Attendance Policies

Flexible scheduling and Relaxed Studio: Due to my busy schedule as an active performer, area instructor, and administrator, I regularly need to cancel or reschedule lessons for contractual engagements and other responsibilities. My schedule does not always allow me to reschedule lessons cancelled by myself or lessons canceled by students/parents within the guidelines of studio policies. I do not require make-up sessions like most other instructors do, but I do encourage scheduling make-ups if our schedules allow. If we cannot find a make-up time, you will receive a monetary credit applied to your next month's billing, so long as the cancellation is made within the policies outlined below.

Anticipated absences: In the event that you are unable to attend a lesson due to a pre-scheduled event, parents/students must notify me as soon as possible, and at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled lesson. If the missed lesson falls within the current month, has already been paid for, and is unable to be made up, you will be issued a monetary credit applied to your next month's billing. If the lesson falls in a new month and invoicing period that has not yet been charged, your tuition charge will be prorated to reflect the change in your anticipated attendance.

Unanticipated Student Absences: In the event that a student misses a lesson without prior notice or cancels on the day of the student's lesson, your credit for that lesson will be forfeit. If your late cancellation is due to sudden illness, family emergency, or unexpected traffic or weather event, you may be offered the option of making up your lesson at a later time*.  No make-up lessons are offered for no-show/no-call lessons.

*make-up lessons offered for extenuating circumstances are at the discretion of the instructor.

Extended absences: If you anticipate missing several lessons in a row, due to vacation or other circumstances, you may request a vacation hold. During a vacation hold, your billing will be paused, and your specific lesson spot will be held during absences up to 4 weeks. Students anticipating absences over 4 weeks are not guaranteed their same spot upon return, and may need to choose a new available lesson spot upon their return.

Teacher absences: I may be absent for performances, events, and other work or community responsibilities. You will typically be notified of upcoming absences at your previous lesson; you will also be offered any possible make-up options. Anticipated absences are typically accounted for in your billing, prorated in advance, and also visible in your MyMusicStaff schedule. Should I have an unanticipated commitment arise, I will do my best to notify you at least 24 hours in advance, and offer any possible make-up options. If no make-up options are available, or the available options do not work with your schedule, you will receive a monetary credit applied to your next month's billing. In the event that I am unexpectedly absent from your lesson, you will receive a refund.

Inclement Weather: In the event that inclement weather requires cancellation of lessons, you will receive a monetary credit applied to your next month's billing. For “hurricane days,” I still offer lessons until the wind or rain no-longer permits; however, attendance is not required and parent/students may request a day-of cancellation at no penalty.

Holiday closings: Lessons will still be held for minor holidays (Labor Day, Memorial Day, etc.), and I often offer earlier time slots on these days to better accommodate any travel or festivities. Should you prefer to take the holiday off, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance. My Studio is typically closed for multiple days for major holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, and I typically close for 10-14 days in the summer. All extended closers will be communicated through the scheduling system, and in person at your preceding lesson.

Temporary or Permanent Withdrawal from Lessons: Please notify me directly if you need to temporarily or permanently discontinue lessons, so that I can ensure that you are removed from the schedule and any automatic billing or payments are stopped.

Dismissal: Students with frequent absences, disciplinary problems, drastically overdue tuition payments and/or parental noncompliance with policies will be dismissed from the HornSquad Studio.

Payment Policies

Calendar-Based Billing: A digital invoice will automatically be sent on the first day of the month for all upcoming lessons scheduled as well as any outstanding balances from the previous month. Instructor absences, advanced cancellations, credited lessons form previous months, and holiday closures are already taken into account.

Monthly Payments and Invoices: Payments are to be made monthly, during the first week of each month, unless otherwise agreed.

Making Payments: You have multiple options for making payments, ensuring convenience and flexibility. Payments can be made directly through your digital invoice using a credit card or ACH bank transfer. Additionally, you can pay through Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, or on the MyMusicStaff Parent Portal. In-person payments via cash or check are also accepted. Please make checks out to my legal business name: Music with Margaret LLC.

Auto-Draft Option: For added convenience, MyMusicStaff offers an auto-draft option to automatically process your payments each month. You will receive a digital receipt and notification of payment for your records.

Missed Lessons: If a lesson is canceled within the rules of the HornSquad Cancellation Policy or is missed by the instructor, you have the option of scheduling a make-up lesson, or requesting a lesson credit. If you request a lesson credit, the amount paid will roll over to the following month. You can view your issued credit in the Parent Portal and the monetary discount will reflect on your next invoice. No-call/no-show lessons are not eligible for make-up or lesson credit.

Vacations/Payment Pausing: If you anticipate missing several lessons in a row, due to vacation or other circumstances, you should notify us directly, and discuss temporary billing holds.

Refunds: Refunds are issued to any student who has to discontinue lessons due to injury, move, graduation, or change in family financial situation. Refunds will be issued via the method of payment. No refunds are issued for late cancellations, unused make-up sessions, or no-call/no-show missed lessons.

Scholarships: I am always working on scholarship avenues to make quality private music lessons accessible for everyone. For a current list of available scholarship opportunities please visit my website here: Scholarships.

General Etiquette

Responsibilities of Students: Students are expected to arrive to classes on time, attend classes as consistently as their schedule allows, and arrive to class prepared. Private lessons students are expected to complete assignments and practice in-between lessons, at a duration and frequency to be outlined by their instructor.

Behavior:Students and families shall refrain from behavior that is disruptive and/ordemonstrates a lack of common courtesy and respect for instructors, staff, or fellow students. Any behavior that could be interpreted as sexual harassment, violent threat, or related to drug or alcohol use will result in immediate dismissal from all classes and events.

Food and Drink: To ensure the cleanliness and longevity of our facility, furniture, instruments, and decor, there is no food or drink, except water, allowed in music rooms. Food and drink can be had in the common areas and waiting room. Additionally, all staff, instructors, students, and parents are to avoid placing water bottles or cups onto any instruments, including but not limited to: pianos, large drums, and marimbas or keyboard-style percussion instruments.

Student Drop-off and Pick-up: When bringing your child to music lessons, it is the parent’s/guardian's responsibility to ensure that your child makes it to his/her lesson. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and an adult must be visibly present to pick up children under 16. Our faculty and staff are not responsible for unattended students.

Notification of Changes: It is the parent's/adult student's responsibility to notify us of any changes of address, telephone number, payment information, or other contact information.

Releases of Liability

Release of Liability

As the legal parent, guardian, or enrolled adult student, I understand that my or my child's participation in music lessons with Music with Margaret LLC (HornSquad) may expose him/her/me to unforeseen risk. I hereby acknowledge that I am voluntarily allowing myself or my child to participate in all lessons and events and agree to assume any such risks. I hereby release, discharge and agree not to sue MWM, its staff, directors, agents, faculty or employees for any injury or damage to or loss of personal property arising out of or in connection with my child's participation in any lessons or events. In consideration for being permitted to participate in classes and lessons, I hereby agree, for myself, my child, my heirs, administrators, executors and assigns, that I shall indemnify and hold harmless MWM from any and all claims, demands,

actions or suits arising out of or in connection with my or my child's participation in any MWM events. I give MWM permission to authorize emergency medical personnel to carry out such emergency diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as may be necessary for myself or my child, and also permit such treatment procedures to be carried out at, and by local hospitals for myself or my child in the event of an emergency. I understand that any medical expenses will be billed directly to me or my insurance company. 

Photographic Release

I agree to permit MWM and/or hired outside staff or guests to take photographs and/or video and audio recordings during classes, lessons, and performance events without further recourse. I understand that such photographic images, video, or audio recordings of myself or my child may be used in promotional publications, on our website, or in press releases. There will be no compensation for the release. I further understand that I may opt-out of this release with respect to photographs, videos and audio only by filling out and signing a Media Opt-Out form available by request.

I affirm that I have read, understand and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this contract for music instruction through MWM. I fully understand that failure to abide by this contract will result in termination of this agreement and membership at MWM will be revoked immediately.