Deanna Cabal Piano and Tutoring Studio Policy Statement – 2024-2025
2717 Stoneridge Dr, Garland, TX 75044
Cell phone: 469-693-6928
Studio email: cabalmusicstudio@gmail.com
This year, piano and tutoring lessons will begin the week of August 19 and will continue through the last week in May, ending on May 23. Summer lessons (which are individually scheduled using My Music Staff) will start in June 2025. A minimum of 3 summer lessons are required in order to retain a place in my studio for the next year. I will offer both in-person lessons or online via Zoom if requested.
Student/Parent Expectations:
Students should arrive at each lesson punctually (no more than 15 minutes early) and come fully prepared with all materials, including assignment book. All students are expected to practice daily for as long as is assigned. This is necessary in order to progress at a good rate and master all the necessary skills. Parents are expected to encourage their child to practice daily and help their child form good practice habits and self-disciplline. Parental involvement is so important for student success. Progress reports will be sent home once a month to encourage good practice habits and to improve communication with the parents.
Performance/Activity Opportunities:
I am a member of Garland Music Teachers Association (GMTA) and so my students are able to participate in a variety of Festivals and contests that sponsored each year. I am also affiliated with the Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) and through this my students participate in Student Affiliate (SA) activities. I would like for my students to participate in at least 3 GMTA/TMTA/SA events throughout the year, one of which should be the state theory test. Please see the additional tab for all the GMTA/TMTA/SA events for the year. This is updated in July of each year. I also use a wide variety of technology in my studio which allows me to stay on the cutting edge of new and exciting benefits for my students.
Tuition:
Tuition is payable by the 1st of each month. I will send an invoice the last day of the previous month which you can use to pay via credit card. If you wish, you can also pay with cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, in my studio. A convenience fee will be charged for paypal and credit card payments. A late fee of $15 will be charged for any payments made after the 10th of the month. Tuition is $20 per session. Piano/Voice tuition includes one 45-minute lesson each week which includes the cost of a lesson book, theory book, and studio recitals. GMTA/TMTA/SA events cost extra and are due at the beginning of the month in which the event occurs.
Attendance:
Students are expected to attend their scheduled lesson each week. In the event that a student must miss their lesson, I ask that you please give me at least 2 hours advanced notice in order to be eligible for a make-up lesson or credit. No credits or refunds will be given for missed lessons with no advanced notice. In the event that I must cancel a lesson, I will give you the option to reschedule or take a credit on the next month's tuition.
COVID policies:
I will do my very best to run a healthy studio. Students will be asked to use hand sanitizer upon arrival at the studio. I will sanitize all surfaces that might be touched by the students. I also use essential oils in a diffuser to help kill any germs in the air and I have an air purifier in the studio. The use of masks is permitted, but is not mandatory. Please do not send your child to their lesson if they are ill or if anyone in the household is ill.
Equipment for music lessons:
All students should have a full sized digital piano or acoustic piano at home to practice on. The digital piano should have 88 keys and have weighted, touch-sensitive keys and a damper/sustain pedal. Acoustic pianos should be in good repair and be tuned regularly. For the best experience, the student should also have access to an ipad or android tablet for use with apps such as Sproutbeat and Piano Maestro, but this is optional.
Tutoring:
Students are expected to bring all materials with any homework completed to each session. They should always use pencil and should also have the following supplies available: extra pencils, colored pencils, ruler, compass, protractor, scientific calculator, extra paper and/or notebook.
Media Release:
Photos, videos, or recordings of the students may be used for promoting the studio online or in performance recordings. Students will never be identified by their last name. Only the first name will be used. If you wish to be exempt from this, please provide me with a written request to opt out.
Holidays:
There will not be lessons on the following holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Week, Christmas Break, New Years Day, Spring Break, and Memorial Day. I follow the Garland ISD schedule for any holidays or cancellations. If Garland ISD does not have school, we will not have a lesson unless prior arrangements have been made. Please view the calendar on your student portal for dates and holidays.