Frequently
Asked Questions

Q.  What is the best age to start my child on an instrument?
A.  That depends on several factors.  Has your child displayed an interest and desire to learn?  Does he or she have a good attention span?  Is your child physically large enough to comfortably hold the instrument?
Most piano and strings teachers will start a child at age 6 or 7.  In some cases, children start as young as 3 years of age, but that requires extensive parental involvement, with parents taking lessons along with their children.  Wind students will generally start at age 8 or 9, most often when wind instruments are offered in public school.

Q.  How do I find a qualified teacher?
A.  Fairview Studios employs a staff of qualified teachers who hold music degrees and have teaching experience.  Each teacher is interviewed extensively and carefully screened, including undergoing background checks, to provide the best and most qualified staff possible.  Several teachers specialize in certain age groups if you have a special request.

Q.  How do I arrange lessons for my child?
A.  All you have to do is contact Fairview Studios by phone, e-mail, our website link, or in person. 
We handle all scheduling for our teachers, and we can quickly and accurately tell you what openings exist and make final arrangements for securing your timeslot.

Q.  How do I pay for lessons?
A.  Lessons are paid by the month at the beginning of the month.

Q.  What do lessons cost?
A.  Students receive private weekly lessons, and tuition ranges from $90 to $120 per month. There is an annual enrollment fee of $25.  Beginning classes are 30 minutes long, and advanced classes are 45 minutes long.

Q.  Are there a minimum number of lessons for which I am obligated?
A.  We do not require you to sign up for a certain number of lessons.  You can discontinue lessons at anytime by notifying your teacher.

Q.  Do the teachers at Fairview Studios give recitals?
A.  We encourage teachers to involve students in recitals and other performance opportunities throughout the year to keep students interested and motivated.

Policies and Procedures

Principles
The Fairview Music Studios program is grounded in the conviction that music is a gift from God and that nurturing this gift enhances spiritual growth and expression.

Instruction is designed to enable students to improve their skills in making music and to increase their understanding and appreciation for music. To create an instructional climate that emphasizes nurturing rather than competing, Studios' teachers focus instruction on enabling each student—regardless of career ambitions, level of ability, musical interests, or age--to achieve personal goals and to experience growth as a whole person.

Non-discrimination Policy
Students are enrolled in the instructional programs of Fairview Music Studios without regard to gender, race, or religious affiliation.

Enrollment
Students may be enrolled directly by teachers or through referral from the Fairview Music Studios office.

At the time of enrollment, students or the parents of minor students must complete an enrollment card and pay the annual enrollment fee and tuition for the remainder of the first month of lessons. Information on the card will include the tuition rate, the number and length of lessons per month, and the type of instruction. These records will be filed in the church office; copies will be maintained by teachers. New students will be provided a copy of the Studios' policies and procedures.

An annual enrollment fee of $25 per family is due on January 1 of each year and at the time of initial enrollment. For new students enrolling after September 1, the enrollment fee is reduced to $10. Members of Fairview Presbyterian Church are exempt from the enrollment fee.

Enrollment is terminated by a written request to the Church office. If such a request is received before the 15th of the month, tuition will not be charged for the following month.

Tuition
Tuition rates are set by teachers in consultation with the Director of Studios and are approved by the Studios Committee.

Special payment procedures are used for group and special classes.
Tuition rates for private lessons are monthly.

Tuition payments are due on the 1st day of the month in the offices of Fairview Presbyterian Church. They may be paid by cash, check, money order, or electronic bank transfer.

Bills will be sent on the 20th of each month for the next month's tuition payment.

Payments received after the 5th of the month are considered late, and a late fee of $10 will be charged.

A fee of $25 will be charged for checks returned for insufficient funds; payments for this fee and the tuition due must be by cash, money order, or electronic transfer. After a second insufficient funds check, all future payments must be made by cash, money order, or electronic transfer.

Lessons will not be offered on days the church is officially closed, and tuition will not be charged.

Tuition adjustments will be made only for lessons cancelled by the teacher or in emergency circumstances by the Church.

Exceptions to the tuition payment policies may be made by the Church Administrator in consultation with the teacher or the Director of Studios.

Attendance
Students are expected to have all materials and instruments ready to begin their lessons promptly at the appointed time. Lesson times will not be extended for late arrivals.

Students or parents must notify the teacher as soon as possible when they will be unable to come to a lesson. Tuition adjustments will not be made for missed lessons.

Teachers may, but are not required to, offer make-up lessons in case of student emergencies or when they have received 24-hour advanced notice of a student absence.