Studio Policy

Studio Procedures

The studio operates on a 40-week teaching calendar from September to August.

Specific holidays and studio breaks are built into the calendar. Tuition has been structured to account for these scheduled breaks.

Lessons that are not attended within the academic year will not be carried over, credited, or refunded.

Enrollment in the studio reserves a consistent weekly lesson time throughout the academic year. The studio operates on a 40-week teaching calendar.

Festivals, competitions, and piano exams are available and decided upon by joint-discussion between parent and the teacher

Tuition

Tuition is charged in 12 equal monthly installments and is not based on the number of lessons attended. This ensures your child’s reserved time remains consistent throughout the year.

Tuition must be paid on the 1st of each month. An invoice will be sent on the 25th of the previous month.

All tuition is non-refundable and non-transferrable.

A $20 late fee will be applied to the next billing statement if tuition is not received by the 15th of the billing month. Late payment for more than 3 weeks may subject to losing your scheduled spot.

*Please note that there will be an increase in tuition depending on the level the student achieved.

Tuition Includes:

Reservation of a time slot for the student’s weekly lesson
Time spent with the student (weekly) and recital
Time spent in preparation for the student:
Lesson planning, bookkeeping, development of curriculum, research and preparing teaching materials
Other studio expenses (studio operation fees, software & equipments, other teaching materials)
A detailed lesson plan sent to students' and/or parents' email each week, or written in the students’ assignment book

Tuition Does Not Include:

Music books and materials (and shipping if applicable)
Festival, competition, and piano exam fees and Registration fees for MTAC or other performances
Recital Registration Fee

Attendance & Cancellation

Regular attendance is expected to ensure steady progress.

If a student is unable to attend a lesson, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible.

Tuition reserves your child’s dedicated weekly lesson time. As such, missed lessons—including those due to illness, vacations, school events, or other personal reasons—are forfeited and are not eligible for refunds, credits, or guaranteed make-up lessons.

When possible, an alternative lesson (such as a rescheduled lesson, recorded lesson, or practice assignment) may be offered at the teacher’s discretion, but this is not guaranteed.

Due to high demand and a full schedule, maintaining a consistent lesson time is strongly recommended. Schedule changes may not always be accommodated.

If the teacher cancels a lesson, a make-up lesson or substitute arrangement will be provided.

Summer Vacations

Families are welcome to take vacations throughout the year. However, please note:

Tuition remains the same regardless of attendance
Missed lessons due to vacations are not guaranteed to be made up
Advance notice is greatly appreciated

Due to high demand and a full schedule, maintaining a consistent lesson time is strongly recommended. Schedule changes may not always be accommodated.

Holidays & Vacations

There will be no lesson on the following days: Thanksgiving & Black Friday, Christmas Day (12/24-26), Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, and New Year Day. Other holidays that are not listed above will not be observed. Lesson will be scheduled as usual on these holidays. For example, Columbus Day, Presidents’ Day, MLK Day, and etc.
There will be one or two school breaks each year; typically one during the winter (between Christmas Day and New Year Day) and/or one during the summer.

Withdrawal

Music is a lifelong pursuit, but lessons are not always possible for a multitude of reasons. Whatever the reason, I will never take discontinuation of lessons personally. Students are always welcome back to my studio anytime. Remember: if you are unsatisfied with your lessons for any reason or if you are contemplating quitting lessons, please speak freely to me about your concerns.

If student wishes to withdraw within the year, 30-day notice by email is required. If 30-day notice is not given, the student will be charged for one extra month of lessons. Lessons will be prorated if students wish to discontinue in the middle of the year.

The teacher reserves the right to terminate lessons in the middle or the end of the semester for the following reasons:

Failure to pay tuition on time
Persistent absences
Lack of cooperation from student during lessons
Lack of progress due to insufficient practice
Consistent failure to practice as instructed
Consistent failure to bring all material to lessons
Consistent disrespectful attitude or behavior

If the teacher terminates lessons, the student will not be held responsible to pay for any remaining installments for the school year.

Music Materials

All students are required to use a standard Music Handbook purchased from the teacher.
All materials are not included in the tuition.
Please bring all the books, binder, and other materials to every lesson; or have the materials ready before teacher arrives your home.
Bills for music material will be sent along with your monthly billing statement. Please note that tax will be charged for certain materials.
Teacher will prepare these materials according to student’s needs.

Recitals

Recital is held once a year, usually in the beginning of November/December on a Saturday afternoon time. The recital date will be announced at the beginning of September. Please reserve the time for students to participate in this annual event.
To participate in a recital, students need sufficient practice and preparation. Please make sure students have enough time to practice each week to achieve the performance standard.
Recital registration and administration fees are required for students to participate. These fees are used for recital hall booking, certificates and/or medals, and other preparation time and materials. Fees are due one month before the recital date.
For students who are taking online lessons, virtual recitals may be arranged. Details will be discussed in the lesson.

Students & Parents Responsibilities

Students should practice at least 4-5 days per week and complete all assignments according to the music handbook each week. This may include technical practice, music practice, theory assignment, and composer of the month assignment. Students who come to lesson unprepared is a waste of time for the teacher, student and parent, as well as a waste of money for the parent. I will not be able to help a student progress if the only time they play piano is during their lesson. If during the lesson, the teacher ascertains that the student has made no effort to practice during the week, the teacher has the right to dismiss the student for that lesson.
For children with the age of 10 or younger, parents are encouraged to assist them practicing by checking their handbook and making sure they followed through all instructions. Having a musical background is unnecessary to help your child. Children naturally want to share with their love ones what they’ve learned. Parents may stimulate their interests in learning by asking them questions and giving them simple challenge. Please note that forceful discipline might produce a negative outcome. My advice would be to stimulate student’s thinking during the practice time.
Parents are welcomed to observe the lesson if the child is not distracted and the parent is not disruptive. This will help parents to learn what needs to be practiced during the week, especially for very young students.
Please keep fingernails trimmed shortly before the lesson. Students should wash their hands before and after touching the piano. Personal hygiene is crucial. Please make sure to disinfect the piano keys or wipe the keys with a semi-damp cloth every two weeks to keep your instrument clean. Parents and students should keep the piano room clean and tidy to facilitate a positive and engaging lesson. If you have small children/pets at home that are not taking lessons, please kindly send them to a different room or keep them as quiet as possible to avoid any distractions for the student.
Instrument requirement: All students should have regular access to an acoustic piano. Full size digital piano with weighted hammer action are acceptable for beginner students on the first year but students are encouraged to get an acoustic piano for intermediate and advanced piano skills. Digital keyboard/piano has a very limited range of sound and cannot replicate an acoustic piano. For the student to learn proper piano techniques and control, students should have an acoustic piano for regular practice.
All acoustic piano should be kept in good working condition and should be tuned at least once a year.
If you would like your child to participate in Certificate of Merit, Theme Festival, Bach Festival, or other festivals, please let me know.

Studio

My studio is located in Chino, CA.
To maintain a clean and safe environment, students should wash their hands before the lesson. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
Parents and students are required to remove their shoes once entering the studio.
The piano studio is part of my private residence, and must always be regarded and respected as such.
There are cats and a dog in my studio. If parents and/or students are allergic to these animals, it is highly advised that you come prepared. I have an air filter running in the studio at all times. Please inform me if you have such concerns. Students should not interact with the animals during the lessons.
Food and drinks (except water) are not allowed inside the studio.