Music Academy South Policies & Procedures
The purpose of this policy is to provide parents and students a written statement of the academy’s commitment to musical growth and education for you and/or your child. Its intention is to define studio offerings, activities, expectations, and performance opportunities. The development of musical skills can and will enhance the well being of an individual, thereby, augmenting the growth of personal disciplines, perceptions, and aesthetic values. We look forward to working with each student.
Lessons and Scheduling
- Our studio is a year-round music academy where lessons are scheduled weekly, throughout the year. The calendar year is based on (46) lessons with (6) weeks of vacation time built in. Families taking additional vacations not in the schedule will be able to work with their teacher for make-up times.(see our Absence Policy)
- Our year-round schedule is based on (2) semesters: Semester I - August through January; Semester II - February through July
- Though your lesson may fall on a scheduled holiday, you or your child will receive the correct number of weeks of instruction based on your payment schedule.
Tuition and Fees
- For a full list of lesson fees, see our Pricing page
- Tuition is based on a set dollar amount per lesson, not on the number of lessons per month. That amount is then multiplied by (46) and divided into (12) equal monthly payments. This allows us to keep your payments low and consistent. Please note that the monthly tuition will remain the same even in months that have fewer or more than (4) lessons scheduled.
- Students may begin at any time during the year. Students joining after August or February will simply adapt to the current schedule and receive pro-rated tuition in your first payment, reflecting the adjustment. Subsequent fees will be a fixed, consistent rate every month.
- Your initial application fee is a one-time payment for the duration of your study at Music Academy South. Additional fees will occur if another family member is added to your plan or if you were to go on hold for longer than (4) weeks in a calendar year.
- Each family will be asked to go on a monthly auto-payment with a credit card, check/debit card, or debit directly from their checking account. Each account will be debited on the 1st of every month.
- Cash and checks are not the preferred means of payment, though initial registration and book fees may be paid in this manner. An additional fee of $7.00 will be charged for checks and cash received on a monthly basis for tuition. *All cash and check tuition payments are due by the 10th of every month.
- If delayed payments result when debiting occurs, families are given until the 10th to avoid a late fee. After the 10th, there will be a $15.00 late penalty added to each additional week of delay.
Make-up Lessons & Refunds Policy
- Make-up lessons are to be kept at a maximum of three (3) per semester.
- To qualify for a make-up lesson, a 24-hour notice is required.
- No refunds are given for missed lessons.
- Absolutely no lesson will be made up for failure to call the Academy within 24 hours of the absence or if the student fails to attend a make-up lesson. One exception to this rule would be if your child came home from school on lesson day with a fever/virus. We obviously do not want them to come to the Academy. We ask that you notify us immediately. This absence will count as one (1) of the allotted (3) per semester. NOTE: Your teacher is instructed to never make-up “make-up” lessons.
- Absolutely no lesson will be made up for failure to call the Academy within 24 hours of the absence or if the student fails to attend a make-up lesson. One exception to this rule would be if your child came home from school on lesson day with a fever/virus. We obviously do not want them to come to the Academy. We ask that you notify us immediately. This absence will count as one (1) of the allotted (3) per semester. NOTE: Your teacher is instructed to never make-up “make-up” lessons.
- Make-up lessons must be made up within a 2 month period. If they are not made up within a 2 month period, the student forfeits the option of a make-up lesson.
- Scheduled vacations for the Academy are indicated on the Studio Calendar. They are designed to coincide with most school calendars. Absences due to Track-Out vacations, school sponsored events such as ski trips, band trips, sport games, and Spring Breaks that differ from MAS can count toward the allotted (3) per semester and be made up. However, prior notification is required.
- Students may miss more than 3 lessons; however, only 3 lessons will be made up. All absences over 3 are converted to No Shows and will not be made up by your teacher.
Hold Policy
- Students going on an extended break/vacation may go on hold for (4) consecutive weeks, once within the calendar year, without having to re-register and pay an additional application fee. Going on hold requires an advance notification with the front desk administrator (2) weeks prior to your next scheduled monthly tuition payment.
- Students on hold risk losing their teacher and time slot but are guaranteed an available spot in the Academy when they return. To avoid losing your teacher and time slot, you can continue to pay the tuition during your child's absence. No make-ups will be given for these absences.
- If you go on hold for more than (4) weeks then you will need to re-register when you return to the Academy; unless you have continued monthly payments.
Withdrawal Policy
- There is a two-month minimum enrollment for all lessons. A one-month written notice is required to discontinue all lessons and tuition payments.
- A withdrawal notice should occur within the first 10 days of the month. Withdrawal notices given after the 10th day of the month will be subject to the next month's full tuition payment.
- To withdraw from lessons, a parent or adult student must either:
- 1. Inform the Music Academy front desk administrator in person by filling out a withdrawal form, or
- 2. Send an email to the Music Academy front desk administrator.
Performances
- There are (2) formal, seasonal student recitals: WINTER AND SPRING. These two recitals are performed at the Academy. Students are expected to “dress to impress” so that they can learn proper stage etiquette and the value of how to treat important events. Please note that a $10 formal recital fee is charged to the book and material account for students who participate.
- As an alternative and different performing experience, Music Academy South offers 2 coffee houses that are considered informal and relaxed. Students get to dress casually. There is no fee to perform at a coffee house recital.
- In addition, many opportunities to perform for auditions and competitions are provided in the spring of each year through local, state, and national organizations. Please note that all audition, ensemble, and competition entry fees are charged to the student's book and material account and are not refundable.
- Students who have interest in playing in a band have the opportunity to audition for the MAS Jam Band. Students need to be proficient in their instrument, able to read music, and play by ear with guidance from their band director.
- Students are also encouraged to perform in nursing homes and in community events, such as Meet in the Street or the Lighting of Wake Forest at Christmas time. We believe in sharing our gifts and cultivating the ability to inspire and entertain others.
Care of Students
- The music academy is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students.
- Parents with children ages 5 and under must remain in the academy during classes/lessons. *Students are not to be left at the academy for excessive time periods before or after their lessons.*
- 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 before, during or after lesson time.
- Music Academy South is a family-friendly environment; however, noise levels in the waiting area should be kept to a minimum as to not disturb lessons and other families.
- Parents of small children should always accompany their child to the restroom.
- Families are asked to respect MAS property and its furnishings. Putting shoes/feet on waiting room chairs, drawing on marker boards, and putting paper towels in toilets is strongly discouraged.
Inclement weather policy
Music Academy South may be OPEN when Wake County and surrounding county schools are closed. We will consider what the driving conditions of the roads might be like during scheduled lesson times. It is possible that road conditions considered dangerous for early morning school bus routes may improve by the time lessons begin. Please call our phone number 919-556-6151 sometime after noon to hear a detailed voicemail indicating whether Music Academy South will be open for lessons or not. Any missed lessons due to inclement weather will be made up to the student. Make-ups will be scheduled with you directly by your teacher.