Comments on: Monthly Payments (and makeup lessons) Revisited

By: Stengel99

Stengel99 — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:08:34 +0000

I used to teach in a church-run academy of performing arts. The director wanted each teacher to periodically (I think 2-3 times a year) host an event which would either count as a make-up lesson, or a free event for students who didn’t need a make-up. The event could be something like a workshop, a guest clinician, a master class, a field-trip to a performance or anything else that would be appropriate for music students. It satisfied a lot of goals: dealing with make-ups, rewarding faithful students, getting outside the walls of the studio, bringing in new educators (and increasing that person’s awareness of your program and students), as well as having a social component to getting several of your students together in one place at one time.

By: Marianne

Marianne — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:16:22 +0000

I have always given a list of my piano schedule with my stundent’s phone numbers so my students may swap lessons. I feel it gives them an option if they can’t make it to their lesson. It works wonderfully and I have never had a problem with it. I totally agree with you about makeup lessons. It takes away from your personal time, yet I always feel bad so strick when I tell my clients that.

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:49:07 +0000

I have it specifically stated in my policy letter that the monthly tuition is the same every month. Some months will have 5 lessons (if there happen to be 5 Wednesdays, for example) and some months will only have 3 lessons (Christmas time, for example). It all balances out – I have counted to make sure. Then, back when I had 40 students, I hosted group lessons on the 4th week of the month instead of regular piano lessons, and I would do all of the group lessons in two days (on Monday and Tuesday). Then I would give parents one day each month – that Wednesday – if they wanted/needed to do a makeup lesson. I only ever had three students take me up on the offer! That way it was there, it was available, and if they chose not to take advantage, it wasn’t my fault. Oh, and I would always have the parent sign the policy letter and then give them a copy (I would make them sign it every year, whether I upped the tuition or not), and then I would gently remind them of the policy letter they signed if they seemed to be having problems with my policies! I hope that helps or make some sense to you.