Payment

Tuition is due monthly on the first day of each month and must be paid before the first lesson of the month is given. Payment is made through Apple Pay or Venmo (@lindsayrustmusic). If payment is late, I will send a request.

Attendance and Cancellations

I will always make an effort to schedule makeup lessons for conflicts with at least 7-days notice and for sicknesses with 24-hour notice. FaceTime lessons may be offered in the case of sickness, but not for convenience. Last minute cancellations and absences will not be made up or refunded. Teacher cancellations, if any, will be made up or refunded. I perform regularly and appreciate your flexibility when I occasionally ask to reschedule lessons.

Termination of Lessons

One month’s notice is required when a student decides to end their private lessons. If a student chooses to end lessons during a month and not finish out the remaining lessons, a refund will not be given.

Parent/Guardian Participation

Parents or guardians of young students (12 and under) are expected to attend lessons and oversee practice at home. They will be given instructions alongside their child in lessons in order to best assist them during the week. Parents of older students are not expected to attend lessons, but should encourage practicing at home and check in with me regularly on the student's progress. Siblings are invited to observe lessons, as long as they do not disturb the student.

Instruments and Materials

It is the responsibility of the student and parents to provide instruments and other materials as directed by the teacher. Please consult with me before purchasing materials, so I can ensure the items are high quality and will meet the student’s needs.

Practice and Preparation

As consistent and focused practice is the key to success, I expect my students to practice 5-6 days a week. The amount of practice time may vary based on the age and ability of the student. I will let each student and their parent/guardian know of their specific practice expectations.

It is completely normal for a student to not be excited to practice. Please encourage them when they need motivation. Without practice, the student won’t be able to learn new concepts, lessons will become highly repetitive, and the student will likely lose interest. I encourage you to help your student set a specific time each day to practice and stick to it as much as possible. Also, it is important that they are referencing my lesson notes and practicing each item assigned for the week (scales/technique, pieces, and sight reading).

One of the most effective ways to get a student to practice is by exposing them to beautiful music. Taking your student to live classical performances can be very inspiring. I am always happy to pass along recommendations.

If there are unique circumstances preventing practice and lesson preparation, it is the responsibility of the student or parent to make those known to me prior to the beginning of the lesson. If a student has questions or concerns during the week, please contact me so I can offer help right away, rather than having to wait until our next lesson. You can text me anytime!