Tuition, Calendar, and Lesson Policies
Tuition, Calendar, and Lesson Policies
Our small-group beginner piano lessons provide a friendly, encouraging environment where students learn alongside their peers. With just three students per group, each child receives plenty of individual attention while enjoying the energy and support of a group setting.
Each 60-minute lesson includes a mix of on- and off-the-bench activities to keep students focused, motivated, and having fun. Lessons are structured to include:
Group instruction and ensemble playing
Independent learning at digital pianos with headphones
One-on-one check-ins with Rachel
Music theory, ear training, and musical games
Activities that help students learn how to practice effectively at home
Students work at their own pace while benefiting from the social and collaborative nature of group learning.
As students grow in confidence, independence, and reading ability, their group will gradually transition into our 20/20/20 lesson format, which offers a more individualized experience while still incorporating the benefits of group learning.
The timing of this transition is flexible and based on each student’s readiness, musical maturity, and ability to work independently.
Students who currently take private piano lessons may also transition to the 20/20/20 lesson format.
Ages 7 and older · Three students per group
Students participate in a weekly 60-minute lesson, rotating through three engaging stations: private instruction, guided practice, and music theory.
This unique format offers the supportive atmosphere of a group class combined with the individualized attention of private lessons.
Typical Weekly Schedule:
Private Lesson Station: 20 minutes of one-on-one instruction at the acoustic piano
Practice Station: 20 minutes of guided practice at a digital piano with headphones
Theory Station: 20 minutes of music theory, ear training, composition, or improvisation activities
Special Weeks:
From time to time, we'll incorporate group activities such as ensemble playing, collaborative improvisation, and music games to reinforce key concepts. On these days, students will spend 15 minutes at each of the 3 stations and enjoy an additional 15-minute group session.
Thirty-minute lessons are a good fit for many younger students, beginners, and students who are comfortable focusing on one or two primary areas during each lesson.
Forty-five-minute lessons are recommended for students who would benefit from additional time for favorite songs, repertoire, technique, composing, improvising, songwriting, theory, or other musical interests.
They are also often a good fit for teens and adult students.
Sixty-minute lessons are ideal for advanced students, older teens, and adults who want a more in-depth lesson with time to explore multiple areas of study.
Monthly tuition reserves the student’s recurring weekly lesson time and includes participation in two studio workshops and two recitals each lesson year.
Tuition is due on the first day of each month.
Accepted payment methods include:
Zelle
Recurring bill pay through your bank
Cash
Check payable to Rachel Robinson
Funds from an approved homeschool program
A nonrefundable annual books and materials fee of $75 is due upon registration or with September tuition.
The fee covers required method books, holiday and recital music, and supplemental music and materials provided throughout the lesson year.
Melody Tree Studios offers an ongoing, year-round lesson program from September through August.
First Day of Lessons — Monday, September 14, 2026
Fall Workshop — Saturday, October 10, 2026
Winter Recital — Saturday, December 19, 2026
Winter Workshop — Saturday, February 13, 2027
Spring Recital — Saturday, May 15, 2027
Online workshops and recitals will be scheduled separately. Exact dates and times will be announced closer to each event.
Online events may be held during the same week as the corresponding in-person event or during the following week, depending on student availability and scheduling needs.
No lessons will be held during the following breaks:
Thanksgiving Break — November 23–27, 2026
Winter Break — December 21, 2026–January 1, 2027
Spring Break — April 5–9, 2027
Memorial Day — May 31, 2027
Summer Break — June 14–25, 2027
End-of-Summer/Back-to-School Break — August 30–September 10, 2027
The studio will hold one Fall Workshop Week and one Winter Workshop Week during the 2026–2027 lesson year.
During Workshop Weeks, youth students do not attend their regularly scheduled lessons. Instead, they participate in the corresponding group workshop.
Adult students attend their regular lessons as scheduled.
Fall Workshop Week — October 2026
Winter Workshop Week — February 2027
Lesson Policies
Consistent attendance is important for musical progress.
Monthly tuition reserves the student’s recurring weekly lesson time and is not refunded or adjusted for missed lessons.
Make-up lessons are not offered during the school year. When advance notice is available, families may use the Lesson Swap Program.
Please notify the studio as soon as possible if a student will miss a lesson.
Lessons begin and end promptly.
In-person students should arrive on time with their instrument, music, and necessary materials ready.
Online students should log in and be ready to begin at their scheduled lesson time from a quiet, distraction-free space.
The Lesson Swap Program is available through the My Music Staff student portal.
When a student has an upcoming scheduling conflict, families may arrange a one-time lesson swap with another student who has the same teacher, lesson format, and lesson length.
To arrange a swap:
Log in to My Music Staff.
Select All Events to view available lessons.
Find a student with the same teacher, lesson format, and lesson length.
Contact the other family to arrange the swap.
Notify Melody Tree Studios at least 24 hours in advance after the swap has been confirmed.
Families may opt out of participating in the Lesson Swap Program through the annual registration form.
Online lessons are always available as an alternative to attending an in-person lesson.
Online attendance can be helpful during:
Mild illness
Travel
Transportation difficulties
Inclement weather
Other circumstances that make it difficult to attend in person
Please notify the teacher in advance when possible if the student will attend online.
Students who are ill should remain home from in-person lessons.
When a student is feeling well enough to participate, the lesson may be held online.
If a teacher is under the weather but well enough to teach, families will be notified and lessons may be held online.
A teacher may cancel up to two lessons during the lesson year without providing a make-up lesson.
These built-in teacher absences may be used for:
Severe illness, including being too ill to teach online
Family emergencies
Unavoidable personal circumstances
If a teacher cancels more than two lessons during the lesson year, an additional lesson will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time.
When weather or road conditions make travel difficult, students may attend their lesson online.
Families should notify the teacher as early as possible if they plan to switch to an online lesson.
Lessons are ongoing and year-round.
To discontinue lessons, families must provide at least one full month’s written notice.
Tuition remains due throughout the notice period.
Melody Tree Studios offers year-round lessons from September through August.
Students must remain enrolled during the summer to retain their studio placement and receive priority scheduling for the following school year.
Consistent, year-round instruction helps students maintain their skills, practice routines, and musical progress.
Students who discontinue lessons for the summer are not guaranteed a fall lesson time but may re-enroll if space is available.
Lessons canceled at least seven days in advance receive a lesson credit that may be used for another available summer lesson.
Lessons canceled with fewer than seven days’ notice are not eligible for rescheduling.
Rescheduled lessons must be booked through My Music Staff at least 48 hours in advance.
Credits are teacher-specific and expire at the end of August.
Please cancel as early as possible so the lesson time becomes available to other students.
Students may request a different recurring lesson time for June, July, and August and return to their school-year lesson time in September.
Practice
Regular practice is important for all music students.
Parents and caregivers can help students develop strong practice habits by establishing a consistent practice routine in a quiet, distraction-free environment.
Students and parents are welcome to contact their teacher with practice questions between lessons. We are always happy to help.