East Valley School of Music Policies

Click here to view our In-Home Lessons page.

Click here to complete an In-Home Lessons Interest Form.

Click here to complete the In-Home Lessons Enrollment Form.

By enrolling in EVSM’s in‑home lesson program, Client agrees to the following terms:

1. TUITION & BILLING

45‑minute weekly lessons are required when an instructor travels to a home to teach only one student. 30‑minute lessons are available only when two or more family members are enrolled in back‑to‑back timeslots.

Monthly Rates

• 30-minute weekly lessons: $169/month (not recommended for piano students ages 7+)
• 45-minute weekly lessons: $239/month
• 60-minute weekly lessons: $309/month

Billing Schedule

• Tuition is billed monthly and is due on the 20th of the preceding month. (Example: August tuition is due July 20.) EVSM cannot accommodate alternate due dates.
• First‑month tuition is prorated; all subsequent months are billed at a flat rate.
• EVSM operates year‑round with four one‑week breaks (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter).
• Tuition remains constant. Months with 5 lessons offset months with scheduled one-week breaks.
• If first tuition is charged on or after the 15th, the second payment is due on the last day of that month; regular billing resumes on the 20th thereafter.

2. DISCOUNTS

• Family Discount: 5% off total family tuition per family member enrolled in back‑to‑back timeslots.
• Referral Credit: $30 tuition credit for referring a family who enrolls and lists the referring person during registration.

3. SIGN-UP FEE

A $59 sign-up fee is required for all new and returning students. This fee is non-refundable. Books, accessories, and recital fees are billed separately.

4. PAYMENTS & AUTOMATIC COLLECTION

EVSM does not offer refunds for missed lessons, early withdrawal, or unused lessons.

Tuition must be paid automatically through one of the following:

Bank Account (Preferred):

• Client provides routing and account number.
• Returned ACH payments incur a $10 fee; EVSM will reattempt the charge after 3 days.

Credit/Debit Card:

• Client must maintain current card information.
• EVSM will contact Client if a card is declined or expired.

ClassWallet (ESA Students):

• EVSM emails invoices with student name and service description.
• Client is responsible for submitting ESA funds by the due date.

Tuition must be paid in full before the first lesson of each month. EVSM may report unpaid tuition to a collection agency.

5. LATE FEES & NON-PAYMENT

• Tuition is late after the last day of the month and incurs a $30 late fee.
• If tuition remains unpaid, it must be collected 24 hours before the next lesson.
• If payment is not received by the 7th of the following month, the student will be dismissed.

6. CHARGEBACKS

All payments made to EVSM are final. The Client agrees not to initiate chargebacks, disputes, or payment reversals with their bank or card provider provided EVSM has delivered services as outlined in this Agreement. If the Client has a grievance, they must contact EVSM and allow 14 days for EVSM to investigate and respond.

Unauthorized chargebacks:

• Client is responsible for all fees incurred by EVSM.
• EVSM may suspend services.
• EVSM may report the delinquent account to credit bureaus.

7. ONGOING ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENT

EVSM reserves weekly timeslots for students. Lessons cannot be paused or placed on hold for vacations, travel, or personal scheduling conflicts. Only serious illness/injury or documented extenuating circumstances qualify for temporary suspension.

8. LESSON SCHEDULING

Weekly Timeslot Commitment

• Students must maintain the same weekly lesson time.
• Frequent rescheduling requests are not permitted.
• 30‑day notice is required to change lesson day/time.
• Instructors may occasionally request flexibility; cooperation is appreciated.

9. MISSED LESSONS & INSTRUCTOR CANCELLATIONS

For in-home lessons, EVSM operates on quarterly scheduling (Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun, Jul–Sep, Oct–Dec).

Client Cancellations

• Client may cancel 1 lesson per quarter with 24+ hours notice and receive a tuition credit.
• Additional cancellations are not credited or made up.
• Notify the instructor directly, not the office. Notification must be sent via text message or email. Verbal notification is not sufficient.

Instructor Cancellations

• Instructor may cancel 1 lesson per quarter, requiring an online make‑up lesson. However, at instructor discretion, make‑ups may occur in‑home or at EVSM.
• Additional instructor cancellations are credited on the next tuition payment.
• If instructor provides 1+ week notice, a qualified EVSM substitute may teach the lesson.

10. ONLINE LESSONS

Online lessons may be used temporarily for illness, contagious symptoms, or instructor absences, unless otherwise agreed between Client and Instructor.

11. SCHEDULE DELAYS

Student Delay:

• Instructor waits up to 15 minutes; missed time is not added or refunded.

Instructor Delay:

• Student must allow up to 15 minutes; missed time will be added to the end of the lesson.

12. EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

Students may skip one month of tuition per calendar year due to documented extenuating circumstances (bereavement, serious illness/injury, etc.).

13. COMMUNICATION

EVSM sends important updates via email. Clients must remain subscribed and read all communications.

14. LESSON BINDER & MATERIALS

Students receive an EVSM binder and book bag. Clients must purchase music books and materials as assigned.

15. INSTRUMENT & MATERIALS REQUIREMENT

Students must have a functioning instrument and required accessories.

PIANO: Acoustic or full-size 88-key digital piano with stand, bench, and pedal. Keyboards with fewer than 88 keys are not acceptable, as they do not provide the sound quality or touch sensitivity required for proper musical development.

VOICE: Piano or keyboard recommended; additional materials may be required.

GUITAR/UKULELE/BASS: Working instrument, music stand, tuner, extra strings, picks (guitar).

STRINGS: Working instrument, bow, rosin, cloth, music stand, tuner; cello requires rock stop.

WOODWINDS: Working instrument; reed players must have 2 working reeds; music stand and tuner required.

BRASS: Working instrument; valve/slide oil, tuning slide grease, cleaning cloth, music stand, tuner.

PERCUSSION: Snare drum or practice pad, sticks, music stand; drum kit recommended.

16. ADULT SUPERVISION

Instructors cannot enter a residence or teach a minor without a supervising adult present and nearby for the entire lesson.

17. TEACHING ENVIRONMENT

Lessons must occur in an open, common room (preferably downstairs). Doors must remain open. Lessons cannot be held in bedrooms.

18. INSTRUCTOR SAFETY

• Female instructors may not teach adult male students in‑home without another adult present.
• Male instructors may not teach adult female students in‑home without another adult present.
• EVSM reserves the right to dismiss any student or household whose behavior is unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate, or whose environment poses a safety concern for instructors.

19. DISTRACTION MINIMIZATION

• Parents may quietly observe lessons.
• Siblings and friends may not remain nearby, as they disrupt instruction.
• Pets (such as dogs and cats) must be kept away from the teaching environment.
• Household noise should be kept to a minimum; loud TVs, music, or conversations should not occur near the lesson area.

20. PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS & PROBATION

Students must attend lessons consistently and practice assigned minutes. Parents are expected to assist younger students. Instructors will notify parents of ongoing issues (absences, lack of practice, incomplete theory, misbehavior). Unresolved issues may result in a 4‑week probation and possible dismissal. Students missing 3 consecutive lessons without communication will be dismissed without refund.

21. RECITALS

EVSM hosts two formal recitals annually. Instructor will host a Spring Recital around April/May, and a Holiday Recital around November/December.

Requirements:

• Repertoire must be performance-ready and memorized.
• Arrive 10–30 minutes early depending on instrument.
• Follow formal dress code.
• Remain for the full performance set.
• Students must announce their name/piece and bow/curtsy.

22. WITHDRAWAL POLICY

A 30-day notice of withdrawal is required at any time. An initial 2-month commitment is expected.

To withdraw:

• Client must submit the official Notice of Withdrawal Form (in person or via emailed link). Informing the instructor alone is not sufficient.
• Billing continues until the form is received. Final tuition is prorated based on lessons received.

23. EXTRA LESSONS ACCRUED

If a student withdraws before a scheduled break and has already received an extra (5th) lesson, the additional lesson will be billed.

24. INSTRUCTOR REASSIGNMENT

EVSM may reassign students as needed. Students whose instructor leaves EVSM will be reassigned. The 30day withdrawal policy remains in effect.

25. NON-COMPETE CLAUSE

Clients may not solicit EVSM instructors for individual lessons outside EVSM. EVSM instructors (current or former) may not teach EVSM students individually for one year after leaving EVSM. Legal action may be taken for violations by instructors or clients.

26. OPTIONAL MEDIA RELEASE

EVSM may photograph or film students for marketing purposes (website, social media, print/digital). No identifying information or compensation will be used or provided.

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27. POLICY UPDATES & SEVERABILITY

EVSM may update policies as needed. Clients will be notified via email, and continued enrollment constitutes acceptance of updated policies. Furthermore, If any provision of this Agreement is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.