Peak Music Academy Policies

Updated: 12/28/23

🎶Placement

Please call today for an appointment to see if you will be a good fit for Peak Music Academy, 801-361-8159

Peak Training 30-minute private lesson ($125/month) includes:

• Peery Habits Program - Foundational Technical training
• Parent involvement required
• Note Reading
• Keyboard Geography
• Chord Theory (Play songs by ear)
• Theory and Ear Training
• Music History
• All Academy performances and parties
• Online Apps: Individual accounts on BetterPracticeApp, Piano Maestro, Sproutbeats

 Mountaineers 45-minute private lesson ($180/month) includes: 

• Composition
• Arranging
• Improvisation
• Chord Theory
• Transposition
• Performance
• Collaborative playing (Accompanying and duets)
• All Academy performances and parties
• Piano Technique
• Sight Reading
• Theory
• Ear Training
• Music History
• Preparation for AIM, RCM, Encore, UMTA, MTNA, and other competitions and festivals
• Online Apps: Individual accounts on BetterPracticeApp, Piano Maestro

🎶Monthly Tuition

Tuition pays for the student to be on the active student list of Peak Music Academy and to participate in lesson appointments and other studio activities. The student is guaranteed a learning opportunity for 18 weeks during each semester (Jan-May, Aug-Dec). Please note that there is much more that goes into a student's musical education than just the weekly lesson. 

Summer lessons may be purchased as a bundle of 6 lessons for June and July at the following rates:

Peak Training - $210 + $20 (apps and music)

Mountaineers - $300 +$20 (apps and music)

🎶Books and Materials

A $10 charge monthly will cover individual accounts to the following:

• Betterpracticeapp for all students
• MyMusicStaff for all students
• Sheet music and books given during lessons (Peak Training/Mountaineers)
• Piano Maestro for all students
• Sproutbeat (Peak Training)
• Games and apps during lessons and Tech-time

*Some music will be loaned to students. This music has “Brouwer” clearly on the front cover. Please return these materials in good condition.

🎶Payment Methods and Due Dates

Tuition is payable only by auto-pay by credit card (3% convenience fee applied) or bank transfer (free) in the student’s account. An invoice for upcoming lessons will be emailed a few days before the start of every month when the transaction is triggered. You may log in at Peak Music Academy at anytime to see account details. Tuition is non-refundable. Tuition fees are subject to increase upon 60 days written notice. A $15 late fee will be charged if payment is not received within the first week of the month. 

🎶Missed Lessons

We offer many different options if your student has a conflict. Please be assured that your tuition payment covers far more than the lesson time spent with your student and if you must miss a lesson, the time will still be dedicated to your student. Here are some solutions, if you must miss a lesson.

1. Check with the teacher on other times during that week that are available

2. Zoom, FaceTime or Skype lesson

3. Record practicing and receive feedback

4. Miss the benefit of that lesson

It is the client’s responsibility to cancel their lesson on the academy calendar. The teacher will be informed of the cancelation. In the notes, please indicate how you would like to handle your missed lesson. 

🎶Illness

Students who are ill should not come to piano lessons. We reserve the right to send a student home if they arrive sick.

If a student destroys property or causes harm willfully or negligently, the student or agent are held responsible for replacement or professional cleaning of damaged or broken property.

🎶Location and Lesson Etiquette

Lessons are offered at my home or online. To give everyone as productive and uninterrupted lesson as possible, please observe the following:

• Arrive on time with all of your materials. 
• Come in through the front door and leave your shoes at the door. 
• Wash hands before playing the piano with soap in the bathroom
• Parents are required to be available during lessons (either at the lesson or via cell phone). Those enrolled in the Peak Training Program are required to have a parent present for their lesson. 
• In the event of an emergency, if a parent cannot be reached, you agree that the teacher will be permitted to exercise discretion in providing care and treatment for your child.  Parents agree to hold teachers harmless for any such care and treatment decisions.
• Parents are welcome at lessons as well as siblings. Parents assume responsibility for their other children during lessons and neither should interact with the student during lesson time.

🎶Communication

Please keep in contact with your teacher regarding your child’s progress and practice habits. Email or text is the most efficient method of communication at peak.music.academy@gmail.com, 801-361-8159 (Becky)

🎶Concerts/Evaluation and Performance Opportunities

Many opportunities for recitals and other keyboard events occur every year. We keep our students informed of these opportunities through e-mails.

Opportunities for performances include academy concerts as well as competitions and festivals. Festivals, evaluations and competitions provide great value to students who participate. Please let us know if your student is interested in any particular events, and we will help them prepare.

It is the responsibility of the student to register for these events.

Events will be added to the calendar. Here are some common concerts (subject to change):

Aug - Mandatory Parent Meeting

Oct - Utah Valley Monster Concert

Nov - Fall Concert at an Assisted Living Facility

Feb - Winter Recital

May - Awards Recital

August - Student Summer Pool Party and Concert

If a student will be performing a piece for a Concert, Evaluation, Competition or Festival, they are expected to have at least 10 practice performances. These can be done at friend’s or relatives homes or if necessary by FaceTime, Skype or Zoom.

Concerts/Evaluations and Performances must be registered for on the Academy Calendar on mymusicstaff.com. Please do so as soon as possible to be included in these exciting performance opportunities. Deadline for registrations will generally be one week before the performance.

🎶Practice Time and Other Requirements 

To enjoy playing the piano, a student should be a proficient practicer.  6 days of practice is expected each week recorded on Betterpracticeapp.  This will require a student to use a computer, tablet or smart phone while practicing.  Consistency of practicing will be the difference between a happy or discouraged student. If a student gets into the habit of practicing daily, progress will be more consistent and playing the piano will be more enjoyable. Parents are required to come to lessons and practice with their children every day until they are 10-years-old and until they have finished Peak Training. Assignments are given through Better Practice App, a web app. Generally, items should be practiced from the bottom to the top. 

🎶Incentives for Practice🎶

Any student practicing and recording at least 6 days of practice on Betterpracticeapp a week for a semester will receive a reward of 10% tuition discount to their account for the following semester! (Fall: Aug-Dec, Winter: Jan-May)

More incentive programs will be announced throughout the year. Please make practice time non-negotiable. Perhaps a family policy of practice before friends or games, etc. or setting a schedule for your child’s practice daily will also be helpful. Please contact me for further suggestions.

 

Practice time is divided into 3 parts; Technical, Practical, Performance.  Practice time should also be divided into these parts. Students should be practicing at least as long as they have lessons. If you need help with practice suggestions, please ask your teacher.

🎶“X”tra Practice System

For instruction in the Academy to work in a way that meets the expectations of parents, students, and their instructor, working only during weekly lesson time is not enough.  It is necessary to work at home between lessons to reinforce the material and to build the skills that students need to progress.   To help students achieve at their highest level and to make sure we cover all of the material over time, I use the “X” System.

How does it work?

Week 1:  

An “X” will be marked by the practice Item/Job if the student needs to meet the previous week’s goals.

• This simply means that the student needs to practice extra diligently to meet their goals.
• If the “X-ed” item returns completed the following week, then we move on.

Week 2:  

If the “X-ed” item still needs work, two “XX-s” will be placed by the item/job.  

• This indicates that the goal still needs “XXtra” attention.
• The Item/Job must be practiced extra diligently to meet their goals.

Week 3:  

If the “XX-ed” Item/Job still needs work, three “XXX-s” will be placed by the item/job.  

• At this point, the student may be more comfortable making a recording of the item/job in their own environment.  
• In order for the student to have their next lesson, the student will need to accomplish the item/job in video format and send to me via text or email. We will review the video during the student’s lesson. Please note that the lesson will still be charged at the normal rate if the student is not able to complete this assignment.

The “*” indicates an item that was not heard at the lesson and reminds me that I haven’t heard the item and should not be mistaken for an “X”. 

🎶Dismissals and Termination

Regrettably, we will consider dismissing a student if any of these circumstances occur:   

    •    Persistent absences

    •    Uncooperative attitude

    •    Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfulfilled requirements

*Calendar is most up to date in your account at MyMusicStaff.com

Thank you for abiding by these policies to help your student’s piano lessons be the most productive, efficient and effective!  I look forward to a great year.