Julia Oberheu Piano Studio

 JULIA OBERHEU PIANO STUDIO

POLICY GUIDELINES 2024/2025

      MY RESPONSIBILITY

To teach your child the language of music. I approach each student as a unique individual, according to their own potential. I believe that a thorough and well-rounded piano education will give them the tools they need to pursue whatever genre of music they choose in the future.

ATTENDANCE

The assigned lesson time is the student's responsibility. Please arrive on time, with the materials needed for lessons. Out of respect for other students, I request that your child come into the studio only a couple of minutes before the start of their lesson. As quiet as the next person tries to be, it is still a disruption to the finishing up of the previous student's lesson. Please be on time to pick up your child since many students are uncomfortable beginning their lesson with another student still in the studio. If a sibling will be waiting during a lesson, please be sure that they have something with them to keep them quietly occupied.

[1] Rescheduled lessons should never be expected. 

[2] Occasionally, a trade may be worked out with another student, but it's important to understand this should be viewed as a courtesy, and never a certainty.

[3] Any lesson that I have to cancel will be rescheduled.

[4] If your child is too ill to come to lesson or unable to get to their lesson for any other reason, I offer Zoom lessons during their scheduled lesson time. If they are up to it, this is a great option rather than missing their lesson. 

[5] Your monthly tuition will remain the same, regardless of lessons attended. 

[6] SNOW DAYS: Except for the occasional blizzard, I find that most snow days we can still hold lessons. We can communicate that day to decide if lessons will be in person or virtual.  

BILLING 

Tuition will be structured in two parts: school year + summer.

SCHOOL YEAR: A flat rate tuition invoice (September-May) will be emailed to you prior to the 1st of each month. All monthly payments are due on the 7th day of the month. Accounts left unpaid on the 8th will automatically incur a late payment of $25 per student.

SUMMER: A flat rate tuition will be issued for summer sessions. Summer session weeks will be announced in April 2025. If you choose to stop lessons in the summer, I do not reserve their slot and there is no guarantee that any spot will be open upon the student's return.

Accepted forms of payment: Zelle, ApplePay, and Venmo are my first choices. Autopay via your bank, checks, and cash are also fine.

One month's notice or one month tuition must be given when stopping lessons during the school year.  

Families should expect a small yearly increase of 2-3%.

GROUP CLASSES

Once a month, a group theory lesson replaces the regular lesson. This class is designed to help the student understand how music "works." It is a critical part of your child's piano education, so please make sure that he or she does not miss this class. A few of the benefits of these classes are:

[1] Different musical skills are learned that require more time than a typical private lesson allows. We work on ear training, basic composition ideas, chord building, to name a few.

[2] Students will gain valuable performance experience in a relaxed and supportive environment.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

There are two recitals yearly in my studio: fall and spring.

I am a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. This means my students are eligible to be adjudicated each year in the spring. This is not a competition; rather it is a program that sets definite goals for piano students of all levels and abilities. These goals prevent aimless drifting, give music study direction, and provide a measurement for progress.

Participation in recitals and Guild Auditions is not mandatory, but I strongly encourage my students to do so. Students make more progress when they have goals toward which to work.

HOLIDAYS

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses and do not celebrate the traditional holidays. This means that I do not participate in traditional holiday gift giving. I do, however, look for opportunities throughout the year to express my affection for my students. I do not automatically have my students learn music according to the season. If there is certain music that you would like to have your child learn, please let me know and I will help them to learn it.

FINAL NOTE

While most students are initially excited to begin piano lessons, please be aware that they will face challenges and sometimes be frustrated. As their initial enthusiasm is replaced by awareness of the discipline and commitment required to progress, your encouragement and praise are essential to your child's success.

Thank you for choosing me as a piano teacher for your child. I strive to recognize and meet the individual needs and goals of each child and family. Please feel free to communicate openly with me about any questions, concerns, or comments.