Policies & Procedures

What is your Price-for-Life Guarantee?

Your membership rates for music lessons will never be raised as long as you continue lessons (remain enrolled) uninterrupted. Your price will be locked in, for life – forever! (See below for information about memberships, tuition, and pricing.)

We never raise rates for families as long as the student continues lessons (stays enrolled). We mean for life, literally. So as time goes on and rates are raised at the school for new students (mostly to accommodate inflation), your rate will never increase, ever, for any number of years that the student continues lessons (stays continuously enrolled).

How Do You Handle Make-up Music Lessons?

We offer unlimited make-up lessons!

Here are the details of our policy:

For any music lessons missed by a teacher, the Dennis Frayne Music Studios will attempt to provide a substitute music teacher, a guest music teacher, or one-time alternative music learning environment. If a substitute music teacher, guest music teacher, or alternative music learning environment is unavailable, an appropriate make-up lesson with the student’s teacher will be scheduled promptly.

For any lesson missed by a student, we offer unlimited in-studio make-ups providing useful music learning and exciting alternative experiences that contribute to the growth of students as musicians and creative artists. The following options are available:

1. Attend a 60-minute (one-hour) small group make-up class (masterclass) in-person, in-studio. These make-up classes (masterclasses) are offered several times per month and quarter. The make-up music classes are age and level appropriate, include new material and music learning opportunities, provide valuable masterclass-style practice performance opportunities, and are held at a variety of times in the mornings, afternoons, evenings, and on weekends. To request a small group make-up class, follow this link, and select the “masterclass” option.
   
   https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/request-a-makeup-music-lesson
   

2. Attend or audit an alternate music class. These opportunities are offered on a case-by-case basis only, depending on availability, class size, class-appropriateness, and schedule. These types of make-ups must be pre-approved, scheduled well in advance, and planned by the music school manager or Dr. Dennis. To request this type of music make-up lesson, follow the above link, and select the “audit” option.

3. Donate your lesson to our scholarship and financial assistance programs. Help a music student in need! To donate your music lesson, follow the above link, and select the “donate” option.

4. Receive a video music lesson and supplemental assignment. Your teacher can provide video tutorials, music listening and analysis materials, music theory and other coursework, self-recording and self-evaluation instructions, or alternate music learning assignments designed especially for you. To request this type of music make-up lesson, follow the above link, and select the “assignment” option.

5. Sublease your spot to a family or friend. You can send a person in your place for the music lesson(s) you will miss. Just let the office know well in advance who is coming in your place and when. (If you wish, make sure that they reimburse you directly for the music lesson!) To request this type of make-up lesson, follow follow the above link, and select the “sublease” option.

6. Take a break, and let it go! Accept the missed lesson the same way you would a school absence. Students still make excellent progress in their music education and growth as musicians and creative artists even if they miss a lesson every now and then. Teachers still get paid for the lesson, and will use the extra time to work on things that will improve music lessons and music learning environments for students and families. Adult students who “let missed lessons go” are far more successful (and less stressed!) than adult students who quit (or never get started) because they are overly concerned about missing some lessons. Perhaps think of it like a monthly gym membership: if you miss every now and then, but keep going overall, you will get closer and closer to reaching your goals!

7. Take the lesson online via Google Meet. Online lessons can take place while at home or traveling, with or without your instrument, at the same time and day as your regular lesson. Online lessons must take place on the same day and time as the regularly-scheduled lesson, and must be planned at least two weeks in advance. To request this type of music make-up lesson, follow the above link, and select the “online lesson” option.

Never worry about missed lessons again!

Note about In-home Lessons: Students taking in-home lessons must still take their small group (masterclass) make-up lessons in-studio.

Note about Choir and other Music Ensembles: Choir, Band, Orchestra, Chamber Music, and Musical Theater are Ensembles, and regular attendance is required in order to participate. There are no make-up lessons for Choir and other music ensembles.

How Does Membership, Tuition, & Pricing Work?

We offer a variety of membership levels and music lesson packages and options. These range from weekly small group lessons, individual private lessons, bi-weekly music lessons, add-on packages for music theory and exam preparation, and more. Enrollment is monthly, and requires no long-term contracts.

Please click here for more information about Pricing, Tuition, & Memberships.

Once enrolled, all recurring music lesson / tuition / membership payments are processed by pre-authorized credit cards or auto drafts from checking accounts on the first of the month. Recurring annual registration and materials fees are processed annually on or about the first day of your enrollment anniversary month. Annual registration and materials fees ($100 per year per student) are due at time of registration and annually thereafter, and includes all books, sheet music, worksheets, and studio recitals. Tuition is never prorated for missed music lessons, but we offer unlimited make-up music lessons (see Cancellations and Make-ups, above).

12 SESSIONS (11 MUSIC LESSONS PLUS 1 RECITAL) PER QUARTER

The studio calendar schedule operates on a quarter system. There are 4 quarters per year. Each quarter has 13 weeks total. One week each quarter is reserved for recitals (no regular lessons). One week each quarter is reserved for holidays / vacations — an “off week” (no regular lessons). Tuition / membership pricing is based on this quarter system and is the same amount each month; i.e. we don’t charge you more when you have five lessons, and we don’t charge you less when you have three lessons in a month. Every quarter has 12 sessions which consist of 11 music lessons and 1 recital. The recitals are held at different locations on different days of the week and times of the day, to help ensure a variety of experiences and availability.

Please pick up a copy of the quarterly lesson schedule and studio calendar, also available on our website:

Music School Calendar, Schedule, Recitals, Important Dates

What about the Summer Months? 

The studio operates year-round and does not close during the summer. We are happy to offer unlimited make-up music lessons for our students (see Cancellations and Make-ups, above). If you are taking a month off for vacation and want to resume the next month, your payment is still due on the first of the month to reserve your lesson space, keep your teacher, and to maintain your Price-for-Life Guarantee. The music lessons for the month you miss can be made up when you return from vacation.

How Do We Discontinue (Withdraw from) Lessons?

Every student receives music lessons on a month-to-month basis. To discontinue music lessons and to discontinue charges to your account, notify us and complete the withdrawal form before the 15th of your last month. We do not prorate tuition for the last month’s lessons. Students will be responsible for their last month’s tuition whether or not they attend lessons.

WITHDRAWAL

Students can sign up for up to four make-up sessions (see Cancellations and Make-ups, above) held at any time throughout the year if they cannot attend their remaining lessons during their last month. No refunds are given for students missing their last month. No exceptions will be made for moving, relocating, illness, etc.

By enrolling in lessons, students and families agree and understand that lessons are month-to-month, and that they must let the office know by the 15th of their last month. No exceptions will be made for me and no refunds will be given to me for this policy. Thank you!

How Do Lessons Work at the Music Studio?

CARE OF STUDENTS, OPEN DOOR POLICY, INJURIES, PICKING UP

The school offers lobby space for students and siblings to work and play quietly while waiting. However, the school is not responsible for providing before or after care for students. Parents with children under the age of eight must remain in the school lobby during the classes. Students are not to be left at the school for excessive time periods before or after their lessons.

Parents are always allowed to sit in on private lessons (but not group lessons or classes). We have an open-door policy for private lessons. We also maintain windows on all private lesson room and classroom walls and/or doors.

Parents, legal guardians of minors, students and adult students waive the right to any legal action for any injury sustained on school property resulting from normal lesson activity or any other activity conducted by the students or their siblings before, during, or after lesson time, including hearing loss or hearing damage. The Dennis Frayne Music Studios / Laguna Niguel School of Music nor the owner or any employee is not responsible for any damage done to vehicles or items stolen from vehicles.

Children must wait for their parents to pick them up inside the studio. Please do not ask them to meet you elsewhere. Students are not to be dropped off on the street or curb. The Dennis Frayne Music Studios / Laguna Niguel School of Music nor the owner or any employee assumes no responsibility for children who leave unaccompanied.

How Much Should Music Students Practice?

Regular home playing and practice is recommended for many students, but not all. Some students do better without the pressure of regular practice, and all students progress regardless of whether they practice regularly or not. Students who wish to progress at a faster pace must commit to regular practice, at least 5 days per week, according to the practice requirements and guidelines for their course and pacing. For younger beginners this might mean 5 to 15 minutes at a time; for intermediate level and more advanced students this will mean 30-60 minutes; and for students preparing for testing, competitions, college or university auditions, and specialized performances, this will mean 60-120 minutes (one to two hours) or more of daily practice.

The amount of practice will vary depending upon each student’s age, goals, and interests. Practice should include playing from memory for family and friends, playing fun duets and ensemble pieces, and experimenting, improvising, and even composing and arranging, in a serious way or just for fun.

Parental involvement in home playing and practice can be important for many students’ success. However, we do not recommend any situation that causes tension, stress, anxiety, or unhappiness. We strive for tension-free, stress-free, anxiety-free, and happy musical experiences for all our students and famiies. Consider helping your student establish and stick to a playing and practice routine, calendar, and schedule, and ensuring that playing and practice time is free of distractions.

Do Music Students Need an Instrument (Piano) at Home?

As with practice time, an instrument (piano) is generally needed - but not always. Many piano students, especially in the early months and even years, can do without a piano at home. Piano students wishing to make faster progress should have an acoustic piano or a digital piano keyboard for home practice. The better the quality of instrument, of course, the better the experience for students. For many students, the quality of their home instrument (piano) may play a significant role in their potential for success, especially as they advance.

For some instrumental music lessons, instruments are required. This is true when a student must bring their own instrument to lessons. These instruments include: guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, violin, viola, cello (string instruments), flute, clarinet, saxophones, trumpet, trombone, tuba (woodwind and brass instruments). Drums & percussion lessons use studio instruments, so students can get away without having an instrument at home, at least in the beginner stages.

A note regarding pianos: Acoustic pianos should be tuned at least once a year, and kept in working order. If you prefer a digital piano keyboard, please invest in a full-size keyboard (88 keys) with fully weighted, touch-sensitive keys and pedals.

Do You Offer Student Music Recitals, Concerts, and Performance Opportunities?

Yes! We offer many student music recitals, concerts, and performance opportunities, all throughout the year.

Do You Offer a Referral Incentive?

Yes! We offer a referral incentive. Please read more about our referral program.

Call today or stop by the school to sign up for music lessons that are perfect for you.

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