Ally Oakes Strings Studio Policy

Hello!

My name is Ally and I’m thrilled to get started on our musical journey together! Please take a moment to take a look at the studio policy outlining our guidelines and expectations. These are designed to create a consistent, productive, and rewarding experience for each student.

Should a need for an exception arise, I reserve the right to make those exceptions.

Student Portal

I use a software called MyMusicStaff. It handles all of my invoicing, scheduling, lesson attendance, and allows me to share files and notes from lessons directly with students and parents.

All families are required to be able to access the portal to schedule make-up lessons, group lessons, and access the notes that I take during lessons. All lesson cancellations and reschedules must be initiated by the student in the student portal.

The portal login is at AllyOakesStrings.com/Student-Portal. 

You will be unable to log in on MyMusicStaff's main website as that is to access the teacher portal.

Cheat Sheets to assist with using the student portal are available under the log in to the student portal at the link above. I recommend bookmarking the portal or adding it to your home screen on mobile for easy access.

Missed Lessons

In absence of an emergency, all lessons must be rescheduled by the student/parent in the MyMusicStaff Student Portal with at least 48 hours notice to receive a make-up credit. No refunds or discounts will be given for any circumstances for missed lessons.

No shows and lessons cancelled within 48 hours of the start of the lesson must be paid in full and are not eligible for make-up credits. Chronic no shows will not be tolerated.

Illness Policy

An exception is made to the 48 hour cancellation deadline in cases of illness. Please do not come to lessons sick! Even if it's "just a cough." I have a health condition that causes a weakened immune system and am happy to provide virtual lessons or make-up lessons for anyone feeling unwell.

Students who come to lessons experiencing symptoms of illness will be sent home immediately without the option for a make-up credit.
***Make-up lessons are not guaranteed for student absence from group classes.***

Make-Up Credits

Students are responsible for finding time to use their make-up credits. Make-up credits will expire 90 days after they are issued and it is typically best to schedule them as close to the missed lesson as possible to avoid long gaps between lessons. 

You can view the number of make-up credits available in one of the white tiles across the top of the home screen of the MyMusicStaff Student Portal.

Make-up credits must be used while students are enrolled in lessons. No make-up lessons will be given after a student’s final regular lesson.

Example: Students discontinuing lessons after May will not be allowed a Make-up lesson in June.

Pricing

The cost of lesson tuition is calculated by multiplying the single lesson rate by 44, dividing that number by 12, and rounding up. This allows students to pay the same amount each month without worrying about how many weeks there are and allows me to take holidays and personal time off throughout the year without worrying about finding time to make up lessons.

Students who begin after the first lesson of the month will pay a prorated amount based on the number of lessons left in the month and will begin the normal monthly rate at the start of the following month.

Please note that the cost of lesson tuition is different depending on the location based on differences in studio rent.

Payment Procedures and Policy

Tuition must be paid by cash, check, Venmo, or Zelle by the 1st lesson of the month. Payments received after the 15th will be subject to a $15 late charge. If payment is not received by the 15th, lessons will be suspended until the account is brought up to date. 

There will be 44 events in a year. These include 42 lessons (including group lessons) and 2 recitals. The recitals will count as the lesson for the week following the recital and the remaining weeks allow me to take personal days and holidays off without worrying about rescheduling lessons since they are not paid for.

Rates will increase annually to reflect the cost of living.

**Zelle payments should be made to AllyOakesStrings@gmail.com**

**Venmo Payments should be paid to @Ally_Oakes**

**Checks should be made out to Allison Oakes**

Studio Conduct and Expectations

• Short Nails - String students must keep nails as short as possible due to the angle that their fingers need to be at to hold down the string. Exceptions will be made for 2 lessons around prom season/weddings/other special events.

• Cello Clothing - Cello students are discouraged from wearing dresses or skirts. Cellos must be held between the legs.

• Parents in Lessons - Parents are welcome in lessons as long as the student is comfortable. They are required to attend lessons with students under age 8 to help guide practice at home.

• Student Teacher Collaboration - Students are expected to follow directions and try their best during lessons. I never expect my students to be perfect, I do expect them to try and be willing to try and accept feedback. We will typically play things multiple times to refine the skills we are working on.

• Practice at Home - Students are expected to practice at home between lessons. Notes outlining what to practice are available in the Student Portal. A good rule of thumb is around 15 minutes per day for beginners, 30 for intermediate students, and 60 for more advanced students. Students who don't practice tend to make slow progress and get frustrated.

• Lesson Rescheduling - All lesson reschedules must be initiated by the student through the Student Portal.

Materials

• Instrument in good working condition

• Folder

• Music stand at home (one will be provided in lessons)

• Cleaning Cloth

• Rosin

• Shoulder rest for violin and viola or rock stop for cello and bass

• Method book (Most students will be asked to use Suzuki)

• Metronome and tuner (I recommend Soundcorset Tuner for a free option available on both Apple and Android or Tonal Energy Tuner for a more advanced paid option also available on both Apple and Android)

• Sheet Music or Etude Books as assigned

 
Italicized items are included with instrument rental at:

Antonio Violins

7721 Montgomery Road

Cincinnati, OH 45236

(513) 793-1300

Lesson Withdrawal

Almost all students stop taking lessons at some point. This decision should be made thoughtfully; ideally with plenty of discussion between student, parent, and teacher so that lessons can end positively at a good stopping point with closure. I request that you give at least one month’s notice so that I can plan out the final lessons. I respect your right to discontinue lessons at any point without notice, but cannot offer a refund for any lessons already paid for.

Off Days

I take about 10 weeks off throughout the year as outlined in the “Payment Procedures and Policy” section of this document. Since these off days are not paid for in the 42 lessons per year, we will not adjust payment for the month or reschedule them. You can always view an updated list of off days below.