TUITION PLAN

In order to maintain the quality of our musical training, we require that commitment be for one semester at a time. Every student must commit to a preset amount of lessons per semester. Lessons cannot be skipped and will be made-up as long as, and only if, they are in accordance with the policies found in the MusicFit Membership Guide below. All policies can be found 24/7 on this page.

IT’S OK TO JOIN MID-SEMESTER! If you join midway we will adjust the number of lessons accordingly and prorate your installments. Please note that the first day of each semester changes every year.

Please check the top of this page for details on important term dates. 

Lesson Breaks

There are no lessons during Thanksgiving week. In December, lessons usually end by the third week and resume the second week of January; giving students time to settle into their school schedules. We do have lessons on all other holidays, but if you need to cancel please do so in accordance to the cancellation policy found on this document to avoid forfeiting lessons. In the Spring, there is a 1-week spring break, which is announced on the MusicFit website and via an email reminder. Finally, each semester is separated by a 1-week break, with the exception of July into August, which is normally 2 weeks. This extra time gives students in marching band time to dedicate to their summer band camps. Please check the website’s “pricing/calendar” tab for further details.

Payment Policy

Membership tuition is due on the 1st of each month; either through the automatic invoices sent via email, snail mail or with the student. Please note that paying online incurs a fee of 3 to 4% per transaction depending on your location. There is a 5-day grace period (counting the due date) for your payment to be received. If payment is not received by 5th of the month a $10 dollar fee will be added to your invoice. Should something keep you from being able to fulfill your financial responsibility please contact us. We encourage advanced and open communication so that we may perhaps accommodate to your necessities. 

For the full Tuition Plan please click the PDF link above!

EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

For the parents and adult student

• Encourage daily practice, even if it's only for a short amount of time. Baby steps add up at the end of the year!

• Provide a practice environment that is free from distractions.

• Work with your child to schedule practice time. Time management can make or break musical progress.

• Reply promptly to any emails/texts/calls regarding lessons or tuition. It is imperative that communication flows quickly for the functions of this school.

• Finally, please be financially responsible and pay tuition on time. Music lessons are taught by a professional and expert in the field, and should be regarded as a serious commitment.

For the student

• Arrive promptly at your lesson time. Not before, not after. Remember, you are reserving a time slot, not a time amount.

• Keep up with your weekly workouts as given by your trainer.

• Bring you gear: instrument, a pencil, ALL books, sheet music and oils/grease.

• Have FUN!

For the trainer

• Provide each student with a safe and fun learning environment, free from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.

• Give each student personal attention, respect and take into account their specific needs and address them accordingly.

• Spend time preparing for lessons and be ready to begin on time.

• Teach technique, music theory and repertoire to all students.

• Communicate with parents about progress and any other updates or concerns regarding the student.

• Maintain a high level of personal musicianship.

STUDIO POLICIES

👉 Student Portal

Through the student portal you can view your lesson calendar, lesson notes, studio news, cancel/reschedule lessons and much more. Please keep in mind that canceling AND rescheduling your makeup lessons through the student portal are your responsibility. For more information on the student portal please visit our website www.musicfitacademy.com

👉 Students with Learning Disabilities

I have ample experience teaching students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and ADHD. Some students have a combination of these and I have found that trumpet playing not only gives them an artistic outlet, it also helps them get better at reading and processing information.

Music contains a lot of letters, math, spatial comprehension, dexterity and fine motor skills. I ask that you inform me of your child’s specific needs and that you are present for our lessons to keep them on task when necessary. Some students do not need a parent present, while others do. We can discuss this as we get started and I encourage open communication when your child is using a new medication or anything else that might have an effect on them beyond the usual.

Do no worry that your child might not be able to play the trumpet due to their learning disability. One of my former students with severe dyslexia ended up going to college for music!

👉  Working Out (practicing)

Students are naturally expected to spend time with their instrument at home. We will never say “practice two hours every day.” We understand how busy students are and will discuss practice options individually during lessons. For this reason, students are expected to fulfill their individual expectations since they are shaped especially for them each week.

👉  Sickness

Sick students should not come to their lesson if they are mentally fatigued. If the nose or throat is sore we will not be able to play trumpet. However, if the student is mentally alert and only has mild symptoms, we may be able to still have a lesson on music theory, listening and music appreciation. Please reach out to your trumpet coach to see if a lesson would be right for you.

👉  Withdrawal

Before you decide to terminate your membership, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss options. Give me a chance to make your experience just right. If you still need to withdraw, you will be expected to settle your outstanding balance, if any. If you’ve already paid for future lessons you can choose to attend or forfeit them.

👉  Bad Weather

In the rare event that bad weather forces us to cancel your lesson, you will receive a make-up credit.

ATTENDANCE, CANCELLING AND MAKE-UP CREDITS

👉 Attendance

Students are expected to commit to all scheduled lessons per semester. You will receive a reminder of your upcoming lesson 24 hours prior to help you avoid forgetting.

👉 Cancelling

The MusicFit cancellation policy is 7 days in advanced to be eligible for a make-up credit. There are exceptions so please read the entire policy below. Absences here at MusicFit are sorted into one of 4 categories:

1) 7-day or more notification: 
Thank you for notifying me! You will receive a makeup credit automatically.

2) 6 or less days of notification (qualifying emergency/sudden schedule change):
Should this happen I must be contacted by the parent to explain why the student needs to miss. Examples of a qualifying emergency or sudden schedule change includes: a new mandatory band/sports practice, sudden change of football game schedule, sudden doctors appointments, family emergency and sickness (please read the policy on sickness below). In this case, I will override the system and award you one makeup credit, which you can use to sign up for an available makeup lesson slot. 

3) 6 or less days of notification (not a qualifying emergency):
In this case, you will forfeit your lesson and will not receive a makeup credit. To avoid this please make sure to check your school/band/family calendar early and cancel your lesson through the student portal in a timely manner.

4) No show/no call/arriving late
You will forfeit your lesson and will not receive a makeup credit. If you arrive late to your lesson without a qualifying emergency you will forfeit the time you were absent.

👉 Make-up Credits:

Be aware that make-up credits expire 90 days after they're awarded, Please schedule your make-up lessons in a timely manner. See the section below titled “Make-up Lessons” for how to use credits.

IMPORTANT: It is the student's/parent's responsibility to sign into the student portal to cancel and schedule makeup lessons when available. You are also welcome to let me know at your lesson the previous week of the absence. (7 days in advance)

MAKE-UP LESSONS

Due to a high number of students it is impossible for me to make-up individual lessons. For this reason, all make-up lessons are group lessons.

* Exception: students with learning disabilities will receive private make-up lessons.

* Exception: if Estela Aragon is not your trumpet coach please reach out to your coach to schedule a make-up lesson.

👉 How to use a make-up credit

Once you receive a make-up credit you will have to register for a make-up group lesson in the student portal. Sign in, go to Calendar, find the slot labeled “Group Make-up Lesson” and register. Make sure that you are signing up for a group lesson for your assigned group. See below for more on that.

👉 Makeup lessons will be group lessons

• These lessons will be announced with plenty of time your convenience and will be held at a time when most people are available

• If you can't make it you will have other opportunities.

• Lessons will cover topics that everyone can benefit from.

• Students will be grouped in a manner that makes sense for their skill level. You will receive a group assignment shortly after starting your lessons.

• You can expect at least 2 other students in a group makeup lesson.

• You must have a makeup credit to attend a group makeup lesson.

👉 What to expect in a group makeup lesson?

• Meet other students learning similar material.

• You can expect to play your current piece for the group, giving us a great opportunity to practice playing in front of others. Don't worry, it's a very relaxed environment and you will see everyone else is also working on their skills. I am very aware this can be down right scary for some. I will never ask you to do something you're not comfortable doing.

• You will listen to others play and may provide feedback based on what you have learned about practicing and improving your own playing. You are welcome to suggest approaches that have worked for you.

• Discussions are very, very welcome!

• The lesson will be as long as your normal lessons.

Thank you for reading the membership guide. For further questions please contact me. I'm happy to help!