Studio Policy


Private Lessons: I customize the lesson to fit the students age, interests and ability. Beginning students start with a 30-minute lesson. I offer longer lessons based on the student's needs and progress at an additional cost.

Tuition: Your tuition pays for much more than just the time I spend in one-on-one instruction with your child. It pays for the time I spend during the lesson as well as planning for your child outside the lesson. It also includes personalized song selection for your child, researching new music for my studio, staying current on webinars and classes about new or different ways to teach and engage piano students, extra coaching lessons prior to festivals and recitals, recital planning and preparation, and studio maintenance. Please be assured that your tuition is always working for your child, both during and outside of lesson times.

Tuition for the month is due by the first lesson of the month. You will receive an invoice via a website generated email the last week of each month showing the tuition due for the upcoming month, as well as any music, recital or materials fees. For you convenience, payments can be made by credit card using PayPal via a link provided at the bottom of each invoice as well as cash or check at the lesson. If tuition is not paid by the 2nd lesson of each month, a late fee of $20 per student will be added to the following month's invoice.

Recital Fees: Students are required to participate in fall and spring recitals. Recital fees of $10 per student or $20 per family cover the cost of printing recital programs and invitations, paper goods, recital music, and refreshments that I provide.

Music Books and Materials: Rather than requiring parents to purchase method books and supplemental materials, I loan much of the music to students from my own music library. This gives me access to a wider variety of music, saves you the hassle of storage, and allows me to recycle music among students. When a lesson or theory book is needed to be purchased, I will send an Amazon link for the book. You may purchase from other music sites, but I find the shipping fees are higher. Please show respect for music books and materials and keep them in good condition. Please bring your binder and music books to each lesson! 

Absence: To qualify for a make-up lesson, please notify me by text or email at least 24-hours in advance or as soon as you are aware of a conflict that will cause an absence. I'll do my best to provide makeup lesson time for illness, school event conflicts, and family vacations. It may be in the form of a longer lesson, extra recital/festival coaching time, or an extra lesson on Saturday or a school holiday.

Student Commitment: Practice is such an important part of progress and sitting down with me for 30-minutes each week alone is just not enough to develop a lasting skill. Please make sure your student has the time and commitment to practice during the week. Good progress is made when a student practices a minimum of 10 to 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week. I turn away new students each year because of limited space, so please help your student understand that taking lessons is both a privilege and a responsibility.

Practice Expectations:  Learning to play the piano is an ongoing endeavor, which requires dedication and discipline on the part of the student. Piano study is a partnership between student, parent, and teacher. The lesson is a very small part of the week. It is the responsibility of the student and the parent to see that the remainder of the week is productive. 

Parents should work with their child to establish a routine. Students are encouraged to keep a practice record, and to work toward musical goals rather than simply counting minutes. It is consistent, efficient, and daily practice that leads to the satisfaction and joy of steady progress towards solid musicianship. Although the quality of the time is most important, I suggest the following guidelines for daily practice:

  •  5-8 years old: 10-20 minutes 
  •  9-11 years old: 20-30 minutes
  •  2-15 years old: 30-40 minutes
  •  16 and older: 45-60 minutes 

Instrument: Students must have access to an acoustic piano or full-sized keyboard with piano action (including a sustain pedal) for practice between lessons.

Performance Opportunities: Students are encouraged to perform at every opportunity. An “Entertainer” award will be given for performances at school, church, or other events. Students are also encouraged, but not required, to participate in festivals offered through my membership in two music teacher associations. Information will be provided regarding these opportunities throughout the school year.

Music Associations: I am a member of the Austin District Music Teachers Association, Texas Music Teacher Association, and Music Teachers National Association. My membership makes it possible for me to give motivated students opportunities for performance at festivals*, where additional learning occurs through the critiques from their judges. Success at festivals is determined largely by the amount of effort put into preparation. Students who participate should be in the habit of practicing 5-7 days a week.

Communication: Feel free to email or text me at anytime about what is happening with your child or to ask questions. If you'd like to have a phone conversation, please email or text me to set up a time for that to happen.

Holidays: For the upcoming school year, no lessons will be taught on these dates:

  •  Labor Day weekend
  •  Thanksgiving week
  •  Christmas break
  •  Spring Break week
  •  Memorial Day weekend

Summer lessons: Attendance at a minimum of five lessons is required to secure a lesson spot for Fall. I encourage attendance at 2-3 lessons in June and 2-3 lessons in July so that students will be able to reach their goals for the summer contest which ends on August 1st.

The “Keys” to Success at the Piano

  •  Have a “Can Do” attitude
  •  Consistently attend lessons
  •  Make practicing a habit
  •  Practice at a thinking tempo (slow speed) until the song is mastered
  •  Practice early in the week to remember what is taught at the lesson
  •  Practice all songs assigned, not just the easy ones
  •  Perform often—the best cure for stage fright
  •  Make music part of your life! 

 The Lisa Hill Piano Studio reserves the right to dismiss any student due to lack of interest or progress, frequent absence, frequent tardiness, behavioral problems, delinquency in payment of tuition, or any other failure to abide by policy. 

 

  *A festival is a non-competitive event in which students generally perform two memorized pieces privately for a judge. Students are judged on memory, technique, pedaling, articulation, rhythm, dynamics, and musical interpretation. The ratings are Superior, Excellent, and Very Good. Students who receive a rating of Superior Plus are eligible to perform in an Honors Recital which is open to the public and held at Steinway Piano Gallery. Festivals are held at UT Butler School of Music with a fee of $16 for each event.