Purpose of This Agreement
These guidelines clarify what is expected of you and what you can expect from me. They help us plan ahead, avoid misunderstandings, and respect everyone's time, energy, and finances.
1. Lesson Calendar and Scheduling
Fall–Spring (September–May): Regular weekly lessons begin on the Monday following Labor Day in September. Students with recurring lesson arrangements are assigned a consistent weekly time on a first-come, first-served basis.
Summer (June–August): Students may continue lessons on a more flexible schedule or take the summer off. See Section 5 for details about summer lessons and reserving fall lesson times.
Scheduled Holidays and Breaks: Lessons are not normally held during the following periods unless agreed upon in advance:
If your regular lesson falls on another holiday, you may take the day off, but it will count toward your annual absence allowance.
2. Student Absences and Cancellations
From September through May, students with regular weekly lesson arrangements may take up to four unpaid absences per school year, with at least 48 hours' notice. No more than one absence may be taken per calendar month. Unused absences do not carry forward.
Once the monthly or annual allowance has been used, additional student-requested cancellations are charged at the full lesson rate, unless otherwise agreed upon. Unpaid absences are not eligible for makeups or credits.
December Winter Break: Students may take up to two consecutive weeks off from their regular lessons during the final two weeks of December. These lessons are not charged and do not count toward the four annual absences. This allowance cannot be used for days off earlier in December.
Same-Day Illness: Please do not attend lessons when sick. If you need to cancel on the same day due to illness, please let me know as soon as possible. Same-day illness cancellations are still charged at the regular lesson rate, but I offer a separate video makeup option: simply send me a few short, low-resolution videos of the student's current progress, and I will respond with feedback and a new assignment for the week. This option is separate from the in-person makeup allowance.
3. In-Person Make-Up Lessons
Students with regular weekly lesson arrangements may schedule up to four in-person make-up lessons per school year (September–May) for eligible paid lessons that have been missed.
Makeups are separate from the four-absence allowance and are subject to my availability. I will do my best to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Makeups must be used within the school year and cannot be carried forward. They are not available for unpaid absences, no-shows, or cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice. The separate same-day illness video makeup option is an exception.
4. Teacher Cancellations and Planned Time Off
If I need to cancel a lesson due to illness, an emergency, or other unforeseen circumstances, you will not be charged. For planned vacations or other scheduled time off, I will provide at least two weeks' notice whenever possible. Any prepaid lessons affected by my cancellations will be credited or rescheduled by mutual agreement. Teacher cancellations do not count toward a student's annual absence allowance.
5. Summer Lessons and Fall Reservations
Students who continue lessons during this time may arrange a more flexible schedule. Summer schedules and payment arrangements will be discussed individually.
Students who wish to take the summer off may do so. However, fall lesson times are not automatically held for students who take a summer break.
To reserve your regular lesson day and time for the fall, you must:
The reservation fee is calculated using your agreed-upon lesson rate and will be credited toward your fall lesson payments, so it is not an additional fee.
Payment of the reservation fee represents a commitment to return for fall lessons. It is not a refundable deposit or an option to decide later. By paying the fee, you commit to returning by the first Monday after Labor Day, and I commit to reserving your regular lesson time.
If your plans change and you decide not to return, please notify me by August 1st, if possible, so I have an opportunity to offer your reserved time to another student. The reservation fee will be retained if you do not return, unless we have made another arrangement in advance.
If I am unable to honor the reserved lesson time for any reason, the reservation fee will be refunded in full.
6. Ending Lessons or Taking an Extended Break
Please give at least two weeks' notice before your final scheduled lesson if you plan to discontinue lessons permanently or take a break of more than two weeks. This allows me time to plan my schedule and offer the lesson time to another student.
If you plan to return after an extended break, your regular lesson time cannot be guaranteed unless we have made a separate arrangement in advance.
7. Payment and Rates
Standard Lesson Rates:
Unless otherwise agreed upon, the standard rates above apply.
Family Discount: Families with two students from the same household taking back-to-back lessons receive a $5 discount on the total cost of both lessons.
Payment for regular weekly lessons is due in full by the 1st of each month, unless otherwise agreed upon. Cash, check, PayPal, and Venmo are accepted. You can find me on PayPal and Venmo at @amyobenski. Additional costs may apply for materials such as books and sheet music. I will inform you in advance of any additional expense.
8. What You Can Expect from Me
9. Expectations of Students and Parents
10. Individual Lessons (Without a Weekly Commitment)
Students who prefer not to reserve a consistent weekly lesson time may arrange individual lessons, subject to my availability. These lessons are arranged on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me directly to make arrangements.
Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and support your musical growth!