Piano study at Kline Klavier Lab runs 12 months (September 2024 through August 2025). New students are considered after completing an audition and conference with student and family.

By registering to study at Kline Klavier Lab students agree to study music as outlined in this document during the 2024-2025 school year.

An assigned lesson time represents a commitment from both the teacher and the student. Missed lessons during the school year are not guaranteed to be made-up although teachers will make every effort to assure students receive the lessons scheduled. If you are not able to attend a lesson, you may contact another student to trade lesson times or work out a zoom lesson with your teacher. It is the responsibility of the families to assure the number of lessons by August 2025.

Some weeks will be dedicated to group performance classes. A group learning environment offers a powerful way to advance skills and develop the confidence to perform with ease in a supportive and encouraging environment. These required classes will take place on Saturday mornings in the studio.

The school year will begin August 26, 2024 and will run through May 19, 2025. During the school year students will have a scheduled time that does not change. Breaks are the best way to advance and enhance learning. There is a break scheduled in November, December and early January and in March. Enjoy this time as a family.

Once we establish the lesson time during the school year we ask that students prioritize the lesson time. This time is precious and essential to the continued development. Lessons will not be made up during the school year. My choice will always be to attend and teach the lessons.

Practice is the art of paying attention. This requires a high degree of mental awareness and stimulation. Active attention combined with appropriate intervals of rest are among the most important factors in achieving expression. It is generally ideal to spend short, focused time at the keyboard several times per day. All students are expected to practice 30-45 minutes per day five days per week. This allows one day away from the piano, and a day of the lesson. I recommend parents read these three books:

• The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin
• Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class
• Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin
• Atomic Habits by James Clear

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” ~Aristotle

The lesson will begin and end at the time scheduled. The teacher will be responsible for the child only during the scheduled lesson time

1. Lessons missed by the teacher will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time or a qualified substitute will be provided during the missed lesson time. The teacher may also offer a Zoom necessary.
2. A trade sheet will be distributed at the beginning of the year this will include contact information, location and time of the lesson. The trade sheet will work for students taking lessons in the studio. Because of travel time, if Mr. Kline travels to homes to teach, these will not be swapped but can be offered via Zoom or video exchange.
3. There are no make-up lessons and no refunds for any lessons missed by the student for any reason. If you find you are running late and will miss much of the lesson, consider contacting Mr. Kline and asking for a Zoom lesson or video exchange.
4. Time missed for a late start cannot be made up at the end of the lesson. Please arrive 5 minutes prior to the scheduled start of your lesson to assure your full lesson time.
   
5. In the case that students or family members are sick, I ask that you avoid in-person contact and opt for a Zoom lesson or video exchange.
   

For those registering for piano lessons, completing registration form AND non-refundable $125.00 registration fee will secure your space in the studio. A lesson time will be selected after the registration material has been submitted.  The registration fee covers the cost of music, materials, participation in local festivals and participation fees associated with securing rental hall for performances as needed.  If participating in the Music Development Program, RCM Examinations, students will register and pay the fees separately.

Music will be provided by the teacher as needed, the cost is covered by the registration fee paid at the start of the year.

Students must bring the following to each lesson:

• All books containing current literature and theory
• Piano notebook

Practice equipment should include:

• A good acoustic or high-quality digital piano with an appropriately sized bench
• Metronome

Parents of all students under the age of 8 should attend all private lessons and take notes for practice at home. This allows you to remain informed about the child’s progress while assisting in practice at home. If unable to attend the lessons, parents should consider video or audio taping the lessons.

All students are expected to participate in studio-sponsored recitals, studio classes, festivals, auditions and competitions for which the teacher believes he/she may be successfully prepared.  Performance dress is expected at all events except for studio classes. It is expected that you will be present for the whole event.

One of the great advantages of living in a large metropolitan area includes vibrant venues for live music. Committing to piano study includes committing to acquainting one’s self with and experiencing live music. Jazz and classical venues are recommended. Additionally, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and iTunes are all terrific resources to expand your child’s knowledge of music.

Your family can determine the right choice of activities for each child. In observing students over the past 20 years of teaching, students who choose piano and one athletic activity along with school tend to have the most success. Children and adults achieve the most success when time is available to mentally re-charge. Piano study is a significant commitment of time and mental energy. Students who remain focused on the work set themselves up for great success.

In order to produce the best possible sound, the student should have the best acoustic instrument available. If possible, the student should practice on a grand piano.  If a grand is not available, a high-quality vertical piano is an excellent alternative.

Your piano is an investment that should be maintained well. Please plan to have your instrument tuned at least two times per year.

Tuition is paid either annually or monthly. Students choosing to pay monthly will pay 12 equal installments due on the 1^st of the month, beginning September 1, 2024 and ending August 1, 2025. I work to make lessons affordable to everyone and will work with anyone committed to the art of learning music through the piano.

If you select to pay annually, the tuition is due with the registration materials.  If paying monthly, tuition is due on the 1^st of the month starting August 2024 and lasting until July 2025. Venmo, Zelle and Paypal are also options to paying the monthly tuition.

If the payment is not received by the 5^th of the month it is considered late and the account will be charged a $25 late fee for each student registered.  Excessive late payment may result in exit procedures and discontinuation of the lessons.