Welcome to Intertidal Conservatory! Our mission is to inspire a lifelong love of music through structured, engaging, and flexible online instruction. To ensure a smooth, productive, and consistent learning environment for all students and families, please review our studio policies below.
1. Calendar & Schedule
- Year-Round Instruction: Lessons are held year-round to ensure steady progress and musical development.
- Studio Holidays: Intertidal Conservatory closes for select major holidays throughout the year, totaling approximately one (1) week of scheduled time off per calendar year. Studio closures will be communicated in advance, and tuition remains flat during holiday months as it is averaged across the full year.
2. Tuition, Enrollment & Billing
- Monthly Tuition: Core tuition is $135 per month per student. Tuition pays for and reserves your student’s dedicated spot on the studio schedule.
- New Student Enrollment & Prorating: New students are welcome to enroll at any time during the year. If a student starts mid-month, tuition for that initial month will be prorated based on the remaining number of lessons offered.
- Refunds & Adjustments: Tuition guarantees your scheduled time on the calendar. There are no refunds, discounts, or live makeup lessons provided unless the instructor is unable to fulfill the offered lesson schedule for the month or year.
- Payment Methods: Invoices are delivered digitally on a recurring monthly schedule. We accept credit/debit card payments (and Step Up For Students funding, where applicable).
3. Attendance, Lesson Swaps & Missed Lessons
Individual Lessons & The Student Lesson Swap List
Because live schedule slots are limited and reserved specifically for your student, individual missed lessons are not rescheduled or refunded by the teacher. However, families have access to our Peer Lesson Swap List:
- Opt-In Participation: Families who opt into the Lesson Swap Program on their enrollment form will receive a copy of the studio swap directory to arrange direct time exchanges with other families.
- Instructor Notification & Approval: You must notify the teacher before arranging a swap request. Once agreed upon, the requesting parent must email the instructor with the swap details at least 24 hours in advance, cc’ing the other parent involved.
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Swap Courtesies & Rules:
- Swaps are a voluntary courtesy between families, not an obligation. Please respect a parent’s right to decline a swap request.
- If scheduling confusion arises, the teacher will instruct whichever student is assigned to that normal time slot. No makeup lessons will be offered due to swap misunderstandings.
- Privacy & Directory Terms: The swap list is strictly for scheduling purposes. Solicitations, spam, or promotional outreach of any kind will result in immediate and permanent removal from the list.
Extenuating Circumstances (Individual Pre-Recorded Lessons)
In cases of sudden illness, a death in the family, or another emergency where a live swap is not possible, please notify the studio prior to class. In lieu of a live session, the instructor will send a customized, pre-recorded video lesson and assignment review for the student to practice during the week.
Group Lessons & Recorded Class Feature
For students enrolled in group instruction, missed live group classes are not eligible for individual makeups or swaps. A feature will be available where live group sessions are recorded and made accessible online for absent students to watch and catch up on demand.
4. Required Materials & Class Readiness
Students are expected to log in to their virtual classroom on time and fully prepared. Please ensure your student has the following at the start of every session:
- Lesson Materials: Assigned sheet music/books, a folder, and a dedicated notebook or loose-leaf paper.
- Writing Utensils: A pencil with an eraser (no pens allowed on sheet music!).
- Instrument & Device Setup: Instrument in good working order and learning devices fully charged and connected to high-speed internet.
Required Dual-Camera Setup for Online Instruction
To provide accurate technical feedback, wrist positioning, and finger accuracy, online students must maintain two camera angles during class:
- Side Angle: Placed at sitting height to monitor overall posture, wrist position, seating distance, and bench height.
- Overhead Angle: Positioned directly above the keyboard/instrument to monitor fingering, hand placement, and key accuracy.
5. Specialty Add-On Classes & Courses
To complement weekly core instruction, Intertidal Conservatory offers optional add-on opportunities available for an extra fee. Core tuition covers standard weekly instruction (1-on-1 or group); add-on programs are completely optional and include:
- Self-Paced / Pre-Recorded Flex Courses: On-demand modules covering Music Theory, Ear Training, and foundational skills ($12–$15 per session/bundle).
- Specialty Theme Group Classes: Pop-up interactive group workshops (e.g., Disney and Mario video game music studies) ($15 per session).
- Performance Groups & Masterclasses: Live group coaching focusing on recital prep, performance anxiety, and peer performance feedback ($15–$20 per session).
6. Student Responsibilities & Learning Environment
- Practice Environment: Lessons and home practice should take place in a quiet room free from background noise, pets, and household distractions.
- Weekly Practice: Regular home practice is necessary for steady advancement. Weekly assignments and goal targets will be updated following each session.
Agreement
Enrolling in lessons at Intertidal Conservatory indicates full acceptance of all terms, payment structures, and scheduling policies outlined in this handbook.