Lesson Information

Lesson Location

Lessons are taught at Westminster Presbyterian Church - 1301 Kimball Ave. Waterloo, IA. Families are welcome to drop their child off or stay at the church for their child’s lesson. Parents and accompanying siblings will be asked to wait in a separate room as to not distract the student or the teacher during their lesson. Parents who would like to sit in on their child’s lesson may be allowed to do so at the teacher’s discretion. Free Wi-fi is available for parents and siblings who choose to stay at the church.

At Home Student Expectations

Weekly practice logs are to be kept by each student inside their assignment journal. These logs will indicate the days and amount of time the student practiced each week.

Practicing is not simply a form of necessity to learn, but also to enjoy the piano lesson experience. Well-practiced students come to their lessons prepared and excited to learn more. Good practicing gives students the opportunity to expand beyond their lesson materials and learn songs they enjoy playing in classical, pop, cinema, or musical theatre repertoire. Students who lack in practicing come to their lessons nervous and grow frustrated by being unable to meet expectations. This can quickly lead to a decline in piano interest and even to a complete distaste in playing music.

At Home Parent Expectations

Parents should be prepared to help beginning students learn good practice habits. This includes encouraging them to practice at least 5 out of every 7 days, and for making sure they practice lesson materials and not just play around on their instrument. Parents of young students should expect to sit with their student 10 minutes a day to help them practice. Helping your student should be led through explanations and examples, never by playing “follow the leader” and having them mimic your playing. This ensures that students can learn as they grow and not just become efficient in the art of copying.

My Music Staff- Parent/Student Website

The My Music Staff Website is the backbone of the business portion of The Promise Academy of Music. When your students become active in the system right before each semester begins, you will receive log in information for My Music Staff accessible at promisemsuic.org Once inside your account, you will be able to see upcoming lessons, add your lesson schedule to your personal calendar, see previous studio announcements and emails, as well as see your invoice history. My Music Staff will also send you lesson reminders before the day of your lesson and securely handles all billing.

 

Information on Cancellation and Rescheduling

Lesson Cancellation Policy

Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will not be made up unless they are cancelled due to illness. (See details on the Illness Policy below)

 

Lesson Reschedule Policy

We are more than happy to reschedule private lessons if time permits in the teaching schedule. Rescheduling requests should be made at least 1 week prior to the known schedule conflict.

Communication on cancellations or rescheduling requests can be made online through the website app, through email, or through text messages. Regardless of the communication format, the timelines remain the same.

Missed Lesson Policy

Missed lessons will also be charged for as if they were attended and will not be rescheduled. Late students will not receive an extension from their allotted time, nor will they receive credit for the portion of the lesson they missed. If a student is more than 15 minutes late, they will forfeit their lesson for that week.

Inclement Weather Policy

Group classes & private lessons will generally follow the Waterloo School District cancellation schedule. Any updates regarding cancellations will be emailed or texted to parents by your teacher. Please watch for your teacher to cancel or confirm lessons if you are uncertain. This can become fluid in the event the school district is closed because of an overnight storm but roads are clear by evening lesson time, or a storm is starting later in the day so school was not cancelled but roads will be unsafe in the evening.

Illness Policy

An ill student is any student who shows signs of illness beyond a common cold.

Any student who shows up for a private or group lesson with an illness will be sent home.

Students who arrive for a lesson feeling flu like symptoms, who have a family member with the flu, or are within 48 hours of having the flu will be sent home and will lose all accrued make-up credits.

This policy is in place to protect the teacher’s other students in the studio. Your students can come to lessons with confidence knowing they are in a safe environment.

 

Information on Communication:

Information comes through a variety of people at The Promise Academy of Music- generally your best line of communication is directly with your teacher. The automated emails you received reply to Westminster’s Director of Music Ministries and can often cause delays in information being shared with the teacher. For billing or other non-lesson concerns please contact Westminster’s Director of Music Ministries at 319.234.5501 ext. 110

 

STUDIO FEES & PAYMENT INFORMATION

Private Lessons: 

Private Lessons are charged on a semester flat-rate tuition basis. Teacher absences will be credited to your account through one make up credit per missed lesson that will be available for use outside of your normal lesson time. Your tuition includes all of your necessary lesson music as well as access to Westminster’s library of rental instruments free of charge.

Online Invoices: 

You will receive an invoice at the beginning of the semester with your total balance due. This invoice is due by the final Friday of the semester and can be paid at any time (including incremental amounts) over the course of the semester. Students with unpaid invoices will not be allowed to register for future semesters until their balance is paid in full.

Scholarships:

Scholarships are available. Please visit promisemusic.org/scholarship to apply for one to help with lesson or camp expenses.

Registration Fee: 

When registering for The Promise Academy of Music you will be charged a $10 registration fee per student per semester.