Studio Policies | Brandywine Music

Brandywine Music ~ Studio Policies and Procedures

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

INSTRUMENTS: Students will need a suitable piano, keyboard or guitar before beginning lessons. Please consult the teacher for guidance. Here is a helpful article about pianos and keyboards: https://www.brandywinemusic.com/post/choosing-your-instrument

LESSONS are scheduled on MakeMusic.com, a music studio management website. To access MakeMusic, click on the Book it! button above. If you need help with scheduling on MakeMusic, please contact us. For your convenience, you can install the MakeMusic web app on your phone. Once enrolled, you will receive weekly lesson reminders from MakeMusic.

YOUR LESSON TIME is reserved for your exclusive use every week. If you cannot attend a lesson, either in person or online, please cancel on MakeMusic and notify us by text or email BEFORE your lesson time. Tardiness of over 15 minutes without communication will be considered a no-show and forfeited.

RESCHEDULING: Lessons are eligible for rescheduling, regardless of reason, IF you do so BEFORE your appointment.

RESCHEDULING OPTIONS:

1. An ONLINE lesson at your regular time, if your lesson is in person (please see Resources/Tips for Online Lessons). Don't cancel on MakeMusic; just text or email us before your lesson time to let us know that you'd like to have an online lesson. Please see this page: https://www.brandywinemusic.com/online-lessons-1

2. Reschedule during an OPEN SLOT in the schedule: please cancel your appointment on MakeMusic, check the calendar and choose an available time there. If you need help, let us know.

3. 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.

MISSED LESSONS must be rescheduled within 24 hours, and rescheduled lessons must occur within one month of the missed lesson. Missed rescheduled lessons cannot be rescheduled again. We try our best to reschedule missed lessons, but cannot guarantee them. Your flat monthly tuition reflects two missed (not rescheduled) lessons for you and two for us per year.

TUITION FEES ARE NOT BASED ON ATTENDANCE, BUT ON ENROLLMENT, AND REMAIN THE SAME REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY LESSONS ARE ATTENDED, similar to a sports league, dance class, etc. There is an average of 4 lessons per calendar month. Please see Membership Subscription/Tuition Fees page for more information.

HOLIDAYS: We will be closed on November 26 (may reschedule) for Thanksgiving and Dec. 24 through Jan. 3 for Winter Break (this break is factored into tuition).

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 our road has not been cleared. Online lessons are usually done on snow days.

LESSON LENGTH may vary. For example, a 30-minute lesson may only have 25 minutes of instructional time due to student getting 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 binder or folder 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.

Our policies have been honed from decades of experience working with students and their parents. Their purpose is to create a structure within which our music teaching can flourish for the benefit of all students, keeping lesson days running smoothly so that we can concentrate on our top priority: your children's music education. We hope you will utilize the technological benefits that we have available so that we can all work together and focus on students' tasks at hand. The best music education that we can provide will be yours, and we all will benefit from music created with love, joy, and purpose. Looking forward to working with you in this musical endeavor to bring out the best in your young learners!

Rev. 8/26