Policies

Notebooks

Students are to keep a single-subject spiral notebook in addition to their piano books. They are also to have either a piano or a full-sized keyboard AT HOME to practice on.

For students 5th grade and under

The parents of young students (5th grade and under) are required to attend and participate in their child's piano lessons.

First, young children do not have the discipline to make themselves practice, no matter how mature they are emotionally. When they finally do sit down, they tend to just 'run' the music instead of working out their mistakes. In our experience, the success of the student is more guaranteed if the parent is involved in making practice time not only productive, but also fun and exciting.
Second, with our society, sometimes practice is the only real 'quality time' some parents and children get together. We can't tell you how many times we've had a parent thank us for this requirement. The thanks have far outweighed the complaints!
Third, having the parent at the lesson, learning along with the child, lets the child know that there is an adult around who can help them when they get stuck (assuming the parent has been paying attention!). Also, it is a major motivator when the child can play something better than the parent. Motivating for the child, that is!
Finally, most parents are very glad to get a good grounding in how to play the piano themselves! We had a woman once who brought her granddaughter in for lessons - and she began to take lessons herself after a semester! So, not knowing anything about music is NOT a handicap, we promise!

Requirements For Voice Student

Voice students are to bring their own water bottles, a blank 120 minutes audiotape, and a 3-subject spiral notebook to their lessons. In the notebook, one section is for assignments and practice logging, one is for vocabulary and notes, and the last is for the words to songs. You are also to own a Pocket Music Dictionary and an inexpensive metronome to use at home.

Requirements for Piano Students

Piano students are to bring their books and two-subject spiral notebook (for assignments and practice logging) to their lessons. You are also to own an inexpensive metronome to use at home.

Practice

All students are expected to practice daily and to log their efforts. Logging for older students means to write down when and how long you practice, and what you worked on. This is where you write down what problems you are having as well as any questions you may have for me that come up during your private practice. I check these at your lesson.

Students 5th grade and under are to write down the time spent practicing daily. I recommend using a stopwatch to time practice, instead of a clock, and resetting the time daily. It is much easier to see how practice time adds up this way - and using a stopwatch is a real motivator for the little guys!

Tuition and Billing

See the Tuition Page.

Lesson Cancellations

24 hours notice is required to cancel a lesson, or lesson fee is charged. There will be no make-up lessons for last-minute cancellations made by students. Teacher cancellations will be made up. Please make note of the previously mentioned holidays so you can plan around them. 30 days notice is required if you decide to discontinue lessons.

Lesson Tardies

Please be on time or no more than 5 minutes early for your lesson. If you are up to 15 minutes late for your lesson, your lesson will end at the regularly scheduled time. If you are more than 15 minutes late, your lesson is forfeit. If I am late for your lesson, you will get your entire time.

Studio Cancellations

Thirty (30) days notice is required if student decides to discontinue lessons. In addition to notifying the instructor(s), notice should be sent to MuBus Inc via US Mail-1025 Villa Street, Mountain View CA, 94041, email-support@mubus.com, or phone (650) 961-7137.