Studio Policies | Brandywine Music

Brandywine Music ~ Studio Policies

INTERESTED in pursuing music lessons for your child or yourself? Please contact us to schedule a meet-and-greet (online or in person). Once we have determined that we are a good fit, lessons can be scheduled. Click "Schedule" below to get started!

LESSONS are scheduled on Fons.com, an online scheduling and payment platform. Simply log onto the site, go to the calendar, and click on the day and time you wish to reserve. To go directly to Fons, click on the Schedule button above. If you need help with scheduling on Fons, please contact us.

YOUR LESSON TIME is reserved for your exclusive use every week, whether you attend or not. If you cannot attend a lesson, please cancel on Fons and notify us by text or email as soon as possible. RESCHEDULING: Lessons are eligible for rescheduling, regardless of reason, IF you notify BEFORE your appointment.

RESCHEDULING OPTIONS:

1. An ONLINE lesson at your regular time (please see Online Lesson Tips). Don't cancel on Fons; text or email us to let us know that you'd like to have an online lesson.

2. Reschedule during an OPEN SLOT in the schedule: please check the schedule on Fons and choose there. You can cancel and reschedule to another time immediately. If you need help, let us know.

3. Reschedule during a FLEX WEEK. If you have NOT missed a lesson, you will be off during Flex Week. Flex Weeks coincide with the following holiday weeks: Thanksgiving, M. L. King Day, Spring Break, the end of the school year, and the end of summer, and can be used in advance of a planned absence. You may use your regular lesson day and time, or another.

4. VIDEO LESSONS: Student may video their working pieces and send them to us. We will review them and send back a video with instructions. This is done in lieu of rescheduling.

Please check the PROGRAM CALENDAR to see if studio is open on holidays, etc. ONE rescheduled lesson per Flex Week. Missed rescheduled lessons cannot be rescheduled again. Reschedules expire at the end of each Flex Week. We try our best to reschedule missed lessons, but cannot guarantee them. We reserve two paid/non-rescheduled lessons per year for when we need to cancel.

TUITION FEES REMAIN THE SAME REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY LESSONS ARE ATTENDED, similar to a sports league, dance class, etc. Please see Membership Subscription/Tuition Fees page for more information. Tuition fees are kept affordable in consideration that all missed lessons may not be rescheduled.

ILLNESS: Students/families who have ANY type of contagious symptoms are asked to switch to online lessons or reschedule. Students/families who attend with a contagious illness will be asked to return home and lesson will be forfeited. No fever, coughing/sneezing, or diarrhea/vomiting within 24 hours, please.

INJURIES: Injury of a hand or arm is not necessarily a reason to take a break from lessons. The student can work with the uninjured hand, listening skills, music theory, rhythm, etc.

SNOW POLICY: If schools are closed or driving conditions are unsafe, PLEASE notify if you are canceling, as some schools may be closed and not others, some parents may drive in snow, and road conditions may improve during the day. We will close if my road has not been cleared. Online lessons are usually done on snow days, but if not possible, ONE snow day may be rescheduled per school year.

LESSON LENGTH may vary. For example, a 30-minute lesson may only have 25 minutes of instructional time due to getting child settled in, restroom breaks, online technical issues, etc.

COMMUNICATION: We use email for longer messages, and texting for shorter or time-sensitive messages. If we need to message students under 18, we will copy parents on the message.

PARKING: You may park in our driveway if there's room, or on the street. Children must be supervised outside; please keep them away from the road. When arriving, please enter AT your lesson time; no need to knock, just come in.

WAITING/DROPPING STUDENTS OFF: A parent of students under age 8 or special needs students must sit in on lessons; parents/family of students over 8 are asked to wait in the car (you are welcome to enter for the last 5 minutes to enjoy your child's progress) unless it's extremely hot or cold. ONE parent and ONE additional child may accompany a student under 8 (please remain very quiet in the studio). We cannot be responsible for students before or after their lesson time, or for siblings at any time. Please, no food or drinks in the studio except water, thank you.

BINDERS: Please supply a 3-ring binder for sheet music, practice notes, handouts, etc.

BACKGROUND CHECKS: Both teachers have background checks and child abuse screening.

DISCONTINUING: Please speak with us if student is showing decreased interest. A change in approach, different music, books, and activities usually help. Taking action early is best, and taking a break is usually counterproductive. Let us know if you need motivational ideas! Every student will stop taking lessons at some point. Please make this decision thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can end with a positive sense of closure. A student may be asked to discontinue lessons at any time if they have unpaid tuition or an excess amount of absences/unprepared lessons, or if they refuse to cooperate during lessons or have behavioral issues.

POLICIES apply to both piano and guitar students, and are subject to change every September.

By paying tuition, you agree to the terms and policies of this studio, and you agree to indemnify, release and hold harmless Diana L. Umile and Thomas B. Umile from any claims or causes of action arising from or related in any respect to the activity or the student’s participation in such activity. Rev. 1/25