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Payment Policies:
Tuition is due in advance on the first of each month. Tuition may be paid quarterly or monthly. No lessons will be conducted until tuition is paid for that month. We operate year-round but do make allowances for vacations and holidays.
There is a one-time $20.00 New Signup Fee per student, due upon sign-up. Tuition for the remainder of the month is due upon signup. We regret that we are unable to hold a student’s time slot which is not paid in full by one week after sign-up.
Late payments are disruptive and must be kept to a minimum to ensure competitive pricing, continuous lessons for students, and dependable work for our teachers. There is a $20.00 fee for late payments.
We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, and DISCOVER on a secure, free, online tuition payment system, in addition to accepting checks. Clients also have the option of signing up for automatic credit card withdrawal on our secure payment system.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Fees & Discounts
Click Question to show/hide answer.
The first lesson/meeting is always free and no obligation. We’ve built a special tool on our website to give you an exact lesson fee quote for your needs, based on your location and the student’s skill level. We offer lower pricing for beginners and intermediates, as well as a discount for additional students in the same family. We offer 30-, 45- or 60-minute lessons, depending on the student’s age and level. Please click here for a quick, no-obligation quote.
No. We charge month-to-month or quarterly and only require two weeks’ notice in the event you need to discontinue lessons.
In order for the student to progress and enjoy music lessons, each weekly lesson must be supplemented at least five days a week with 10 minutes to 3 or more hours of practice (widely varies, depending on age and level). Music is a fine art and must be cultivated nearly every day, or an investment in music lessons is not a value. We’ve found that when the student is truly interested (our teachers play a big role in this), they will enjoy practicing and the success it brings, and will make it one of their priorities.
Yes. We cannot teach or expect practicing without it. We would not take your money without the student being able to make good on your investment by beginning consistent practice at home from day one. And it’s very helpful to have it at the time of our initial interview. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on the free trial lesson conducted at that time, and the teacher may not as accurately gauge the student’s talent, attention span, or interest in lessons. We are happy to help you find a good instrument. Please refer to our Resources page for buying advice or contact us by phone or email.
Please note, the following instrument standards are the rule with most studios. These standards are designed to help students get the most out of lessons. We would be wasting your money and time if you don’t help us and your student by investing in at least this quality of instruments and equipment:
- Piano — a fully-functioning real piano of any kind, or an 88-key, weighted electronic keyboard with pedals and matching stand. Non-weighted keys or fewer than 88 keys is not sufficient for piano lessons.
- Guitar — an instrument-quality guitar, sized for the student; guitar tuner; strap; footrest. Picks may be needed depending on style. Guitars bought at department stores or other non-music stores are not sufficient for guitar lessons.
- Electric guitar or bass — guitar/bass purchased at music store or reputable online source; tuner; strap; small-medium amplifier; guitar cable; effects box(es) optional.
- Drums — a practice pad and a couple of pairs of sticks is all that’s necessary for beginner drummers of ALL ages. No need to buy a kit, cymbals or other drums until your instructor introduces these later.
- Violin — a student-quality violin, sized for the student. Violins bought at department stores or on E-Bay are not recommended because of poor quality.
- Voice — a piano or electronic keyboard of any size, the more keys, the better. Kareoke machine or CD/mp3 player with adequate speakers is also very helpful. Microphone optional for some styles but not necessary.
- Woodwinds — a student-quality instrument and accessories purchased at a local music store (see RESOURCES).
Yes. I specialize in assisting potential clients choose a piano or keyboard, and I have great local references for finding all other instruments. (See RESOURCES) Even if you decide to go with another studio, I would feel good knowing you chose the right instrument for your family and that I helped a local business make an instrument sale or rental. Please contact me for my free guide to choosing a keyboard or piano, or for my specific local referrals for buying string instruments, guitars and amps, drums, and woodwinds.
Yes. Our policy states it is imperative that a supervising adult (age 18+) be home at all times during every lesson. I do not employ anyone whom I would not trust in my own home with my child—all teachers clear a national background check and a state driving record check. I have personally spoken with at least three of their references and know most of them through other people. However, we are not licensed caregivers, and The Kaley School will not be liable for damages inflicted by any minor in the home during lessons.
Absolutely. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to supervise as much or as little of the lessons as you prefer. The more involved you can be in knowing what was taught each week, the more you’ll be able to assist your child with practice homework or simply show your support for their efforts as a musician. We’ve seen a direct correlation between parents’ interest in lessons and students’ rapid progress. However, spending extra time with another child or getting things done around the house is a nice way to take advantage of lessons in the home, and your teacher will always check in with you after lessons to let you know how things are going.
Tuition is billed by email in advance of lessons being taught, and is due on the first of each month. Some clients prefer to pay quarterly, in which case their tuition is due at the first of January, April, July, and October. No lessons will be conducted until tuition is paid in full for at least one month. Tuition must be collected at least 24 hours before the first lesson that month, or no lesson will be conducted. We are unable to hold a student’s time slot which is not paid in full by one week after sign-up.
There is a one-time enrollment fee of $20.00. In the event that you take an unpaid break from lessons, there will be a $10.00 re-enrollment fee to re-activate the student in our system.
We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, and DISCOVER on our customized, secure, free, online tuition payment system. Tuition is payable online monthly, or you can set up an automatic payment every month or every quarter. We also accept checks mailed to our P.O. Box address.
No, I strongly believe in the value of weekly lessons where the arts are concerned, especially for children. I feel it is not as productive an investment to have bi-weekly lessons, as it becomes twice as difficult to form good practice and technique habits, and students become frustrated learning half of what they should in a year.
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Fees:
Coverage Area:
Click here to see a larger, interactive map of our current Gainesville in-town coverage area (blue polygon) and our out-of-town coverage areas (orange polygons). Duration of lessons Forty-five minute lessons are the norm, but we do have 30-minute rates available for very young beginners or special circumstances. Rates include driving time, mileage, and inclusion in our semiannual recitals.
Location Variable Rates vary depending on your home's location. When teachers are available, we operate outside city limits, for example, Milhopper, Jonesville, Micanopy. "Out of Town" rates apply. See our interactive map for details. The first lesson and interview, conducted on the same visit, are always free.
Level Variable Each student will be charged accordingly for his or her Kaley School Level, which is assessed at the initial interview. Please see the Level Guidelines below for a basic explanation of the Kaley School's Level System. Teachers will be appropriately assigned to teach the proper level for each student.
When a student is ready to move up to the next Level, his or her teacher will administer an evaluation, with at least one guardian present. The new rate will take effect at the next lesson. An award and recognition (at our recitals and on our website) are given to each student upon graduating to a new Level.
Discounts:
Multi-Student Discount Discounts are given for multiple students in the same family, taught by the same teacher, on the same visit. In other words, we only charge you the driving fee once per visit, so the other student’s lesson rate would be lower.
Referral Program We have a referral program which can earn you unlimited discounts on your bill. For every student your refer, you will receive $25 off your next bill after the new student has completed 3 months of lessons.
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Level System:
Our Level System allows parents to track student progress and provides incentives for students to excel as they move up through the Levels.
Level Guidelines:
- Level 1: Beginner, less than one year total of private lessons in particular instrument
- Level 2: Intermediate, one to 3 years total of private lessons in the instrument
- Level 3: Early Advanced, 3 to 6 years total of private lessons in the instrument
- Level 4: Advanced, 6+ years of private lessons in the instrument
Please call for a more detailed explanation of the Kaley School Levels or if you are unsure what Level your student would be.
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