Studio Policies
Adella Carlson
adellacarlson@musician.org
(203)-768-4461
I will provide students with a safe and empowering environment in which to explore the art of music and their instruments. I will empower students to shape their own learning experiences and tailor my instruction to each student’s individual needs, interests, and goals with their input. I will recommend and, when possible, provide resources and tools for students to build solid technical foundations and healthy habits in their music making.
Students agree to arrive to lessons on time, prepared, and with materials including their instrument and accessories (for clarinet students), music, a practice journal to track assignments, and a pencil. Practice plans will be developed with each student in lessons, and students agree to follow this plan to the best of their ability each week. Consistent practice is necessary to achieve consistent progress. Questions about assignments between lessons may be asked via email, and I will respond as I am able during business hours.
Parents/guardians agree to assist young students in acquiring materials, maintaining instruments, and bringing all materials to lessons. Each student and family is responsible for purchasing the required music and materials for lessons. Materials will be assigned by me and students will be expected to have the materials no later than two weeks after they have been assigned.
Students must have their own instrument to practice at home. If you have questions or would like input on the purchase of an instrument please let me know. I am happy to set appointments to meet the student and their family for instrument trials and make specific recommendations.
If something is happening at home or school that is affecting your child please let me know. The more information I have, the more I can be sensitive to the needs of your child.
Flat monthly tuition rates are based on the number of guaranteed lessons in the calendar year. There will be a minimum of 44 lessons offered throughout the year. The studio will always be off the week of July 4th, the week of Thanksgiving, and the last two weeks of the calendar year. Four additional weeks are reserved for time off that may vary each year (due to personal performance opportunities, teacher illness, travel, etc.) and will be communicated as far in advance as possible. If you are joining the studio during an existing calendar year (ex. joining in October), your monthly rate will be the same and you will have access to lessons during my planned teaching weeks for the remainder of the calendar year.
All payments are non-refundable. Invoices will be sent via email on the 23rd of the month prior for all enrolled students, and due by the 1st of the following month. Invoices will be sent via Duet Partner and will be payable by credit card. Other methods of payment will not be accepted. Autopay is available for all students and is the preferred method of payment.
Any payments not received by the 3rd of the month will receive a $20 late fee. Recurring late payments may result in termination of the student’s enrollment. Please note that lessons must be paid for prior to a student attending those lessons.
In order to cancel tuition, written notification must be received via email 2 weeks in advance. Lessons will then cancel for the following month.
Lessons must be canceled at least 24 hours in advance in order for a makeup lesson to be guaranteed. Lessons canceled in 24 hours or less will not be refunded. These lessons may be made up if another time slot becomes available, but these makeups are not guaranteed.
In the case of mild teacher illness, severe weather, or other conflicts, lessons may be held online. When virtual lessons are offered, in-person makeup lessons will not be offered. If the student opts out of the virtual lesson that lesson and tuition will be forfeited. Tuition is non-refundable.
No Show Lessons: I will send a reminder text/email 5 minutes into a lesson time to check in if a student has not arrived. I will wait for up to 15 minutes into a lesson, and if at this time the student has not arrived and there has been no communication from the family, the lesson will be considered forfeit and canceled. No makeup lesson will be offered.
Lessons canceled by me will be given as much notice as possible. Cancellations beyond the 8 planned weeks off per year will be made up within 30 days.
Invoices are based on the number of lessons the studio schedules in a year and the flat rate tuition policy, and will not be altered. Planned absences communicated in advance will receive a makeup credit for that month.
As the studio becomes large enough, I will plan to offer one group class and one recital per term for each instrument. Group classes may be attended for an additional 1 time fee or in place of a student’s regular lesson as a makeup. All students will be encouraged to perform in a recital at the end of each term. Participating students will need to attend a mandatory dress rehearsal prior to the rehearsal that will replace their lesson for that week.
When students enroll, they are reserving their place in the studio for the entire term. If the student decides to pause lessons during the course of the semester, tuition for the remainder of the semester still applies.
Fall Term: September through December
Spring Term: January through May
Summer Term: June through August
Please note that a student’s time slot is not guaranteed for the Fall term if they were not enrolled in lessons during the Summer term.
From time to time I use photos and short videos of my students around the studio, on the studio website, or in social media posts. These videos and posts are encouraging to other students and helpful to other teachers. If you do not want your child's image(s) to be used, please let me know. The students are identified only by first name.
With the exception of urgent, time sensitive communication, I prefer to be contacted via email rather than phone. Please allow at least 24 hours response time for emails sent during the week. Emails sent over the weekend will be answered the following Monday.