Studio Policy
Events
Recitals. Studio recitals are held in December and May. All students are expected to participate in every recital.
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Group Lessons. Group Lessons are on Saturdays during the school year. Private lessons are still held the week of group lessons. All students perform from memory in each group lesson. Music history and music theory concepts relevant to each level are introduced and explored during group lessons. The cost of group lessons is included in tuition. There are 2-4 group lessons per year depending of the calendar of events.
Achievement Auditions. After the first year of study, students can perform in the DMTA’s Achievement Auditions or JPG Gillock Auditions in which they play three contrasting pieces for a judge and receive a rating.
Competitions, Festivals and Exams. Other events that are optional include (but are not limited to) the Dallas Piano Solo Competition, Sonatina/Baroque Festival, Jazz/Pop Festival, Composition Festival, and the Symphonic Festival. After the first year of study, all students are expected to take the Theory Exam.
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Tuition and Fees
Registration Fee. The Non-refundable Registration Fee must be paid in order to reserve a lesson time. Tuition is due the first week of each semester of lessons (Fall, Spring and Summer, Option 1). Alternatively, payments can be made in 2 installments for the Fall and Spring semesters and 1 installment for the Summer semester (Option 2). The Book/Recital Fee is due once a school year only. Tuition may be adjusted annually.
Book Fee. The Book Fee covers the cost of all new books students receive during the year of lessons, August-August.
Other Fees. The Registration Fees for participation in events (see Events above) is not covered by Studio Registration or Tuition Fees, except for Studio Recitals and Group Lessons. You will be billed for event Registration Fees according to whether or not your student registers for these events.
Payments. Please make checks payable to Keynote Piano Studio and mail to 622 Madison Way, Allen TX 75013. Alternatively, Registration, Book and Recital Fee and Tuition Payments may also be made online at www.keynotepianostudio.com. A late fee of $25 will be assessed if a payment is not received by the due date.
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Departmental Procedures
Practice Expectations. Consistent daily practice is essential to progress. For each student, there are three individuals who serve a crucial role in creating the discipline of successful daily practice – the student, the teacher and the parent. Initially, success is mostly dependent on the teacher and the parent in equal parts. It is the teacher’s role to instruct the student and parent in how to practice, and it is the parent’s role to ensure that the student practices daily in the way that the teacher instructed. As students progress and mature, they eventually become responsible for their own practice time. This can only happen once the student has experienced successful practice at home for a long period of time. This happens at a different time for each student, but typically no less than 2-4 years. In the beginning, the student’s success is truly the parent’s success as well! Please regularly be in communication with your private teacher to discuss length of practice time and practice strategies that are most appropriate for your student.
Missed Lessons. Consistent attendance is essential to musical development. Group lessons missed by students cannot be made up under any circumstances. Private lessons missed by the instructor will be made up. However, if a student is absent from a private lesson the instructor is under no obligation to offer a make-up lesson.
Withdrawal. Registration is for the entire academic year, August to August. If a student must withdraw before the end of the school year a pro rata refund of tuition may be made in the most extenuating circumstances.
Exit Procedure. Under certain conditions, a student may be asked to discontinue study. These conditions include non-payment, excessive absenteeism, and/or a consistent lack of practice.
Summer Lessons. Lessons are for one year, August to August, including 6 summer lessons. If more than 6 summer lessons are desired, the tuition will be in addition to the above-mentioned payment options. Students must register for Summer Lessons to guarantee a space in the studio for the lesson year following the summer session.