Private Lesson Policy
Overview
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Studio Philosophy
At Sunrise Prelude Piano Studios, a comprehensive, high-quality music education is provided and tailored to the unique needs and goals of each student. My desire is for every student to feel inspired, enjoy the process of learning, develop perseverance, and cultivate a lifelong love of music.
I believe music is more than learning to play an instrument. It is a powerful tool for developing confidence, discipline, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Through music education, students have opportunities to grow not only as musicians but also personally, emotionally, and academically.
The SHINE Values
Sunrise Prelude Piano Studios is dedicated to the following "SHINE" values:
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Support: Create a caring and encouraging environment where every student and family feels valued and supported.
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Harmony: Cultivate harmony by building strong student-teacher relationships that honor each student's unique learning style, while fostering a welcoming studio community united by a shared love of music.
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Inspire: Inspire a lifelong love of music by making lessons fun, engaging, meaningful, and rewarding.
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Nurture: Nurture confidence, perseverance, creativity, and character through the study of music.
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Excellence: Pursue excellence by providing high-quality instruction in a positive, organized, and welcoming studio environment.​
Commitment & Enrollment
The Piano Lesson Program at Sunrise Prelude Piano Studios is an academic-year-long program built around a thoughtfully sequenced curriculum. Enrollment is a commitment for the full academic year, allowing students to experience consistent growth and long-term musical success.
Why Commitment Matters for Students
Students make the greatest progress when music becomes part of a consistent routine. Continued enrollment allows students to:
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Build skills step by step
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Develop confidence through a familiar lesson structure
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Form meaningful relationships with their teacher
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Experience those exciting "it clicked!" moments through repetition and guided practice
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Take pride in their accomplishments as they see their hard work pay off
When students remain committed, they don't just become better musicians, they also develop confidence, perseverance, and a sense of achievement that extends beyond the piano.
Why Commitment Matters for the Studio
Each student's weekly lesson time is reserved exclusively for them throughout the academic year. Consistent enrollment allows the teacher to make goals and progress plans for each student, maintain a stable teaching schedule, and ensure every student has a dedicated lesson time each week.​​​​
Tuition & Fees
For current tuition rates, please refer to the Piano Lesson Program registration page.
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Tuition may be paid through ten equal monthly installments or two discounted semester payments, depending on the selected enrollment option. Tuition is divided for your convenience, regardless of the number of lessons scheduled in a particular month or semester.
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A household registration fee is required annually to enroll and reserve your family's place in the studio. The registration fee is non-refundable.
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Multiple Student Discount
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Families enrolling two students from the same household will receive 5% off the tuition of the second student.
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Families enrolling three or more students will receive 5% off the total tuition for all enrolled students.
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What Tuition Covers
Tuition reserves your student's weekly lesson time and supports individualized instruction, lesson planning, studio resources, and ongoing professional development.
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The academic-year program includes:
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36 instructional weeks: 33 weekly private lessons + 3 quarterly musicianship group lessons
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4+ additional group enrichment classes covering performance, theory, history, and more
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Instruction throughout the academic year (August through June), excluding scheduled holidays and breaks
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3–4 studio recitals and performance opportunities
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Access to make-up lessons according to the studio's make-up policy
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Payment Schedule
Monthly Payments:
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Due on the 1st of each month, August – May
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Processed automatically through the credit card or debit card on file
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Automatic billing is required for all monthly payment plans
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All major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted
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Semester Payments:
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Due on the 1st of August and January
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Must be paid by cash or check
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A $30 fee will be charged for returned checks
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Mailed checks/cash must be received within 3 days of the due date
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Late Payments
Payments not received by the end of the day on the 3rd will incur a $15 late fee, and lessons will be suspended until the account is brought current.
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Payments still outstanding after the 10th will incur an additional $10 late fee (for a total of $25).
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Tuition Commitment
Enrollment is a financial commitment for the academic year. Because lesson times are reserved exclusively for each student and cannot easily be filled after withdrawal, tuition is non-refundable.
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No credits or refunds are provided for missed lessons, cancellations, or early withdrawals. If a student withdraws or is discontinued during the academic year, the remaining tuition balance becomes due upon withdrawal.
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Annual Tuition Review
Tuition is reviewed annually, with any adjustments taking effect on August 1. Updated tuition rates will be communicated by July 1 each year.
Re-Enrollment & Scheduling
Private lessons at Sunrise Prelude Piano Studios are designed for continued, long-term growth. Returning students are given priority enrollment for the following session.
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Because lesson schedules may change due to student availability, teacher availability, and annual schedule adjustments, lesson times are not automatically guaranteed from year to year. Families will receive renewal information each summer, including instructions to confirm continued enrollment and provide updated availability.
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The studio will create the upcoming academic-year schedule based on returning student availability, lesson length, and scheduling needs. Every effort will be made to accommodate preferred lesson times, but a specific day or time cannot be guaranteed. Requesting a lesson time change mid-year is not guaranteed and is based on teacher availability.
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Annual renewal helps students maintain consistent progress while allowing the studio schedule to remain organized and sustainable for all families.
Practice & Lesson Expectations
Consistent home practice is essential for musical progress. Students are expected to:
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Practice regularly between lessons, with a goal of approximately 5 days per week
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Come prepared with their assignments completed and all materials
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Follow instructions and participate actively
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Treat the teacher, instruments, and studio space with respect
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Keep fingernails trimmed short
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Parents play an important role in a student's success by:
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Encouraging consistent practice
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Ensuring punctual arrival and pick-up
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Reading studio communications
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Maintaining open communication with the teacher
For younger students, parental involvement during practice at home is strongly encouraged.
Attendance & Missed Lessons
Attendance & Punctuality
Lessons begin and end at their scheduled times. Students are expected to arrive on time and be ready to begin their lesson.
A 10-minute grace period is provided for unexpected delays. If a student is more than 10 minutes late without prior communication, the lesson may be forfeited and will not be rescheduled or credited.
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For families with multiple students scheduled consecutively, late arrival does not result in lesson times being combined, shortened, or redistributed between students. Each student's lesson time is reserved individually, and the teacher will continue with the next scheduled lesson at its assigned time.
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Lesson Observation
Parents/guardians are welcome to observe private lessons when recommended by the teacher, particularly for younger beginners, however, they are not required to attend lessons. Parents are welcome to wait in their car or leave and return at the end of the lesson for pickup.
For safety and focus, additional children and guests are not permitted in the studio. Parents are responsible for arranging supervision for any non-enrolled children during the lesson time.
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Students must be picked up promptly at the end of their scheduled lesson time, as supervision is not provided outside of class. A 5-minute grace period is provided for unexpected delays. Late pickups beyond the grace period may incur a $15 late pickup fee. Consistent late pickups may result in a review of lesson time and enrollment.
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Missed Lessons & Make-ups
Tuition reserves the student's weekly lesson time and supports instruction, planning, materials, studio operations, and more, not just lesson attendance. Because of this, there are no refunds or credits for missed lessons due to illness, travel, school events, or other conflicts.
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Each student may receive up to three make-up lessons per academic year for student-canceled lessons.
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Make-up options may include:
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An online lesson in place of the missed in-person lesson
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A scheduled make-up lesson on an available studio make-up day
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A short instructional video or lesson summary
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A brief progress check-in or assignment guidance
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A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required for make-up eligibility, but advance notice is more appreciated. Make-ups are not guaranteed and must be scheduled within 30 days. It is the family's responsibility to schedule any approved make-up lessons.
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Student Illness
Students must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to in-person lessons. Students experiencing contagious symptoms should attend online when possible or reschedule according to make-up guidelines.​ Thank you for helping protect the health of our studio community!
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Teacher Cancellations & Flex Weeks
The studio calendar includes planned teacher flexibility weeks to account for illness, emergencies, and unexpected circumstances. If the teacher cancels a lesson, the family will be notified as soon as possible. No rescheduling is required, students just continue with the next scheduled lesson, typically the following week.
Recitals, Group Lessons, & Events
Musicianship Group Lessons
Throughout the academic year, students will participate in quarterly Musicianship Group Lessons. These group lessons replace the regularly scheduled private lesson during those weeks and are included as part of the private lesson program.
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Musicianship Group Lessons provide students with opportunities to strengthen important skills beyond individual piano study, including music theory, ear training, rhythm, music history, performance preparation, composition, improvisation, and ensemble activities.
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Learning in a group setting allows students to explore concepts in new ways, build confidence, collaborate with other musicians, and develop a deeper understanding of music.
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Students are expected to attend their scheduled Musicianship Group Lesson. Multiple class times may be offered when possible to accommodate different schedules, including daytime and after-school options. Class placement and recommendations will be provided by the teacher.
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Musicianship Group Lessons cannot be made up.
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Performance Group Classes & Recitals
Recitals will be held four times during the academic year:
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Fall Formal Recital
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Winter (Holiday) Recital
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Honors Recital with the Beavercreek Piano Teachers Association (must be selected by teacher to perform)
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Spring Formal Recital
Dates will be announced at the beginning of each semester and students are required to participate (don’t worry, it is a fun, compassionate, supporting atmosphere). All family and friends are welcome to come support students in recitals! Families will be asked to bring a side, dessert, or drinks. Students are required to follow the dress code for the occasion.
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All recitals will be located at Beavercreek Baptist Church. Occasionally, performances can be planned at a nursing home, library, or other facility as an act of community service.
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Studio Calendar
The studio calendar includes scheduled holidays and breaks. These dates are already accounted for in tuition, and students will receive the full number of scheduled instructional lessons.
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The studio is closed during the following holidays and breaks:
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Labor Day
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The week of Thanksgiving, excluding Monday
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The week of Christmas
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The week of New Year's Eve & Day
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Spring Break (dates TBA each year; usually in March or April)
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Memorial Day week
Materials & Instruments
For private piano lessons, each student must possess an instrument on which to practice at home, a metronome, and the method books assigned by the teacher.
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Acoustic Piano Recommendations
An acoustic piano is ideal. Rentals, financed purchases, and rent-to-buy programs can be found at fairly reasonable prices. I recommend checking out the following stores:
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BHA Piano Center in Dayton
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Hauer Music in Centerville
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Piano Pros in West Chester​
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Graves Piano Co in Columbus
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Digital Piano Recommendations
Digital pianos are acceptable for beginner piano students, instruments must be full-length (88 keys) and have weighted keys. Here are some digital pianos I recommend:​
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If you purchase a digital piano, please ensure your student has the following equipment:
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Piano stand (sold in bundles or separately; not necessary if you buy a furniture-style digital piano)
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Adjustable piano bench (sometimes sold with the piano - double check)
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Sustain pedal
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Foot stool or pedal extender for shorter students
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Long Term Students
After two years of taking piano, students are strongly encouraged to acquire an acoustic instrument if they don’t already have one. This is crucial to the development of technique and skill.
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Materials & Method Books
Students may be required to purchase books, materials, and equipment throughout the year. Families may purchase required materials themselves using the teacher's recommendations, or the teacher may purchase materials on the student's behalf. Materials purchased by the teacher will be invoiced at cost plus a 5% ordering and handling fee.
Discontinuation & Withdrawal
The studio is committed to fostering positive, long-term relationships with every student and family. If concerns arise regarding a student's progress, motivation, scheduling, or overall experience, the teacher will make every reasonable effort to communicate with the family and work together toward a solution. Parent-teacher conferences are always welcome, and families are encouraged to reach out at any time with questions or concerns. Every family is valued, and the goal is always to resolve challenges whenever possible.
If the teacher determines that lessons are no longer an appropriate fit, the teacher reserves the right to discontinue enrollment for reasons including, but not limited to:
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Repeated disruptive behavior
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Persistent lack of attendance
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Lack of reasonable practice effort
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Late or missed tuition payments
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Violation of studio policies
Whenever reasonably possible, the teacher will communicate concerns with the family before discontinuing enrollment.
Enrollment in the Piano Lesson Program is a commitment for the full academic year. Families considering early withdrawal are encouraged to make this decision carefully in collaboration with the parent, student, and teacher. In many situations, concerns can be addressed through open communication before withdrawal becomes necessary.
If a family chooses to withdraw before the end of the academic year, written notice must be provided at least 30 days before the student's final lesson.
As outlined in the Commitment & Enrollment and Tuition & Fees sections of this policy, early withdrawal does not release a family from the annual tuition commitment. The remaining tuition balance becomes due upon withdrawal unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the studio.
In cases involving serious illness, relocation, or other extraordinary circumstances, families are encouraged to contact the teacher. Any exceptions to this policy are made solely at the discretion of the teacher.
Media Consent
By participating in our programs, you consent and authorize Sunrise Prelude Piano Studios LLC to capture, use, reproduce, and distribute images, video, and audio recordings of you and your child, including his/her musical performance or quoted statements, for promotional and educational purposes. You agree that use of such images and recording may personally identify your child by name, unless you notify Sunrise Prelude Piano Studios otherwise in writing, and are without any compensation to you or your child. In participating in group classes, private lessons, or summer camps, you agree to waive and release any and all claims related to the use of these images and recordings. Sunrise Prelude Piano Studios owns the sole copyright to the images and recordings taken by Sunrise Prelude Piano Studios.
This policy may be updated at anytime without notice. Continued enrollment is agreement to the current studio policies.