studio policies
payment and scheduling
Payments are done in monthly installments due at the first lesson of every month (cash or check made out to Brianna Matzke).
You will receive an invoice at the end of every month listing the amount owed for the subsequent month's lessons.
Cancellations are not allowed except in extreme circumstances (illness, etc.), in which case a make-up lesson will be scheduled.
If no make-up time can be arranged, the amount paid for the missed lesson will be prorated onto the next month's bill.
Notification of absences due to travel must be received before the first lesson of every month, otherwise the student will be billed for those lessons.
student expectations
Students must practice at least five days a week, and must complete every assignment in their assignment notebook. Students must keep track of their daily practice in their assignment notebooks. Daily practice is the only way to succeed in private piano study, and so each student is expected to make practicing a consistent habit. Students are also expected to be respectful of their teacher, their parents, and their fellow students at all times. Most importantly, students are expected to try their best!
parent expectations
Parents must be prompt when dropping off or picking up children for lessons. For certain students (especially very young children) the parents may be asked to participate in the weekly lesson. Parents must remain involved with the student's progress by reading the assignment notebook every week, monitoring and encouraging daily practice habits (sometimes employing creative means of motivation), and contacting the teacher with any questions. Behind every successful piano student is a highly involved and encouraging parent!
recitals
Students are expected to attend and participate in every recital given by the studio, with no exceptions. Learning to perform is a critical aspect of learning to appreciate the art of music-making, and the learning experience would be incomplete without the recital. Parents should also attend the recitals to show support and encouragement for the efforts of the students. Recitals are meant to be times of celebration of the students' efforts and opportunities to form connections within the Cincinnati community.
house rules
Students must enter quietly upon arriving. Remove your shoes before entering the main room, and hang coats on the hooks. Students may wait quietly on the sofa until it is their turn for a lesson. Do not interrupt another student's lesson unless it is extremely important. Ask permission to use Brianna's bathroom, and be sure to flush and to wash your hands before returning to your lesson. Students should not enter the other rooms of the house under any circumstances. Parents may park their cars in the driveway or on the street. Please avoid parking in the neighbor's driveway or utilizing it for turning around.
summer lessons
Summertime can get busy for everybody, and scheduling lessons during those months always requires a great deal of flexibility. Sticking to a normal weekly lesson is the preferred option. If your summertime schedule requires you to be away for extended periods of time, I require that each student take at least eight 30-minute lessons during June, July, and August. Those eight lessons may be divided up however you see fit - for example, you could do four installments of one hour each, or do two lessons per week for four weeks, or any other combination of time slots. I will work with you to create a schedule that fits your needs.
quitting
Although music making is a wonderful gift, the process of learning to play the piano can be difficult at times. Students who are considering a break from lessons must contact Brianna for an exit interview and consultation. Often communication and problem solving skills can fix an uncomfortable situation!
Payments are done in monthly installments due at the first lesson of every month (cash or check made out to Brianna Matzke).
You will receive an invoice at the end of every month listing the amount owed for the subsequent month's lessons.
Cancellations are not allowed except in extreme circumstances (illness, etc.), in which case a make-up lesson will be scheduled.
If no make-up time can be arranged, the amount paid for the missed lesson will be prorated onto the next month's bill.
Notification of absences due to travel must be received before the first lesson of every month, otherwise the student will be billed for those lessons.
student expectations
Students must practice at least five days a week, and must complete every assignment in their assignment notebook. Students must keep track of their daily practice in their assignment notebooks. Daily practice is the only way to succeed in private piano study, and so each student is expected to make practicing a consistent habit. Students are also expected to be respectful of their teacher, their parents, and their fellow students at all times. Most importantly, students are expected to try their best!
parent expectations
Parents must be prompt when dropping off or picking up children for lessons. For certain students (especially very young children) the parents may be asked to participate in the weekly lesson. Parents must remain involved with the student's progress by reading the assignment notebook every week, monitoring and encouraging daily practice habits (sometimes employing creative means of motivation), and contacting the teacher with any questions. Behind every successful piano student is a highly involved and encouraging parent!
recitals
Students are expected to attend and participate in every recital given by the studio, with no exceptions. Learning to perform is a critical aspect of learning to appreciate the art of music-making, and the learning experience would be incomplete without the recital. Parents should also attend the recitals to show support and encouragement for the efforts of the students. Recitals are meant to be times of celebration of the students' efforts and opportunities to form connections within the Cincinnati community.
house rules
Students must enter quietly upon arriving. Remove your shoes before entering the main room, and hang coats on the hooks. Students may wait quietly on the sofa until it is their turn for a lesson. Do not interrupt another student's lesson unless it is extremely important. Ask permission to use Brianna's bathroom, and be sure to flush and to wash your hands before returning to your lesson. Students should not enter the other rooms of the house under any circumstances. Parents may park their cars in the driveway or on the street. Please avoid parking in the neighbor's driveway or utilizing it for turning around.
summer lessons
Summertime can get busy for everybody, and scheduling lessons during those months always requires a great deal of flexibility. Sticking to a normal weekly lesson is the preferred option. If your summertime schedule requires you to be away for extended periods of time, I require that each student take at least eight 30-minute lessons during June, July, and August. Those eight lessons may be divided up however you see fit - for example, you could do four installments of one hour each, or do two lessons per week for four weeks, or any other combination of time slots. I will work with you to create a schedule that fits your needs.
quitting
Although music making is a wonderful gift, the process of learning to play the piano can be difficult at times. Students who are considering a break from lessons must contact Brianna for an exit interview and consultation. Often communication and problem solving skills can fix an uncomfortable situation!