Our Studio Policy
Thank you for taking responsibility for our ongoing communication by reading this document carefully before you start, so that we can enjoy our music and save time and/or misunderstandings.
“The overarching teaching goal is to maximise the likelihood of students acquiring, and retaining music as a lifelong companion.”
The students
• Experience playing as a natural self-expression;
• Play a repertoire covering an array of musical styles and genres
• Develop the ability to self-generate i.e. the ability to progress independently.
• Have a highly self-affirming experience.
Achieving these results requires an above-average commitment from students, teachers and parents. This includes parents attending lessons and being available during practice time.
It is not a “try it out” program.
Understanding the Simply Music Journey
If you are learning piano, please check the curriculum at www.simplymusicpiano.com for keyboard requirements and so that you are familiar with the entire Simply Music journey.
Commitments
I, (the teacher) promise to:
Be timely
Conduct myself in a professional and courteous manner
Always do my best to create and maintain a fun and productive environment for learning, and
Be responsive and helpful
Students also make commitments – this document is intended to explain them. Your agreement/compliance with the policies will be signed early in the new year.
Requirements
HOME PRACTICE
Students will be expected to maintain a schedule of regular and consistent practice throughout each week. Generally, this means 10 to 30 minutes per day depending on experience/age, 5-6 days per week, at the same time of day. Off instrument incidental work, and ‘pick up/ put down work’ is highly recommended for optimal learning.
KEEPING YOUR PLAYLIST ALIVE
Students must maintain their playlist, both the repertoire itself as well as the tracking chart (marking as you practice).
Contingencies
TEACHER ABSENCE
If for personal reasons or illness Unmani is unable to teach, you will be credited your lesson fee in the following time period or we negotiate a ‘double lesson’ if you choose.
STUDENTS ABSENCE
The studio is under no obligation to make-up, reschedule or credit a lesson if missed.
Some Options for Missed Lessons:
In the case of private lessons, you may wish to gift a missed lesson to a friend or family member in situations such as your own holiday. The student scheduled before or after your time means a double session for them which is greatly appreciated.
In a group lesson, a catch up session using the notes and information from another group member (buddy) works very well. Contact information is exchanged within the group for this reason.
MAJOR STUDENT ABSENCES
In the event of major, sudden life events which require a break for a month or more e.g. hospitalization, some leeway will be offered to the student with regard to holding a place in the lesson schedule without payment, at the studio’s discretion.
HOLIDAYS
SCHOOL HOLIDAY BREAKS – School families have the option of taking the school holiday breaks relevant to your home state. Please let Unmani know well in advance for her scheduling and fee invoicing.
EXTENDED HOLIDAY BREAK – If you choose not to pay for your allotted time over the time of an extended break, it is assumed you are aware of running the risk of losing your spot. A registration fee of $10 to cover admin time will be payable on return from a break of 4 weeks or more where the student has elected not to cover missed lessons.
STUDENTS LEAVING
As a courtesy to the teaching schedule, a month’s notice is required.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF AN ABSENCE AND HOT REPORT
Notification via email or phone is appreciated for effective running of the teaching day.
STUDENT DISMISSAL
Regrettably I will have to let go a student if the following occurs.
failure to pay tuition in a timely fashion
persistent absences without explanation
persistent lateness
persistently not bringing requirements to class
uncooperative attitude student or parent
lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfulfilled requirements.
There will be no refunds of tuition fees or materials on termination.
REFERRALS
A free 4 weeks tuition is offered to an existing student for any new student enrolment which has resulted from a referral resulting in lessons. Thank you for your support.
JUST BEFORE YOUR LESSON
You are asked to enter five (5) minutes early with playlist at the ready and at the finish.
Exit the building quietly as the next lesson begins.
For violin students – a tuning up area is available
Bring your phones into the lesson. They are useful for photos etc. Place on ‘silent’ before the lesson begins please.
A tip for great home learning… obtain a whiteboard with coloured markers
SHARING YOUR MUSIC WITH THE WIDER WORLD
All students are part of and commit to attending events run by this studio. Online gatherings, piano parties, home gatherings, busking, playing random pianos at airports, family gatherings etc. are all examples. Confidence in the sharing of music is gently nurtured this way.
Our Studio Policy is a live document. The policies are amended every year as the Unmani Music Studio grows and changes. The main principles, as set out above however, will never change.
