Studio Policies.

Student Expectations.

Piano students are expected to have an acoustic piano or a touch sensitive keyboard with at least one pedal, preferably full size-88 keys-at home. Guitar students are expected to begin on a classical or acoustic guitar that is the right size for their hands and have a guitar tuner (preferably a red SNARK). Ukulele students will generally use a soprano or alto ukulele and also need a tuner. Drumset students must have access to a Drumset or electric drum kit for home practice as well as at least one pair of size 5 or 7 drumsticks. Concert percussion students will need SD1 drumsticks and/or a set of marimba or vibe mallets; depending on what they are studying. 

All students should arrived prepared with all their materials for lessons. Practicing is a requirement of taking lessons on any instrument. Students who do not practice do not belong in my studio. Students who do not consistently practice 3-4x a week will be asked to take a break from lessons. 

Some instruments will require method books and others will have music provided by the instructor. School age students are expected to prepare for and attend the yearly studio recital each spring.

Types of Lessons.

The majority of students will take a weekly individual lesson. Individual lessons are available year round at both studio locations.

For families and students who want a more relaxed lesson experience or to build in practice time at the studio, similar to the commitment for kid’s sports and summer camps, I also offer Labs or Duet lessons. 

A Duet lesson is where two students come to learn at the same time. This type of lesson works best for siblings or friends, as well as grandparents and grandchildren, or parents and children; etc. Duet lessons are 30-minutes once a week during the school year and are available at both studio locations.

For piano or guitar labs, families get together and find 3-4 kids to take a 60-minute lesson once a week. Labs can be made of piano students, guitar students or both piano and guitar. Labs are most effective for kids ages 8-12. In a lab, kids work independently for part of the lesson with instructor support and together as a group for part of the lessons. Labs are available only at the Spirit Lake studio during the school year.

Age-Appropriate Learning.

It is very important for the success of a student to be the right age and physical size to be able to play certain instruments. Sometimes little fingers have difficulty with certain movements on an instrument, so beginning to study when too young can lead a student to quit and dislike music. It is better, sometimes, to wait an extra year or two to begin learning an instrument, rather than force a student who is not yet physically ready for the demands of lessons.

These are my age requirements for lessons: Piano-Age 7+ and have completed kindergarten with good reading skills; Guitar/Ukulele-age 9+and have completed third grade; Percussion/Drumset/Mallets-age 10+ and already in fourth grade.

Unsure if you kid is physically or mentally ready for lessons? Kids should be able to write their name legibly in lower and upper case letters, read a book of their age level independently, tie their shoes, dribble a ball for 3-4 times in a row without the ball getting away from them, and be able to focus on a single task for 20-minutes. 

All students must have basic reading skills to take lessons, as many lessons materials and teacher practice notes are written out for home practice. If your student is neurodivergent or has learning disabilities or physical disabilities that may require additional assistance; please let me know so we can get arrange for the best learning environment. 

Honoring Childhood Autonomy.

Kids who do not wish to take lessons will not be allowed to take lessons at my studio. Many kids go through times of having less interest in music, but there is a distinct difference for kids being forced into learning an instrument they have no desire to learn.

While any student has the capability to learn an instrument (instruments require time and consistency; not talent), I will not force a student to take lessons; even if the family wishes to force the student to continue with lessons. Forcing lessons results in students who end up hating to learn about music. I will always make quitting or taking a break from lessons a positive experience for anyone I work with!

Absences and Missed Lessons.

Tuition is calculated with the expectation that a student may miss 2 lessons during the calendar year that they are unable to makeup. This means, if you attend all lessons during the calendar year, you will have attended 2 FREE lessons.

If you know you are going to be absent during your regular lesson time, I have a swap calendar you can utilize to reschedule your lesson. With 48-hours notice, just pick a new lesson time to use as a makeup for the one you are going to miss.

If there is less than 48 hours notice of a missed lesson, you can sign up for a masterclass or use it as one of your two FREE lessons. I do not provide makeups or swaps to lessons missed without 48 hours notice. I do not reimburse tuition for student absences. Each studio location has their own swap calendar, but you can attend a makeup at either studio location that is convenient for you.

Individual Lesson Swap Calendars:

Spirit Lake: https://pedersenmusicstudio-swaps.square.site

Spencer: https://pedersen-music-studio-spencer-location.square.site

Instructor absences are handled differently than student absences. I will never ask you to suddenly come to the studio on a different day and time because of a conflict or illness on my part.  Extra dates at the end of each semester will be utilized as make-up lesson times for instructor cancellations, allowing you to keep your regular lesson time. If an emergency causes me to miss more lessons than are available in the makeup calendar, I will reimburse your tuition for the lessons I am unable to makeup.

For weather related conflicts, all lessons will be moved online for that day. I will make sure to contact you directly if I have to move lessons online due to weather. If you cannot attend an online lesson during a weather event, you may makeup that lesson by attending a masterclass or take that day off as one of your two FREE lessons.

Tuition.

Tuition is based on the length of the lesson and type of lesson. Individual lessons can be taken in either weekly 20-minute timeslots or 30-minute timeslots. Lesson lengths can be doubled or scheduled twice a week for students with exceptional drive and dedication. The length of lesson is meant to help with practice expectations for students and to set students up for success during the week. Longer lessons means more material to practice and prepare.

Tuition is not based on the total number of lessons a student attends. Tuition is paid for a spot in the studio, which comes with many benefits in a studio with a full-time instructor. Tuition includes materials, a weekly scheduled lesson slot, options for swap lessons, the recital, masterclasses, personalized music arrangements, music packets and outside of lesson preparation time. There is no price adjustment or refund for unattended lessons, as a lesson spot cannot be “sold” to another student when absent.

I require a non-refundable deposit to register for a time slot for any type of lesson. Please speak with me directly to inquire about current rates, payment schedules, etc. Scholarships are available based on financial need for students with exceptional dedication and commitment.

Dismissal from Lessons .

I reserve the right to dismiss students from lessons for any of the following reasons: 

~Failure to pay tuition ~Persistent absences ~Consistently coming unprepared ~Refusal to play/participate in lessons ~Behavior disruptions during lessons or while waiting in the church/music store where the studio is located ~Wandering into areas of the church/music store not designated as studio space