Studio Information and Policies
Updated August 2024
♫ Curriculum
I offer piano lessons aimed at a well-rounded musical experience. Lessons include instruction in sight-reading, technique, theory, ear training, accompanying, music history, improvisation, and performance in a variety of styles. I work to help each student find and develop their own talent and love of music.
♫ Practice Expectations
Students are expected to practice all assignments 5 days a week on a regular basis. The more consistent practice is at home, the faster the progress! Students will learn and develop good practice habits at each lesson. Parents are asked to help their students find a consistent time to practice.
Students will be provided with a BetterPracticeapp account and an individual PianoMarvel.com account, both of which greatly enhance home practice. Many will also have a Piano Maestro account. They need to have access to a device at the piano as they practice. I suggest having an iPad that “lives” on the piano.
♫ Account Registration
All parents will create an account at ecclespiano.com. This allows you access to the calendar of lessons, recitals, and other studio activities. Your account tuition and fees will also be detailed here.
♫ Tuition and Payment
Tuition is charged on a monthly basis year-round. Tuition for lessons in the 2024-2025 year (August to July) is as follows:
60-minute Power Hour lessons: $135/mo
75-minute Accelerate-Hybrid lessons: $190/mo
90-minute Accelerate lessons: $190/mo
45-minute Advanced lessons: $190/mo
60-minute Advanced lessons: $235/mo
Tuition pays for the student to be on the active student list of Eccles Piano Studio and to participate in lesson appointments and other studio activities. The student is guaranteed that I will be prepared and present to teach 38 weeks during the year, usually 32 weeks during the school year and 6 weeks during the summer, though this may vary.
Annual Registration Fee: Each student will pay an annual $30 registration fee.
Invoices and Payments: Tuition is payable only by auto-pay in the student’s account. An invoice will be emailed on the first day of every month when the transaction is triggered. Any declined charges will incur a $15.00 late fee. Multiple bank accounts and/or credit/debit cards may be added to avoid the late fee. You may log in at ecclespiano.com at anytime to see account details.
Tuition is non-refundable. The tuition year begins August 1 for school-year lessons, which begin mid-August. If lessons are begun or ended mid-year, the first or last month's tuition may be adjusted with at least 2 weeks written notice.
Tuition fees are subject to increase upon 60 days written notice. Generally tuition will increase approximately 2% at the beginning of every school year.
Required music and materials are included in tuition. Most will be yours to keep, while some will be loaned to you.
Music festivals and competitions will require additional fees.
Daytime adult students may pay per lesson. Please contact me for per lesson rates. Music and materials are not included when paying per lesson. Per lesson students also do not receive or use make-up credits.
♫ Attendance and Calendar
Tuition includes appointments for weekly lessons of 45, 60, or 90 minute durations. School-year lessons are scheduled at the same time each week, and vacations follow the Alpine School District calendar. Summer scheduling is more flexible, with clients scheduling open times on the online calendar. Instructions are given prior to each summer session. Courtesy email and text reminders are sent out by default prior to each lesson or event and a detailed calendar can always be viewed in the online client account.
Students are expected to take lessons year-round. If summer or any other time is taken off, I cannot guarantee your spot when you wish to resume.
♫ Missed Lessons
It is expected that students will attend their lesson appointments and make them a priority in their schedule. However, I understand that some conflicts are unavoidable and offer several options for when a lesson must be missed:
Online lessons during the student’s regular lesson appointment are an option for those that are mildly sick, for inclement weather, or for extended vacations. These can be arranged anytime as long as I am contacted at least 1 hour prior to the lesson start time.
Make-up credits are awarded when:
The client logs into their account and cancels the attendance themselves at least 24 hours in advance.
The client is ill and contacts Eccles Piano Studio the same day of the lesson prior to the lesson start time. Students who are ill should not come to piano lessons. I reserve the right to send a student home if they arrive sick, and no make-up credit will be issued.
Eccles Piano Studio cancels a lesson for any reason at any time.
There is an emergency from either teacher or student (medical, life or death event) and the notification is provided to the other party as soon as reasonably possible. For such circumstances, the client will be offered a make-up credit regardless of the 24 hour deadline.
In any other circumstances, the client loses the benefit of the lesson and no make-up credit is awarded.
It is the client’s responsibility to schedule a make-up lesson using their online account.
A maximum of two make-up credits may be carried over from the school year into summer term. Make-up credits will be reset to zero at the end of each summer, prior to the beginning of the school year.
There are no refunds or discounts unless I am unavailable to teach the promised number of lessons.
♫ Materials
Students are expected to bring all assigned materials to their lesson each week. I suggest the use of a sturdy tote bag or magazine file holder for each individual student for transport and to keep the materials organized throughout the week. If students lose materials I have provided, they will be charged a replacement fee.
♫ Instrument Guidelines and Care
Client’s pianos should be tuned regularly and kept clean. If a digital instrument is used, it must have 88 weighted keys and be placed at a proper height. I may ask to see video of your home instrument to ensure suitability.
♫ Rewards System
I currently use a “Music Money” incentive program with my students. Detailed information will be given at lessons. Various other rewards may also be implemented.
♫ Lesson Etiquette
Please come right in the door when it is your lesson time. The music room is directly off the entryway. The first student of the day may need to knock or ring the doorbell if the door is locked.
A bathroom is available for students to wash their hands prior to their lesson, and students will be provided with hand sanitizer to use both before and after each lesson.
Hands should be clean and nails trimmed. After two warnings and a discussion with the parent, students will be asked to trim their nails during their lesson if arriving again with too-long nails.
No gum chewing during lessons.
Parents are welcome at lessons, as are siblings if they are with a parent and able to entertain themselves quietly. However, I expect that parents and siblings will not interact with the student or be distracting.
♫ Performance and Recitals
I hold periodic studio recitals, normally in the spring and fall. I may also provide other performance opportunities.
I encourage students to participate in National Federation of Music Clubs Festival, with duet festival normally held in November and solo festival normally held in February (current cost is $15/student per event).
Students may also participate in the AIM (Achievement in Music) program sponsored through the Utah Music Teachers Assoc. Current cost is $25/student for school-year participation, and $30/student for summer.
There are a variety of other festivals, evaluations, and competitions that can be entered on a case by case basis.
Students should also be ready to perform at every opportunity, including for family, friends, or whomever will listen!
I encourage regular concert attendance.
Please listen to and play a variety of good music in your home, including classical music! Links will be provided each month to wonderful listening examples.
♫ Parent Involvement
I hope to maintain a close working relationship with parents in order to better understand your student’s needs. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns, and I will do the same.
Parents must keep emergency contact information updated in their account. In case of a medical emergency where I am unable to contact you, I will use my best judgment in obtaining medical care for your child and you accept responsibility for any related expenses.