Sounds of Tahoe



Studio Policies & Schedule for the 2022-2023 Piano Year


Welcome to the 2022-2023 Piano Year with Miss Elaine at Sounds of Tahoe! 

My objectives in teaching include fostering the love my students have for the piano by developing piano skills for playing and reading music for personal enjoyment, playing with others and going on to advanced levels as students improve. Lessons are student centered and may include: music theory, improvising, composing, listening, counting, singing, memorizing, recording and playing with others, over the course of study. 

I also offer remote/online lessons for students who are unable to attend in person, or live in a different area.


Sounds of Tahoe offers a year round music program including 

Summer and School Year Lessons


The annual tuition plan includes:

  • Up to 6 private, 40 minute lesson in the summer from 6/21 - 8/12/2022
  • Up to 26 private, 40 minute lessons during the school year from 9/12/22-6/2/2023


Sounds of Tahoe added value events and activities 

  • Up to 3 Studio recitals (virtual or in person)
  • Guild Auditions* Certificate Program
  • Special Events which may include: Clavinova Festival* and or preparation for school events and talent shows
  • Piano Maestro membership in the Sounds of Tahoe Studio account

*The Clavinova Festival and Guild Auditions require additional entry fees


For online lessons:

  • Please be prepared with a PENCIL ✎, paper, all your music & assignment sheet 
  • I recommend as large a screen as you have: Computer, ipad/tablet
  • Close any other open applications on your device and ask family members to avoid streaming or using internet when the lesson connection is unstable
  • Charge your device fully or plug in
  • Please do your best to eliminate background noises which can be distracting during lessons
  • Use a stand or other stable solution to hold your device during lessons (not on the piano)
  • Update your software and operating system regularly


🎹Registration Fee, Schedule & Tuition for the 2022-2023 Piano Year 🎹

June 21, 2022 - June 2, 2023


Sounds of Tahoe has an annual nonrefundable Registration Fee

The Registration Fee is not included in Tuition 

The Registration Fee is due by May 1, 2022 to confirm your commitment to a space in the 2022-2023 piano year schedule


Summer Session: June 21 - August 12, 2022

Annual tuition includes up to 6 Summer lessons. Summer lessons are an important and valuable part of music study! Regular lessons and practice are essential for maintaining skills and making progress, and summer can be a perfect time for piano lessons. 

Summer sessions may include the freedom to include additional aspects of music study; and could include composing, improvising and music theory in addition to getting a jump on new pieces for the next school year. Lessons can be spread out over the course of summer session or multiple in a week. I find that students can make tremendous progress in the summer!


To schedule your summer lessons:

  1. Turn in your complete registration information and $150 registration fee - due May 1st 
  2. Once you have paid your Registration Fee(s), you are welcome to go online and schedule your summer lessons at: SoundsofTahoe.com
  3. Email or text if you need to refresh your password for the site, or if you would like personal assistance setting up your summer schedule


Cancellations and Changes for Summer Lessons

Individual summer lessons in 2022 may be changed or cancelled any time up to June 20, 2022. 

Please limit any summer session changes to ONE after June 20. 

No changes or cancellations can be made less than 72 hours before the scheduled start time. Thank you!


🎹  School year lessons September 12, 2021 - June 2, 2022  🎹


The weeks not scheduled for regular lessons allow space for:

  • 6 regular weeks of school holidays (following Nevada public school schedule)
  •  2 additional weeks of vacation on either side of the Winter Break


NO LESSONS

DATES

October Break Week

October 3-7

Thanksgiving Break Week

November 21-25

Winter Break (4 weeks)

One week before 

AND one week after school vacations

December 19, 2022 - 

January 16, 2023

February Break Week

February 20-24

April Break Week

April 10-14



🎹Tuition & Tuition Payment 🎹

All lessons are paid in advance, Refunds or credits will not be provided


Annual tuition for the 2022-2023 piano year 

  • You may prepay the piano year in full, or in two payments on or by: 6/10/2022 & 12/10/22
  • Monthly tuition payments are divided into 12 payments due: June 10, 2022 - May 10, 2023
  • Tuition is the same each month regardless of the number of lessons in a month
  • Tuition payments are due even if there are no lessons in a calendar month
  • Monthly payments are due on or by the 10th of the month
  • Tuition is considered past due when paid after the 15th of the month and a $25 late fee should be included with tuition received after the 15th of the month


The ‘Opt Out’ of Summer Lessons annual tuition 

  • You may prepay the piano year in full, or in two payments on or by: 6/10/2022 & 12/10/2023
  • Monthly tuition payments are divided into 12 payments due: June 10, 2022 - May 10, 2023
  • Tuition is the same each month regardless of the number of lessons in a month
  •  Tuition payments are due even if there are no lessons in a calendar month
  • Monthly payments are due on or before the 10th of the month
  • Tuition is considered past due when paid after the 15th of the month and a $25 late fee should be included with tuition received after the 15th of the month


Personal Vacation Days, Cancellations and Changes during the School Year

  • The piano year tuition structure allows for each student to use 2 ‘personal vacation day’ cancellations. (PVDs) 
  • You may use these in case of emergency, vacation, or unavoidable conflict
  • There are also 2 teacher PVD’s allotted in the tuition packages


Make-up Lessons

  • Due to all our busy schedules I am not available for make-up lessons for missed or forgotten lessons, or other assorted scheduling conflicts. I encourage you to plan ahead and set up a lesson exchange with another student any time you foresee a conflict. Please notify me of any changes (Thank you)
  •  If I am sick or have an unavoidable conflict, I will use one of my (2) PVDs or reschedule the missed lesson at a mutually convenient time
  • In the event that neither you or I use all our allotted Personal Vacation Days, that will result in bonus lessons for your child


Weekday Holidays, Teacher Conferences or School Closures not during a Break Week

Lessons remain on regular schedule for assorted holidays, conferences, closures etc. 

Contact Miss Elaine by email, phone, or text if you have any questions



Home Music Time - Students only need to practice on days that they eat!*

*Unless they are on vacation and unable to get to a piano!

A regular practice time and routine combined with good placement of the piano and a tuned and well maintained piano provides a home foundation for progress and enjoyment. 

Consistent practice is a requirement for enrollment and success!

  • Parents of students 11 years old and younger need to sit with their child at least 10 minutes each day to provide support in a positive routine and assist with reading the assignment
  • Students should plan to spend 20-60 (+) minutes at the piano each day, depending on age and time studied, and how great they would like to get at playing the piano! 


Snow Days, Travel, or Sick Days

Now that we have remote lessons so readily at our fingertips (😆) We can easily shift to remote lessons as needed. Remote lessons may be held; any time you feel it is unsafe to travel (snow/ice), have a busy schedule, or if there is a chance of exposing each other to viruses, etc. 


Piano Marvel App/program - works on Ipad, any laptop or desktop and iPhones 

I added the Piano Marvel program to my curriculum in 2018, and truly appreciate the value that it brings to my students. I see it as a substantial asset for developing well rounded musicians! So much so, that I am willing to *PAY* your child’s monthly subscription ($15.99 retail),

*IF* you and they are willing to commit to a minimum of 3 days every week using the app outside of regular lessons (5-10 minutes each time). 

I recognize that Piano Marvel may not be a fit for every student/family, however, I encourage families to investigate the program online to learn more about the program. A connection to a keyboard or piano is currently required for the assessment tool to be active.

 

Lesson Withdrawl

If you decide to withdraw from lessons for any reasons, please give one full month of notice before the expected final lesson. Notice can only be accepted at the time the final tuition payment is made. Please understand and respect that this can give a satisfactory time to close the course of music study. Refunds or credits will not be provided.


Thank You for Paying Attention

  • Students may arrive and come in quietly up to 5 minutes before their lesson time
  •  Please remove shoes and leave them in the front hall
  • Wash hands to be ready for playing piano, or use your own hand sanitizer if you prefer
  • I appreciate when you pick up your child promptly. Thank you! 


Teacher Qualifications

Private Piano Instructor since 1983

Bachelor of Science in Music Education K-12, Montana State University, Billings 1986

Masters of Music, University of Nevada, Reno 1994

Adjunct Faculty at Sierra Nevada College 1987-1999 teaching Private Piano Lessons, Music Theory & Midi Composition 

Adjunct Faculty at UNR 1994-1997 teaching Functional Piano Class to Music Majors

Member and local Chairperson for American College of Musicians National Guild of Piano Teachers since 1991

Member Music Teachers’ National Association 

Member Northern Nevada Music Teachers’ Association


4/17/22

Lessons are held in person or on zoom depending on our health and location.