East Vally School of Music Policies

Click here to complete the Individual Lesson Enrollment Form.

By enrolling in EVSM’s individual lesson program on-location at the EVSM building in Chandler, Client agrees to the following terms:

1. TUITION & BILLING

Monthly Rates

• 30-minute weekly lessons: $145/month (not recommended for piano students ages 7+)
• 45-minute weekly lessons: $210/month
• 60-minute weekly lessons: $275/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 (applies for the first 6 months):
  • 2 family members enrolled receive $15 off the entire monthly invoice.
  • 3 family members enrolled receive $25 off the entire monthly invoice.
  • 4 or more family members enrolled receive $35 off the entire monthly invoice.
• Referral Credit: $30 tuition credit for referring a family who enrolls and lists the referring person during registration.
• Early Lesson: A 10% discount is applied to monthly tuition if the weekday lesson time starts before 3:00pm.

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. ANNUAL ENROLLMENT FEE

A $49 annual enrollment fee is charged every 12 months. This fee is non-refundable.

5. MUSIC MASTERS MEMBERSHIP (Optional)

EVSM offers 3-month and 6-month Music Masters tuition packages with substantial tuition savings and a 10% discount on in-store book and product purchases.

• 30-minute lessons: Save $20 with a $415 payment for 3 months, or Save $50 with a $820 payment for 6 months
• 45-minute lessons: Save $30 with a $600 payment for 3 months, or Save $75 with a $1,185 payment for 6 months
• 60-minute lessons: Save $40 with a $785 payment for 3 months, or Save $100 with a $1,550 payment for 6 months

Terms

• Non-refundable, but may be transferred to an immediate family member
• Lock in the current tuition rate
• No fee for ACH, check, or cash payments
• 3% fee if paid by credit card
• Retainable, in the event of discontinuing lessons for a period of time (30 days’ notice required and sign-up fee must be paid again upon re-enrolling)

*Tuition packages are prorated upon enrollment to cover tuition through the end of a month. (For example, a 3-month tuition package will be prorated to 2 months and 3 weeks if Client begins lessons in the 2nd week of the month.)

6. 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.

7. 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 prior to the next lesson.
• If payment is not received by the 7th of the following month, the student will be dismissed.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. LESSON SCHEDULING

Lessons may only be taught on location at EVSM or online as needed.

Weekly Timeslot Commitment

• Students must maintain the same weekly lesson time.
• Frequent rescheduling requests are not permitted.
• Instructors may occasionally request flexibility; cooperation is appreciated.

11. MISSED LESSONS & MASTER GROUP MAKE-UP CLASSES

EVSM does not give refunds for missed lessons.

Client Cancellations

• Notify the instructor directly (text or email only; verbal notice is not sufficient).
• Students who miss a lesson may attend a Master Group MakeUp Class held monthly by their instructor.
• EVSM does not offer individual make‑up lessons under any circumstances. Please do not ask instructors for individual make‑ups, schedule adjustments, or exceptions. Instructors are not permitted to provide individual make‑up lessons, even if requested. All missed lessons must be made up through the monthly Master Group Make‑Up Class.

Instructor Cancellations

• Lessons canceled by instructor will be rescheduled or taught by a substitute.
• Instructor may teach online when necessary.

Adult Students

• Instructor will make reasonable efforts to reschedule missed lessons due to illness, emergency, or mandatory work functions, but rescheduling is not guaranteed for all missed lessons.
• Make-ups must occur during instructor’s assigned teaching days/times.

12. ONLINE LESSONS

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

13. EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES

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

14. COMMUNICATION

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

15. LESSON BINDER & MATERIALS

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

16. 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.

17. WAITING AREA & LESSON OBSERVATION

Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Keep children in the waiting area; do not leave children unattended in hallways. Noise must be kept to a minimum. Parents may observe lessons quietly. Siblings, infants, and friends may not sit in on lessons. Anyone other than parent or student will be asked to leave the room.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. SUMMER TRAVEL POLICY

EVSM reserves instructor timeslots for students year-round. Students who withdraw for summer travel may lose their timeslot and must pay the $59 enrollment fee to resume lessons. Students away for 5–8 weeks between May and August may pay half tuition to keep their timeslot and remain enrolled. They may also attend Master Group Make-Up Classes at any time. Discounted tuition appears on the July invoice. A Summer Travel Policy Form must be submitted in advance.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. INSTRUCTOR REASSIGNMENT

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

24. 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.

25. 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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26. 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.

AGREEMENT

I, ____________________________________________, agree to the terms of this contract and understand that failure to comply may result in dismissal from EVSM.

Signature: __________________________________________ Date: _________________________________

EVSM Office:

Phone: (480) 8950007

Email: office@evsm.net