2022-2023 Piano Studio Policy
Calendar: The course of instruction covers 33 lessons, one per week over the course of nine months. Twenty nine lessons will consist of one half hour private lessons and four lessons will consist of one hour group lessons. Please understand that when you register for lessons, that you are agreeing to a full term of piano lessons from August through May. If an exception to this policy is necessary, a one month notice is requested. Summer lessons are offered in June and July. Students who wish to study during the school year are required to attend a minimum of four thirty minute lessons in the summer to retain their place in the school year schedule. The piano studio will be closed from July 20, 2022 to August 28, 2022.
Tuition: Tuition is $26.50 per 30 minute lesson and $38.00 per 45 minute lesson. Tuition is figured as a total school year term rate of $873.00 or $97.00 per month for 30 minute lessons, and $1260.00 or $140.00 per month for 45 minute lessons, due September through May. Each monthly payment represents 1/9 of the total school year term tuition. Some calendar months will have more lessons than others. Monthly payments will stay the same, regardless of the number of lessons in a calendar month. Tuition is due at the first piano lesson of each month. A $20.00 late fee may apply if payment for tuition is not paid by the 10th day of each month. Please make checks payable to Lisa Batten.
Studio Fee: A studio fee of $40.00 per student or $75.00 per family of 2 students is required to help incur expenses of the printing, postage, supplies, and recital fees for the 2022-2023 school year.
Holidays: Lessons will be scheduled in agreement with Omaha Public, Millard, Bennington, Elkhorn, and Private Schools for major holidays only. We will not have lessons on the following dates:
November 22 through 27 - Thanksgiving Recess
December 22 through January 08 - Christmas Recess
March 25 through 31 - MTNA Conference
April 5 through April 11 - Easter Recess
Lesson Exchanging: There are no guaranteed make up lessons and there are no credits given for missed lessons due to illness, inclement weather and vacations. Your place has been reserved in my teaching schedule. Please try to schedule activities around your lesson day and time. Please refer to the piano studio roster if you would like to trade a lesson with another student and please be sure to allow a respectful amount of time in advanced.
Sick Child Policy: Under no circumstances may a parent bring a sick child to their scheduled piano lesson. If your child has had a fever within the past 24 hours prior to their lesson or is ill, please notify me and I will do my best to reschedule their lesson. If a child becomes ill during their piano lesson, the parent must pick up their child ASAP.
Supplies: I will provide each student with a spiral notebook and a folder. Students who
are in Lesson Book 2 and above should have a metronome. Metronomes are available at
most music stores for around $35.00. I do recommend digital metronomes.
The Student: The student should realize that daily practice is essential. It is best to set aside a
regular practice time and follow the same schedule daily if possible. Students are expected to
cover every step of the weekly assignments that are written down in their assignment notebooks.
This is critical for musical growth and progress. Please read your assignment page daily before
you practice. Also, it is the student’s responsibility to bring all of their music and their assignment
notebook with them to each lesson. Studying piano will have more influence on your life than
you may ever realize.
The Parent: Parental support is a must for the child’s musical growth and progress. Please
make sure that the student has a good quality piano that is kept in tune to practice on. I
recommend Lee Santo for tuning and his telephone number is 402-681-0638. Younger students
may need your help with their practicing. Please have your son or daughter to the piano studio on
time for their lesson and also pick them up at the conclusion of each lesson on time. We cannot
make up for lost time as my schedule is full. Parents are welcome to attend lessons. Brothers,
sisters, and younger visitors tend to distract the student and so I request that they not be present
during lessons. Please park your vehicles on the far south driveway or on Vane St.
The Teacher: I am always available to discuss lessons and progress with parents. Each student
is an individual with different needs and goals. I am available by telephone between 1:00 PM
3:00 PM on weekdays. I will continue to further my teaching skills by remaining active in the
professional music teacher organizations: Omaha Music Teachers Association - Past President;
Nebraska Music Teachers Association; Music Teachers National Association. I obtained a BA
degree in Piano Performance from UNO in 1984. I have completed my National Certification from MTNA. I am honored to have received the Award for Outstanding Service 2016 by the Nebraska Music
Teachers Association.
Performance: Music is meant to be shared. There are several performance opportunities
offered to students throughout the year and details will be given at the appropriate times. The
Christmas Recital will be on Sat., Dec. 10, 7:00 PM, St. Paul United Methodist Church. All
students are invited to perform and are required to stay for the duration of the entire recital.
Auditions set goals, give feedback, and motivate students. I encourage all students to play for
school, church, family, friends, etc. Please try to listen often, in a non-critical manner. Group
lessons offer performances of students to share with one another in an informal setting. The
tentative group lesson dates are as follows: October 17-18; December 19-20; February 27-28; May
15-16, tentatively. These dates are subject to change.
I chose to become a piano teacher for many reasons, the most significant one being to touch
young lives and not so young lives with music. I want to share my knowledge and love for music.
I look forward to working with you, and your son or daughter. We are in this venture together as
student, parent, and teacher. I pledge to do my best to make music study a rich and growing
experience for all of my students.