I have a few policies that I AM IMPLEMENTING SO WE CAN HAVE CLEAR COMMUNICATION ON CERTAIN ISSUES TO CREATE HARMONY WITH MY CLIENTS AND MYSELF.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ANY QUESTIONS ON POLICIES Or ANY other MATTER.
tHANK YOU!
LESSON TIME / LENGTH / RATES
- Although I state that lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes — please know that lessons might run 1-2 minutes early/late for students to set up, bathroom privileges, settle accounts and/or talk to parents with questions. I’ll try my best to not run over into the next student’s lesson — but know that I will always do my best to give the student a lesson of the highest quality.
- My goal is to be “on time” as everyone has tight schedules to keep.
- RATES < please click on this link.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- REASON for the CANCELLATION POLICY:
If I have enough notice, I can possibly book another student in that time slot. If not, I lose income. I only make money when I work. When I don’t work, I do not make money which can be a hardship. - CANCELING FOR MEDICAL REASONS:
Students/clients who fall ill on the day of their lesson can cancel with none – to very little notice and will not incur any financial penalties/charges. Clients should let me know as soon as you can as I might be able to reschedule another student in that time slot. - CANCELING DUE TO FAMILY EMERGENCY:
Students/clients who cancel due to a family emergency will never incur any financial penalties/charges. - 12 HOUR NOTICE CAN BE GIVEN for any reason without incurring any charges. Otherwise the student/client will be charged the full rate.
- MAKE UP LESSONS are issued at my discretion when a client is charged for a late cancellation or a “no-show”.
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- I do not have to give a makeup lesson if a student/client misses a lesson due to poor planning.
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- UNACCEPTALBE CANCELLATIONS > INCURRING A FULL LESSON CHARGE
- Late cancellations or “no show” excuses not accepted, for example:
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- I forgot my band instrument.
- I have to study for a test / school projects.
- I forgot about the lesson.
- Any excuse for POOR PLANNING.
- I have the right to cancel ongoing lessons due to chronic cancellations.
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- WHEN I CANCEL A LESSON:
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- I will also use the same policy for myself – 12 hours’ notice / no notice for medical.
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- LESSON CREDIT OR PENALTY FORGIVENESS
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- Giving clients credit or not charging for a late cancellation is also at my discretion. I may not charge for a student that books more than one lesson a week or more than 4 or 5 lessons a month. They are given more leeway, and more privileges. These are considered high level clients, and I will do my best to give them concierge services.
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NEW STUDENT POLICY / LOYALTY POLICY
- In a show of LOYALTY to my current and regular attending students, I WILL NOT take new students 1-2 weeks before any MAJOR auditions where they have to compete for “chair, band placement OR win a concert “solo” positions/placement in their band or CBDA/VCHB/SCSBOA Honor Bands with my regular clientele.
- In the past I’ve had people convince me that they want to take “lessons” on an ongoing basis, then they take only 1 or 2 lessons before a test/audition in direct competition with my long-time students. This is not fair to them, and I WILL accept financial losses to show my allegiance/loyalty.
FORMER STUDENT POLICY / LOYALTY POLICY
- Now and then I’ll have a former student who has discontinued lessons, and they will contact me asking for audition music or one or two lessons just before an audition. This is a tough policy to enforce, but IF they are in direct competition to a student presently enrolled as a client, I WILL at my discretion decline to:
– – – Book a lesson.
– – – Give out sheet music and mp3/youtube listening materials.
– – – Assistance in sending out information regarding enrollment in honor bands.
– – – Most of this information is online and the former student must take the time to do the research. - IF they agree to returning as a student on an “ongoing basis”, I will consider reinstating lessons and/or give out audition information. I may ask for prepayment of 1 month of lessons as a contract to that effect.
- IF they are NOT in conflict with any student/client, I will consider helping the former student out, but they MUST book a lesson. I will not give out the information via email or text.
WANING INTEREST / NON-BAND PARTICIPATION
- Since I started teaching, my policy is that I have the right to discontinue lessons or encourage a parent to consider discontinuing lessons due to disinterest, not practicing or even if they have left a band program which creates an atmosphere of waning interest in music and lack of self-discipline in practicing.
- REASON TO RELEASE A STUDENT: I feel it’s not right for a parent to pay for lessons when their son/daughter is not keeping up their part of the deal. Plus sometimes I do have a waiting list, and releasing a student opens the door for another student who might be very ambitious to learn, practice and grow in their hobby or future career of choice!
VETTED AND BACKGROUND CHECKED FOR SECURITY
- I have been vetted, background checked, fingerprinted and cleared to work with students by:
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- The Conejo Valley Unified School District and continue to keep my employment current with the latest training required by their teaching staff.
- Calvary Community Church & Oaks Christian School District.
- Bible Study Fellowship International to work with students.
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THANK YOU . . .
for visiting my policy page and I hope you see that my policies are fair, and the “rules and guidelines” protect both myself AND my clients! If you have any questions, concerns or issues – even suggestions, please let me know!