Yiyi Ku Piano Studio Policy

Studio Location: Wading River

Lesson Fees and Payment

• Registration:
  $50 per student

• Weekly Tuition:
  $40 for 30 min lesson
  $60 for 45 min lesson
  $75 for 60 min lesson (for individuals or families with 2 students)

• For students doing NYSSMA, the minimum lesson duration is as follows:

  NYSSMA level 1-2: 30 minutes

  NYSSMA level 3-4: 45 minutes

  NYSSMA level 5-6: 60 minutes

• Additional traveling fee per lesson (depending on location) if lessons are conducted at student's home.
• Payment for lessons is by the month, at the first lesson of each month (please note some months have 5 weeks). A late fee of $10 applies to late payments, and $20 to returned checks.
• If a student wishes to participate in recitals, exams, music festivals or competitions , there is additional fee for registration. Extra lessons may also be necessary to prepare students for such events.
• Lesson fee is adjusted every September 1.

Cancellations and Make-up Policy

• Except for extended illnesses, vacations, or major holidays, students should have lessons every week. This ensures that progress is monitored, and bad habits/wrong notes corrected immediately. This is especially important for beginners.
• If you cancel a lesson, your monthly lesson fee remains the same.
• Every month, a group make-up class will be offered for those that cancel their private lessons. The materials taught in the group class may include music appreciation, sight singing, music theory, ensemble playing, solo performance, ear training, and musicianship skills. The group class will normally be held on the last Saturday of the month (unless it is a major holiday, in which case a different weekday will be scheduled); individual dates and times to be confirmed with monthly studio newsletters.
• Lessons cancelled by me will be rescheduled. When this is not possible, you may carry any credits forward to the following month.

Instrument, Practice, and Other matters

• A student needs to have access to a quality instrument for regular practice. The amount of practice time required depends on the student's level of ability and personal goals. It is important that a student spends quality time on the piano, with focused practice sessions on a daily basis. Yiyi will discuss the amount of practice time required for each student after interview and first lesson.
• If possible a student should practice on an acoustic piano rather than a keyboard. The action, touch and sensitivity of an acoustic piano will allow a student to develop a good, solid foundation and fine musicianship. For absolute beginners, a keyboard is OK for the first 6 months of lessons, particularly if budget is a concern and parents may not wish to invest in a piano just yet. Yiyi is available to help with selecting a good new or secondhand piano.
• A piano needs to be tuned on a regular basis. Tuning can make a big difference to the well-being of a piano. A well maintained piano is not only a valuable asset to the family, but can also inspire students to practice more! Yiyi can recommend qualified piano tuners and technicians.
• All students should have a metronome.
• An intermediate – advanced student should have a music dictionary.
• A piano stool with adjustable height is highly recommended.
• If the student is very young, a foot stool is necessary for the feet to rest on during practice, until the student is tall enough to reach the pedals.

For parents

• Often parents ask me if they are welcome at the lessons. If the student is a beginner this is highly recommended as the parents can help supervise the practice sessions at home. Parental presence, interest, support and encouragement are crucial in the learning process. Parents should try to refrain from interrupting the lessons as it may interfere with the student's learning. As the student progresses, parents are advised to reduce the number of lessons they attend. This helps the student to become more responsible in remembering what is taught at lessons and what their homework is. Eventually the student should become totally independent and parents no longer need to attend lessons. Siblings and friends are welcome to attend lessons if they are interested in learning piano and want to find out more about lessons.