2023 Teaching Policy
540.317.1115
www.jewelltonemusic.com
The Lesson
Each lesson will consist of learning and reinforcing basic skills including sight-reading, chord recognition, improvisation, harmonization, and transposition related to the instrument being taught. (For voice students, the primary emphasis will be on breathing, pitch, scales, diction, and dynamics.) Each student is expected to bring his/her instrument to lessons (except for Piano and Drums) -- instruments are not furnished for lessons.
To ensure that you or your child receives the full lesson, it is important that the student arrive on time, as the next student will be expecting to start his/her lesson at the scheduled time.
Practice
Each student is expected to practice, on average, 30 minutes each day. Practice sessions may be broken into two 15-minute sessions. It is strongly encouraged that parents sit with younger children during their practice sessions until they can practice independently.
Tuition
Lessons are contracted monthly and tuition is a flat rate per month, based on thirty minute lessons. Tuition is due the first of each month. A $15.00 late fee will be assessed on payments received after the 7th of the month. If payment has not been received by the 10th of the month, the student will be removed from the teaching schedule. Once removed from the schedule, there will be a $25.00 re-scheduling fee to resume lessons. If a student wants less than 4 lessons in any given month, lessons may be purchased individually at the single lesson rate of $35/lesson and are booked on an appointment basis subject to teacher availability.
Cancellations
There are no refunds or credits issued for missed lessons, nor will tuition be prorated for absences. However, a make-up credit will be issued for the missed lesson, if a 24-hour notice is provided. It is Jewell Tone policy that only one make-up credit may be issued per month per student. If additional lessons are missed, make-ups may be provided only at the discretion of the teacher and subject to teacher availability. It is Jewell Tone Music corporate policy that “No-shows” and same-day cancellations are not eligible for make-up lessons.
If the student cannot maintain a regular commitment to the schedule, it is recommended that the student book Individual Lessons (at the Individual Lesson Rate.)
Please note: Each music teacher is an independent contractor and may have his/her own cancellation policy. Jewell Tone Music abides by the policies of each individual (contractor) teacher. Please make sure to ask about his/her specific policy with regards to cancellations.
Inclement Weather
We do not follow the school closings regarding inclement weather. Please call Jewell Tone Music at 540-317-1115 or follow us on Facebook for weather related closings or delays.
Bonus Lesson
Each quarter has a bonus lesson – a fifth lesson occurring in one month. This lesson is to be used as a makeup before a separate makeup is scheduled, regardless of whether the absence was the student’s or teacher’s. Bonus Lessons are frequently used to makeup lessons that fall on a holiday in which Jewell Tone may be closed.
Piano Students Only
If you plan to use a keyboard instead of an acoustic piano, please ensure that the keyboard has a full keyboard, i.e. 88-keys and that the keys are weighted. The keyboard will also need to have a sustain pedal. A smaller keyboard will only be adequate for about 6 months.
Holidays
There will be no lessons on New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Other holidays such as Memorial Day and Labor Day are decided on an annual basis. Jewell Tone does not follow the schools holiday calendar.
Summer Policy
If the student will be suspending lessons over the summer break, a two-week notice is required prior to stopping. Failure to provide the two-week notice will result in the student or parent being responsible for the cost of tuition for that two-week period. Lesson slots are not held over the summer unless prepaid in advance.
Termination of Lessons
We require that notice to stop lessons be given 2 weeks prior to the student’s last lesson.
Lesson Invoicing
Jewell Tone Music invoices all lessons via email. Please make sure to add us to your “white list” so we don’t end up in your ‘spam’ folder. Invoices are sent out on the the 25th of each month.
Payment
Jewell Tone Music accepts the following forms of payment: Cash, check, Visa, MC, Amex, and Discover, and bank transfers.
You can pay your bill on-line through the billing system or in the store. Auto Pay is available and may be set up by you on-line. If you need assistance, we are happy to set it up for you.
Communication
All communication in the form of announcements and updates from the Jewell Tone Music Group will come to you through the email address you provided to us. Please check your email on a regular basis so you do not miss any important information.