STUDIO POLICIES

These are the policies by which I operate Sopranojam Music Studio (formerly Bella Voce Studio). 

These guidelines help the studio to operate smoothly and keep music teaching and learning at the forefront!

All students and parents must agree to the studio policies by signing the policy agreement form prior to the first lesson.

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Tuition and Fees

Tuition:

Classes/Workshops/Camps

Tuition is a set price for the program of study. It is not based on the number of classes attended.

Tuition may be paid in full or (usually) through installments. 

Full Time Enrollment Tuition  

• Lesson tuition is charged monthly and includes lessons (in person and online), crescendo classes, and evaluations.  The tuition fee does not change based on the number of lessons per month.

• Monthly tuition payments that are paid after the  “Early Pay Deadline” which is the first Saturday of each month, receive a 10% late fee.  (See Studio Calendar.)

• Payments may be made online or with check or cash. 

•  There will be a $30.00 fee for any returned checks due to insufficient funds.

• Should something come up where you cannot financially fulfill your commitment to your lessons, advanced notice and open, ongoing communication is appreciated and encouraged!

Flexible Enrollment Tuition:

Lessons, Crescendo Classes, and Recitals are charged “a la carte”. 

Monthly payments may be made in advance.

Lesson tuition is charged per lesson and must be paid prior to or on the lesson day. 

Crescendo Classes are charged by participation

Recital participation is charged by participation. 

Fees:

 Fees cover studio expenses, but do not cover the purchase of music.

The New Student Fee ($100) is due when a student registers for full time or flexible enrollment lessons or classes at Sopranojam Music Studio. 

For students who register 1 month or more prior to lessons/classes starting, this fee will reserve the student’s spot. 

Classes: 

The New Student Fee is included in the price of the class and will be credited toward tuition.

Lessons: 

For students who register less than 1 month prior to starting lessons, this fee may be added to the first month’s tuition or split into monthly increments. 

Returning Students hold their spots for the following year with the Encore Enrollment Fee. 

Performance Fees will be charged for participation in larger scale productions to help cover the costs incurred. (I.e. Winter Cabaret) Participation in these type of events is not mandatory.

Additional Costs:

Sheet music and lesson books, apps

Accompanist fees for vocalists

Camp and workshop participation

Competitions

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Scheduling

Scheduling:

Classes: 

Class times vary and may be offered during the school day or in the afternoon/evening.

Lessons:

• Lessons may be started at any point during the year.

• Lessons are based on teacher availability and may or may not be available immediately.

• Lesson times are agreed upon between teacher/student (parent) and are standing appointments; a student’s lesson time is reserved for only them each week, and it is their responsibility to arrive promptly and attend.

Special Scheduling for students of Dayspring Christian Academy: 

• Studio teacher will consult with parents and teachers alike to find the best times available for lessons for each student.  If academics begin to suffer, a new time will be worked out.

• Due to the nature of lessons during the school day, there are times when students’ lessons are rearranged to accommodate a larger-scale school function or another student.

• Lessons may also be offered outside the school day.

Missed Classes:

Please contact the teacher regarding absences ahead of time when possible. 

There are no make-ups for missed classes. If there is availability in a different class of the same level, they may attend.

It is the parent/student responsibility to reach out to the teacher for materials if they would like to keep pace with the class. 

Missed Lessons:

• If a student is tardy,  the lesson may need to be shortened to fit the scheduled lesson time frame.  

• If a student is tardy and will miss more than half the lesson, the lesson may need to be cancelled and will not be rescheduled. 

• If a student needs to miss their lesson for any reason, please contact the teacher by text or email, with as much notice as possible.

• There are no guaranteed rescheduled/make-up lessons for any reason, but there are options!

Classes/Lessons

• In the case of inclement weather or sickness, lessons/classes will be done online via Zoom/Facetime or by video recording or in a group setting.

Options for missed classes/lessons:

Reschedule: If this is a planned absence, you can usually switch your lesson with another student.  Easy peasy!  (There is no obligation for another student to switch times, however.)

Online lesson: Online lessons may be an option for students who are unable to have an in-person lesson that week.

Video lesson: The teacher will provide a lesson/assignment for the student to practice that week via video.  Students may send recordings to the teacher for feedback as well.

If none of these options work, the lesson will be missed for that week and the student should continue practicing for the next week!

If the teacher cancels a lesson, every effort will be made to reschedule or extend the length of other lessons to accomodate the lost time. 

In the event that a lesson is not rescheduled, a credit ($30/$45 depending upon lesson length) will be given for the following month.

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Studio Schedule

Please mark your calendar with important studio dates including weeks where the studio is closed for holidays.

(see Studio Calendar)

Please Note that the studio is NOT closed on every national holiday.

Sometimes students WILL have lessons on a day when there is no school, including DCA students.

May: Due to the busyness of the month of May which greatly affects the lesson schedule, the program for the month of May may be altered from the typical lesson format.  Details will be forthcoming each year.

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Discontinuation of Instruction:

Students will remain enrolled until the studio is notified otherwise. 

Classes

If a student wishes to discontinue classes prior to the completed term, they need to contact the teacher as soon as possible.

(We recommend staying with classes to the end of the term in most cases to teach “completion” rather than “quitting”.)

If tuition has been paid in full, it will be refunded at the monthly installment prorated amount. 

If tuition is being paid in installments, the policy is the same as discontinuing lessons. (see below)

Lessons

One month’s notice and/or the regular lesson fee is required for a student who wishes to discontinue lessons.

If a student wishes to discontinue lessons, refunds will not be given if a student does not continue lessons to the end of the month.

New Student and Encore Enrollment fees are non-refundable in the event of a discontinuation of lessons.

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Mutual respect is a key goal in our studio.

As studio owner, I reserve the right to remove students from the schedule if they have poor attendance, poor practice habits, or if they repeatedly break any studio policies.

I look forward to an ongoing relationship with you!

Policy Agreement Forms