First of all, you don’t need to be responsible for everything. Kids have jobs too when it comes to taking piano lessons:
STUDIO GUIDELINES FOR KIDS
Here are a few important habits that help everyone have a great lesson—and show respect for the music, the teacher, and yourself!
Practice every day. Your fingers (and your brain!) grow stronger when you make music part of your daily routine.
Wash your hands before you play. Clean hands = a happy piano and a healthy studio.
Keep mouths clear. No gum, fingers, or hair chewing during lessons—it’s distracting and hard to play that way!
Leave little treasures at home. Please don’t place small objects like pennies, toys, or paper between the piano keys.
Wait your turn to play. When your teacher or parent is speaking, that’s your time to listen and learn.
Bring everything you need. Your books, assignment notebook, pencil, and anything else we’re using should come to each lesson in your music bag.
Help your grown-up stay focused. Remind them to silence their phone before your lesson starts—they want to hear every note you play!
faithslaker music Studio Policy
1. ADMISSION AND INTERVIEWING - Enrollment in the studio is ongoing throughout the year, with breaks in the fall, winter, spring, and summer, as well as observance of major holidays. Before beginning lessons, new families are invited to observe the studio in action—an essential part of our studio culture. For beginning Suzuki families, this typically includes three observations.
These visits offer a gentle, thoughtful way for your child to become familiar with the space, the teacher, and the rhythm of lessons. They also give me a chance to understand your child’s readiness and learning style, so we can start from a place of mutual understanding and joy.
The first observation is purely that—watching and listening. In follow-up visits, your child may be invited to interact briefly at the piano. The number and structure of observations varies: usually about three for young beginners, two for older or transfer students, and one for adults. This careful approach helps us begin with confidence, curiosity, and clear expectations on all sides.
2. PRACTICE - Being a musician is about building a joyful, consistent habit. As Dr. Suzuki said, “Practice on the days you eat.” Daily, focused practice is far more effective than long, irregular sessions.
Create a calm, quiet space for practice—no TV or distractions—and be sure your piano is well-maintained (tune every 6 to 12 months, depending on your home’s climate). The best time to practice is the evening after the lesson, when everything is still fresh. Young students benefit most from supervised practice, and every child benefits from a balance of structure and freedom. After going through the day’s assignments, please allow time for your child to simply play and explore at the instrument. That’s where curiosity and joy grow.
3. LESSON ATTENDANCE - Consistent weekly attendance is essential for steady progress and a rewarding musical experience. Parents are required to attend the lessons of students under the age of twelve, and are occasionally asked to attend with older students. For students attending alone, a parent or guardian must remain within 15 minutes of the studio during the lesson.
Your presence in lessons is vital. It keeps communication open, ensures alignment with home practice, and helps everyone feel confident about the direction and pace of learning. If you have questions or concerns, please bring them up at the beginning of the lesson so we can give them the time and attention they deserve.
Lessons end five minutes before the hour to allow for reflection, note-taking, and preparation for the next student. I kindly ask that parents remain off phones during lessons, as even brief distractions shift the tone and reduce focus. Please also avoid screen time for your child in the 30 minutes before the lesson—this helps them arrive mentally present and ready to engage fully.
4. MISSING LESSONS - Weekly attendance is a cornerstone of musical growth. The longer a student goes without a lesson, the harder it becomes to regain momentum. Of course, illness and emergencies happen—if you cannot attend your lesson, please let me know before your scheduled time. This allows me to reallocate that time for another student who may need extra support or preparation for an upcoming event.
Tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance. To offer some flexibility, I maintain a swap list (available on the Current Students page) of families open to exchanging times. If you’d like to arrange a swap, please check with me first—my schedule varies from week to week, and I’ll let know know what your options are.
Make-up lessons are only offered when a lesson is missed by the teacher. Simply notifying me of an absence does not excuse payment for your scheduled lesson.
MUSIC FOR ALL PROGRAM - At the end of each quarter, families with unused lesson time may choose to donate that time to our Music for All program, which supports studio families facing financial challenges. Donated lessons are offered anonymously to students in need, and the generosity of participating families will be acknowledged (with permission) on our website and in our private studio Facebook group.
Together, we can create a studio community rooted in generosity, flexibility, and shared support.
5. PERFORMANCE - Performance is a key part of musical development—it builds confidence, deepens focus, and strengthens our studio community. Students are expected to participate in all performances for which they are prepared. These may include recitals, group classes, festivals, masterclasses, competitions, and soirees.
The twice-yearly all-studio recital is the only required event for all students. (Please see Recital Procedures for details.) Other opportunities—such as school performances or studio invitations—are always encouraged. When possible, students may also be asked to attend and support the performances of their peers.
These events are a celebration of progress, not perfection. Participation fosters motivation, resilience, and joy in sharing music with others.
6. TUITION - Tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance, and reflects a comprehensive investment in your child’s musical development—not just the minutes spent in lessons.
Your tuition includes:
Weekly private lessons
Teacher preparation and individualized planning
Access to studio gatherings and observations
Materials assignment and progress tracking
Ongoing professional training and certification
Membership in national and local professional organizations (MTNA, SAA, CAMTA, Music Teachers of Hyde Park) which enable student participation in festivals, competitions, and enrichment activities
Maintenance of the studio piano and equipment
There is an annual $100 recital and materials fee per family to help cover performance expenses and studio events.
Please note: No refunds are issued for missed lessons. For current tuition rates with the Music Institute of Chicago, please see the Music Institute of Chicago policies.
7. PAYMENT - Tuition in my private studio is due on the first day of each quarter: September 1, December 1, March 1, and June 1. If payment is not received by the due date, a $50 late fee will be charged. Lessons will not be held until payment is received. A $200 deposit per family is required by August 1st to accompany scheduling requests for the fall.
I understand that life gets busy—if you anticipate a delay, simply let me know in advance. Communication makes all the difference. If I hear from you, I’m happy to waive the late fee and work with you on a plan.
Payment options include:
Cash
Check (made out to Aubrey Faith-Slaker)
Zelle (ask me for details)
PayPal or Google Pay to faithslakermusic@gmail.com (please add applicable fees)
Credit Card (with standard transaction fee)
If you're a Music Institute of Chicago student, please refer to MIC’s contract for specific payment procedures.
8. SUMMER LESSONS - Summer lessons are scheduled individually to accommodate family travel and changing routines. To hold your place in the studio for the fall, each student must be enrolled in at least seven summer lessons.
This season offers a unique opportunity for exploration. Some families choose to schedule lessons twice a week, experiment with longer lesson times, start a sibling on piano, or dive into new projects and repertoire that there may not be time for during the school year. Summer provides the flexibility to try something new while staying connected to musical growth.
I’d love to talk with you about what might work best for your family!
9. LESSON TERMINATION - FaithSlaker Music is a long-term learning environment, built on consistency, open communication, and mutual commitment. To maintain a positive studio culture, I reserve the right to discontinue lessons if:
A student is no longer practicing or demonstrating interest
Lessons are missed frequently without communication
A parent (for students under 18) is not actively involved or communicative
A student repeatedly fails to register for the full term
Studio policies are not followed
Payment is not received and no communication is made
The student does not meet the summer lesson requirement
In the event that lessons need to end, two weeks' notice is requested from either party to support a smooth and respectful transition.
10. STUDENT SUPPLIES & MATERIALS - Coming prepared each week helps students feel focused and confident. Each student should bring a designated music bag containing their current music books, assignment notebook, and a pencil with eraser. For lessons held in my home studio, clean socks are appreciated to help keep the space welcoming for everyone. Older students may be asked to bring additional items such as a manuscript book, post-it notes for marking sections, and a metronome to support more advanced work.
At home, your child should have access to a tuned piano, a height-appropriate bench (either adjustable or with a cushion), and a footstool if needed. A metronome (for older students), a device for playing and recording Suzuki audio, and a pair of nail clippers are also helpful tools for maintaining consistent practice.
If you’ve been asked to purchase books, recordings, or other materials, please visit the studio’s curated Recommended Scores Page to ensure you have exactly what’s needed.
Having the right tools—both in the studio and at home—supports joyful, efficient learning and helps your child grow with confidence.
11. COMMUNICATION - Open and ongoing communication is essential to your child’s success and our work together. I encourage parents to share insights, concerns, or questions—collaboration helps create a stronger learning experience.
At times, we may use part of a lesson for a parent-teacher conference to discuss your child’s progress. Up to twice a year, we may also dedicate a full lesson to the practicing parent of a Suzuki student. This helps you feel more confident supporting your child at home and ensures we’re all working as a team.
You’re welcome to reach me by text or phone during business hours (Tuesday through Saturday, 10am–8pm). However, the most reliable way to reach me is by email, as I do not answer calls while teaching or rehearsing, and responses may be delayed until the evening. For urgent matters (running late for a lesson, for example), please text me.
Whenever possible, I prefer face-to-face communication—it’s often the clearest and kindest way to stay connected. If you have something you'd like to discuss, please bring it up at the beginning of your child’s lesson, rather than the end. The final minutes of each lesson are designed to motivate your child and clarify the work for the week. And I have very few minutes before my next student arrives and I want to be as fully present for their lesson as I was for yours.
For updates and announcements, please check the studio website regularly—it’s where I post current schedules and important event information. You’ll also find reminders, photos, and announcements on our private studio Facebook page. And don’t forget to glance at the chalkboard in the studio each week—it’s updated with notes, upcoming events, and the occasional fun surprise!
12. WELLNESS POLICY - To ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone, I ask that families use care and good judgment when attending lessons. If you or your child are coughing, sneezing, or showing signs of illness, a mask will be required during the lesson. If your child is unwell, I kindly ask that you stay home to help prevent the spread of illness. In these cases, we can arrange for an online lesson, use the swap list to reschedule, or find another appropriate solution.
Because we share a physical instrument and close learning space, students who arrive sick and are unable to wear a mask will be sent home in order to protect the well-being of everyone in the studio. Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and care in helping to keep our musical community healthy.
Registration Form:
* Lessons are for 25, 40, 55, 70, and 85 minutes and end five minutes before the end of the “hour.”