Chang Music Studio
We now offer in-person and online lessons for your convenience!
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Chang Music Studio Policy
This Studio Policy sets forth the standards and expectations that we have for each student that we instruct. To help all of our students learn in a professional setting and in an organized manner, we need the students and parents to review this Studio Policy so that everyone is on the same page with what is expected. While we can make exceptions for the unexpected event that arises, this Studio Policy will be our guide for our students. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Hygiene
Clean Hands: Please have your student wash their hands with soap and water in my bathroom before playing on the piano. Clean and germ-free hands show respect for the other students using the piano.
Nail Condition: Please make sure your nails are trimmed twice a week, so they are short each time you practice. For parents of small children, please help them maintain their nails as specified.
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COVID-19
To prevent COVID-19 expired in the community or other students’ families, you will be required to have virtual lessons via Zoom/Facetime instead of in-person lessons if you have any COVID-19 symptoms. Instructors will not teach any ill students, or attend lessons if anyone in the household is ill. We will provide hand sanitizers for students to prevent COVID. Mask is required if a student is ill.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO THE STUDIO, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NOT CONTRACT COVID-19, NOR CAN WE BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. WE CAN ONLY PROMISE TO DO OUR VERY BEST TO FOLLOW ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
Early Arrivals
Please have the students arrive at least five minutes prior to the start of the lesson so that the student is ready when the lesson time begins. A tardy student will be given only the remaining in the student’s scheduled lesson period. Students should be quiet while in the waiting area so as not to disturb other students. Students should bring all required books and materials to each lesson. Parents should pick students up as soon as the lesson is over to avoid overcrowding in the waiting area.
Shoe Policy
Please remove your shoes before entering the studio and leave the shoes on the porch if the soles have dirt or mud on them. We highly recommend that you bring slippers for your children during the lesson.
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Sibling Attendance
Lesson time must remain as focused as possible; siblings are welcome to attend provided they remain still and quiet. It is distracting for Melissa and students to listen to siblings walking/running/jumping and making various noises during a lesson. Please take the initiative to remove a sibling from the studio should this situation begin to arise. Please note that the home/studio is not baby/toddler proof.
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Parent Attendance at Lessons
The studio encourages parents to attend and quietly observe lessons for their children. The studio does reserve the right to exclude a parent if the teacher determines that the parent’s presence is disturbing the child or impeding his or her progress.
Parent Communications
If a parent needs to communicate with Chang during the lesson, please come over to the piano during the last five minutes of your student’s lesson and inform her of your desire to communicate. Too often, parents try to communicate at the end of the lesson which then impedes on the next student’s lesson, putting the entire studio schedule behind. Chang tries to be mindful of giving all lesson time paid for, and may ask you to either email her or wait until your next lesson to communicate with her if it is interrupting another student’s lesson time.
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Practice Expectations
Students are expected to practice 6 days a week. Parents should ensure that the student is given a quiet practice area. Parents should monitor practices and ensure that all of the assignments given to the student are completed.
Food and Drink
Food and drink are not permitted in the studio. Students are also prohibited from chewing gum while in the studio.
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Parking & Driving Regulations
Parking Regulations: Please park only in the studio parking lot, right in front of the apartment to allow multiple drivers to pick up & drop off students. Out of respect for regulations, please do not park in front of any houses or in the cul de sac. Do not part in other spots or you may be towed. The studio is not responsible if your car is towed.
Drive Slowly: Please drive slowly through Chang’s neighborhood. The apartment is located in front of a school. Slow down and be cautious of little children on the street or in front of school. We recommend that parents accompany their children to and from the studio. The studio is not responsible for any injuries or accidents outside of the studio area.
Pick-up Times: Parents should pick up their child promptly at the end of their lesson. Parking is very limited and this will help make space in the driveway for the next arriving students.
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Photos and Video
The studio has a Facebook page where we post student photos and small video clips from recitals. If you do not want your child's photos or videos posted, please let the studio know in writing.
Recital Policy
The studio holds one recital at the end of the academic year. The recital schedule will be announced at the beginning of this semester. Students will be assigned a recital piece early in the spring semester and are expected to play the piece by memory at the recital. Friends and family are encouraged to attend the recital, but the space limitations require that each student be provided only ___ number of tickets for each recital. Please refrain from bringing young children who are not able to sit still for a long period of time so that other students and families are not distrubed during the recital.
Payment Terms
The monthly payments are due by the first day of the month. No lessons will be provided during the month unless the entire monthly payment has been made prior to the start of the month. The studio accepts Venmo, check or cash.
Late Charge
Payments are due on the first day of the month. Payments not made by the fifth day of the month will incur a late penalty of $35.
Make-up Lesson
The studio does not give credits or refunds for lessons missed by a student. If a student provides at least 24 hours advance notice of an expected absence and if the reason for the absence is in the judgment of the studio beyond the reasonable control of the student (e.g. illness, inclement weather, family emergencies, etc), then the studio may provide make-up lessons if a time slot is available. The offering of a make-up lesson will be within the complete discretion of the studio.
The studio understands that students will miss less due to illness, inclement weather, family emergencies, or other issues that may arise. If you know that the student will miss a lesson, please contact us at your earliest convenience. We will make every opportunity to reschedule the lesson at a convenient time, but we cannot guarantee that each missed lesson will be made up.
Teacher Absence
Concerts, competitions, illness or other emergencies may arise which prevent the teacher from offering a lesson at a scheduled time. If the teacher is unable to provide a scheduled lesson due to illness or other reasons, make-up lessons will be scheduled at a time when the student and teacher are available. No refunds or credits will be provided if the make-up lesson cannot be scheduled.
Registration fee
In addition to tuition, each student is charged a registration fee that covers the music instruction materials the studio provides the student in addition to recital fees and costs for student prizes and awards. The registration fee is due with the first tuition payment.
Canceling lesson
If a student decides for whatever reason to stop taking lessons, the studio requires 60 days advance notice of the termination. No refunds or credits will be provided for any pre-paid lessons In addition, any scheduled make-up lessons will be canceled with no refunds or credits provided. All unpaid fees must be paid prior to termination.
The studio reserves the right to terminate the contract with the student/parent if the student has excessive absences or if the teacher determines that the student is not cooperating or progressing in his or her music studies. Prior to any decision to terminate, the teacher will meet with the parents to discuss the situation. Refunds for pre-paid lessons will be provided at the discretion of the studio.