Dear Parents and Prospective Students,

 

Thank you for your interest in private lessons! Please note, I am not taking beginning students. I ask that students have at least one year of experience.

 

While I enjoy a flexible, low key attitude towards life, I recognize the necessity for structure. Therefore, I have created the following policies.

 

Trial lessons are given when we first meet and before we contract for the semester. I do charge for the trial lessons.

THE INDIVIDUAL LESSON RATES OF $30.00 FOR A HALF HOUR LESSON  AND $60 FOR AN HOUR LESSON APPLY.

 

Lesson scheduling is based on the Jefferson County School District calendar. I create a semester schedule for the fall, winter, spring and summer. Vacations and days off from school are recognized and built into my schedule. Lessons take place during the summer, although on a limited basis.

 

Payment: Students pre-pay for the semester. By prepaying for the semester you are committing to attending “x” number of lessons. By accepting payment I am committing to providing “x” number of lessons. Refunds are not given.

 

Lesson Rate:

Half hour lessons: $30.00

One hour lessons: $60

 

Prepay for a semester: (One payment at the beginning of each semester). Each semester runs approximately 10 to 14

weeks. Summer semesters are shorter, approximately 8 weeks.

 

 

Please inform me of any known conflicts at the beginning of each semester so that we may deduct those lessons from

the fee.

 

Payment may be made by check, cash, VENMO (brian-cook-69) or bank transfers such as ZELLE (breadcook59@gmail.com) . Bounced checks will be charged a $40 fee.

 

PAYMENT IS DUE BY THE FIRST LESSON.

 

Make Up Weeks are included at the end of each semester. Lessons missed either because of my schedule or the students excused absences are made up during the make up weeks. 

 

If excused absences exceed the number of make-up weeks, these lessons will be credited to the following semester. Make-up weeks may be used for additional lessons (if you don’t have any lessons to make up) at the usual rate.

 

Excused absences include: illness, unexpected emergencies, extreme weather conditions, unavoidable appointments, or unexpected trips But please give me reasonable notice.

 

Unexcused absences include: “I forgot”, "my mom forgot," “I didn’t practice," “It’s nice out," “I left my instrument at school,"  "I was at a friend's house." I do not make up unexcused absences. 

 

Please let me know at least 24 hours before your scheduled time if you need to cancel. Unless of course you become sick just before your lesson. If that’s the case, STAY HOME! But let me know. 

 

Also, I publish a "real time" calendar on the homepage of this website. I know juggling schedules is a tremendous task, I don't envy you. But, I'm committed to being at home, ready for lessons at the time on the calendar. You can make things simple by checking the calendar. 

 

Illness: If you have a cold, a cough, a sniffle, an upset stomach a low grade fever, please cancel. These are excused absences. I am severely immunocompromised because of a slowly progressing form of leukemia. My day to day life is unaffected unless I'm exposed to colds and viruses. 

 

We have two small dogs in the house, dachshunds. They are friendly and eager to greet people. Although they do not shed, you might consider allergy issues.

 

Parents are invited to attend lessons. If you do leave and come back to pick up your children please be prompt. Parents are welcome to wait during lessons in the living room, but please respect that this is our home. Large groups of friends and/or family should leave and come back.