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POLICY & CONTRACT

All current families electronically sign a policy contract before beginning the next session of lessons (School Year / Summer).

FEES

Recital Fee: 
  • Christmas Kick-off Recital fee $20 even if student doesn't participate in the recital, this covers space rental, custodial costs, and all other recital-related materials for the studio. This will take place in November, the Friday before Thanksgiving, November 22nd, 2024.
OPTIONAL COMPETITIONS:
- Arch Cup: Registration in September, festival in October at Webster University, $25 application fee / https://hixsonpiano.com/arch-cup
- NFMC: National Federation of Music Club is in March; fee of $25 / https://www.nfmc-music.org/festival/


TUITION

Monthly tuition reflects the price of a student's reserved time. This time can be for 30, 45 or 60 minute lessons. There is no option to pay per lesson—just like there is no option to pay per day of classes at a school.


Tuition is priced to value and account not only for time and resources outside of lessons, but experience accrued over decades of instruction. It is not simply a cost of hourly labor. It is an investment in the student's development.


Kiley Ko. Piano charges the same tuition each month, regardless of the number of lessons.

Some months may have fewer lessons, some more. 
All lessons and events are combined together over the course of the 12-months and divided into the monthly, flat-rate tuition.
New student beginning in the middle of the year will also pay the standard, 12-month tuition.

Tuition Rates:

$140/month - 30 minute lessons

$210/month - 45 minute lessons

$280/month - 60 minute lessons

Tuition is due the first lesson of each month via cash, check or Venmo (@Kiley-Kozel) made payable to "Kiley Ko. Piano, LLC". Tuition can also be paid by the semester or year, if preferred.

NOTE: There will be a $25 late fee for any check received after the 10th of the month.



SCHEDULING

Even if though I love you, Which I do, Especially you:

CANCELING: 

- There are no refunds for missed lessons.

- Officially, if a lesson has been canceled, that time has been forfeited.

- Mymusicstaff, however, does facilitate swapping, or rescheduling, if more than 24 hours is given to cancel a lesson. This is perfectly fine but all scheduling and managing is to be done by the parent or student:


"OPEN LESSONS":

1. Cancel your original time on the calendar. If you don't want to reschedule lessons, you're all done!

2. Look on the calendar to see if another student has canceled, creating an "Open Lesson". 

Click "register". It's yours!!

- If there isn't an open time on the calendar, there are no other options. Monitoring the calendar for possible cancelations is done by the parent/adult/student.

- Lessons canceled within 24 hours of the lesson spot are ineligible for a make-up credit.

- You may text to notify me of a cancellation, but please do not text or call to reschedule unless you are having issues with MyMusicStaff.

-Cancelled lessons are to be made up during the month of cancellation. Make-ups do not carry on indefinitely.

- If you need a new login for MyMusicStaff or any other help with it, please let me know. (You may update your cell phone number on MyMusicStaff & opt-in for lesson reminder texts for both yourself and your student if they have a phone. You can add in caregivers and spouses for lesson reminders as well.)
- In the event that I have to cancel a lesson, I will let you know as soon as possible and we can either schedule a make-up lesson or I will credit a lesson towards your next month's tuition. 


VIRTUAL LESSONS & FLEX WEEK

- Virtual lessons are not a current option at Kiley Ko. Piano. (IE: Facetime, Zoom, etc.)

- Built into the studio's school year schedule is one "flex week" that allows a cancellation for one sick day per each weekday, with no make-ups. 
These are extra lessons beyond what tuition covers, so there are no make-ups if one gets used. Should the flex day go unused, each student receives an extra lesson that school year. 
(Only two Flex Week days has been used the past four years. This is a very helpful option for self employed piano teachers, and is used with much care and responsibility.)

- In the event of inclement weather, a student may either
A.) Skip their lesson
-or-
B.) Send in a video of the students playing their current pieces, along with photos of their current repertoire. Videos are to be sent in either anytime before or during regular lesson time. They will receive back notes and either an audio recording or video back.

- A full month's notice is required for ending your student's time in the studio. If a notice is not given, tuition for one month will still be owed.

I want to stress that I genuinely want your students to attend as many scheduled lessons as possible, and for you to get your money's worth in their development. These rules are meant to balance a mutual respect for you and your student's investment of time and money, as well as for myself and my business. I sincerely do appreciate your understanding and compliance with these policies.



12 MONTH CONTRACT


The 12-month contract includes: 

  • June to August: 8 lessons/events + registration  (includes 7 lessons, 1 workshop* and a new, additional biweekly 4-4:30 pm ensemble group sessions available for make-up lesson rescheduling). 

  • September to May: 35 lessons/events + registration (includes 2-3 workshops*, 2 recitals, and bringing back a Kiley Ko. Gives Back performance at an area senior center.)

Performance Workshops are based on the model of a college Master Class where students participate in a group setting, performing a prepared piece in front of one another. This offers a peer to peer performance experience, yet in a casual, low-stakes atmosphere. Performance workshops are valued and considered a *weekly lesson* when tallied into the school year.
-Performance Workshop Dates:
  • Wednesday, August 14th, 4:00-4:45pm
  • Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 Time TBA
  • Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 Time TBA

RECITALS

This past year is the first year that several families wanted to opt out of the recitals. This was a very challenging situation for all parties involved because I want to honor a students autonomy and struggle with things like performance anxiety, however, I also Very Strongly believe in the power of pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone, the fundamental, invaluable experience of public performance, and working toward a long term goal regarding a musical instrument.
We work so hard in our lessons and have so much time to prepare for these performances, I truly believe that part of our duty as musicians is to share our love and gift with the world. Especially with older students, it is important that the younger, less experienced students are able to see the more advanced pianists perform. So much inspiration and baton carrying comes from these recitals. I would much rather a more advanced student play an easier piece and perform with more ease and confidence, than for them to not perform at all.
I had seven students back out of the Christmas recital last year - some the week of.
So.
Beginning with the Christmas recital 2023, going forward, every student (not adult) is expected to perform in every recital as part of their studio experience.
For students who are anxious about participating, we can diligently seek out a piece of repertoire that will allow for a positive and confident experience for the student, and give the participation and public performance that is so important to the continued health of the studio.
I know demands and expectations are higher on older students, but I believe between the intentional repertoire and the many (Many) weeks we have to prepare for our recitals, this is a very obtainable and worthwhile goal for everyone.


CHRISTMAS 2024 Recital: 
  • Friday, November 22nd, 2024 - 6:30pm (Friday before Thanksgiving)
  • Location: TBA but maybe: 7200 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130

SPRING 2025:
  • Saturday, May 17th, 2025 - 10:00am
  • Location: My front yard - coffee & treats provided:)

PRACTICE

- Students are to be ready for their lessons with their books and a notebook.


- Students are expected to practice (realistically) 3-5 times each week. (Ideally, daily.) 


The most consistent practice times of successful students have been: 

  • in the mornings
  • the day immediately following a lesson. 


-IF A STUDENT DOES NOT PRACTICE TWO WEEKS IN A ROW, THEY WILL BE WALKED BACK TO YOUR CAR.-

Period.


- Students may text me during the week if there are practice questions. 


During lessons, students are taught specific places of focus and practice techniques to use throughout the week. 

Their practice should be intentional, thoughtful and will be eventually rewarding. 

Practice is a practice. It takes work and effort. 

Please encourage and remind them to practice. Find a way to work it into the family's schedule so it is expected and understood to be a priority.

Always practice the day after a lesson.


Practice can include:
*current piano lesson piece
*reviewing past piano lesson pieces
*reading / review notebook
*theory homework
*sight-reading music further in the book or in other piano books


Especially for recitals, I will remind my student of this ideal way to practice:


KILEY KO. BULLETPROOF PRACTICE FORMULA:

1.) Pick a small section (2-4 measures)

2.)Practice:

  • 2A) RH3X
  • 2B) LH 3X
  • 2C) Tog. 3X


3.) Grade on HOW EASY it is to play (Not How *Good*) on a scale of 1-10

4.) Repeat 2A-2C (may omit 2A&2B) until you can play 2 sets of 3 at a 9-10

5.) Move on to the next two measures and repeat steps 2-4.

6.) Use this method in 8-measure sections until mastered. ENJOY!