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Studio Policy
Studio Policy - Deanna's Pianna Studio
Studio Policy Piano lessons are held in my studio at Leithold Music at an appointed weekly 30-minute time. Students gain proficiency in performance and technique and learn music theory, sight-reading and memorization. Students will have the opportunity to explore different musical genres and will learn about composers and their lives. Students will follow a traditional curriculum of standard musical literature but will also be encouraged to explore musical genres outside the customary pedagogical canon.
Tuition
Tuition is $65 each month per student for a 30-minute weekly lesson. The fee is prorated based on 45 lessons per calendar year ($17.33 per lesson x 45 weeks = $780 / 12 months = $65 per month).Monthly tuition may be paid by check (payable to Deanna Lee) or cash. All payments are due in advance for the following month on the 25th of each month. Tuition payments received AFTER the 1st of the month will be charged a $35 late fee. I reserve the right to dismiss a student if tuition is not paid.A cost-of-living increase will be added to lesson rates annually.Seven studio vacation days are scheduled for holidays and a brief summer break (see calendar). You are never charged for any scheduled studio vacation days - only for the 45 lesson weeks. Commitment
Piano lessons require commitment from student, parent and teacher. The student commits the appropriate amount of practice time, the parent commits money and moral support to the student, and I commit my knowledge and patience. When all of us work together, the student achieves the most success. Practice is the most important part of the student's commitment. If a student is not dedicating the proper amount of practice time, he cannot finish his assignment. In a school setting, an unfinished assignment can bring a failing grade. An incomplete assignment in piano lessons will lead to reassignment of the piece until the student completes it, which can be miserable for all of us. So what constitutes "enough" practice time? Beginners should practice 15 minutes each day. This gets the student into good habits and, though the beginning music is often not difficult enough to necessitate 15 minutes of practice each day for a week, the student will be developing a routine he can use throughout his piano studies. More experienced students should practice at least 30 to 60 minutes each day. Please ask me what kind of practice schedule is appropriate in your situation. Regardless of age or ability level, the student should spend enough time practicing that he can finish his assignment by our next lesson.If a student is not achieving due to lack of practice time, he is wasting his parents' money. Therefore, I reserve the right to dismiss a student if he is not advancing due to a lack of practice. NOTE: Each student is unique and learns music differently. Please let me know if your student has any educational challenges so I can teach in the most effective way. Scheduling
The time you reserve for your weekly lesson is permanent. If you need to change your permanent time, please let me know as much in advance as possible. If you need to cancel a lesson due to a school function or vacation and wish to reschedule, please let me know as soon as possible. Lessons can be rescheduled anytime before or after your absence. The monthly tuition fee will remain the same.In the event of sudden illness or bad weather, same day notice is sufficient. If I ever need to cancel a lesson, your lesson will be rescheduled or credited toward your tuition. You will never pay for lessons missed due to my absence. Performances
Public performances are a vital component of musical studies. Not only do they give the student practical experience as a musician, but they also help him/her build confidence as a performer and expose him/her to what his peers are learning. Participation in public performances is not mandatory, but most students find the opportunity enjoyable. Recitals - I schedule two studio recitals each year, one during the Christmas season and one near the end of the school year. Special recitals and performances like the La Crosse Area Music Teachers Association's annual Halloween Showcase, workshops and master classes are also open to my students.
Festivals and competitions: Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) Solo and Ensemble Festival - This school-sponsored competition, usually held in February or March, is open to students in 7th-12th grade who attend WSMA member schools (most schools in our area are members). Students perform a musical selection and receive a critique and rating from a judge. Students performing at the highest level may advance to State Solo and Ensemble Festival in April or May.Wisconsin Music Teachers Association (WMTA) Auditions - This event is sponsored by the WMTA and the La Crosse Area Music Teachers Association (LAMTA) and is held in March at Viterbo University in La Crosse. Students in grades 1-12 and adults are eligible to participate. Each participant is required to perform - from memory - two or three musical pieces (depending on his level) before a judge. Participants also take a written and aural exam as part of the requirement. Students receive points for each musical performance and the exam. Points are cumulative when students participate each year and awards are given to students after they achieve specific point totals. Students can choose to compete for advancement to Badger Auditions (state-level competition) held in May. Because of the memorization requirement, the exam, the wider choice in literature, the age levels eligible to participate and the award system, I personally prefer the WMTA Auditions. Adult Studio Classes - I hold several studio classes for my adult students on Wednesday evenings throughout the year. Special topics are often addressed at Adult Studio Classes. Students also have the opportunity to play for each other if they wish in this friendly, informal environment. Adult students also benefit from the opportunity to communicate with their peers. Departure
If you wish to discontinue lessons, I will require a four-week notice. This will allow me time enough to schedule a replacement in the event the students on my waiting list cannot use that particular time slot. All departing students should plan to finish the current month, as any remaining time will not be refunded. Revised July 2011
For registration information, please contact me!
Deanna Lee
Leithold Music
116 South 4th Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-769-3667
Deanna's Pianna Studio, Leithold Music, 116 S 4th St., La Crosse, WI
* 608-769-3667 * DeannaPianna@juno.com
