Philosophy Statement
The Studio Connection is an independent music studio devoted to student discovery and development of a musical skill. For interested students, our musically trained, professionally qualified instructors strive to educate, motivate and guide them to become a creative and expressive musician. The goal is to nurture life-long skills, enabling students to think critically, independently, and become musically self-reliant.  Recognizing the unique learning style of every individual, we are committed to tailoring a well-rounded curriculum presented in a positive and supportive environment.

Private Lessons
Lessons are available in increments of 30, 45 or 60-minute sessions. Most students will begin at 30 minutes and increase lesson length upon recommendation of the instructor. During individual lessons students will concentrate primarily on solo repertoire, while incorporating proper technique and other areas of musicianship. This includes sight-reading, ear training, theory, transposition, basic improvisation, performance and accompaniment skills.

The Piano Express
The Piano Express is an exciting new program for incoming piano students that are beginner or early intermediate. This is an innovative, gamified, goal-oriented musical experience which encourages moving ahead and eliminates waiting for the teacher to pass a song. The half hour assessment time allows the student to move at their own speed, and the half hour discovery time with a master teacher and four students provides personal attention to technique, theory, improvisation, sight-reading and ear-training.  While we still encourage being involved in recitals, this class lowers the stress and pressure to perform. Upon completion of the course (six levels), students will transition to private lessons and have greater practice skills in place to quickly learn the music they love.

Enrichment Sessions
Enrichment sessions are group classes for school aged students, occurring three times throughout the year and replacing the private lesson for that week (noted on the studio calendar).  Adults will not have lessons during the enrichment weeks because of the unusual schedule. Lesson fees for adults are reduced to account for this. The 60-minute Enrichment Sessions consist of students grouped primarily by age.  Each year topics and curriculum are adjusted according to the needs of the students and instruments being studied.   Guest instructors may be brought in to teach classes which enhance the musical experience.  Although Enrichment Sessions cannot be made up, advanced notice of schedule conflicts is greatly appreciated.

Missed Lessons (Attendance Policy)
Prompt attendance is expected in order to establish routine and maximize investment in the personal attention of private lessons. If you wish to cancel a lesson, please call 419-419-3355 before the day of the lesson.  There will be no refunds given for missed lessons. Failure to attend scheduled lessons without notice will forfeit that week’s lesson. With at least 24 hours notice, and when possible, students may be given the opportunity to schedule a makeup time within their teacher’s normal schedule. These should be limited to illness and family emergencies. Make-up lessons are not guaranteed and are very difficult to accommodate with some schedules. Although we respect your commitment to other extra-curricular activities, we also expect a high level of commitment to these scheduled lessons. Every effort will be made to adjust lesson times for those conflicting with a band, orchestra, or choir concert at school, when notified well in advance (at least two weeks). 

Piano Express Students may attend a different class at their same level within the week to make-up a missed class.

Musikgarten Students may attend another class within the week or two in one week if there are multiple sections of their class offered.

Please note: There will be no refunds for missed classes.

Snow Days
Please assume the studio will be OPEN on official school “Snow Days.”  A Level Three Emergency Status issued by Wood County would warrant completely closing the studio for business. Students will be contacted if the instructor is unable to attend due to inclement weather, and make-up lessons or digital lessons will be arranged.

Teacher Flex Days
​For private lessons, teachers will be granted two flex days. These days are not included in the tuition payment but must be used by the end of the studio calendar year. Flex days allow teachers to cancel lessons for personal reasons without needing to make up the missed lessons. The studio will give as much advance notice as possible. The studio also reserves the right to provide a substitute teacher when necessary.

Number of flex days that will be allotted:

• Lessons started September – December: 2 Flex Days
• Lessons started February – May: 1 Flex Day

Financial Responsibilities
K-12 Lessons: Based on a yearly schedule of 42 lessons divided equally into eleven months (September-July), tuition is as follows:

• 1 Instrument  30-minute K-12 lessons: $129.75 per month
• 1 Instrument  45-minute K-12 lessons $187.75 per month
• 1 Instrument 60-minute K-12 lessons $245.25 per month
• 2 Instruments 30-minute K-12 lessons $245.25 per month
• 2 Instruments 45-minute K-12 lessons $360.50 per month

Piano Express: Based on a yearly schedule of 42 lessons divided equally into eleven months (September-July), tuition is as follows:

• 60-minute K-12 Piano Classes $138 per month
• 60-minute K-12 1st Sibling Discount Rate $123.50 per month*
• 60-minute K-12 2nd (and more) Sibling Discount Rate $117.00 per month*
• 60-minute Adult Piano Classes $125.75 per month

*For families with 2 or more siblings in The Piano Express, there is a discounted rate. The 1st student will be charged the regular rate and other siblings will receive the discounted rate.

Adult Private Lessons: Based on a yearly schedule of 39 lessons divided equally into eleven months (September-July), tuition is as follows:

• 1 Instrument 30-minute lessons $120.75 per month
• 1 Instrument 45-minute lessons $178.25 per month
• 2 Instruments 30-minute lessons $235.75 per month
• 2 Instruments 45-minute lessons $351.25 per month

Payments will be automatically processed on the 1st of each month. Like a gym membership, tuition fees are paid through automatic monthly deductions from credit/debit cards. Monthly invoices will be sent upon request. The Studio Connection reserves the right to adjust tuition annually. Tuition includes the lesson/involvement fee, administration fee and any books needed throughout the year. Outside studio performance opportunities (festivals, contests, auditions etc.) may include a separate application fee or accompanist fee. Additional costs involved in piano lessons will include the purchase of a metronome and upkeep of an acoustic piano, including regular tunings. Recommendations of piano technicians will be given upon request.

Studio Showcase & Awards Night
The Studio Connection is in its 17th year of existence in Bowling Green, and we celebrate each year with a special awards night. First-year students are recognized with a blue rosette to acknowledge the completion of this first goal.  Five-year students are awarded a personalized medallion marking this milestone. Ten-year students are awarded a personalized trophy for this landmark occasion. Those with five years and beyond are invited to perform in the showcase portion of the awards night, called the Honors Recital.  All students are given a certificate keeping track of their years of involvement with the studio.

Parental Involvement
Parental involvement is extremely beneficial to the success of the K-12 student. The establishment of a regularly scheduled practice time must be enforced and encouraged by the caregiver. Practicing is the means to realizing the student’s potential and coming prepared to each lesson is crucial. Students under the age of ten should have someone, preferably an adult, who can regularly supervise their practice at least twice a week.  All instructors are hired because of their expertise in teaching and their advanced musical skill.  They can help establish realistic practice goals for optimal musical progress. Please keep in mind that teachers do not manage scheduling, billing, or make-up lessons, but this is handled solely through the front desk.

Communication

• Website: Here you can find the studio calendar, studio updates, relevant event information, & other important updates.
• Google Forms: We will share Google Form links with you through email to register for recitals, enrichment classes, & workshops.
• Remind App: We use Remind to communicate via text. You must download the app and subscribe to The Studio Connection.
• Newsletters: We send out a monthly newsletter through Mailchimp – an email service. Occasionally, these emails are marked by spam, so please be sure to check your spam if you are not receiving them. We also send studio closure reminders in addition to reminders to special events we are offering.

If you are dissatisfied with an instructor, please call and speak to the studio director. Complaints are taken very seriously and compliments are deeply appreciated. Every effort will be made to resolve issues before discontinuing lessons, whether it is a personality conflict, boredom with lessons, or financial need. If it is still necessary to withdraw from lessons, one month’s notice is required to allow the studio to prepare for this absence. You must come in to sign a withdrawal form and pay any balance due. Our instructors are hired because of their expertise in teaching and their advanced musical skill. They do not handle scheduling, billing, or make-up lessons, but this is handled solely through the front desk. Should any other concerns or questions arise, please contact us at 419-419-3355, or send an e-mail to studioconnectionbg@gmail.com.

Final Considerations
It is our privilege to work with you as we find joy in seeing students progress in their love and understanding of music.  While these policies are meant to establish clear goals and expectations on our end, we hope you will find us accommodating and easy to work with.  It is our pleasure to have you as a part of The Studio Connection!

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MUSIKGARTEN

Classes meet once per week at The Studio Connection. 

Fall Semester consists of a 15-week session beginning September 9, 2024 and ending January 17, 2025. There will be no class during the following weeks in fall semester:  November 4-8 (Instructor gone), November 25-29 (Thanksgiving week) & December 23-January 3 (Winter Break).

Spring Semester will consist of a 15-week session beginning February 3 and ending May 23, 2025.   There will be no class March 31-April 4 during the Studio Spring Break.

Summer Musikgarten classes will be offered to continue the year-round class structure.  These 8-week classes will be in session from June 2 through July 31, 2025, with no class June 23-27, 2025.

Prompt attendance is important so classes may begin and end on time.  It is recommended that students and caregivers arrive 5-10 minutes early to get settled.

Missed Classes
There are no refunds for classes missed by the student.  The instructor will reschedule classes she may miss.
Please call the studio as early as possible on the day of the class if you must miss a class.
Because illness travels rapidly amongst children, please keep sick children at home.

Classroom Management
Parents assist in the following ways:
Participate actively in a pleasant, relaxed manner.
Invite but never force active participation.
Gently guide behavior.
For disruptive behavior:  Parent provides calming time by withdrawing with child from active participation OR by leaving classroom with child, according to parent’s assessment.
Refrain from carrying on conversations with other adults during the class, particularly during singing.
Turn cell phones off or do not bring them into the classroom area.
Leave individual food, drinks, and toys outside the classroom area.

Tuition
Payment is expected no later than the conclusion of the first class.  Early payment secures a place in the desired class.  Size is limited to 8 students.
One-time tuition payment is made per semester, except for Music Makers Classes.  Instructor will consider other payment arrangements by request.
Please note: There are no refunds.

Family Music for Babies tuition of $202 includes the family packet of materials and $10.25 per 30-minute class for each 15-week session.

Family Music for Toddlers tuition of $210.50 includes the family packet of materials and $11.25 per 30-minute class for each 15-week session.

Cycle of Seasons tuition of $231.25 includes family packet of materials and $12.25 per 40-minute class for each 15-week session.

Music Makers: At Home in the World tuition of $266.00 (sibling $242.00) or $53.25 per month (Sept.-Jan.) and $66.50 per month (Feb.-May) includes two family packets of materials per semester and $14.00 per 50-minute class for the 15-week session (parents attend last 15 min. of class only).  

Music Makers:  Around the World (Germany & African American) fall tuition of $303.50 (sibling $272.00) per semester or $60.75 per month (Sept.-Jan.) includes two folder poster of materials per semester and $16.00 per 60-minute class for the 15-week session (parents attend last 15 min. of class only).

Music Makers:  At the Keyboard Year 1 tuition of of $471.00 for Fall Semester or $94.25 per month (Sept.-Jan.) and $463.50 for Spring Semester or $116.00 per month (Feb.-May), includes all materials per semester and $27.50 per 50-minute class for the 15-week session (parents attend last 15 min. of class only).

Music Makers:  At the Keyboard Year 3 tuition of $463.50 for Fall Semester or $92.60 per month (Sept.-Jan.) and $463.50 for Spring Semester or $116.00 per month (Feb.-May), includes all materials per semester and $27.50 per 60-minute class for the 15-week session (parents attend last 15 min. of class only).

Miscellaneous 
We greatly appreciate your complements and referrals to other families in the area.  Please feel free to invite others to visit a class session upon making arrangements with the instructor.  Musikgarten students will be given first priority when The Studio Connection is accepting new students for private piano/music lessons.  Thank you for entrusting us to provide a solid musical education and positive learning environment for your child!