Summer Street Studio
Piano & Violin Lessons

Studio Policies

Lesson Time
Students reserve a specific lesson time slot (both online and in person lessons are scheduled back to back) so Melanie cannot extend lesson minutes for any reason. For in-home lessons, lesson minutes include from when Melanie enters your home to when she leaves (Melanie travels to homes via bike and foot so your lesson start time may vary +/- 5 minutes). Note: occasionally, Melanie may ask a student to fill an earlier lesson slot due to a cancellation--your flexibility is appreciated, but if you can't do the earlier time, your regular slot will still be available.

Parents/Children
Only the teacher and student are permitted in the lesson room. Parents should make sure children are prepared to sit through an entire lesson without them and can listen and follow directions. Parents are expected to support their child's practice sessions at home. Melanie cannot be responsible for supervising any children before/after their lesson time,

Home Practice Time
In order to get the most out of lessons and make steady progress, all students should practice on their own at least 3 times per week (parents should support their child's practice sessions at home). If this isn't possible,  please plan to schedule an addtional lesson each week to review what was learned in the initial lesson.

Online/Zoom Lessons
Please make sure your device is  set up for the lesson  at least 5 minutes prior to the lesson start time.  A good internet connection is key!  If you have issues with Zoom, we can also use Duo or Google Meet Up. ALL students (even those who are doing in-person lessons) should have the capability to do virtual lessons--in the event of a snow day or illness, Zoom lessons can be used as an alternative (please note that Melanie cannot always do last minute Zoom lessons if she is travelling between locations).

Scheduling
New students may schedule their first lesson at any time. Returning students schedule lessons month-to-month. Scheduling preference is given to students who schedule a weekly lesson slot for the entire upoming calendar month. Lesson slots are not reserved until paid for and  time/dates cannot be changed once confirmed.

Payment

To reserve lessons slots, pay for lessons by date due. Payment for next month's lessons is due the last day of the current month (i.e. October lesson payment is due by September 30) . For new students, payment is due 24 hrs before the initial lesson. Pay by Zelle or Venmo. No refunds or credits once payment is processed.

Student Cancellations

To cancel a lesson, please text Melanie. Once payment is received and lesson slots are reserved, students may not change lesson dates/times. There are no makeup lessons or refunds if you cancel or are absent. While illness is not an exception to the policy, please cancel if the student is ill (if possible, a Zoom lesson may be offered as an alternative).

Teacher/Weather Cancellations

All lessons canceled by Melanie will be rescheduled. In the case of a declared snow emergency, snow day school cancellation, or if Melanie is not comfortable travelling in inclement weather, Zoom lessons will be offered as an alternative (otherwise students will be credited toward next month's lessons).  In Winter, please make sure your driveway/front steps are cleared of snow/ice so Melanie can safely get to your door!

Discontinuing Lessons

Students who choose to discontinue lessons will not be refunded for lessons already paid for. Melanie reserves the right to discontinue lessons for any reason and will refund the student for any untaught lessons, except in cases where the student failed to follow  these studio policies.

Agreement To Terms

By scheduling and paying for lessons, you/the student agree to the studio policies. Lesson policies are subject to change, and any changes will be posted here.