2024-25 Studio Policy

Mission Statement

As a piano teacher, my mission is to keep students motivated and excited about playing the piano.  To this end, I will do my best to encourage and challenge all my students to do their best.  Piano playing can be great fun, but it also involves dedicated work.  Both work and play happen in every lesson.  As a member of Music Teachers National Association and Florida State Music Teachers Association, I am committed to employ the newest piano teaching materials and techniques.  I hope that every student will truly enjoy piano playing and will look forward to each lesson and each new learning experience. 

Events

• October Music Festival (TBA) 

• December Christmas performance (TBA) 

• May 10, 2025- Jian Yao Studio Spring Piano Recital (date subject to change depending on location availability)

Calendar

A total of 32 lessons will be given for the 2024-2025 school year.  Most holidays concur with the public school schedule.

• August 12 (Mon) Fall Semester begins

• September 2 (Mon) Labor Day - no lessons 

• October 14 (Mon) through October 18 (Fri) FSMTA Conference - no lessons

• October 31 (Thu) Halloween - no lessons

• November 25(Mon) through 29(Fri) Thanksgiving Holiday - no lessons

• December 23 (Mon) through January 3 (Fri) Christmas Holiday - no lessons

• January 6 (Mon) Spring semester piano lesson begins

• January 20 (Mon) through22 (Wed) Martin Luther King’s Birthday and piano observation - no lessons

• March 10 (Mon) through March 21 (Fri) MTNA Conference and Spring Break - no lessons

• May 10 (Sat) Spring Piano Recital (The last day of piano lessons is Monday, May 12)

• June-July Summer Lessons
  

Tuition

Tuition can be paid in one of three ways

* Monthly installments are billed for 10 months from August 2024 to May 2025

Tuition is due on the first lesson of each month.  A late charge of $20 will be assessed if tuition is not received by the 20th day of the month.  A non-refundable registration fee of $35 per student will be collected with the first tuition.    

Missed Lessons                 

Full attendance is critical for each student to achieve consistent progress.  If a student cannot attend his/her lesson, it is important that I be notified ahead of time, so I may use their slot to do a makeup lesson for another student.  There will be NO CREDIT for missed lessons.  Since my schedule is full, there will be no makeup lesson unless the student is able to swap the lesson times with someone else or I have a cancellation available.  Since everyone shares the same piano and studio space, if a student is sick, please stay at home as a courtesy to other students and the instructor. For these cases, I offer remote lessons through Skype.  If for any reason you need to discontinue lessons, please allow a one-month notice so that I may fill that time in my schedule.

Holidays                     

All holidays will be concurrent with public school holidays.  Monthly fees are the same regardless of holidays within the month.  

Practicing
It is very important that a special time be set aside each day for practicing the piano.  A beginner must practice at least 15 minutes a day, and practice time will be increased incrementally as the student progresses.  If a student has already started Hanon, scale, arpeggio, and chord exercises, he or she must practice at least one hour a day.  Consistent practice will create the greatest results as well as increase the enjoyment of playing the piano. 

Lesson Materials

Lesson Materials will be purchased at the student’s cost.  At each session, students must bring the required music books and a notebook for me to write instructions and assignments. 

Recitals

Performance experience is very important to a student’s piano learning.  It not only shows their talent but also builds confidence.  I will try to provide more performance opportunities for my students.  The 2025 final recital will be on May 10.   It will be at either the FSU Auditorium or Bay County Public Library.  I require all my students to join the recital.  If a new student is not ready to perform, he or she should come and observe.  It is optional for my adult students. 

Piano Tuning and Finger Nail Length

Due to the humid weather in Florida, pianos should be tuned at least once a year.  To maintain suitable nails for piano playing, students MUST cut their fingernails once a week.  

Parking

Please park on either side of the driveway so as to make room for other parents.