Welcome to private music lessons with Maddie (Merchant) Thurman!
Whether you are a new or continuing student, please read the entire document for important information and changes.
Let me know if you have any additional questions.
MY MISSION: Here at my private studio, my goal is to help students discover and develop their unique talents and capabilities. Music can have a far reaching effect on every aspect of a person’s life. Thus, I hope to create a comfortable learning environment where students can developing musical skills, creative mindsets, and overall professionalism. Lessons are designed as follows:
DISCOVER
- Teacher will evaluate students progress. Students will perform their assigned practice material. The teacher will ask about practice time, and will evaluate needs based on student’s performance and questions. The teacher will evaluate the growth and progress of the student and will address the student’s needs accordingly.
DEVELOP
- Student and teacher will work together to decide which skills they would like to develop further based on individual needs and strengths.
Curriculum: Students will be taught music theory, their music of choice, and music assigned by the teacher. Practice hours and goals will be set individually.
Materials: Each student should bring a notebook or a note-taking device to lessons to use as a practice record, as well as their personal music.. Materials such as books and music will be assigned individually.
PAYMENTS
20 min. lessons: $15 per lesson, or $60 per month (on a regular, 4 week month) *20 min lessons are usually only used for very young students who need a quick focused lesson.
30 min. lessons: $20 per lesson, or $80 per month (on a regular, 4-week month)
45 min. lessons: $30 per lesson, or $120 per month (on a regular, 4-week month)
Discounts:
Family Discount: If there is more than 1 child enrolled from the same family, each additional child will receive a $10 discount per month.. Group lessons are also an option for multiple children. Please ask me for more information.
“Invite-a-friend” Discount: Students also receive a discount for enrolling another student. If a student invites a friend to take lessons, and they enroll, the student who invited will receive 1 free lesson!
Double-Lesson Discount: Students who choose to take 2 lessons per week or sign up for 2 types of lessons (for example, Cello and Voice lessons) will receive a $10 discount per month.
Transactions: Entire monthly payments should be made at the beginning of each month. Cash, check, venmo, or auto-bill payments are accepted. Please let me know if you prefer another method.
*I keep a receipt online with student payment records, so please let me know if you ever need information regarding where you are at with payments.
CANCELLATIONS:
Students are expected to come to lessons each week. However, I understand that there are times when the student or I must make a cancellation, and we will work together to reschedule the lesson (where possible).
PLEASE READ and NOTE: You are expected make a complete payment for all lessons at the beginning of each month (4-5, depending on the # of weeks in a month). In the case of a cancellation, we will reschedule the lesson for the same week or add an additional lesson onto a future week. If it is not possible to reschedule or add a lesson, you will not be charged for ONE missed lesson (credit will go towards a future lesson). However, plan to always pay for 3 lessons per month where possible. One cancellation will not be charged, but please plan to pay for 3 per month. Where possible, please try your best to be consistent with attendance and payments. *You will not be charged for my personal cancellations.
Foreseen Cancellations: Please let me know at the beginning of the month if you know you will need to make a cancellation. We will try to reschedule the lesson.
Unforeseen Cancellations: We all get sick sometimes! We will try to reschedule unforeseen cancellations, or keep the credit towards the next month. Please inform me as soon as you know the student cannot make it.
Makeup Times:
Please contact Maddie for makeup times. Texting is usually the fastest way to reach me.
RECITALS:
We have a recital at the end of each term. There may be a $10 recital fee for participation. Each student performs 1-2 pieces that we worked on throughout the semester, both solo and group pieces. This is always a very exciting experience. Information for the upcoming recital will be given later in the semester. Please invite family and friends to come enjoy your children’s performance!
Contact info:
Maddie Merchant Thurman
Phone: (480) 329-6793
Email: madelyn.merchant@gmail.com
Thank you for reading and understanding! Please let me know if you have any questions!