STUDIO POLICIES

STUDENTS SERVED

Students ages 3-103 who are willing and eager to learn are welcome at Carlin's Clavier Studio. Young students must be potty trained and able to participate in activities away from their parents for short periods.  Gifted students, as well as students with challenges, will be considered for admission with sufficient support. Parents are welcome but not required to be present during lessons for older children.   Parents should remain with younger students to support their learning.

ADMISSION TO THE STUDIO

Students are admitted to the studio following an interview.  Students under 18 years of age need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The interview may consist of a small trial lesson depending on the circumstances. Once a student has been admitted to the studio, they will receive confirmation via email. Either the parent or student must then go in and fill in the information sheet to complete the admission process, get the login to their individual page on the website, and ensure everything is working correctly on their end.    They will then need to purchase the materials needed to start lessons.   The first lesson will commence when those things are complete.

PAYMENT POLICIES

Standard lessons are 60 minutes in length–unless otherwise approved by the instructor, for students aged 6 and under, or in special circumstances.

Tuition reflects not only lesson time, but also the full scope of instructional preparation, studio tools, and ongoing support. This includes individualized lesson planning, personalized materials and practice tools, printing and administrative costs, recital and event preparation, studio class coordination, and ongoing instructional development.

2026 - 2027 COACHING RATES

Fall Session Tuition 2026

  • $212/month, due at the beginning of each month, starting in September.

    This covers 13 lessons offered from September to December.

Spring Session Tuition 2027

  • $260/month, due at the beginning of each month, starting in January.  

    This covers 20 lessons offered from January to May.

Summer Session Tuition 2027

  • 1-hour lesson: $70 

  • 1.5-hour lesson: $100

  • 2-hour lesson: $120

All tuition is due by the 1st of each month.   There is a 7-day grace period.   Late payments will incur a 10% late fee for each week they are late.  Exceptions can be made for ESA students and when the time of payment is out of their control. However, the invoice needs to be submitted to the state by the 1st of each month. No refunds are given on tuition or materials.

À la Carte Lesson Prices (Any Season)

  • 1-hour lesson: $70 

  • 1.5-hour lesson: $100

  • 2-hour lesson: $120

Payment for À la Carte lessons is due upon completion of each lesson.

OTHER FEES

Studio Events & Participation Fees

  • Masterclass participation: $45 per student (includes visiting master teacher fee)

  • Solo and Ensemble Festival participation: $50 per student (includes adjudication and event space)

  • Recital / Performance Festival fee: $50 per student (includes event space and coordination)

  • Special Event Tickets

Studio events, festivals, and performance opportunities are an essential part of the learning experience. They are designed to support student growth, confidence, artistry, and musical development throughout the year.  Students are required to perform a minimum of 3 times per year, but more opportunities are available, and students are highly encouraged to participate.   One of the required performances must include the formal recital in May.   Students may only be excused from this event under special circumstances after a discussion with the instructor.

TERMINATION POLICY

Lessons may be terminated at any time. If terminated during the summer, no further charges will apply. If terminated during the fall or spring season, no refunds for the current month will be given.  However, no further billing will occur for subsequent months within the season.

ATTENDANCE & MAKE-UP POLICY

Lessons may be rescheduled up to two times per season due to illness or unavoidable conflict, subject to instructor availability.

  • As an alternative to a make-up lesson, students may submit recordings for teacher feedback when appropriate.

  • Students must give 24 hours' notice, preferably in writing, when cancelling lessons except in the event of an emergency.

  • Lessons where no notice is given or less than 24 hours' notice is given are not eligible for make-up.

  • Online lessons may be offered in the case of illness or as a make-up. FaceTime is the preferred method, but Google Meet is also possible with the use of a tablet or laptop.

Lessons cancelled by the teacher are always available for make-up within that season. Students/parents are responsible for contacting the teacher to schedule the make-up lesson. Make-up lessons may NOT be carried into the next season.

DROP-OFF/PICK-UP & TIMELINESS POLICY

Students may be dropped off for lessons if the parent and teacher have determined this is the best arrangement for the lesson environment.  Students should be picked up promptly at the conclusion of their lesson to allow the next student to have a lesson without distractions.  

  • After 2 late pick-ups during a season, parents will be charged a fee of $25 for every 15 minutes that the student is late being picked up.

  • If students are late to a lesson, the lesson will still end at the scheduled time.

  • Students may only be released to parents unless the teacher is previously informed of an alternate plan. The individual picking up must be named by the parent and have ID in case there is any question.

  • Students who are dropped off cannot be left without a completed emergency medical form, which is kept up to date by the parent or student.

VISITOR POLICY

Siblings should NOT attend each other's lessons unless prior arrangements have been made.  Exceptions will be made for the portion of the lesson that deals with any ensemble work.

In most cases, visitors are distracting, so having visitors other than parents attend lessons is discouraged.

PRACTICE POLICY

Students will experience the most growth and satisfaction from consistent daily practice. When joining Carlin's Clavier studio, students and families agree to support an environment where students commit to practicing 5-6 days per week most weeks.

VIDEO / SOCIAL MEDIA / ADVERTISING POLICY

No video or photographs will be used for external marketing purposes without the express written consent of the student (if over 18) or the parent/guardian of a minor.