Studio Policy
Revised August 2011
Kathy Miller Piano Studio
22110 Hwy. Y Saint Robert,
MO 65584
573-336-3576 k2miller@embarqmail.com
www.kmillerpianostudio.com
Credentials
Selected by MMTA as 2009 Missouri Music Teacher of the Year
Bachelor of Music in Piano, Voice and Clarinet from
Southwest Baptist University, 1982
Two years graduate study in Piano Pedagogy at Southwest
Missouri State University, 1995-1997
Lifetime Missouri Teachers Certification in Vocal/Inst.
Music K-12.
Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) in Piano
from Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) since
1990.
28 years experience as a private teacher and 5 years as a
classroom music teacher.
Former Vice President of Missouri Music Teachers
Association (MMTA) and Editor of NOTES magazine. Past President
of Rolla Area Music Teachers Association (RAMTA). Frequent
adjudicator and lecturer for MMTA and National Federation
of Music Clubs.
Studio
The studio features a Kawai 5’ 10” grand
piano and a Yamaha digital piano for lessons. Another
digital pinao is located in the computer lab to use for
practice and sight reading. Computer assisted theory and
ear-training assignments are completed in the computer lab
each week. To help with organization, each family is
assigned a mailbox in the computer room. Students need
to check their mailboxes each week for performance class notes,
tuition envelopes, sightreading assignments, and notes to
parents placed in the mailbox. Students are responsible for
checking their mailboxes and taking their notes home.
Student’s
Equipment
The full size piano at home can be acoustic or digital
but must have 88 keys, pedals and a bench of the correct
height. A metronome is required for practicing at home.
(Seiko DM - 70 is an excellent and inexpensive model for
about $30. Metronomes can be purchased along with
music books.)
Students under the age of
10 years old
A parent is required to attend lessons
with beginners under the age of 10 years. The parent who
attends the lesson is also expected to assist the student
at home on a daily basis and must assume the responsibility
for supervising the practice.
Tuition
The piano studio year is divided into 4 quarter with 11
lessons in each quarter for a total of 44 lessons per year.
The quarters are Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer (see
summer options below). The studio is closed for:
First week of school (Waynesville School District)
Labor Day
MMTA State Conference (usually in early November)
Thanksgiving
Two weeks for Christmas Break and New Years
Spring Break
Last week of school and Memorial Day
Fourth of July - about week during the summer
Tuition is payable by check or cash in quarterly or
monthly installments. Tuition envelopes are provided that
include tuition, books, entry fees, etc. Tuition for
students paying monthly is due by the 10th of each month.
(A $3.00 late charge will be added after the 10th.)
Activity Fee
A $60 yearly activity fee is paid with the Fall Quarter
tuition in September. This covers various costs including:
interviews, assignment binders, computer lab and sightreading
materials, performance classes ($2.50 per class per student),
RAMTA fees for theory tests ($2) and Spring Auditions, purchasing
and replacing loaned books, CDs, videos, incentive prizes
each month, computer software. There are also 2 “loaner” keyboards
that students can borrow to take on trips.
Practice
Students are expected to practice a minimum of 6 days a
week. First year students should practice between 30 to 45
minutes daily. Short sessions of 10 or 15 minutes two or
three times per day will get very good results. Second year
students should practice between 45 to 60 minutes per day.
Third year students and above should practice at least 60
minutes per day. When preparing for a performance or
competition students may need to increase the practice time
dramatically.
Summer Lessons
Students attending Summer Quarter are automatically
reserved a time in the fall schedule. Students who drop out
for any reason will lose their reserved
lesson time and will have to reapply as new students.
Options for summer lessons may include summer day camp
combined with private lessons or substituting eight 60
minute lessons instead of eleven 45 minute lessons.
Spring Recital
Spring Recital is the main performance event of the
year. All students are expected to attend. At the end of
the recital awards and certificates are presented and a
group photograph is taken.
Piano Tuning
Pianos should be tuned at least once a year. New pianos
may need to be tuned more often. Sam Casey 417-859-6783 is
a reliable and experienced tuner.
Termination of Lessons
Parents must give two weeks advance notice before the end of the quarter to terminate lessons. Students who fail to notify the teacher two weeks in advance will be billed for an additional two lessons.
Dismissal
Students may be dismissed from lessons for any of the
following: inadequate practice in quality or quantity;
failure to complete written work; excessive absences at
lessons or performance classes; destruction or theft of
teacher’s property; rude, disrespectful, or
uncooperative attitude towards the teacher or other
students; failure to pay tuition.
Holidays
The studio is closed on the following holidays:
Christmas and New Year’s Day (two weeks), Spring
Break (one week), Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving. Students whose lessons fall on
these holidays will not receive a lesson. Tuition fees are
not affected; each student gets 11 lessons per quarter. The
studio may also be closed for the MMTA State Conference
and lessons rescheduled as needed.
Cancellations
Lessons may be rescheduled under the following
conditions only:
1. Hazardous driving weather (parents must call
before lesson time).
2. Illness of student or parent (parents must call
before lesson time).
3. Death in the family.
There will be no
rescheduling for lessons missed because of conflicts with
vacations, sports, cheerleading, school activities, social activities,
problems with transportation or church activities.
Lessons missed due to the teacher’s absence will be
made up by the teacher.
In the event of an unexpected conflict, students arestrongly encouraged to swap lesson times with other
students. A student schedule with phone numbers is provided
to each to student to help with exchanging lesson
times.
Performance Classes
In performance classes, students perform pieces for each
other as in a recital. The classes are very important both
musically and socially. They provide positive peer pressure
and performance experience. Students learn how be good
audience members. Parents are welcome to attend. Students
with perfect attendance are recognized and rewarded at the
Spring Recital.
Students are expected to attend a minimum of 4
performance classes during the Fall, Winter, and Spring
quarter to participate in the Spring Recital.
Books
A supply of new student books are kept in the studio.
Students purchase their own books including theory,
ear-training, method, technique along with any other books
the teacher may select. Parents reimburse for books with next
tuition payment. The purchase of some CDs may also be
necessary. Metronomes can also be ordered along with
books.
Tuition
Monthly tuition is due by the 10th of each month.
$3 Late Charge after the 10th.
Activity Fee for each year is $60 per student.
Eleven Lessons in each quarter.
45 minute private lessons -
$285 per quarter ($95 monthly)
60 minute private lessons - $345 per quarter ($115 monthly)
Quarterly tuition is due on the first lesson of each quarter in
September, December, March and June.
Fall Quarter 2011
August 29 - November 14 (11 Lessons)
Winter Quarter 2011 - 2012
November 15 - February 17 (11 Lessons)
Closed for Thanksgiving
November 22 - 25
Closed for Christmas and New Year
December 20 - January 2 (Lessons resume Jan. 3)
Spring Quarter 2012
February 20 - May 11 (11 Lessons)
Closed for Spring Break
March 12 - 16
Summer 2012
To be announced |