notification has been made along with time provided to correct the situation, dismissal will result:

  • Failure to make payments promptly
  • Failure to maintain practice standards
  • Failure to honor studio policies
  • Persistent unexcused absences or tardiness
  • Repeated neglect on the student's part to take responsibility for bringing materials or follow assignment and practice directions

 

DISCONTINUING LESSONS

Every student stops taking lessons at some point.  Please make this decision thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure.  In the event that a student should quit lessons in the middle of the semester, all remaining fees will be due as agreed upon. (Remember, tuition is per semester and is required to be paid in full.)


  RECITALS

Recitals are an important part of learning to play the piano and are, therefore, mandatory events. 
There will be two recitals scheduled each school year:  Christmas and spring.  Awards and/or recognitions will be presented at the spring recital.


  BOOKS

All students are required to bring appropriate books to every lesson.  If a student forgets their books, it is not the responsibility of the teacher to "make up something" to take the place of the lesson.  The parent will be notified to pick up the student as soon as possible and the lesson will be forfeited.