POLICIES FOR LESSONS & CLASSES (subject to change)  

Scheduling: Lessons run for 45-weeks a year.  Please see our school calendar for dates when we are closed.  Lessons run month-to-month and you will automatically be enrolled for the following month unless you notify us by the 15th of the month that you wish to stop lessons.  Please be on time for lessons and classes.  If you arrive late, your teacher will not give you extra time to compensate as they have other students who are waiting for lessons.  For online lessons, your teacher will remain online for 10 minutes after the start of your lesson and will log off at that time if you have not shown up.  If you drop your child(ren) off for their lesson(s), please make sure to be on time to pick them up at the completion of their lesson(s). Adjustments will be made on a case-by-case basis for any teachers who will be away during the summer or need to adjust their schedule during the summer.  If you are unable to attend your lesson, we kindly ask that you call, email or text us to let us know in advance if at all possible.

Illnesses: We require all students and teachers to stay home if they are sick in order to keep everyone else healthy. If you (or a family member) have any illness or symptoms we ask that you are at least 72 hours fever and symptom free (without medications) before returning for lessons in-person (in the case of COVID-19, please stay home for the required 5-day isolation period). We do ask that you wear a mask if you have recently been sick, a family member is sick or you have been exposed to someone who is sick.  We will conduct lessons online for anyone who is sick or has been exposed (depending on age of student and teacher preference).  If you are unable to do an online lesson you may submit a video the day of your lesson or attend the makeup class (Tuesdays at 5:30pm) on Zoom instead, or watch any previous class videos from our Google classroom. 

Teacher Absences (Private Lessons): If a teacher must cancel a lesson, the lesson will be made-up or credited.  Every attempt will be made to reschedule the lesson, but if we cannot, the lesson will be credited to a future month.  We will credit up to 2 lessons only. We will not make up missed/canceled makeup lessons.

Student Make-up Lesson Policies (Private Lessons): We do not offer makeup lessons (unless a teacher needs to cancel – see #3).  If you cannot attend your lesson in-person, you may ask to do an online lesson instead, submit a video of what you’ve been working on to your teacher by 2pm on your lesson day for them to review and provide feedback on, attend our makeup music class on Tuesdays at 5:30pm (in-person or on zoom; or watch any previous class in our Google Classroom) or gift your lesson to a family member or friend (we must be notified at least 24 hours in advance for this option, and this option may not be available for all instruments or teachers).  

Class/Ensemble Absences: No makeups or credits will be offered if a student misses a class or ensemble.  If a teacher must cancel a class or an ensemble, every attempt will be made to make up the class or ensemble.  There will be no credits for any classes we are unable to reschedule.

Weather:  For any school closures due to weather, we will conduct lessons/classes online instead.  Please check our website and Facebook page for weather notices.  We do not always close when the public schools close.  If you do not have the technology available to do an online lesson, please let the office know (you may submit a video to your teacher or attend the makeup class Tuesday at 5:30pm instead).  If a teacher is unable to do online lessons, we will make up the lesson at a later date.

Payment: Payment is due prior to the start of lessons/classes.  All new students must set up a credit card for automatic monthly payments.  All students must have a credit card authorization form on file.  For students who were grandfathered in with the previous payment policies, this card will only be charged if you request automatic monthly payments to be charged to it, if you do not pay your tuition on time and for any final payments should you withdraw from lessons.  Payment for each month’s lessons must be made prior to the start of lessons each month.  You will automatically be enrolled in lessons for the next month unless you notify us by the 15th of the month.  You will be responsible for the next month’s payment if you notify us after the 15th of the month.  You may pay with a credit card, online using a payment link, or by cash or check.  There will be a fee of $25 for returned checks.  There will be a $15 late fee added for any payments received after the 10th of the month.  Continued late payments may result in termination of lessons.

Withdrawals and Refunds:  Refunds will only be issued to students who withdraw from lessons before their first lesson (minus the registration fee).  Lessons run month-to-month and you will be automatically enrolled for the next month unless you notify the office by the 15th of the month.  All students must submit a withdrawal form to the office by the 15th of the month if he/she/they decide(s) to withdraw from private lessons.  Notifying the teacher does not constitute notification of withdrawal.  For classes and ensembles, refunds will be given (minus registration fee) if a student withdraws before classes and ensembles begin.  Once classes and ensembles begin there are no refunds.  Should you decide to pause lessons but wish to resume at a later date (i.e. during the summer), you will not be guaranteed your same lesson day/time when you return.  In order to hold your lesson day/time, you must continue to make payments. You may choose to gift your lessons to a family member or friend if you are unable to attend your lessons but continue to pay for them (we must be notified at least 24 hours in advance for this option, and this option may not be available for all instruments or teachers) .

Practice Space: WMA students are welcome to practice at the school when space is available.  In order to reserve a time, please reach out to us to schedule a day and time in advance.  Practice time is limited to 30 minutes per session.  A parent or guardian must be present for any students under 13 years old.

No gum chewing allowed, no drinks other than water allowed in lessons/classes, and no food/eating allowed in the building.

Please be mindful of the floors, woodwork and pianos in the building – do not do anything that would scratch or harm them in any way.

 Updated: July 2026

Expectations for Students and Parents

We understand that you have many activities to choose from and we appreciate that you want to include music in your life.  We’ve come up with some expectations for both students and parents to make sure everyone gets the most out of their lessons at our school.  If you have any questions about anything, please let us know.  We want to make sure everyone enjoys their musical experience!

Students:

• Come prepared to your lessons each week.
• Bring your instrument and music to lessons each week. For online lessons, have your instrument and music ready to go before your lesson starts.
• Come prepared for your lessons having practiced what your teacher assigned the previous week.
• Tell your teacher if you have specific goals that you want to work towards or specific types of music you’d like to learn. He/She can better structure your lessons to help you achieve your goals.
• Ask questions. If you don’t understand something, let your teacher know.  Learn as much as you can by asking lots of questions.
• Make sure your online lesson space at home is quiet and free of distractions.
• Work hard and have fun!

Parents:

• Make sure your child brings his/her instrument and music to lessons each week (and has them ready to go before their online lesson starts).
• Make sure the space your child will have his/her online lesson at home is quiet and free from distractions. If the teacher would like you to be in the room to help during the lesson, please be readily available to help out as needed.
• Encourage your child to practice consistently throughout the week between lessons.
• Talk with your child’s teacher about what and how much your child should be practicing at home.
• Talk with your child’s teacher about his/her expectations for your child’s lessons as well as discuss your child’s goals for studying music.
• Help your child practice if he/she is having trouble practicing (your teacher can give you ideas on what might be helpful)
• Be engaged and enthusiastic. Talk with your child’s teacher on a regular basis.
• Encourage your child not to give up – learning an instrument can be frustrating and takes time.
• Read through our school policies so you understand how our school operates. Make sure your child understands our policies as well – especially if you cannot be there during his/her lessons.
• Enjoy the experience! Learn along with your child and watch his/her creativity soar.  Know that you are providing your child with a wonderful opportunity that will help them throughout their lifetime (improved grades and test scores; increased likelihood of attending college; skills that will help them when they are ready to join the workforce; and a lifetime of success!).  Enrich your lives.  Invest in Success.