Talent Avenue Policies 2024-25

Talent Avenue uses a tuition system.

What is that?

Tuition makes budgeting and planning easier for all. Tuition also saves worry about cancelled and rescheduled lessons, as these are built into the system. The student enrolls for an ongoing lesson, figured yearly, with a set number of lessons scheduled regularly when the studio is open during that time.  

THIS SYSTEM ALSO ALLOWS ME TO KEEP MY RATES MORE REASONABLE FOR YOU.  You should expect a rate increase yearly (as I have not raised my rates in nearly 8 years) but you will be given notice prior to the increase.  There will also be a yearly Studio Fee introduced that will allow me to purchase more music for my students (until now, that has all come straight out of my pocket.) The $25 annual studio fee will be included in your March payment.  New students will be charged the fee at the time of registration.  

Lessons are scheduled for the 44 weeks each year that the studio is open. While you are paying for 37 lessons, you can take lessons every one of those open weeks. The extra weeks are a bonus to you, as a thank you for your extended commitment to your progress. If one of us has to cancel, there is no need for rescheduling or make-ups. Bonus weeks are for both teacher and student. I try not to use any, but illness or emergency can happen, which is why that buffer is great to have. If you have used your 37 lessons and there are still weeks left in the term, that’s all bonus time for you! NOTE: The following schedule does not include the full 8 weeks of closure.  I MAY opt to take some additional time, or we may very well continue with some additional bonus weeks for you!

Lesson times are standing appointments; a student’s lesson time is reserved for only them each week, and it is their responsibility to attend. Dance classes, sports teams, or the gym do not offer reimbursements if you cannot attend a rehearsal or game – music lessons are no different. Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson.  I will then use that time or other times to plan for the student’s progress, locate materials, etc. Please be assured that tuition pays for far more than the time spent during lessons.  Should you decide to suspend lessons for a month for a sport or other activity, if you choose not to pay for that month, you will be removed from the studio roster and put back on the wait list.  If you continue to pay your tuition, your spot will remain reserved for you.  

Where Does My Tuition Go?

A regular lesson time that’s “yours”

Time spent planning (schedules, college research, track edits, etc.)

Teacher’s education

Teacher’s experience

Teacher’s knowledge of languages and vocal science

Professional memberships, such as NATS and SECO, that give your teacher access to resources and education that help give you more

Teacher’s continuing education, such as workshops and conventions that build teaching skills

Studio maintenance, such as organization and technology updates

Studio Insurance, Rent, and Maintenance

Responding to your e-mails, texts, etc.

Troubleshooting technology for you

Researching new music for you

Finding good backing tracks in the right keys for you

Writing recommendation letters for you

And more!

Your teacher is not just working for you during your lesson!

STUDIO CALENDAR 2024-25

  

STUDIO WILL BE CLOSED THE FOLLOWING DAYS

Monday, Sept. 4      LABOR DAY

October 16-20         FALL BREAK

Thursday, Oct. 31    HALLOWEEN

Thursday Nov. 14.   Closed 

November 27-29     THANKSGIVING BREAK (note that we ARE open on Monday and Tuesday!)

Dec. 23- Jan. 3        HOLIDAY BREAK (note that we ARE open Monday through Wednesday Dec. 18-20!)

TBD                        SPRING BREAK

May 26.                  MEMORIAL DAY 

July 4                      INDEPENDENCE DAY

There may be additional days the studio is closed.  With a son in musical theater at an out of state school, I need to allow time for travel to see his performances- but don't know in advance whether he will be cast.  I will let YOU know as soon as I know!

If any extraordinary circumstances (on your part or mine) pertaining to health or family emergencies require more time to be missed, they will be handled on a case by case basis.  Life happens, and I understand- please stay in communication with me!

ADDITIONAL FEES:
Late Fee if payment received after the 10^th of the month: $20

Returned Check Fee: $25

Competitions, Entrance Fees: Charged as needed if Mindy pays the entrance fees.

Cancellations

Cancellation due to inclement weather is at the discretion of the studio, but is now rare with the option of online lessons. The studio usually follows Northwest Allen County Schools closures and moves lessons online for that day. However, that may be changed to keep the studio open (we all know sometimes roads are fine by noon!)

Lessons may be canceled by the student until 24 hours in advance.  Text messages are the fastest way to reach the studio. In the event of a mild cold, lessons can switch online with Zoom to avoid sharing germs, but continue your progress. Lessons canceled with 24-hour notice can be rescheduled by trading with a student on the Swap List.  In many cases, an online Zoom or FaceTime lesson can resolve transportation issues or other last-minute things that come up.

• Students who are ill SHOULD NOT attend lessons. If you are too sick to attend school, you are too sick to attend your lesson. Please notify the teacher ASAP if you cannot attend. Students who are mildly ill can schedule a FaceTime, or Zoom lesson during their regular time.

Remember that your cancelled lesson can give another student that extra lesson time they needed for audition prep, so DO let the studio know in a timely manner and pay it forward for when you need that extra time. If I have things open up, and my time allows for it, I WILL let you know.

Even when you are sick, your tuition is still working for you. If you must cancel a lesson with less than 24 hours’ notice due to illness or unavoidable schedule conflict, you are welcome to take advantage of one of the following options:

1) You may take a Non-Singing Lesson on Zoom during your regular lesson time.

Instead of singing, your lesson time can be used to:

work on music theory, languages, dramatic presentation, and character development;

plan repertoire; review performances by you or other singers;

or pursue other strategic planning.

  OR

2) You may request an Asynchronous Lesson, which could include one of the following:

You can request a personalized video or audio practice recording.

You can request research and preparation of a listening list of repertoire options.

You can request review and feedback on recordings of you practicing or performing.

TIP FOR STUDENTS IN THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS:

List your lesson time as a conflict when auditioning! Continuing voice lessons helps you support the production by keeping you on top of your game.  This is also to ensure directors are clearly informed of your serious commitment to Talent Avenue, which provides the vocal training for a successful and healthy performance in said production.

Discontinuing Lessons

Music is a lifelong pursuit, but lessons are not always possible for a multitude of reasons. Whatever the reason, I will never take discontinuation of lessons personally.  Remember: if you are unsatisfied with your lessons for any reason or if you are contemplating quitting lessons, please speak freely to me about your concerns.

Discontinuation of lessons requires a 3 week notice – This gives us time to wrap up any current projects and discuss how the student can continue to follow their music goals. This also allows me the necessary time to fill that empty lesson slot so that I can avoid a loss in income. Thank you for your consideration.