Student Agreement

Students (or Parent/Guardian if student is a minor) committing to lessons for the year are/is required to sign the annual agreement in addition to this document.

 

Registration Fee

A non-refundable $100.00 Deposit is due by August 1st to reserve your place for the Fall semester. Lesson days and times are first-come-first served – once I receive your deposit and signed paperwork, I can plug your student into the schedule.

 

Hal Leonard North American Online Vocal Competition (highly encouraged)

Eligible students will submit a video recording via YouTube in early February. First, Second and Third place prizes in each category totaling $10,000 in cash prizes. This competition is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a large-scale competition with singing peers across North America. Singers will prepare a polished performance that we will capture on video. Videos can then be shared with family and friends on social media. No fee required for entry but students should budget for a $45 - $50 fee payable to the accompanist. 

 

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Music Achievement Awards Program (optional)

The purpose of MTNA’s Music Achievement Awards Program is to encourage students to continue their music study and strive to achieve goals that will not only grow them as better musicians but that will enhance their love for and appreciation of music. Participating students will work with Mrs. Regina to devise a list of academic year goals. Students who complete 8 or more of their goals in the appointed time period will be awarded with a certificate and trophy in acknowledgement of their hard work.

 

There is a small fee of $10.00 to participate in this program. Goals sheets and permission forms (to be signed by the Parent/Guardian) will be distributed in early Fall. 

 

 

Tuition

Lessons are 45 or 60 minutes online or in my home studio.

 

The studio calendar year begins in September and ends the following August, however, the studio has a policy of rolling admission. Between September and May, students will have lessons approximately weekly, generally following the Fairfax County Public School calendar with no lessons on major school breaks. Between June 1 and August 31, students receive 6 lessons. Students will be given performance opportunities and, if eligible, the opportunity to participate in regional music festivals and events.

 

Tuition is an annual amount and is paid in either 1, 2, 4, or 12 equal payments due on the first day of the month/quarter/semester. No make-up lessons will be given for lessons missed or canceled by the student. If it is necessary for me to miss a lesson, I will contact you as soon as possible, and we will schedule a make-up as soon as I am able. Payments received after the 1st of the month are late and will be subject to a $35.00 late fee.

 

The easiest way to ensure that payments are made on time is to set up a regular payment with your bank or credit card. Checks (made out to Songbird Voice Studios) or cash can be given to me at lessons, dropped at my residence outside of lesson times, or mailed to me. Students/Families choosing the monthly option will be required to enroll in auto-pay using either a bank account or credit card.

 

Logistics for In-Person Lessons

  • Please have students wait at the front door until it is exactly their lesson time so that they do not interrupt the lesson prior to theirs.

  • Please pick up your student right at the end of their lesson time. I do not have a way to supervise a student waiting at the door while teaching a lesson.

  • Parents are required to be available during lessons (via cell phone is fine), in the event of an emergency.

 

Logistics for Online Lessons

  • Having your computer hardwired to the internet via an ethernet cable is highly recommended.

  • While not necessary, a quality external microphone will greatly aid my ability to work with and for your student (ask me for more info).

Attendance – Regular and prompt attendance is required to make appropriate progress. If your student is unable to make it to a lesson, please call, email, or text with as much advance notice as possible.

 

Music

Students must own all music that they will use on a regular basis. With very few exceptions, I will not accept or use photocopied music. I do, however, use some legal music downloaded for free or cost from the internet, and I have electronic licenses to print certain music books and solos. I will purchase books for students or communicate with parents about books that a student will require. Music purchases I make for the student will be billed as needed.

 

Required Equipment and Supplies

In addition to printed music (books, internet downloads, etc.) students will need:

  • A metal music stand (please ask me before purchasing)

  • A sturdy tote bag to transport music and supplies (for in-person students)

  • A 3-ring notebook for loose sheet music and handouts (1” spine is suitable)

  • A spiral bound notebook to record assignments (5x7” is sufficient)

  • 2-3 sharpened no. 2 pencils

  • A designated practice space at home, free of distraction.

  • A means at home to practice along with background recordings – usually a combination of CD recordings and/or digital recordings. Periodically having a device (phone/ tablet, etc) in lessons is helpful for recording progress and warm-up sequences.

  • NOTE: While not necessary, a piano or keyboard is a fantastic resource for the voice student, as they are learning to read music.

 

Practice and Assignments

Students must practice regularly. I will try to assign enough music to fill an appropriate practice period, but as a rough estimate, I would recommend the following practice schedule:

 

  • First-year students – 15 minutes, 5 times a week (or 75 minutes per week)

  • Elementary students – 20 minutes, 5 times a week (or 100 minutes per week)

  • Intermediate Students – 30 minutes, 5 times a week (or 150 minutes per week)

  • Advanced Students – 40 minutes, 5 times a week (or 200 minutes per week)

 

It is essential that parents are involved in helping students to schedule practice time. The most successful ‘practicers’ are the ones who have practice time built into their daily routines. The younger a student is, the more assistance he or she will need with practice.

 

Performance Opportunities

No matter what age or level, performance is very important for the music student. Adequate opportunities will be provided for students to perform throughout the year. Information will be shared as opportunities occur. I request that if possible, all students sing in recitals.

 

I will gladly help prepare students who are interested and eligible for auditions, music festivals, talent shows, performance opportunities at places of worship, or any other such opportunities that may arise. Please bring any information you have to me as soon as possible.

 

A Note about School/Community Musical Theatre Productions

Students who anticipate earning a part in their school and/or community musical theatre production should choose a lesson time in the Fall that will not be impacted by rehearsals when at all possible. Because the studio is full to capacity, I am very limited in my ability to offer alternate lesson times during musical season. As a general rule, I do not make up lessons missed during “Tech Week”.

 

Lesson Visitors

I encourage you to observe a lesson or part of a lesson from time to time. This is done on a case-by-case basis, as some students are uncomfortable and inhibited having a visitor to their lesson. I will do my best to encourage all students to invite their parents/guardians/other family/friends to attend lessons. Please notify me in advance should you wish to attend.

 

Missed Lessons

Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. Tuition covers far more than the time with your student, so you do not need to worry that missing a lesson means wasting money. I frequently use missed lessons to plan for your student’s next lesson, conduct research, locate materials, etc. See the “Where Does My Tuition Go?” brochure for more details. There are no refunds or discounts given unless I am unable to teach the promised number of lessons.

 

To Avoid Missing Lessons:

  • Zoom lesson during the student’s regular lesson time (see below).

  • Lesson Swaps: Families may trade their lesson time with another student to help avoid absences. There is a list of contact information for this purpose. Please let me know if you do not want to participate in lesson swaps (not recommended).

  • If you let me know at least 24 hours in advance that you must miss a lesson, you are welcome to ‘gift’ that lesson to a friend or family member!

 

Illness

Students who are running a fever or who have a contagious disease should not come to lessons. If I get sick, no one gets a lesson! If a student is ill but can still sing without pain, please let me know and we can arrange a Zoom lesson during their regular lesson time.

 

Inclement Weather

Lessons will be held over Zoom in the event of inclement weather are handled on a case-by-case basis. I utilize the Remind app for inclement weather notifications via your choice of email or text.

 

Summer Lesson Scheduling

In early to mid-June, I will provide access to my online July and August calendar. Lesson slots are first-come-first-served. Sign up early to grab your choice days/times.

 

Late Payments

Payments made after the 1st of the month will be assessed a $35.00 late fee.

 

Additional Costs

In addition to song books, students participating in recitals need to budget for accompanist fees, generally $40-45 per recital which includes 2 rehearsals and the performance.  

 

Communication

Parents/Guardians should keep in contact with me regarding your student’s progress and practice habits. Email is the most efficient method of communication (regina@songbirdvoicestudios.com), or you may call me on (302) 290-3034. Texting is reserved for quick messages or pressing logistics.

 

Termination of Lessons

Lessons may be terminated at any time at the instructor’s discretion. Several possible reasons for termination include non-payment, refusal to practice, or non-compliance with studio policies. Any tuition that has already been paid will not be refunded.

 

Parking

Visitor parking is on the street only. My neighborhood association is very strict about visitors using assigned (numbered) spaces for any length of time, even just pulling into a space for a quick drop off / pick up. Please help me keep my business relationship with the neighborhood association (and with my neighbors) strong.