6612 Lancaster Lane, Maple Grove, MN 55369
763-355-7306 Q88keys@gmail.com

Maple Grove Piano Studio Policies
updated July 2023; see Tuition & Billing Below for Current Tuition
TEACHER'S EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
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BA, BS Piano Performance and Music Education, Pillsbury Baptist Bible College. Studied with Dr. Sigrid Luther and Dr. Joyce Goodman.
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AFFILIATED WITH Panama City Christian School, Panama City Florida, 1974-1975 Classroom Teacher: Fourth Baptist Christian School, Plymouth, MN 1975-1985 Classroom Teacher; Fourth Baptist Christian School, Plymouth, MN 1985-1998 Independent Piano Teacher
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Maple Grove Piano Studio, Owner and Independent Teacher, 1975-2022
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MINNESOTA MUSIC TEACHERS ASSOCIATION President 2017-2018
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MMTA positions held: Contest Hospitality Chair; State Piano Contest Chair; Vice President, Piano Contests; Judge Education Chair;MMTA Technology Chair; MMTA Contest and Piano Exam judge; Nationally Certified Teacher of Music; Founder and President, Northwest Suburban Music Teachers Association; MMTA Piano Syllabus Development Committee; President Elect 2016;. MMTA President, currently MMTA Immediate Past President.
How to Register for MGPS. It's Easy! For New Students to the Studio
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Call 763-355-7306 for an appointment for a "Meet & Greet" with the teacher.
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Enrollment will be considered after the consultation is finished.
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Enrollment applies for the entire studio calendar of 38 weeks September 2021 through July 2022.
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Submit Registration Form on Website, SIGN BEFORE SUBMITTING by Typing Your Full Name
Registration and Enrollment Fee for New/Returning Students is Due August 15, 2021 $120 per student.
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Enrollment is complete when the form is submitted and your check for the enrollment fee of $120 for each student is received.
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Payment of the Enrollment Fee reserves your student’s place in the Fall Schedule and ALSO COVERS: Miscellaneous office time to work on scheduling, emails, copying and organizational time to submit proper paperwork for each MMTA event entered, a personalized assignment binder and materials I create especially for the individual student, photocopying, folders, handouts, incentives, the trophy each student may earn, continuing education, borrowing of all materials from my music library, planning time outside of the contact time with the student, trips to buy music for each student, home access (FREE!) for Piano Maestro and other apps, and more.
2023-2024 Tuition and Billing
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Tuition is billed per studio year (38 lesson weeks) and divided equally into 11 monthly tuition installments, which are due the first scheduled lesson of the month, SEPTEMBER through JULY. Tuition statements are sent by email around the 20th of the month, using Quickbooks.
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45 minute lessons 11 monthly payments of $165 (discounted to $155)
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30 minute lessons 11 monthly payments of $125 (discounted to $120)
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Please be aware that moneys paid to the studio for registration and tuition are not refundable.
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PLEASE WRITE ALL CHECKS TO 'MARCIA VAHL' Your cooperation is much appreciated. $10 DISCOUNT per month for 45 minute students for EARLY PAYMENT by the 1st day of the month; $5 DISCOUNT per month for 30 minute students for EARLY PAYMENT by the 1st day of the month.
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The studio year includes 38 lessons. By submitting the online enrollment form, a student/parent is contracting with Marcia Vahl for a full studio year (September 2023 through the end of July 2024) PLEASE CONSULT THE CALENDAR ONLINE OR IN YOUR STUDENT'S NOTEBOOK.
Summer Study
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The studio calendar includes 38 lesson weeks from September through July; 32 lessons up to the last lesson in May PLUS 6 lessons to be scheduled at your convenience during the final weeks of May through July to complete the 38 lessons.
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It is not an option to stop lessons before the 38 weeks are completed.
What Does Tuition Cover?
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Teacher Experience & Formal Education; Time spent with student; Time spent planning for student lessons; Trips to music store; Shipping costs associated with music; Sales, Property and other taxes
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High quality Instruments; Upkeep of instruments; Teacher Accomplishments; Teacher Publications; Student use of computer, iPad, & keyboard; Planning recitals; Administrative time for scheduling and answering emails
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Time spent keeping student accounts up-to-date; Teacher continuing education; Teacher salary; Office Supplies ; Software and iPad Apps for use with students.
Media Policy
The teacher reserves the right to use video recording or photographs of students for on the studio website, or other advertising materials, lesson demonstration, youtube and/or vimeo. Photos taken by the teacher or that are shared with the teacher by other parents or students become the property of the studio and can be used at the discretion of the teacher in regards to the studio. The studio follows online safety rules in this matter.
Music and Materials
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I am happy to generously lend the music from my library to all students.
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The cost for borrowing music is covered by the registration fee. Some music may be kept by the student.
Absences and Illness
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Tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance, and lessons you choose to miss or cancel will not be made up.
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The studio is a full time career and no makeup lessons are provided.
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When mutually convenient, occasional exchanges of lesson times may be arranged with enough notice using the EXCHANGE LIST available to every parent. I will assume a student is coming unless I hear otherwise.
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If your child is sick enough to stay home from school he/she will not benefit from a lesson in a constructive way. Please do not send him/her for a piano lesson.
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If your student is sick, you may take a video of the student playing the current assignment, I will send back my comments with a new assignment sheet, so the student does not miss a lesson.
Discontinuing Lessons
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Every student stops taking lessons at some point. Please make this decision thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure.
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For this reason, one month's (paid tutition) notice is required in writing prior to discontinuing lessons.
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Note: At the discretion of the teacher, students may be asked to discontinue lessons at any time if they have unpaid tuition, an excess amount of absences/unprepared lessons, or if they show a lack of interest or refusal to cooperate during lessons.
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Your commitment when enrolled is for an entire year, September 2022 through July 2023. Students are expected to take ALL of the lessons for the year in which they are enrolled, and payment for all 11 months of the studio year is required.
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Parents are welcome to sit in on any lesson if they choose. The function of the parent in the lesson is to observe and take notes of the teacher’s practice suggestions to the student.
Your Home Piano
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A well maintained acoustic piano at home is essential for success.
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Electronic pianos and keyboards are fun and have their place, but they do not do not respond the same way to the musical and technical demands of my studio and will hamper the student’s progress. I am happy to work with families in purchasing a good piano at a price they can afford.
Practice Guidelines
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Students are expected to be prepared for each week’s lesson. All assignments are to be practiced each week.
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A regular time should be set aside each day for practice in order to establish a routine that will become a daily habit.
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Six undisturbed practice sessions per week are recommended. Daily length of practice should be the same length as your weekly lesson times. Early beginners practice 10 minutes a day at first, then increase time as they learn mor.
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It is imperative for students to practice for results as well as minutes. Lessons are designed to achieve goals each week through regular practice.
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Remember This: Unprepared lessons cost the same as prepared ones, but their value is substantially compromised.
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Important note: Sometime during the course of taking piano lessons, your child may say something like, “I don’t want to practice,” or “I’m too tired to go to piano lessons,” or “I don’t want to go- I want to play with my friends,” “I want to quit,” etc… Just be aware that your child’s interest will probably not be consistent; but to be successful, you will need to be consistent in your encouragement and commitment to music instruction. In most cases, simply acknowledge your child’s comments, but then go on with your normal routine just as you would if you heard the comment, “I don’t want to brush my teeth,” “I don’t want to stop playing with my toys,” or “I don’t want to go to bed.”
Questions
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I am always happy to talk to my students and their parents. Please feel free to contact me about anything regarding piano lessons.
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You are welcome to leave a message at 763-355-7306 or E-mail me at Q88keys@gmail.com. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
PLEASE NOTE
By submitting your online enrollment form, and your participation in the program at Marcia Vahl's Maple Grove Piano Studio, you are contracting with Marcia Vahl, NCTM, under all terms listed in the policy above.