Lesson Policy

Practicing:  Students should practice at least five days every week for about the same amount of time as their lessons; however, any extra time students put into practicing will help them to improve more quickly and increase their confidence in their playing.  This amount of practice time is the minimum required to make steady progress and to be prepared for lessons; please sign at the indicated areas at the end of this policy to demonstrate an awareness and commitment regarding practicing and return the signed portion at the start of fall lessons.

Fees:  I will be teaching 30-minute, 45-minute, and 1-hour lessons. Based on 36 weeks of half-hour lessons, one week of ensemble rehearsal, one ensemble recital, one group performance class, and one rehearsal and solo recital over the school year, tuition is $150 per student each month. If desired, 45-minute and 1- hour lessons can also be reserved for $225 and $300 per month, respectively.  This fee is due at the beginning of each month; if I do not receive your payment by the second lesson of the month, there is a $10.00 late fee that will be due in addition to that month’s fee.  There is a 15% discount for siblings/family members as well (please see chart below).  Summer lessons will take place from June through July, and are optional.

1 Student: 30 Minutes                                                  2 Students: 30 Minutes

Monthly: $150                                                                Monthly: $255

Twice a Year: $750                                                        Twice a Year: $1,275

Annually: $1,500                                                            Annually: $2,550

1 Student: 45 Minutes                                                  2 Students: 45 Minutes                 

Monthly: $225                                                                Monthly: $382

Twice a Year: $1,125                                                     Twice a Year: $1,912

Annually: $2,250                                                            Annually: $3,825

1 Student: 60 Minutes                                                2 Students: 60 Minutes

Monthly: $300                                                              Monthly: $510

Twice a Year: $1,500                                                   Twice a Year: $2,550

Annually: $3,000                                                          Annually: $5,100

1 Student: 30 Min. + 1 Student: 45 Min.

Monthly: $318

Twice a Year: $1,593

Annually: $3,187

1 Student: 45 Min. + 1 Student: 60 Min.

Monthly: $446

Twice a Year: $2,231

Annually: $4,462

Schedule:  I will be teaching Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1:00 PM -- 6:30 PM. There will also be an ensemble recital and mandatory group performance class and rehearsal/recital during the spring; please reserve those dates on your calendar.  These events provide the student with the opportunity to both improve their performance skills and share their music with peers and parents. 

House Policy:   

Students—Please come straight in through the back porch door when you arrive, and wait on the porch until I call you in. 

Parents—You are welcome to sit in on the first few lessons; however, I have found that it is generally easier for the child to focus if I am able to work with them one-on-one.  You are also welcome to wait in your car or run errands during your child’s lesson.

Missed Lessons:  Each student can have up to two makeup lessons per semester (this can be due to emergency, sickness, or travel).  Lessons missed for any other reason, however, cannot be rescheduled.  One lessons day at the end of each semester has been set apart for makeup lesson days (Dec. 10 and May 27); if your child has to miss lesson(s) over the semester, their lesson will be rescheduled for one or both of the makeup days.  If those two days do not work for your family, please email or call and we can work something out on a different day! If a student misses more than two lessons in a semester, they will still pay their normal tuition fee regardless of actual attendance.  If I have to cancel lessons for any reason, however, I will always schedule a makeup lesson for your child(ren) or give a refund.  

If there is inclement weather, please follow the Wake County public school schedule when trying to decide whether or not to attend lessons.  However, please also use your own discretion to determine whether it would be safe to drive to lessons; I’m happy to reschedule if you feel that it would be unsafe to be out on the roads. 

Thanks so much!  Please call or email with any questions you may have, and I look forward to a wonderful year!!

                                                                ~Mary DeBoy

Contact Information:

Phone—(919) 802-6646

Email—SomervillePiano@gmail.com

Website—www.SomervillePianoStudio.com

I commit to the practice guidelines mentioned above, and promise to practice a minimum of the length of my lesson time for four to five days each week:

Student: _________________________________

I recognize the commitment involved, and will do my best to provide encouragement for my child to practice well:

Parent:___________________________________