>students
Students ages 5 and up who are interested in piano and are willing to make the necessary efforts are all welcomed.  The first lesson will be an introductory trial lesson/interview.  Students and parents who show interest and compatibility with our teaching style will be admitted.  A strong sense of commitment and respect is expected from students and parents who are accepted into the studio.

>lesson description
Music theory, ear-training, sight-reading, technique and various styles of repertoire are taught in each lesson. For beginning students, the Shaak method is at the core of our teaching. One lesson per week is required. The lesson length is agreed upon by the parent and the teacher.  Lessons are typically an hour or forty-five minutes.

>payment policy
Tuition for lessons are due at the first week of each month. Payments can be made in either cash or checks (cash is preferred). Please make checks payable to: Akiko Sasaki or Jesse Stacken. A $20 fee will be charged if payments are not received by the third week of the month. A $30 service charge will be added on the next statement for any returned checks. The lesson rates are as follows:
     
One hour:                   $60
Forty-five minutes:    $50

There is an additional travel fee of $25 for lessons at other locations (i.e. your home).

>student expectations
1. Students are expected to arrive to lessons and recitals on time.  Any time missed due to tardiness, forgetting a lesson, or having to end a lesson early will not be made up and there are no refunds.  Please keep in mind that the instructor has reserved this time slot for you and has arranged his or her schedule around other students as well. It is extremely important that you stay with your scheduled lesson time.

2. Students are expected to practice at home daily for 20 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the level of the student (Please discuss with your instructor).  If the student is not practicing for extended periods of time (other than vacations and trips), a parent meeting will be scheduled.

3. Students are expected to come to each lesson with his/her music books and notebook.

4. Parental involvement is required for younger students. Kids improve quickly and have a better understanding of materials learned if parents are actively involved.  The last five minutes of your lesson will often be a follow up with the parent. Parents will be requested to monitor practice for all younger students. For the older students, parents will be requested to monitor practice if progress has not been shown.  If there is a consistent lack of commitment and progress, the teacher may discontinue lessons.

5. There are two recitals during the school year that are mandatory.  Recitals give students a goal, which will help them have direction in their practicing.  It is also important that students get performance experience.  Recital fees will be announced and collected at the beginning of the school year.  Recital fees are non-refundable and will be going towards the rental of the hall. 

>cancellation/make-up lesson policy
Missed and cancelled lessons will not carry over nor be credited to the following months tuition.  A make up lesson will only be offered if the cancellation was made 24 hours prior to the lesson time.  The teacher will offer you three possible make up dates and if none of them work it will be considered made up.  If the student cancels the make-up lesson it will be considered made up.  Each student is allowed two make-ups per semester. A make-up lesson must be arranged to take place before the coming month. A make-up will always be provided if the lesson was canceled by the instructor.  A make-up lesson will not be given to students that cancel a lesson with less than a 24 hour notice, nor will a refund be given. Planned absences must be arranged with the teacher prior to the monthly tuition payment.  Please keep in mind that if cancellation and planned absences occur too often, the instructor has the right to discontinue lessons.  Sudden sickness or emergencies will be dealt with case by case. This policy is strictly enforced.

>holidays and breaks
If the student will be absent on a holiday, the instructor must be informed prior to the monthly tuition payment. Likewise, any holidays or breaks that the instructor will be taking will be arranged before monthly tuition payment.

>tuition adjustments
Any adjustments made to the tuition will be addressed at the beginning of the school year.

>teaching goals
The goals are of our studio are for each student to develop piano, music theory and ear-training skills, and most importantly acquire a life-lasting love, respect and understanding of music.