Piano Policies and Courtesy Information

Lesson Schedule:

We have reserved space for your student(s) with the understanding that we will have a lesson each week at that time based on the studio calendar.  If a permanent conflict arises with this lesson time, please feel free to contact us to discuss alternate arrangements. We are happy to work with you to ensure a weekly lesson time that complements both of our schedules. 

 Security/Location:

At Karen Batten Piano Studio LLC, the doors remain locked or monitored at all times. Piano lessons are held in the studio at 270 Island Dr., and Citizens Christian Academy.   If you arrive more than five minutes early, please remain in your car until your lesson is about to begin.   

Payment:

Tuition is $75.00 per month. Preferred method of payment is credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) , ACH, check, or cash and will be automatically billed on the first calendar day of each month. Any credit card issues must be resolved by the 5th of the month.  After the 10th of the month, student attendance will be suspended until all fees are paid. We can and do accept credit card/debit cards on site.  Make all checks payable to Karen Batten Piano Studio LLC.

A Word About Tuition and Registration: What you pay is tuition and registration. It is not calculated as an hourly fee for services rendered because teaching is more than the time we spend with your student. Tuition and registration covers time spent with students, preparation time, technology fees,  teacher training and experience, recital costs and preparations, professional organization memberships, professional journals, studio expenses, property taxes, self-employment taxes, insurance, business licenses, retirement, continuing education, and certification costs.

Cancellations/Makeup Classes:

If your child is sick and/or missed school due to illness or not feeling well, do not send them to lessons.  No credits or refunds will be issued for missed lessons. With the number of students this year makeups are going to be difficult to do without prior notice.  Therefore, we are implementing some new options.

Technology makes it possible to avoid missed lessons by having an online lesson. For example, if the student is too ill to attend in person (perhaps stayed home from school) but well enough to have a piano lesson, we can have an online lesson rather than having the lesson canceled. In person lessons are definitely preferable but online lessons provide an alternative to cancellation.

We teach 30+-  lessons per year. This schedule allows us to account for holidays, weather days, occasional teacher cancellations, and vacation time. Schedules will be published each August for the school year.

For weather-related cancellations, we follow the Coffee County School District, Citizens Christian Academy, and First Academy’s decision on school closings. Check email, our Facebook page, and text messages for updates. We will either cancel lessons for that day or schedule online lessons.

Making the Most of Lessons:

As with any learning process, information acquired during piano lessons is best retained by reinforcing such information through at-home practice.  Karen Batten PIano Studio, LLC.  lessons encourage a parent’s attendance and participation at every weekly lesson. Siblings may attend lessons only if they bring a quiet activity to work independently on. If siblings cannot play or sit quietly, it is your responsibility to schedule alternate arrangements for them.

Books and Materials: 

Student materials will be provided to the student by the teacher at the beginning of the year or as needed during the year.  If the student needs a replacement the cost will be added into the next invoice.  Occasionally the teacher may suggest an online app to help students with specific weaknesses.  These are usually free or under $5.00 per app.  Parents will need to download and purchase these on a student device.

 Leave of Absence/Discontinuance:

If you must miss lessons for more than one month but wish to continue as a student, you may choose from two options:

  1. Discontinue, then re-enroll upon your return. If you choose this option, re-enrollment is subject to availability.

  2. Reserve your class time by continuing to pay monthly tuition and committing to staying on track with  assignments. Online lessons during the absence may be available to assist you.

  3. If the need arises to discontinue piano lessons, we request 15-day written notice.

Practice: 

Daily practice for at least five days of the week is expected. Length of practice will vary based on the student’s level of advancement. It is the parent’s responsibility to schedule and enforce daily practice. The weekly assignments should be viewed as "homework." Completion of homework and thorough preparation of assignments for each lesson is expected.  If the student goes three weeks without evident practice we will discuss whether lessons need to continue.  


Media Photo Release Form


Throughout the year, students may attend activities and events in addition to lessons that support their musical education and encourage positive relationships with other students. Occasionally, other parents and I take photographs or video. I, ________________________, the parent of ________________________________, a child/children who is/are student(s) at Karen Batten Piano Studio, LLC agree to the following: I understand that my child(ren) whose name(s) are listed below may be photographed at Karen Batten Piano Studio during lessons, activities, and/or recitals. I understand that these photographs may be used in promoting Karen Batten Piano Studio LLC, either in print or on the Internet including the studio’s website, Instagram, and Facebook accounts. With my signature below, I grant permission for my child(ren) to be photographed, or their images recorded for print or electronic use in promoting Karen Batten Piano Studio. I understand that it is my responsibility to resubmit this form in the event that I no longer wish to authorize the above uses. I agree that this form will remain in effect during the term of my child’s enrollment. I understand that there will be no payment for me or my child’s participation in this release.

______ I authorize Karen Batten, owner and Scarlett Davis, teacher of Karen Batten’s Piano Studio to take and use photographs and/or video to be used for studio-related activities

 ______ I do not authorize Karen Batten, owner or Scarlett Davis, teacher of Karen BattenPiano Studio LLC, to take and use photographs and/or video to be used for studio-related activities. The student will still be allowed to attend the studio-related activities without authorization.


If you give limited permission, please check those below:


I give permission for you to use:

__ A photo or video of my child with no names attached

__ A photo or video of my child with names attached

__ Only group photos with no names attached