Studio Policy

• Fall Term — August – December, with a fall recital in December
• Spring Term — January – May, with a spring recital in June
• Summer Term — June and July (optional)

• Lessons are offered once a week and take place on either Zoom or in person.
• Rates and policies apply to both in-person and online students.
• If an online student can’t participate in a recital, they may submit a performance video to be played at the recital.

Paying monthly

Paying by 5-month term

Financial difficulty? If you are having financial difficulty, please communicate with your instructor. We want to help you!

If a student is joining Sacred Sounds following participation in the instructor’s teaching practicum through Las Positas College’s piano pedagogy course, they receive first priority for scheduling as well as a 50% discount on their first month of lessons.

• Tuition paid monthly is due by the first lesson of the month and is considered late if not paid by the second lesson of the month.
• Tuition paid by the term is due by the first day of the term and is considered late after the first 10 days of the term. On-time term tuition receives a 5% discount.
• A late fee of 10% is collected for each month tuition is late. If tuition is unpaid for longer than one month, lessons may be terminated. You will be notified of tuition deadlines and when late fees begin to accrue.

Payment can be made directly to the studio by cash, card, or check made out to “Sacred Sounds Music Studio.”

• If a student will be knowingly late for any reason, communicate with the instructor as early as possible. A scheduled make-up lesson is preferred over extending the end of the lesson time for minutes missed.
• Students are considered “late” once the first 5 minutes of the scheduled lesson have passed.
• The studio will not refund minutes missed, nor go beyond the scheduled end time for late students, unless discussed 24+ hours prior AND there is no lesson scheduled directly after.
• If the instructor is late by 5+ minutes without communicating more than 24 hours in advance, the student is owed a make-up lesson.
• In the case of emergent circumstances, accommodations will be made through proper communication between instructor and student.

• If a student will be absent for any reason, communicate with the instructor at least 24 hours in advance.
• For a vacation absence, notify the instructor a month in advance.
• A student is “absent” when they have missed more than 50% of their scheduled lesson. The instructor is not obligated to fulfill or stay available for the remainder of a lesson if the student arrives after 50% of the time has passed.
• Absence without 24 hours’ notice: no refund and no make-up lesson.
• Absence with 24+ hours’ notice: a make-up lesson is offered as a credit. If the make-up is missed, no refund is issued and no new make-up is scheduled.
• If lack of practice is the reason for an absence, it is unexcused and no make-up lesson is offered.
• If a student misses 3+ lessons in a month, 3 consecutive lessons, or more than 8 lessons per term, lessons may be terminated.
• If the instructor cannot attend, they communicate 24+ hours in advance to schedule a make-up. If a make-up can’t be scheduled that pay period, your account is credited with a free lesson for the next period.
• If the instructor does NOT communicate 24+ hours in advance, you receive a make-up lesson AND an account credit for one free lesson the following month.
• Studio closures (e.g., Thanksgiving break) are announced ahead of time and tuition accounts for them — you are not charged for lessons not given.
• In the case of emergent circumstances, accommodations will be made through proper communication.

• Make-up lessons are scheduled on an “as needed” basis, contingent on proper 24+ hour communication of an absence.
• Students may receive up to three make-up lessons per term.
• If a student misses a make-up lesson, a new make-up will not be scheduled and no refund is issued.
• See the tardiness and cancellation policies above.
• In the case of emergent circumstances, accommodations will be made through proper communication.

• Recitals take place at the end of each term — once in December and once in June.
• First-year students must perform in at least one end-of-term recital. Second-year and beyond must perform in all studio recitals.
• Repertoire is selected at the start of each term by collaborative effort between student and teacher; music is purchased by the studio and billed to the student or parent.
• Recitals are theme-based, with repertoire reflecting the theme.
• Date, time, and location are announced with ample time for preparation.
• Recitals are a culmination of what each student has learned and should highlight improvement throughout the term.
• The $20 recital fee covers printing, venue, and run time, and is encouraged to be paid with term or first-month tuition. If unpaid, it is due no later than November 1st; otherwise the student forfeits their recital spot and must submit a practice video by the recital date.
• Recitals are free and open to the public — students are encouraged to market themselves!
• Instructors help students find other performance opportunities and encourage performing as much as possible.

• Students obtain the required books and materials for their level and instrument. The level and materials are chosen by the instructor, who communicates them ahead of time. (Piano students use the Alfred’s curriculum — lesson, theory, and recital books.)
• Students may obtain books through the studio (paying Sacred Sounds directly) or purchase them at a music store or online; the instructor will make recommendations if purchasing elsewhere.
• If desired, a $30 materials fee is added to the first tuition charge so the studio can obtain the books in a timely manner.
• If purchasing materials independently, they must be obtained by the date the instructor specifies. If materials aren’t purchased by the intended date, a 5% late fee may apply.
• Students may optionally purchase supplementary books (such as notespeller, ear-training, or technic books for piano), and the teacher will incorporate these if time allows.
• If alternate curriculum is arranged, materials are discussed with ample time to obtain them.

• Instructors communicate weekly practice expectations at the end of each lesson and may assign theory-book homework.
• Beginner practice expectation: 30 minutes total per day in 10–15 minute blocks. Intermediate/advanced: at least 45–60 minutes. Practice makes progress — more is always better!
• Regular access to your instrument to practice on — a piano for piano students — is a requirement, not a recommendation.
• Practice techniques are tailored to each student, but at-home practice is REQUIRED. Not practicing at all is not an option.
• Beginners may spend more time learning how to practice before practicing technical skills.
• Practicing when unmotivated is encouraged, but love for the art is always prioritized. Discipline does not rely on motivation.
• If a student clearly hasn’t practiced or completed assignments, lesson time is spent reviewing what was to be practiced and completing missed work.
• A practice log may be introduced if the instructor feels it is necessary.
• Repeated lack of practice or completed assignments across 3+ lessons triggers a conversation between student, parent, and teacher to discuss solutions or a possible pause in lessons.

Recommended practice for piano students

• Have your instrument at home to practice on (a piano for piano students).
• Have the books you need at the recommended level (piano students use the Alfred’s curriculum unless otherwise agreed). Bring your books and a pencil to every lesson.
• Complete weekly assignments and at-home practice — whatever isn’t finished at home is completed during the lesson.
• Come to lessons on time with a willingness to learn.
• Be attentive and respectful during lessons.
• Don’t be too hard on yourself if it’s not perfect at first! Take it slow, keep learning, and have fun.
• Never be afraid to ask questions — we are here to help you get better.
• Have fun and never take yourself too seriously!

• Lessons may be terminated at any time by a student with a one-month notice, during which monthly tuition is paid in full. If paying by term, tuition is refunded after the final date of the one-month notice.
• If a one-month notice is not given, the student is responsible for one month’s tuition in full, even without lessons that month.
• A teacher may terminate lessons at any time for reasons including, but not limited to: unpaid tuition for over one month; more than 3 lessons in a month, 3 consecutive lessons, or 8+ lessons per term of unexcused absences; behavior that does not reflect studio policies or student expectations; or repeated lack of practice, assignment completion, or lesson preparation.
• It is always our last resort to terminate lessons. Students receive 3 warnings for any of the above before termination.