Studio for Voice and Piano

Tresa Kirby: Professional Voice/ Piano Teacher

Studio Policy
My Responsibilities: I love music, and I teach to pass that love onto the next generation. I promise to provide a positive learning
environment that is clean and safe. I will organize individualized lesson plans and encourage students to participate fully in studio
activities so they may realize their musical potential. I will communicate effectively with parents/ students concerning progress,
needed materials, and upcoming events and auditions. I will continue to learn and grow as a musician and teacher as I seek new
opportunities, information, experiences and techniques to be shared.
Parent Responsibilities: Parents will bring students to lessons on time, encourage them to practice at home, check folder for
communication from me. Communication is key! I will post info on the website concerning upcoming events, send emails, and
progress reports. Please stay informed and respond promptly. Let me know if there is something at home or school that is affecting
your child. A text or e-mail can help ensure that each lesson is a positive experience. When the triangle of parent, teacher, &
student is in balance, learning is successful. Young students will need the help of parents to have a successful practice session
check the folder for weekly assignments and practice instructions. Older students need their parents to be their #1 encourager at
home. If they do not feel they are progressing well, they will quit. A simple nudge not to give up or a positive word of how proud you
are will go a long way.
*Parents are welcome to quietly observe all lessons. Parents may be asked not to observe if their attendance hinders the quality of
the lesson.
*Parents are required to be available during lessons (either at the lesson or via cell phone). In the event of an emergency, if a parent
cannot be reached, you agree that I will be permitted to exercise my discretion in providing care and treatment for your child.
Parents agree not to hold me liable for any such care and treatment decisions.
*Parents are to provide all materials for lesson. Information about what is needed and where you may purchase it will be provi ded
by the teacher. Parents must make every effort to get materials quickly and help students bring them to every lesson.
*Parents will pay for lessons and other fees and fill out and submit registration forms on time. Failure to do so may jeopardize your
place in the studio or participation in an event.

Student Responsibilities Students must be on time, well prepared, and at each lesson with all assigned books/ music/ binder, etc.
*Students will be required to practice what they have been assigned and come ready for their lessonthis is the well-prepared
part. Dont give up if things are hard. If you are confused about your assignment, contact me during the week.
*Students are to perform at the Winter Recital, Student Day, and the Spring Recital. Other performances are optional and
encouraged at my discretion.

Voice students must have a recording device at each lesson. Voice students are encouraged to learn basic keyboard skills and are
required to learn sight reading and music theory. Voice students will learn and memorize a wide variety of music. Voice students
must be well prepared before coaching and master classes.

Piano students must have an acoustic or 88 key-digital piano at home prior to the start of lessons. Practicing at a relatives
house or at church will not suffice. Acoustic pianos must be tuned at least once a year by a qualified tuner/technician. If using a
digital keyboard, it must have 88 full-size keys, weighted/hammer-action keys, and include a sustain pedal. I am happy to help
you find an appropriate instrument if needed. Your child will not enjoy practicing on a sub-par instrument. Provide your child with a
location to practice that is free of clutter and void of distractions.

*By enrolling, you are making a commitment for the entire 10 month school year.
Practice Requirement: Any art, skill, sport, or craft requires repetition and practice in order to see results. My most successful
students are the ones who constantly play at home, not just one 30 minute block a day. Consequently, students struggling to make
progress are usually the ones who need help establishing piano/ voice as part of their daily lives. Therefore students are required to
practice a minimum of 5 days per week and must complete all assignments for the week. I prefer a "get the job done" approach at
the piano, instead of a "stop watch for 30-45 min." Consistent failure to follow weekly assignments may result in a loss of lessons.
Attendance: Regular and prompt attendance is required to make appropriate progress. If you are unable to make it to a lesson,
please call me or leave me a message.

Cancellations: Any lesson I cancel will be rescheduled.
No make-up lessons or credit will be given for missed lessons. I will do my best to help schedule you for a time you are confident
you can attend. Please understand that the tuition you pay reserves an exclusive weekly time in my schedule for your child. Unlike a
doctor or a hairdresser, I cannot resell that time nor can I create extra teaching time in which to give lessons.
To help accommodate an occasional unavoidable change in student's schedules, you can choose to be part of the email Swap List.
(Please let me know if you do not want to be included in the list.) Most parents receive only a few requests a year from someone
who'd like to switch lesson times. Please let me know if you have made a swap so I can plan accordingly. It's easiest to just cc me on
the final email between two parents confirming that a switch will be happening. (Note: because some drive quite a distance, it may
not be possible for them to switch.) If 2 students come at the same time, the original student will have the lesson time.

Sickness: Students get sick from time to time. If a student is too sick for school, he is too sick for a music lesson. Please do not bring
sick children to the studio. They will be asked to return home. If the student is sick, make use of the swap list or we can have a
lesson over SKYPE during their regularly assigned time.

Payment/ Enrollment:
Enrollment: Registration Form/ Contract must be filled out and signed and Registration fee paid to enroll. (see website)
Registration/ Materials Fee: A yearly non-refundable $40 registration/materials fee for new students and a $35 Registration/
Materials fee for returning students (not to exceed $60 per returning family) is due to reserve a place in the studio on a first come, first
served basis. This fee helps to tune the piano, provide programs for Recital, materials and games for Music Fun Night, new music
books and materials for the studio, and assist in professional fees like PMTA and NATS.

Tuition: Lessons are offered weekly. Beginner students usually take 30 minute lessons but can take longer if they would
like. After 2-3 years of beginning lessons, students need to register for 45 minute or 60 minute lessons. Tuition covers 34 Private
Lessons with individualized lesson plans, Studio Classes, and Music Fun Night. It does not cover coaching/accompanist fees, recital
fees, master classes, or event registration fees

Tuition covers not only weekly lessons, but time prepared for lessons and events. Costs are:
30 min. lessons - $720/year or 10 payments of $72/month
45 min. lessons - $1080/year or 10 payments of $108/month
60 min. lessons - $1440/year or 10 payments of $144/month

Tuition can be paid by check or cash, or at www.vocepiano,com. Statements will be sent home monthly.

The first tuition payment should be made before the first August lesson.. Following payments are due at the last lesson of the
month, before the next month begins. I will not deposit any checks until the first of the month, so if you would like, feel free to
postdate checks to Aug 1, Sept 1, Oct 1, etc. A $10 late fee will be added if payment is not received by the 7th day of the month. A
$30 fee will be applied to any returned check.

Lessons begin mid-August and continue through the end of May. See calendar for scheduled breaks. Summer lessons and camps
are available in June-July. Also note, to maintain the level of services offered and due to increase cost of living and studio expenses,
a yearly increase in fees is to be expected.

Performance Opportunities: Throughout the year, optional competitive (C) and non-competitive (NC) events are offered. All
students are asked to play at the Winter Recital, Student Day, and Spring Recital. I will let you know if I feel another event
would be beneficial to your student. Check the Studio calendar and website www.vocepiano.com for dates, etc.

Dismissals and Termination: If for any reason you must stop lessons, 1 months notice is required. At that time, I will pro-rate the
tuition for your final month to reflect the number of lessons that you have received based on the last lesson date. You will be
required to pay this balance. Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a student if any of these circumstances occur:
*Failure to pay tuition on time *Persistent absences *Uncooperative attitude *Failure to follow practice as instructed
*Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfulfilled requirements

Website Privacy: At times, I will post schedules, make announcements, and write articles on the blog using students first name
only. Pictures and videos of my students may be posted periodically on my website with no last names attached.
Students music and recordings from studio competitions may be posted on the blog for the benefit of helping other teachers and
students. Please let me know if you do not wish to have your childs picture online.