(859) 543-0788 Studio88lessons@outlook.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Students learn more quickly and consistently in group lessons than in private lessons,
Students get to be part of an environment that is continually learning and consistently improving
Student’s make new friends and it makes lessons more enjoyable for everyone when students are learning with their friends
Parents are happy with results and continue to ask for group lessons even when the schedule doesn’t permit certain students to be in a group
There are 3-4 students in a group
The group has assignments of music from their books that each student practices. In lessons, students play pieces at the same time. (another reason why group lessons are great because it pushes the student to learn how to play pieces with others in the correct way, such as with rhythm, tempo, volume, etc.)
I help each student with those pieces to figure out in what area they need help in the most
Students also get to work on their own pieces, which helps them figure out what kind of music genre and style they like to play best.
Students play their own pieces at recitals, but with time, also with other students that play different instruments and vocal students!
Policies and Procedures
● Primer: ~20 minutes per day
● Level 1-2: 30-40 minutes per day
● Level 3-4: 1 hour per day
After this level, it is crucial to practice as long and as often as they can in an effective manner (further clarification provided in the Parent’s Guide to Practice booklet)
Please plan and schedule a time to play each and every day (15 minutes is better than nothing at all). This time should be carefully orchestrated within your household for optimal concentration with minimal outside distractions.
**Parents, you must follow through on the actual ‘playing’ time for your child. ***Be sure you know child should be working on and read the material that is sent home. This is a great opportunity for you to share in your child’s life… and maybe learn to play too!
● Please arrive ON TIME and pick up your student directly after their lesson is completed. The instructors are unable to attend to the child after their lesson is over because there is little transition time between students.
● Please leave all food and drink in the waiting area (not applicable to clear water).
● Prorated tuition is offered by teacher absences ONLY. For special circumstances/sickness prevents a student from attending a lesson, a make-up lesson may be available to you at each instructor's discretion.
● For missed lessons, please be sure to call the studio in advance, or contact your instructor at least 24 hours in advance. There will be no makeup lesson offered if there is no notice given of an absence and you will still be charged for the lesson.
○ There will be designated Friday per 8 week session that will be open for make-up lessons, if you are unable to make that lesson, discuss potential options with your instructor but they are under no obligation to schedule a make-up date outside of this.
○ This is a full-time job for most instructors at the studio, please be respectful of your instructor and understand that these lessons are a commitment on both the student and the instructor.
● Please be sure to check your email REGULARLY for updates about cancellations. If you did not check your email and show up for a ‘lesson’ we have canceled, we are not responsible.
● There will also be updates on the studio’s social media pages regarding cancellations so be sure to follow:
○ Instagram: @studio88lessons
○ Twitter: @studio88lex
○ Facebook: @studio88beth
● If the Fayette County School Board cancels school for weather or illness, we most likely will. Please check your emails.
● Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only Federal Holidays when the studio is closed.
We will hold an end-of-semester program for Studio 88 students to perform and show off their learned skills as a large Spring/Winter Program.
In between the larger recitals, we will be hosting little mini-recitals in our very own studio. We have a specially designed location for “Coffee House” performances where the students will be able to perform in front of a small group of people.
Students attend a 55 minute lesson per week. For the 4-5-6 year olds, the lessons are only 30 minutes. The group learning environment is carefully sequenced from August to May and parents and students commit to attend and prepare for lessons during this time. If there are only two or three people in a group, the lesson time is 45 minutes. Half hour slots are only available if a group does not fit for your child.
Parents, it is crucial to your child’s development musically, to have a piano or keyboard with full-sized keys (preferably hammer-action) in your home. I wish I could tell you that it would work to ‘see if you child will like it first’, but I cannot. There is just no way to get around this fact: Your child MUST have the proper instrument to practice on at home, or they will not be able to take lessons at Studio 88. I take this very seriously.
I understand the cost involved, but no one learns anything without the proper equipment. (Golf clubs, tennis rackets, football gear, baseball gear, dance shoes, guitar, and other musical instruments) I feel that having the right instrument is even more important if you want your child to succeed. This does NOT mean that you have to have a keyboard like I will have in the studio. If you have a piano in your home, this is great. Even if it needs a bit of work done, have the work done, get it tuned and in working condition. (There is nothing worse than ‘starting them out’ on an instrument that will depress them! There are excellent, full sized keyboards, that will not break your bank account and I can help you with that if needed. Just ask!)
Rental keyboards are available if you do not want to purchase a keyboard when your child starts. I have found that if you purchase one and set a schedule of practice time, your child will succeed and will not have to ‘try’ the lessons first. Make a commitment with your child and stick with it. If you would like to rent a keyboard from me at the studio, the fee is $40.00 per month. This includes the keyboard, stand, foot pedals and bench. There is a rental policy that will need to be signed in order to take the keyboard home.
To enjoy any activity, you must be able to see how much you are improving and accomplishing. How much you improve is connected to how much you spend playing and making music. This should become part of your life. Please PLAN a time to play the piano everyday. This time should be carefully orchestrated within your household for optimal concentration with few outside distractions. Parents, you must follow through on the ‘playing’ time for your child.
You cannot say to them “YOU NEED TO PRACTICE” and not set a TIME and follow through with it. YOU are paying the money for them to learn. That’s just the way it is. We ALL have to be MADE to do things even as we grow older, and it doesn’t work any differently for children!
***Be sure you know what your child should be working on and read the material that is sent home. This is a great opportunity for you to share in your child’s life…and maybe learn to play too!
● The Fall Semester runs for 19 weeks total, 17 weeks of lesson time
can be paid in full as $680.00 or in two installments of $340.00 for private lessons, and in full $600.00 or in two installments of$300.00 for group lessons.
○ Private lessons are $40.00 for 30 minutes
○ Group lessons are $35.00 for 45 minutes (up to 3 people)
■ Group lessons only applicable to piano
● There is a one-time Studio Fee for payment of $25.00 for each student (even if you have multiple students enrolled).
● There is an initial Registration Fee of $40.00 for all new students.
● There is a Hold Fee of $40.00 if you wish to continue lessons in the next semester. This fee is always credited to the next semester.
● Payments
○ Checks are to be made out to Studio 88, LLC ONLY!
○ Venmo: Beth-Dean-88
○ Credit/Debit transaction fee is $5.00
● If a payment is more than 15 days late there is a $15.00 charge. NO exceptions.