Michelle Gergich

Studio Policy

Private Lessons Studio

STUDIO POLICY AND AGREEMENT

Contract Term

The term of commitment is on a "per semester" basis, and the contract is to begin upon the commencement of the second lesson, until the last week of classes for the current semester in which the student is enrolled. (e.g. Fall or Spring). Every student is afforded the possibility of opting out of lessons after the first lesson, but once the student attends the second lesson, the semester commitment is engaged and financial responsibility for the semester is assumed.

Rates

Private lessons are offered weekly in half hour, 45 minute, or full hour sessions.

  • $40 – per half hour lesson
  • $58 – per forty-five minute lesson
  • $78 – per hour lesson

Please refer to the complete list of Rates, Fees, Discounts and Promotions on the Rates & Fees page.

Student Responsibilities

Materials

Students are responsible for the purchase of their own books, instruments, and other materials needed for the lessons they are receiving. Mrs. Gergich will refer students/parents to where they can obtain these items, however she is not responsible for providing them personally. ALL STUDENTS, with the exception of piano students, MUST OWN A MUSIC STAND.

Practicing

Progress will be made most quickly by those students who maintain the expected practicing time. Attending a lesson once a week without consistent practice between lessons is insufficient to make adequate forward progress.

  • Students taking 30-minute lessons should practice 30 minutes/day, 4–5 days/week.
  • Students taking 45-minute lessons should practice 45–60 minutes/day, 5–6 days/week.
  • Students taking 60-minute lessons should practice 60–120 minutes/day, 6–7 days/week.

Students and parents are both accountable for consistent, quality practice. Quality practicing is without distractions. Practice time should take place in a quiet, well lit, and comfortable area. Practice time should be interruption-free — i.e. no phone calls/texting, no TV, no iPad/computer (unless explicitly stated in homework instructions), etc. These expectations will help the student be as prepared as possible for each individual lesson as well as aiding in each student's physical and mental stamina, which will make each lesson more productive, thereby increasing the value of each lesson.

NOTE: Students are expected to prepare for their lessons to the best of their ability. This is your homework! Being prepared includes practicing between lessons and bringing the assigned books, music, and materials to lessons. Being unprepared for your lesson is a waste of your time and Mrs. Gergich's time. If you are unprepared, Mrs. Gergich reserves the right to dismiss you from the lesson that day; you will still be charged and no makeup time will be offered. If a student is found to be consistently unprepared for lessons, Mrs. Gergich reserves the right to terminate that student from her studio.

Attendance

Students are responsible for their weekly time slot. If a student is not available for his/her weekly lesson for any reason, Mrs. Gergich should be notified at least 24 hours before the lesson time. It is not the responsibility of the instructor to make up or reimburse lessons canceled less than 24 hours in advance. Exceptions for short notice cancelation are sudden illness or emergencies. A cancelation is considered any notification that the lesson will not occur during the reserved weekly time slot.

Parent Expectations

  • Parents are welcome to attend lessons and take notes.
  • Parents are expected to be involved in their student's practice, as all children/students need help with discipline. Expect to have to remind and encourage your children to practice. Supervision of practice may be required until a routine is begun.
  • Help your child find a designated time and place in their daily routine to practice.
  • Take the time to listen to your child play his/her weekly songs and exercises as they practice and offer words of encouragement.

Make-Up Lessons

  • Make-up lessons must occur within 30 days of the cancelation, or the lesson will be forfeited and payment will not be reimbursed.
  • Make-up lesson opportunities will only be granted for two short notice cancelations (less than 24 hours).
  • Time will be designated in Mrs. Gergich's schedule for make-up lessons during the week. All make-up lessons will first be given virtual or in-studio time slots during the designated make-up lesson time frame. In the case that an in-person time slot becomes available during the week due to a student cancelation, in-person make-ups will be offered on a first come first serve basis.
  • See the How to Schedule a Make-Up Lesson page for instructions.

Closures

Studio Closures

Lessons are provided throughout the entire calendar year, except for during Studio Closures. The instructor reserves the right to close her studio for short periods of time during winter and summer breaks. Tuition is not charged for lessons that are not taken due to Studio Closures. Notice of Studio Closures will be sent via email 1 to 2 weeks before the affected lesson(s).

Inclement Weather

In the case of inclement weather, lessons may be canceled on short notice. Students should notify the instructor as soon as possible if there is a need to cancel a lesson due to weather, and vice versa. Lessons that are canceled on short notice for weather will be made up as soon as possible.

Termination of Lessons

Lessons are continuous and ongoing, effective as of the date of this Studio Policy and Agreement. Student may terminate lessons for any reason. To terminate lessons, the Student must provide at least 2 weeks notice to the Instructor, during which time the tuition has been paid in full. The Instructor may also terminate lessons for any reason, at her sole discretion. If the Instructor terminates lessons, tuition will be pro-rated up to the last lesson taken and a refund provided, if applicable. (See NOTE under Practicing section.)

Payment

Payment for lessons occurs once a month. Invoices will be emailed on the first day of each month, and are due by the end of the first full week of the month. Payment in the form of cash, check, Zelle, credit card/paypal* through the website link is to be received from the student before lessons begin for the month. Checks are made out to Michelle Gergich.

*A 2.9% processing fee will be added to credit card transactions through Stripe or Paypal. Paypal has discontinued the non-fee "Family and Friends" option for small businesses as of July 2022.

Note: Payments that are overdue will be subject to an automatic $5 late fee. Overdue invoices not paid by the end of one month from the date the invoice was generated will accrue an additional $5 late fee.

Waiver of Liability; Indemnification

PARENT AND STUDENT HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, DISCHARGES, AND COVENANTS NOT TO SUE THE INSTRUCTOR, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES ("RELEASEES") FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATED TO, STUDENT'S PARTICIPATION IN STUDIO ON-SITE OR OFF-SITE LESSONS, EVENTS, OR ACTIVITIES ("STUDIO PROGRAMS"), WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT OR TORT.

PARENT AND STUDENT AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE RELEASEES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, ATTORNEY'S FEES, COSTS, LIABILITIES, OR DAMAGES AGAINST STUDIO ARISING OUT OF STUDENT'S PARTICIPATION IN STUDIO PROGRAMS.