Emily Kern Voice Studio Policies and Agreement
2016-2017
Teacher Information
Emily Kern
(817)-422-3112
emilyrkern@yahoo.com
Venmo: Emily-Kern-VoiceStudio
http://emilykernstudio.mymusicstaff.com/
Lesson and Cancellation Fees
All lessons must be paid for at the beginning of the student’s first lesson for that month by check, cash, or the Venmo app (@Emily-Kern-VoiceStudio). The teacher reserves the right to turn away a student without eligibility for makeup if they have not paid for all lessons before the first lesson of any given month. If payment is still not provided by the second lesson, a $10 fee will be charged, and the student will be dropped from the studio schedule until payment is made in full. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice and/or no-shows, will result in a $10 cancellation fee due before the start of the following lesson. Cancellation due to extreme circumstances (e.g car accident, flooding) will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Excessive cancellations (with or without 48 hours notice), will not be tolerated, and will result in the student being dropped from the studio. Due to full lesson schedules, lesson times cannot be extended if the student arrives late. The time remaining in the lesson will be used, but no make up will be offered for any time missed due to tardiness.
Make up lessons
Students are allowed 2 make up lessons a semester. Missed lessons do not qualify for a make up lesson unless 48 hours notice is given. Students with excessive illness or extenuating circumstances, will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Illness
If you are ill and contagious for your lesson time, stay home and notify me immediately. If you suspect you are getting ill the day before a lesson, call, text, or email me to discuss it. The earlier the notification, the more easily I can make up the lesson appropriately. The teacher reserves the right to send any student home that she believes is too ill to sing, resulting in a forfeiture of the lesson fee. If the student falls ill, it is their or their parent/guardian’s responsibility to communicate that to the teacher as soon as possible before the following lesson. There should be no reason for me not to hear from you prior to missing a lesson.
Teacher Cancellations
If the teacher has to cancel a lesson that the student or parent has already paid for, the teacher is required to make up the lesson at a time that is convenient for both the student/parent and the teacher, or refund the lesson fees in full. There may be times where the teacher is required to leave town due to business. If this happens, the teacher will give the student/parent ample warning of the absence. The teacher is an active auditioner and performer, with the bulk of seasonal opera auditions happening during the last week of November, the first two to three weeks of December, and February.
My Music Staff
In order to ensure proper organization and communication, My Music Staff (http://emilykernstudio.mymusicstaff.com/) will be used to keep track of all lessons, invoices, and payment receipts. Upon finding a mutually agreed lesson time, I will set up the student’s online account and will email the log in information to those involved. Using their log in information, the student will be able to view the studio calendar, receive lesson reminders as well as invoices and receipts.
Repertoire
The teacher will assign repertoire to the student based on their age and skill level. The student will have input and is encouraged to suggest things that they are interested in working on. If the student is involved in a musical theater, opera production, or vocal cabaret/variety show they are highly encouraged to bring in pieces from that particular show, but it is not a requirement.
Recitals
The studio will have two recitals per year (fall and spring) to showcase the students’ progress. Recitals are a great way for students to gain performance experience, show off all of their hard work, and display their progress for their friends and family! Each student will sing between one and three songs and will be accompanied on piano. Rehearsals leading up to the recital will happen during the students’ scheduled lesson time and will take place in the location of the recital. A $15 recital fee will be charged to pay for the accompanist to rehearse and play for the recital. The teacher will email all pertinent recital information in a timely manner regarding the date, location, and the accompanist.
Termination of Agreement
The teacher, student and parent may reserve to the right to stop lessons at any time. Stoppage via student or parent before completing scheduled lessons for the current semester, will result in a $50 fee. Stoppage via teacher before completing the scheduled lessons for the current semester will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Student and Teacher Responsibilities
The student is responsible for bringing their assigned repertoire in a folder or three-ring binder and a pencil to each lesson. The student is also encouraged to share with the teacher any pertinent information that could potentially affect their study of singing (allergies, TMJ syndrome, any physical limitation or disorders). The teacher is responsible for providing lesson materials, such as repertoire and other worksheets. The teacher may also email the student/parent video or recorded materials for the student’s review between lessons. It is the student’s responsibility to make a conscientious effort at completing practice and learning their music to the best of their ability between lessons. The internet is a wondrous thing, and nearly everything is available to listen to on YouTube that will be assigned in lessons. Take advantage of this. The student is also highly encouraged to audio record each lesson so that they can review it in between that and their next lesson; much can be learned from this and it is very helpful. Most cell phones have a recording feature; in iPhones it is an application called Voice Memos. If the phone doesn’t come with a recording application already downloaded, there are several in the google play store to choose from.
Singing is fun!!
Now that we’ve gotten all the business stuff out of the way, remember that singing is fun and that’s why we’re all here! I am very excited to teach you to sing and I hope you are excited to learn.