TK Music Lessons Studio Policies
Children Division (grades K-12)
Punctuality
Lessons are 30, 40, 45, 50 and 60 minutes long, which can be arranged with the teacher either in-person or online, according to the student’s preference. A student who signs up for in-person classes has the flexibility to switch to online instruction or vise versa at any time. For in-person classes, the student should arrive at most 5 minutes before the beginning of the lesson. Parents who leave their children for their lessons and return for them afterwards should pick up their children on time.
Private theory learning and ear training are part of the lesson.
Scheduling
TK Music Lessons Studio is offering two semesters each year. The Fall Semester runs from Labor Day until January 15; the Spring Semester lasts from January 16 until Memorial Day.
Students will be required to purchase either:
Plan “A’’: A Full Semester package of 18 lessons. This plan offers a 5% discount.
Plan “B’’: A Half Semester package of 9 lessons. This plan does not offer any discount.
Payment in full is due on the first lesson of each semester (or on the first lesson of each half-semester for plan “B”).
A late fee of $25 per student will be charged if tuition payment is not made on time.
If the student takes more than 18 lessons per semester, payment for the extra lessons taken will be due at the end of the semester.
Each student will receive a semester calendar to be able to follow the number of lessons taken during the school year.
An application deposit of $30 per student will be charged at the end of each school year in order for the student to reserve a spot in the studio for the following school year. The deposit is due on May 31st. The whole deposit amount will be returned as a deduction from the semester tuition ONLY if students purchase Full Semester or Half Semester tuition packages. Deposits will not be returned to students who do not purchase tuition packages.
A new student has a right to 3 try-out lessons before purchasing a full-semester or half-semester package (the remaining 15 or 6 lessons).
The payment for the 3 try-out lessons is in full (without the 5% discount). However, if the student decides to purchase the next 15 lessons, the amount of the discount for the first 3 lessons will be given back as a deduction from the remaining amount for a Full Semester package.
Cancelations
If a student needs to cancel a lesson, the student/parent must inform the teacher at least 24 hours in advance for re-scheduling to be possible. The lesson can be re-scheduled for any time that is convenient for both parties. If a student/parent cancels a lesson less than 24 hours in advance, TK Music Lessons will NOT offer a make-up lesson and will NOT issue a refund. If a teacher cancels a lesson less than 24 hours in advance, a make-up lesson or refund will be offered.
If a student withdraws before the fourth lesson, the studio will refund the remainder of the student’s tuition from their Full Semester or Half Semester packages. An additional cancellation fee of $25 will also be subtracted from the refund.
The studio will refund only half of the tuition for the remaining lessons if the student withdraws after the 4th lesson and before the 7th lesson. An additional cancellation fee of $25 will also be subtracted from the refund.
Refunds will NOT be given after the 7th lesson except in cases of prolonged illness or injury.
The studio only allows 3 excused absences per semester, all of which will need to be made up. An absence is defined as excused only if the studio or teacher has been notified of the absence at least 24 hours before the time of the lesson.
No excused absences are allowed for make-up lessons!
We DO NOT follow the Massachusetts School System’s schedule of vacations and snow days.
In case of a family vacation during the semester, please talk to your teacher in advance to arrange make-up lessons. These make-up lessons can be scheduled to take place either before and/or after your absence.
If a student chooses to take in-person classes but cannot come to the studio because of travel or illness, we offer the option to take some or all of the make-up classes online.
Recitals
There are two recitals each school year for all students. The Winter Recital is held in December; the Summer Recital takes place in May.
At the end of the Summer Recital, each student receives a diploma, which certifies the completion of the student’s relevant instrument level.
A recital registration fee of $25 per family with one participating student and $30 with two or more participating students is required.
A concert for students in Levels 2 and higher is held in March. Playing by memory is encouraged.
A concert registration fee of $25 per family with one participating student and $30 with two or more participating students is required for this event.
Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program and Graded Exams
The RCM Certificate Program is a comprehensive and effectively sequenced system of music study and standard of assessment that provides a clear path for well-rounded musical training. This program provides an effectively sequenced system of music study from beginner to advanced levels, and is recognized by international music schools, universities and colleges, orchestras, and ensembles. It is available for piano, guitar, recorder, voice, and encompasses:
Ten levels (1-10) plus Preparatory Levels.
Repertoire, etudes, ear tests, intervals, chords, playbacks/singbacks, and sight reading at each level.
The academic subjects of theory, harmony, analysis, and history.
Number of hours required to complete the course
As a student progresses through each level of the RCM Certificate Program, more time and effort is needed to successfully master the increasing technical and artistic challenges associated with each level. Although the time required is variable depending on level of study and age of the candidate, it is generally expected that a weekly lesson and/or class with an instructor is combined with daily practice for several months to a year prior to the examination. A typical schedule might involve the following estimated hours:
Practical Examinations
Intermediate Level (Level 5 to Level 8)
36 hours of instruction for each level, with minimum of 140 hours of individual practice time.
Advanced Level (Grade 9 to Grade 10)
Minimum 36 hours of instruction for each level, with minimum of 200 hours of individual practice time.
Theoretical Examinations
Level 5
18 hours of instruction, with minimum of 36 hours of individual homework time
Level 6 or 7
18 hours of instruction, with minimum of 36 hours of individual homework time
Level 8
24 hours of instruction, with minimum of 45 hours of individual homework time
"My Song" Art Competition
The “My Song” Art Competition takes place during the Fall Semester. The goal of this competition is to stir children's imagination to find a link between music and visual art. Interested students work with their teachers to choose a piece of music they especially like and explore ways to project the song’s character in visual art form. The winners and prizes of the Art Competition are announced each year during our Winter Recital.
For more information, see the "News and Events".