susan hoop

Studio Policies 2019-2020

     Each student should arrive at his/her lesson on time and should be prepared with his/her music and notebook. He/she does not need to knock, but should walk in, sit down, and wait quietly for his/her lesson time. Please do not arrive more than five minutes before the lesson time. Parents should pick students up promptly.

      Students are required to practice a minimum of five days per week. Beginners should practice at least 20 minutes per day. Elementary age students who have studied longer than six months should practice at least 30 minutes per day. Later elementary students and middle school students should practice at least 45 minutes per day. High school students should practice at least an hour per day. Practice should be done slowly and carefully with the metronome on approximately 90% of the time. Students should isolate the problem areas rather than just play through the entire piece. The student should also make sure that he/she makes all corrections from the previous lesson. The student's progress is dependent on how much and how well he/she practices at home. I only get to see the student once per week. Students who work correctly at home learn to play the piano.  

     Students are required to participate in a spring recital. Students who do not participate will be asked to leave the studio. Each student is required to learn Alabama Music Teachers Association theory on his/her age level. Students are strongly urged to enter Alabama Music Teachers Association Auditions in the spring. I feel that it benefits the student to learn to prepare for an audition and to receive comments from a qualified judge. It also helps me, as a teacher, to receive feedback from judges. 

      I email the bill the first day of every month payable by the 15th. Please write the student's name on the check. I take care of purchasing all music and then itemize music on each month's bill. Each month's fee is a flat rate during the school year. I do not deduct for school holidays or charge extra if there are five lessons in a month. I do not deduct or arrange a makeup lesson if a missed lesson is the student's fault. If I cancel a lesson, I either make the lesson up or deduct the cost of the lesson. Students are always welcome to make a swap with another student if there is a conflict. Students are required to study in the summer when they are in town. I am much more flexible in the summer and charge by the lesson throughout the summer. 

     Every student is required to own a metronome. Pianos should be tuned at least once a year. Please contact me if you need the name of a piano tuner.  

     There will be four group lessons during the school year. These classes give the students a opportunity to have performance experience, and learn about music history and theory. There is no extra cost for the group lessons and no makeup classes for those students who do not attend. Please drop students off and do not sit in my neighborhood during the group lessons. Pick your child up promptly. There is a 15 minute break between the groups to avoid too much traffic in my neighborhood. Please be respectful of my neighbors!

      Please avoid calling me during teaching hours. I do check text messages regularly, and that is an easy way to let me know a student will not be coming that day.  Students who do not follow directions can be asked to leave my studio at any time. 

     Tuition for the 2019-2020 school year beginning August 5, 2018 is $90 per month for a 30 minute lesson each week, $112 per month for a 45 minute lesson each week, and $135 per month for a 60 minute lesson each week.