Studio Policies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Studio Calendar: 

Each season I make a calendar that has the recital dates, days with no lessons and the summer session clearly marked.  Should I deviate from the calendar by canceling a lesson (for illness or be unable to teach for whatever reason) I will credit you the lesson.  Otherwise, lessons

are a flat rate per month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuition: 

Tuition for the September through June session is divided into 10 equal monthly payments.  Some months contain 3 lessons, some 4 and some 5. There are a total of 40 possible lessons for Tuesday through Friday students and 39 for Monday students.

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Please make checks payable to Kim Bean. If a student cannot attend the first lesson of the month for any reason, payment should be mailed.    

          

Tuition will be paid for in monthly installments due the first week of each month from September through June.

 

-30 minutes instruction

$1000.00/season in payments of $100.00 per month.

 

-45 minutes instruction

$1,400.00/season in payments of $140.00 per month.

 

-60 minutes instruction

$1,800.00/season in payments of $180.00 per month.

 

Again, if a student cannot attend the first lesson of the month for any reason,

payment should be mailed by that lesson date to:              

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Kim Bean

75 Weston Farm Rd.

Harrison, ME  04040

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Missed lessons and makeup lessons: 

I do NOT credit for lessons missed for any reason, unless I myself cancel and deviate from the already established calendar.

Occasional makeup lessons may be scheduled per your request depending on whether I can fit it into my schedule. 

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Please do not come to lessons ill or if there is illness in your household. Rather, let me know  in advance and we can arrange a Zoom lesson.

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I do not cancel lessons when school is canceled due to stormy weather.  My students come from many different school districts and so cancellations vary. If you do not drive in stormy weather, be sure to call me if you are not coming to lessons and perhaps a Zoom lesson can be arranged. If I cannot keep my driveway sufficiently clear, I will call you to schedule a Zoom lesson or if you are unable to do this, will credit you for the lesson. 

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Medical issues, surgery and long term illness.  If you know up ahead that you or your child is going to have a surgical procedure and will be absent for a time, I am reasonable and am willing to discuss this.  If a student is always good at paying tuition, has good attendance and is dedicated to practicing, I am more than willing to work with a family in a difficult situation.

 

If your child injures an arm or leg, when they are able, please continue to bring them to lessons.  We can work on other aspects of learning music even if they are unable to play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illness: 

If the student or anyone in the student’s household has been ill, please schedule

a Zoom lesson and do not come in person. 

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Medical issues, surgery and long term illness.  If you know up ahead that you or your child is going to have a surgical procedure and will be absent for a time, I am reasonable and am willing to discuss this.  If a student is always good at paying tuition, has good attendance and is dedicated to practicing, I am more than willing to work with a family in a difficult situation.

 

If your child injures an arm or leg, when they are able, please continue to bring them to lessons.  We can work on other aspects of learning music even if they are unable to play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remote Lessons:   

Remote lessons will continue to be offered for those who prefer them for whatever

reason, be it convenience or for safety. Students may also opt a combination of in person and remoted lessons.  Students choosing to continue with remote lessons must have an adequate internet connection as well as an Ipad or laptop.  Cell phones can be used in a pinch but are really too small, and inadequate, especially with young children. Please have all music materials and a pencil ready at the start of each lesson. Parents, you may need to help your children with preparation to save time during these remote lessons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recitals and materials: 

Included with lessons are 2 recitals. These are open to any age of student.  (However, I  admit my adults rarely participate, though they are welcome to.)  I do encourage and assume all of my students through the age of 18 will perform. 

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When there is a lack of desire to perform in this age group of students, I do address it privately with the student and their family prior to the recital.  I will never force anyone, however.  This issue usually resolves after the reluctant student gets more experienced.  

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There is no added cost for the recitals. There are no tickets.   However, please note, cost of books and other materials that students need to prepare for the recital will be added to the cost of the monthly tuition payment. 

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In Person Recitals are held at Twitchell Memorial Chapel at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton. The dates for the two recitals are:  Saturday, December 16th from 2 to 4 p.m.  Saturday, May 11th, 2 to 4 p.m. Typically, recitals last about 1 hour and 15 minutes, but I allow time for families to congratulate the performers and to visit with one another.  I recommend students try the piano briefly before the recital starts.  I permit this between 1 and 1:30.  After that, guests begin to arrive. 

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Students should dress in their best and feel free to invite as many guests as they would like to. The venue holds well over 100 people and so we can accommodate. There is a wheelchair ramp on the side of the building.  However, restrooms are located in the basement and there is no elevator, unfortunately.  

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Summer Session: 

I do typically hold a summer session that requires a separate registration.  My summer session has 6 lessons total in July and August. Students can pay by the month or for the entire 6 week session. If given notice, I am willing to work around family vacations.  Rather than charging a flat rate, I only charge for lessons taken during these two months of the year.

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However, for the first time ever, I am planning on taking the summer of 2024 off from teaching to do some special things to celebrate my husband's retirement! I will keep you posted should this change.  

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What are lessons like?

I work with students on an individual basis, structuring the lesson to his/her needs.  For example, some students need more help with reading music while others need more help developing musicality.  I incorporate technique, theory, ear training, history, analysis and musicality into every lesson.  The progress in each area depends largely on a student's talent, focus, interest and dedication to practicing outside of the lesson.

 

Areas of Concentration:

If students would like to focus on different aspects of music, rather than traditional piano study, I can make lessons center around other areas of music study. 

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Students with disabilities:

I am willing to work with students with varying disabilities.  I would need to meet the student and discuss how to make lessons work on an individual basis. 

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Computer Lab:

Included with lessons at no extra charge are the scheduled events and use of the Music Computer Laboratory.  I provide assignment sheets and folders for each student. 

 

Recitals:

Recitals are free for students to participate in.  They may also invite as many guests as they would like to. Click this link to learn more.  

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Materials:
Books and sheet music are an extra cost. I often send a link where students can purchase their music needed for lessons.  Also, often, I purchase the music, though I make no money on these materials and only charge what they cost me to obtain.

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​Completing the session and returning students:

If a student, who is planning on returning to the studio the following year, cannot finish the current session (with exception of extenuating circumstances at my discretion), the tuition for any months missed, is still expected to be paid through to the end of June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Some thoughts on practicing and other matters:

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I have a goal of not only helping my students to develop regular practice habits, but to also teach them how to go about practicing.  That is a skill in and of itself.  I usually write specific ways to practice on their assignment sheet and work on the prescribed suggestions in their lessons as if they were home practicing.

 

Though I do believe experimentation at the piano is important and necessary, this should not count as time devoted to practice unless I include that as part of a given assignment. A practice session consists of carefully completing the assignment given. 15 to 30 minutes is usually adequate for beginners; 45 minutes to an hour for intermediate students; and 1 hour to 2 hours for those who are advanced players.

 

If a student has an occasional bad week lacking in adequate practice, this is understandable.   Coming to lessons when this occurs is good as it will often get students back

on track.  It is common to find the piano fun at first and to later struggle with practicing.  Becoming skilled at anything has its ups and downs and can be very hard work.  Parents can encourage their children at this time by showing an interest and listening to them play their pieces.  Also, talk with them about how anything worthwhile takes time and patience to become skillful.

 

This brings me to the subject of time, which is what learning to play the piano takes mostly.  Students who are involved in too many activities will not do well with piano lessons.  They will constantly experience a feeling of frustration from lack of practice and coming

to lessons unprepared.  This feeling does not help to develop a love for music study. Choosing only one or two activities at a time that really have personal value will, in the end, bring more satisfaction to the student. 

 

Once lessons are undertaken, parents can help their children by planning scheduled practice times daily.  Most children are not mature enough to manage this on their own and need parental guidance.