Mukilteo Music LLC

Mukilteo Music LLC Studio Policies 2024-2025 Tuition and Materials Fee

Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is broken up into ten monthly payments from September-June.

$200 for 30 minutes (for young beginners only) 

$230 for 45 minute lessons 

$290/month for 60 minute lessons 

Sibling discount of $10 will apply to each additional sibling. First student pays regular price, but each additional student receives a $10 monthly discount

Materials and Recital Fee:

$200 per student divided into two monthly payments: $100 due with September tuition  and $1oo due with February tuition.  This fee reserves your spot and covers music, printed materials, and recital expenses

Tuition is due by the first lesson of the month. Preferred payment is through Zelle, but checks are also accepted. My Zelle address is: mukilteomusicllc@gmail.com

Your tuition includes:

A) 33-35 scheduled private lessons (35 scheduled, allowing for up to two teacher-missed lessons for potential illness or family responsibilities).

B) Group Lessons (aka "piano parties") 

C) Customized curriculum: Researching and purchasing sheet music, incentive programs, creating games and activities, attending webinars and workshops on curriculum and pedagogy.

D) Festivals and Recitals: Planning and executing educational community events for your students to participate and perform in.

 E) Subscriptions to websites such as “Practice Space,” and “Compose Create”

In the event that you are no longer able to continue lessons, please give me 30 days notice.

2. Studio Calendar

The 2024-2025 studio schedule will begin September 9, 2023 and end June 13, 2024.

The studio will loosely follow Mukilteo school district calendar and will be closed during the following: 

Thanksgiving Week Break: November 25-29

Winter Break: December 23- January 3

Mid-Winter Break: February 17-21

Spring Break: April 7-11

Memorial Day: May 27th

Piano Celebrations are tentatively scheduled for December 21 and June 13

Piano Parties (group lessons) will be held on the following Fridays from 6-7:00

Welcome Back party: September 26

Halloween Party: October 24

Valentine’s Party: February 28

Spring Party: April 25

Festival Dates

Jazz Rags and Blues Festival: October 11-12 (concert October 14  masterclass and workshop is October 15)

Time Era Festival:  November 2-3

Music Artistry Program will be held March 7-9 (students will be given a 15 minute time slot on one of these days)

Musicianship Festival: May 3

Excellence in Music Awards Competition: May 17

Student Awards Gala: June 7

3. Missed Lessons:

Your tuition reserves a dedicated weekly spot for private lessons. As your tuition covers more than just your lesson spot, missed lessons are non-refundable. 

The most effective way to deal with a week where you will not be available during your lesson spot, is to swap lessons with another family.  This has been very effective for families who have school concerts or other events come up during their normal lesson spot.

Lessons are also available on zoom for lessons that would otherwise be missed due to illness, snow days, traveling,  sibling or parent illness, etc...

If I have a cancellation, I'm happy to offer up that spot to a family who was unable to attend a lesson. If you will miss your lesson please let me know as soon as possible so that I may make it available to others. 

4. Practice Requirements:

Regular practice is essential for gaining proficiency on the piano. Students will be given a practice record to fill out weekly. Amount of time required will be adjusted to students’ age and experience.  (Ranging from 15-20 minutes for young beginners to 1 hour daily for high school students). Parental participation in and supervision of a daily practice routine is essential to student success.

5. Participation in Piano Celebrations, Piano Parties Music Artistry Program and Festivals

Biannual Piano Celebrations are important in helping students develop comfort and competence in playing in public as well as celebrating their success! Piano parties (group lessons) give opportunities to listen to and perform for peers, learn theory and note reading and gain motivation from being with other students. Festivals give students important growth opportunities through working with expert mentors, advancing through the state music literacy curriculum, and providing peer learning and socializing opportunities. All students should plan on participating in piano celebrations and piano parties, the Music Artistry Program and the Musicianship Festival. Additional festival participation can be determined based on family interest and teacher recommendation.

6. Summer Lessons

During the summer, lessons are more flexible so as to better accommodate your summer adventures. At the beginning of the summer we will count up the lessons that both student and teacher will be in town and create tuition for the summer. For example if the student and teacher are both available for 6 lessons during the summer, tuition would be the same as 1.5 months tuition. Summer camp is also a fun option for continuing piano study over the summer. Summer camp dates will be released in the spring. 

7. Instrument:

An acoustic piano in good condition and regularly tuned is essential for developing good technique and ear sensitivity. Many of my students have acquired affordable used pianos for as little as $800  through Stage 7 Pianos in Kirkland. They even provide free pianos in good repair (customers pay to have it moved to their home). Many pianos can be found on the internet, and especially good deals for pianos where the families are moving or whose children are upgrading or graduating.  Many parents worry about the investment and space requirements of an acoustic piano. Typically small upright acoustics are the same size as keyboards, simply taller. Also, good pianos tend to retain their value similar to a good car, and have great resell potential. Students are much more motivated to practice when they play on an instrument that sounds and feels good. If there are sufficient funds to make a long term investment, then either a tall upright piano such as a Yamaha U1 or a mid-sized grand piano (about 6’1) are recommended. If you have inherited an old family piano, contacting a good tuner, such as Turner Piano Tuning (425-348-9554) can help it make its most beautiful sound.  

8. Communication:

Please feel free to share with me any questions, concerns or ideas you may have. Together we can customize a fun and fulfilling musical education for your child.

Thank you for choosing me as your piano teacher. I'm looking forward to taking this musical journey together!