Studio Policy
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Atkinson Piano Studio
1674 King Avenue
Columbus, OH 43212
www.theatkinsonpianostudio.com
theatkinsonpianostudio@yahoo.com
Instruction
All students enrolled in lessons at the Atkinson Piano Studio are offered a well-rounded program of instruction with training in
repertoire, theory, musicianship, ear training, technique, transposition, music history and performance techniques.
Registration
Please call the studio 614-485-9448 or email at theatkinsonpianostudio@yahoo.com to schedule a free, no obligation interview. I
would appreciate the opportunity to meet you and your child and discuss and questions or ideas you may have concerning piano
study and how I can help you accomplish your goals.
Piano
Please be certain your piano is tuned and in good condition. It is very difficult to enjoy playing on an out of tune instrument. It is
also difficult to develop strong listening and pedalling skills on a poor instrument. Putting off tuning is not cost effective. A piano
which is very out of tune will most likely require several tunings over a period of weeks or months to bring it back to pitch.
Materials
Assignment book ($12.81)
3-ring binder
Lesson books
Theory books
Technique book ($24.55)
Set of index cards – white, lined, 3 x 5
(Materials may be purchased from the studio)
Lesson Fees & Payment
Lessons are 45 minutes. Please contact the studio for prices. To reserve your lesson time, payment is due the first lesson of every
month for all lessons in the month. Please check your calendar for months with five weeks. Make checks payable to: Lizbeth
Atkinson or Atkinson Piano Studio. Late payments will be assessed a $10.00 service fee and will be reflected in your monthly
statement. If your payment is more than two weeks late, your lesson time will be given to another student. Should you not attend
the first lesson of any month, payment must be remitted by mail to the above address and received by the 8th.
If you feel that I charge more than you expected, let me tell you a story :
A woman was strolling along a street in Paris when she spotted Picasso sketching at a sidewalk café. Not so thrilled that she could not be
slightly presumptuous, the woman asked Picasso if he might sketch her, and charge accordingly.
Picasso obliged. In just minutes, there she was: an original Picasso.
"And what do I owe you?" she asked. "Five thousand francs," he answered. "But it only took you three minutes," she politely reminded
him. "No," Picasso said. "It took me all my life".
Because you are paying for my experience and skill and not my time, I charge by the value you actually receive from the lesson.
Like Picasso, it took me a lifetime to learn to create the professional quality, results-getting work you will get if you hire me.
Attendance & Absences
Please make sure your child arrives punctually with music, assignment book and any other relevant materials. Kindly drop off and
pick up on time please. Anything more than 5 minutes early or late is too much unless there is a special need, as it is very
distracting for students whose lesson is in progress. Also, a parent is required to come directly to the studio to drop off and pick
up the student. Students may not leave the studio unaccompanied! This is for the safety of each student.
No make-up lessons will be given. If the student is sick or for some other reason cannot attend the regularly scheduled lesson, the
student either forfeits the lesson time or swaps with another student for the week. A list of names, phone numbers and emails will
be provided along with a class schedule. It is your responsibility to find someone to swap with. Please contact the studio with any
“swaps” or if the student will not be attending the lesson. I will send out group emails of open lesson times when they become
available and students may respond if they need to change their lesson time. No exceptions will be made.
You may NOT deduct lesson fees from your monthly payment should you cancel or not attend a lesson. No reimbursement for
missed lessons will be given.
If the studio is closed or I am unable to attend a lesson you will not be charged and a credit will be given if the lesson has already
been paid for.
In case of severe weather conditions, when it is too dangerous to drive, we will try to arrange another time.
Should the student decide to terminate lessons, the student either forfeits the remaining lessons for the month, gifts them to another
family member, or continues the lessons for the remainder of the month. A two week notice is required so that the time slot is filled
without interruption.
Please check the website and email for holidays and vacations in which lessons will not be held.
Should you celebrate any religious holidays that happen to fall on your lesson day that are not addressed in the newsletter, you may
swap lesson days with another student.
Tardy Students
If you are late for your lesson, you will have only the time remaining that you have reserved by your payments. Lessons are
scheduled back to back and it would be unfair to make students who are on time wait.
Responsibilities
The goal of this studio is to provide a well-balanced musical education to all students. In order to accomplish this, I have set down
specific policies. Studying music can be enjoyable and rewarding as well as becoming a skill that can last a lifetime, but it takes
commitment from the parents as well as the teacher and student. This commitment is necessary to the success of the student.
The student-parent-teacher Team
It is very important to create and maintain a "one team one dream" attitude in order for our piano lessons to be successful, to
guarantee a superior result, and great return on your investment. Our practice starts with forming a three member team where each
player knows his/her role and responsibilities and equally contributes to the success of the team. Only combined efforts of a
student-parent-teacher team will produce great results.
Teacher's Responsibilities
1. Develop in students an enthusiasm, respect and genuine love for music.
2. Provide high quality, well-prepared lessons and a positive learning environment.
3. Discover the uniqueness of each student and respect differences of musical taste and personality.
4. Help students know how to practice.
5. Encourage and motivate students to practice.
6. Demonstrate a love of music.
7. Respect students' opinions and value their creativity.
8. Create a studio atmosphere where students are free to feel comfortable and confident, able to recognize both the seriousness
and fun of study.
9. Encourage communication between student, parent and teacher, answer questions, help solve problems.
Student's Responsibilities
1. Arriving at each lesson with the week's assignment completed.
2. Bringing assignment notebooks, theory binders, and music books to each lesson.
3. Practice a minimum of five days a week for the length of time necessary to meet the goal.
4. Follow directions in class and at home.
5. Ask questions when you don't understand.
6. Keep a positive attitude.
7. Respond cheerfully to parents' reminders; remember they are helping you to be successful!
8. Arrive at lessons on time with all materials in hand. Late time is lost time.
9. Set aside the same time each day to practice and stick with it.
10.Relax and have fun learning a new skill and a new expression!
Parent's Responsibilities
1. Provide a tuned instrument in a well-lighted area as free from distractions as possible.
2. Pay for lessons the first lesson of each month.
3. Encourage good practice habits. Provide daily praise and encouragement. A set time each day works well. Younger students
should have daily practicing supervised if possible.
4. Remind students to practice 5 days per week.
5. You are welcome to visit lessons occasionally if the student does not object, but please do not bring other children along.
6. Check to see that instructions are being followed and assignments completed.
7. Let the teacher know how things are going at home, relay concerns, and ask any questions needed.
8. Talk to me about any questions you or your child may have. Communication is important to a good learning relationship.
Summer Study
I offer summer study because I feel that continuous study offers the most benefit to your child. The summer months offer more
time for practice without the worry of homework and other school activities. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to continue
lessons during the summer months.
Dismissals
Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a student if any of these circumstances occur:
1. Failure to pay tuition on time.
2. Persistent absences.
3. Uncooperative attitude.
4. Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfulfilled requirements.
Recitals
Recitals are scheduled twice per year. All students are encouraged to participate. Dates, times, and places will be posted on the
website.
Enjoy!
Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to teach your child in my studio! I look forward to sharing the joy of music!
1674 King Avenue
Columbus, OH 43212
www.theatkinsonpianostudio.com
theatkinsonpianostudio@yahoo.com
Instruction
All students enrolled in lessons at the Atkinson Piano Studio are offered a well-rounded program of instruction with training in
repertoire, theory, musicianship, ear training, technique, transposition, music history and performance techniques.
Registration
Please call the studio 614-485-9448 or email at theatkinsonpianostudio@yahoo.com to schedule a free, no obligation interview. I
would appreciate the opportunity to meet you and your child and discuss and questions or ideas you may have concerning piano
study and how I can help you accomplish your goals.
Piano
Please be certain your piano is tuned and in good condition. It is very difficult to enjoy playing on an out of tune instrument. It is
also difficult to develop strong listening and pedalling skills on a poor instrument. Putting off tuning is not cost effective. A piano
which is very out of tune will most likely require several tunings over a period of weeks or months to bring it back to pitch.
Materials
Assignment book ($12.81)
3-ring binder
Lesson books
Theory books
Technique book ($24.55)
Set of index cards – white, lined, 3 x 5
(Materials may be purchased from the studio)
Lesson Fees & Payment
Lessons are 45 minutes. Please contact the studio for prices. To reserve your lesson time, payment is due the first lesson of every
month for all lessons in the month. Please check your calendar for months with five weeks. Make checks payable to: Lizbeth
Atkinson or Atkinson Piano Studio. Late payments will be assessed a $10.00 service fee and will be reflected in your monthly
statement. If your payment is more than two weeks late, your lesson time will be given to another student. Should you not attend
the first lesson of any month, payment must be remitted by mail to the above address and received by the 8th.
If you feel that I charge more than you expected, let me tell you a story :
A woman was strolling along a street in Paris when she spotted Picasso sketching at a sidewalk café. Not so thrilled that she could not be
slightly presumptuous, the woman asked Picasso if he might sketch her, and charge accordingly.
Picasso obliged. In just minutes, there she was: an original Picasso.
"And what do I owe you?" she asked. "Five thousand francs," he answered. "But it only took you three minutes," she politely reminded
him. "No," Picasso said. "It took me all my life".
Because you are paying for my experience and skill and not my time, I charge by the value you actually receive from the lesson.
Like Picasso, it took me a lifetime to learn to create the professional quality, results-getting work you will get if you hire me.
Attendance & Absences
Please make sure your child arrives punctually with music, assignment book and any other relevant materials. Kindly drop off and
pick up on time please. Anything more than 5 minutes early or late is too much unless there is a special need, as it is very
distracting for students whose lesson is in progress. Also, a parent is required to come directly to the studio to drop off and pick
up the student. Students may not leave the studio unaccompanied! This is for the safety of each student.
No make-up lessons will be given. If the student is sick or for some other reason cannot attend the regularly scheduled lesson, the
student either forfeits the lesson time or swaps with another student for the week. A list of names, phone numbers and emails will
be provided along with a class schedule. It is your responsibility to find someone to swap with. Please contact the studio with any
“swaps” or if the student will not be attending the lesson. I will send out group emails of open lesson times when they become
available and students may respond if they need to change their lesson time. No exceptions will be made.
You may NOT deduct lesson fees from your monthly payment should you cancel or not attend a lesson. No reimbursement for
missed lessons will be given.
If the studio is closed or I am unable to attend a lesson you will not be charged and a credit will be given if the lesson has already
been paid for.
In case of severe weather conditions, when it is too dangerous to drive, we will try to arrange another time.
Should the student decide to terminate lessons, the student either forfeits the remaining lessons for the month, gifts them to another
family member, or continues the lessons for the remainder of the month. A two week notice is required so that the time slot is filled
without interruption.
Please check the website and email for holidays and vacations in which lessons will not be held.
Should you celebrate any religious holidays that happen to fall on your lesson day that are not addressed in the newsletter, you may
swap lesson days with another student.
Tardy Students
If you are late for your lesson, you will have only the time remaining that you have reserved by your payments. Lessons are
scheduled back to back and it would be unfair to make students who are on time wait.
Responsibilities
The goal of this studio is to provide a well-balanced musical education to all students. In order to accomplish this, I have set down
specific policies. Studying music can be enjoyable and rewarding as well as becoming a skill that can last a lifetime, but it takes
commitment from the parents as well as the teacher and student. This commitment is necessary to the success of the student.
The student-parent-teacher Team
It is very important to create and maintain a "one team one dream" attitude in order for our piano lessons to be successful, to
guarantee a superior result, and great return on your investment. Our practice starts with forming a three member team where each
player knows his/her role and responsibilities and equally contributes to the success of the team. Only combined efforts of a
student-parent-teacher team will produce great results.
Teacher's Responsibilities
1. Develop in students an enthusiasm, respect and genuine love for music.
2. Provide high quality, well-prepared lessons and a positive learning environment.
3. Discover the uniqueness of each student and respect differences of musical taste and personality.
4. Help students know how to practice.
5. Encourage and motivate students to practice.
6. Demonstrate a love of music.
7. Respect students' opinions and value their creativity.
8. Create a studio atmosphere where students are free to feel comfortable and confident, able to recognize both the seriousness
and fun of study.
9. Encourage communication between student, parent and teacher, answer questions, help solve problems.
Student's Responsibilities
1. Arriving at each lesson with the week's assignment completed.
2. Bringing assignment notebooks, theory binders, and music books to each lesson.
3. Practice a minimum of five days a week for the length of time necessary to meet the goal.
4. Follow directions in class and at home.
5. Ask questions when you don't understand.
6. Keep a positive attitude.
7. Respond cheerfully to parents' reminders; remember they are helping you to be successful!
8. Arrive at lessons on time with all materials in hand. Late time is lost time.
9. Set aside the same time each day to practice and stick with it.
10.Relax and have fun learning a new skill and a new expression!
Parent's Responsibilities
1. Provide a tuned instrument in a well-lighted area as free from distractions as possible.
2. Pay for lessons the first lesson of each month.
3. Encourage good practice habits. Provide daily praise and encouragement. A set time each day works well. Younger students
should have daily practicing supervised if possible.
4. Remind students to practice 5 days per week.
5. You are welcome to visit lessons occasionally if the student does not object, but please do not bring other children along.
6. Check to see that instructions are being followed and assignments completed.
7. Let the teacher know how things are going at home, relay concerns, and ask any questions needed.
8. Talk to me about any questions you or your child may have. Communication is important to a good learning relationship.
Summer Study
I offer summer study because I feel that continuous study offers the most benefit to your child. The summer months offer more
time for practice without the worry of homework and other school activities. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to continue
lessons during the summer months.
Dismissals
Regrettably, I will have to dismiss a student if any of these circumstances occur:
1. Failure to pay tuition on time.
2. Persistent absences.
3. Uncooperative attitude.
4. Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfulfilled requirements.
Recitals
Recitals are scheduled twice per year. All students are encouraged to participate. Dates, times, and places will be posted on the
website.
Enjoy!
Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to teach your child in my studio! I look forward to sharing the joy of music!