2019-2020 Studio Policy
Tuition
Tuition covers the following:
Lesson Length Yearly Tuition Quarterly Payment
60 minutes $4400 $1100
75 minutes $5550 $1375
90 minutes $6600 $1650
Payment Schedule:
Quarterly payments are due: July 1, October 1, January 1, and April 1 and should be made payable to Litzelman Piano Studio. An email reminder will be sent approximately two weeks prior to each due date.
All tuition payments are non-refundable unless I terminate the lessons.
Book/Festival Fee
A book and festival fee of $100 is required June 15 and must be submitted in separate check from any tuition payment. This fee covers music purchase and entrance fees for festivals and competitions. I will request additional funds as needed, or return unused funds at year’s end.
Enrollment Form
Please complete the Blue Enrollment Form included in this packet and mail to me in the enclosed envelope. Even if you’ve been in the studio for a number of years, kindly complete/update and return to me in the envelope provided. Accurate information is necessary for me to have when I enter your child in festivals and competitions.
Missed Lessons
There are no make-ups for missed lessons unless I miss a lesson or schools are closed due to severe weather. When weather is severe enough to close the schools, the studio will be open for those who are able to come.
Parking
Do not park in the driveway or block the driveway with your car. Parking is available on the street. If your lesson is between 8:00-5:00 you need to obtain a parking permit from me; place the permit on your dashboard when you arrive for the lesson and keep it in your car for the entire year.
Additional Lessons
If you wish to have more than the required four lessons in the summer, this can be arranged, depending upon my availability. The fee for this is:
Lesson Recording
You have the option of recording your child’s lesson. If you wish to have your child’s lesson recorded, please bring your own recording device. Listening to a lesson recording can often clear up questions regarding what is expected for the following lesson.
Group Classes
The group performance classes will be 9:00-10:30 Saturday mornings. These classes offer valuable performance experience for each student and I encourage you to do your best to attend. Parents are encouraged to stay for the class but are asked to remain silent. Although it is a performance class, the tone is informal so that students can gain confidence in their performing abilities. Other issues that are addressed include musical form, keyboard literature, composer’s lives and styles, how to practice, and what to listen for in music.
Performance Opportunities
All students are invited to perform in the group classes and studio recitals each year. All local music associations sponsor recitals, festivals and competitions. Students are expected to participate in those events that I feel are beneficial to their progress. These performances give students specific goals to meet, introduce them to other youngsters who share their love of music, and help them assess where they stand in comparison to their peers.
Practicing
It is essential that students practice every day. Here are some ways to help your child:
Minimum Daily Practice Amounts
The times listed below are suggested minimum requirements for daily practice; those students who enter competitions will find it necessary to do significantly more.
Ages 5-6: 45 minutes, divided into 2 or 3 segments
Ages 7-8: 60 minutes, divided into 2 segments
Ages 9-13: 75 minutes
Ages 14-18: 90 minutes
To achieve success, even young students must serve as their own “teacher” when practicing, even if a parent is assisting them. There is no magic to success—having regularly scheduled daily practice will help your child achieve his or her potential—this cannot be emphasized enough.
Students need the following:
Studio Etiquette
Value of Piano Study
Participating in competitions and festivals can be an important part of piano study, but as far as I’m concerned, these serve mainly as motivators for practicing. Much more important and permanent than the thrill of winning a competition, is the uplifting effect that piano study can have can have on one’s spirit. When one plays the piano one taps into a powerful way to communicate emotion, whether it’s to a large crowd or just to oneself. Studies demonstrate that grade-school children who took piano lessons for three years scored higher than their peers on tests of general and spatial cognitive development, engineering, and other pursuits. Perhaps most important: children who take piano lessons learn a great deal about discipline, dedication, and the rewards of hard work. These are skills that will serve them well throughout their whole life. I am passionate about helping each child achieve his or her potential as a pianist.
Tuition covers the following:
- 38 lessons annually—4 lessons in the summer and 34 during the academic year. The 4 summer lessons occur during the summer before the academic year begins and are scheduled at a mutually convenient time from late mid-June to the end of August. These lessons must be completed before school resumes or the lessons are forfeited.
- Group performance classes, scheduled Saturday morning throughout the academic year; classes meet from 9:00-10:30am.
- Studio recitals (including hall rental of recital venue)
- Subscription to Piano Explorer (10 issues)
- Time spent judging/monitoring on day of a competition/festival due to entering your child; usually a minimum of three hours per event.
Lesson Length Yearly Tuition Quarterly Payment
60 minutes $4400 $1100
75 minutes $5550 $1375
90 minutes $6600 $1650
Payment Schedule:
Quarterly payments are due: July 1, October 1, January 1, and April 1 and should be made payable to Litzelman Piano Studio. An email reminder will be sent approximately two weeks prior to each due date.
All tuition payments are non-refundable unless I terminate the lessons.
Book/Festival Fee
A book and festival fee of $100 is required June 15 and must be submitted in separate check from any tuition payment. This fee covers music purchase and entrance fees for festivals and competitions. I will request additional funds as needed, or return unused funds at year’s end.
Enrollment Form
Please complete the Blue Enrollment Form included in this packet and mail to me in the enclosed envelope. Even if you’ve been in the studio for a number of years, kindly complete/update and return to me in the envelope provided. Accurate information is necessary for me to have when I enter your child in festivals and competitions.
Missed Lessons
There are no make-ups for missed lessons unless I miss a lesson or schools are closed due to severe weather. When weather is severe enough to close the schools, the studio will be open for those who are able to come.
Parking
Do not park in the driveway or block the driveway with your car. Parking is available on the street. If your lesson is between 8:00-5:00 you need to obtain a parking permit from me; place the permit on your dashboard when you arrive for the lesson and keep it in your car for the entire year.
Additional Lessons
If you wish to have more than the required four lessons in the summer, this can be arranged, depending upon my availability. The fee for this is:
- $115 for 60 minute lesson
- $144 for 75 minute lesson
- $172 for 90 minute lesson
Lesson Recording
You have the option of recording your child’s lesson. If you wish to have your child’s lesson recorded, please bring your own recording device. Listening to a lesson recording can often clear up questions regarding what is expected for the following lesson.
Group Classes
The group performance classes will be 9:00-10:30 Saturday mornings. These classes offer valuable performance experience for each student and I encourage you to do your best to attend. Parents are encouraged to stay for the class but are asked to remain silent. Although it is a performance class, the tone is informal so that students can gain confidence in their performing abilities. Other issues that are addressed include musical form, keyboard literature, composer’s lives and styles, how to practice, and what to listen for in music.
Performance Opportunities
All students are invited to perform in the group classes and studio recitals each year. All local music associations sponsor recitals, festivals and competitions. Students are expected to participate in those events that I feel are beneficial to their progress. These performances give students specific goals to meet, introduce them to other youngsters who share their love of music, and help them assess where they stand in comparison to their peers.
Practicing
It is essential that students practice every day. Here are some ways to help your child:
- Make a practice schedule. Each child should write down specific times for each day’s session. If at all possible, a portion of the practice should occur in the morning before going to school.
- During practice times, keep the room quiet—no TV, computers, phone calls or other distractions.
- Monitor the practice: If you are unable to sit with your child during the practice, monitoring the practice sessions is a big help and can assist your child with progress.
Minimum Daily Practice Amounts
The times listed below are suggested minimum requirements for daily practice; those students who enter competitions will find it necessary to do significantly more.
Ages 5-6: 45 minutes, divided into 2 or 3 segments
Ages 7-8: 60 minutes, divided into 2 segments
Ages 9-13: 75 minutes
Ages 14-18: 90 minutes
To achieve success, even young students must serve as their own “teacher” when practicing, even if a parent is assisting them. There is no magic to success—having regularly scheduled daily practice will help your child achieve his or her potential—this cannot be emphasized enough.
Students need the following:
- a well-maintained instrument that is tuned at least twice a year
- a metronome
- a music dictionary
- short fingernails—this is a must as it is impossible to play the piano properly with long nails
Studio Etiquette
- Please remove shoes once inside the studio.
- Students are asked to wash their hands in the studio restroom before the lesson.
- A Keurig coffee maker is available for your use; please assist your children who may wish to have a drink. Any left-over beverages should be disposed of in the sink.
- Be considerate and keep the waiting area clean.
- If you leave during your child’s lesson, be sure to return on time to pick up your child when his lesson is finished, especially if your child’s lesson is the last one of the day.
Value of Piano Study
Participating in competitions and festivals can be an important part of piano study, but as far as I’m concerned, these serve mainly as motivators for practicing. Much more important and permanent than the thrill of winning a competition, is the uplifting effect that piano study can have can have on one’s spirit. When one plays the piano one taps into a powerful way to communicate emotion, whether it’s to a large crowd or just to oneself. Studies demonstrate that grade-school children who took piano lessons for three years scored higher than their peers on tests of general and spatial cognitive development, engineering, and other pursuits. Perhaps most important: children who take piano lessons learn a great deal about discipline, dedication, and the rewards of hard work. These are skills that will serve them well throughout their whole life. I am passionate about helping each child achieve his or her potential as a pianist.