Policies

  • Student Expectations:

    • Practice a minimum of 5 days per week. The length of practice time will be determined by the teacher and the student, or their parents when applicable. Improvement does not happen during the lesson, it happens with daily practice.

      • It is recommended that students have regular practice days and times. Children thrive on consistency!

    • Music theory should be completed before the following lesson.

    • During lessons, students should ask questions, be respectful to the teacher, follow instructions, and try their best. The room should be quiet and free of distractions.

    • Nails should be trimmed and should not extend past the end of the finger.

  • Parent Expectations:

    • Encourage your student/s regularly, praise them for their diligence with practicing and following student expectations.

    • Enforce the teacher’s expectation of practicing 5+ days per week.

    • Communicate any questions or concerns to the teacher as soon as possible.

  • Students must have a piano or keyboard in their home. Pianos should be tuned once per year. Keyboards/Electric pianos must have 88 keys and the keys must be weighted. Weighted keys allow the pianist to play softer or louder depending on the amount of pressure placed on the key.

    • The piano must be placed where there is plenty of light. Please put a lamp on the piano if necessary. Poor lighting not only makes it difficult to see the sheet music properly, it can also strain the student’s eyes which can cause damage.

    • Students must have a metronome (not the built-in metronome on a keyboard). It is suggested that students use a metronome app such as Soundbrenner.

  • Lessons are held weekly for 30 minutes. Longer lessons are available for an additional fee and if the teacher’s schedule permits it.

  • Recitals are held in the Spring and the Winter (with some exceptions). Each student participating is required to pay a $25 recital fee to help with recital related costs such as the venue and additional time and effort that is required of the teacher.

  • Schedule:

    • Lessons are held Monday through Friday. Monthly tuition guarantees your lesson day/time.

    • Regular monthly tuition covers approximately 48 weeks of lessons. 

    • Tuition does not change based on the number of lessons in the month. Some months will contain 5 lessons, others 4, and occasionally 3 depending on holidays.

    • There will be no lessons on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and the week of Christmas (specific dates may vary).

      • Students with lessons that fall on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving will receive a prorated tuition for those months. This is because these holidays fall on the same day of the week every year.

  • Missed Lessons, Students:

    • If a student must cancel for any reason, they may have up to two make-up lessons per semester. Make-up lessons are conducted at Pond's Music’s piano studio in Shingle Springs. If the student cannot attend a make-up lesson within a month, the make-up lesson will be forfeited.

  • Missed Lessons, Teacher:

    • Any lesson canceled by the teacher will be rescheduled or the student will receive a discount the following month.

  • Materials:

    • Students are responsible for obtaining materials required for lessons.

  • Media Consent:

    • Parent hereby consents to and authorizes Pond’s Music to capture and use video-audio recordings and photographic images of my child/ren and/or their musical performance or quoted statements in print, electronic, or online media, for educational and promotional purposes only, and without any compensation to me and my child/ren. Students will not be personally identified without further parental permission. I, ______________________, agree/disagree with the media consent as presented above. Dated _____________________.

  • Tuition and Expenses:

    • Tuition:

      • Tuition is due by the first of each month. Payment accepted is cash, check, Zelle, or Venmo.

      • If payment is not received by the 5th day of the month (or the first lesson of the month if paying by cash or check), there will be a $20 penalty. Lessons will be suspended until all fees are paid. A fee of $35 will be charged for returned checks.

    • Tuition is based on enrollment not attendance. Tuition guarantees the student’s lesson day and time. Tuition is not calculated as an hourly fee for services rendered. Tuition covers time spent with students, preparation time, drive time, gas, the teacher’s training and experience, and more.

  • Termination of Services:

    • Pond’s Music reserves the right to terminate services without notice due to an unsafe environment, including aggressive physical or verbal behavior of the student or anyone else related to them. Teachers may also terminate services if the student is uncooperative, does not practice, or if tuition is left unpaid. In such instances, the teacher will first attempt to work with the student to resolve the issue, however, if unable to do so, the teacher may need to terminate services.

    • Students must provide 30 days notice of termination of services. Please provide written notice of cancellation via email.