Studio Policy

2026–2027 School Year

MISSION

Welcome to Hemdah's Music Studios, LLC!

At Hemdah's Music Studios, every student is welcomed as an individual with unique strengths, interests, and ways of learning. Piano lessons are designed for both neurodivergent and neurotypical students using a sensory-informed approach that supports regulation, confidence, and readiness to learn.

I believe that when students feel safe, empowered, and ready to learn, they are free to discover what they are truly capable of. Through clear, step-by-step instruction, curiosity, creativity, and a sense of wonder, students develop the skills they need to become confident, expressive musicians while discovering the joy of making music.

Thank you for choosing Hemdah's Music Studios. I look forward to partnering with your family to create a positive, engaging, and meaningful learning experience throughout the year.


PHILOSOPHY

I teach students ages 4 through adult. Whether a student wants to play for personal enjoyment, perform in recitals and contests, or prepare to major or minor in music in college, lessons are tailored to help each student achieve their individual goals.

I welcome both neurotypical and neurodivergent students, including autistic and ADHD learners. Every student deserves an environment where they feel safe, empowered, and ready to learn.

A healthy, tension-free piano technique provides the foundation for expressive, confident music making. Students explore a variety of musical styles, including classical, jazz, blues, pop, rock, ragtime, praise and worship, and more, while developing the skills to become thoughtful, independent musicians.


LESSONS

Private and group lessons are offered weekly during the school year. The 2026–2027 calendar includes 33 lessons (28 private lessons and 5 group lessons). Lessons begin the week of Monday, August 31, 2026, and continue through Thursday, May 27, 2027.

Throughout the year, students may also receive instructional videos created by Hemdah to support home practice and reinforce lesson concepts as needed.

A studio calendar, including private lessons, group lessons, holidays, and special events, will be provided at the first lesson.

Summer private lessons are scheduled individually. To reserve their lesson time for the following school year, students must either enroll in a Summer Music Camp, schedule three to four summer private lessons, or submit a non-refundable $50 lesson reservation deposit.


TUITION

Tuition is due on the 1st of each month and is considered late if not received by the 10th. A $10 late fee will be assessed each month tuition is received after the 10th. The first monthly payment for the 2026–2027 school year is due August 15, 2026.

Payments may be made by check, cash, Stripe, Venmo, or PayPal. Please make checks payable to Hemdah Salonimer-Horner or Hemdah's Music Studios, LLC.

Families may choose one of the following payment options:

  • Annual Tuition: Due August 15, 2026.

  • Biannual Tuition: Due August 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.

  • Monthly Tuition: Divided into ten equal installments beginning August 15, 2026, and continuing through May 15, 2027. Monthly payments include an additional 5% fee.

Tuition rates vary based on the payment plan selected and whether students are enrolled in 30-, 45-, or 60-minute lessons.

Tuition rates are reviewed annually, and families should expect periodic tuition adjustments.


REGISTRATION

A yearly registration fee of $25 per student (not to exceed $50 per family) is due at the time of registration. For returning students, the registration fee is due by July 1, 2026, for the 2026–2027 school year, and by July 1, 2027, for the 2027–2028 school year.

The registration fee covers printed studio materials, a new student notebook, annual lesson planning and music selection, and the yearly parent-teacher conference.


STUDIO OFFERINGS

Group Lessons:
Group lessons are offered for preschool through high school students approximately every other month and take the place of the private lesson that week. Lessons are 30 minutes for preschool through age 6, 45 minutes for ages 7 and older, and 60 minutes for advanced groups.

During group lessons, students build musicianship through ensemble playing, music theory, ear training, analytical listening, and engaging music games and activities. They also have opportunities to perform for one another, develop confidence as performers, and learn to listen thoughtfully and supportively as audience members.

Recitals:
A formal Spring Recital will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2027. Recitals are an important part of each student's musical education, providing valuable opportunities to build confidence, develop performance skills, and celebrate their progress with family and friends. Students are expected to participate in the Spring Recital. (Adult students may choose whether to perform.) While there is no formal dress code, students are encouraged to wear their best clothes and shoes.

Music Events:
Students may also have opportunities to participate in a variety of musical enrichment experiences throughout the year, including contests, Master Lessons, the Multi-Piano Concert, and the Holiday Program.


REQUIRED MATERIALS

Suzuki students are required to have the International Edition of the appropriate Suzuki Piano Book and accompanying recording, along with a lesson book and theory book. More advanced and transfer students may also be assigned sight-reading, theory, and piano literature books. Adult students will be assigned lesson and supplementary materials appropriate to their individual goals.

Each student will receive a three-ring binder for assignment sheets, theory worksheets, and other studio materials.

Suzuki parents are strongly encouraged to read Nurtured by Love and Ability Development from Age Zero by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki to gain a deeper understanding of the Suzuki philosophy and how to best support their child's musical growth.


MISSED LESSONS

There are no refunds or tuition credits for missed lessons.

If a student is unable to attend an in-person lesson but is well enough to participate, the scheduled lesson may be held online instead.

If a student is unable to attend the lesson, at least 24 hours' notice is requested. In the event of sudden illness, please notify the studio by 10:00 a.m. on the day of the lesson. The student's name will then be placed on the makeup lesson list.

When another student cancels, available lesson times will be offered to students on the makeup list on a first-come, first-served basis. A maximum of two makeup lessons may be scheduled during the school year. While every effort will be made to provide a makeup lesson, makeup lessons cannot be guaranteed. Group lessons cannot be made up.

If I need to cancel a lesson, I will provide a makeup lesson.


SWAP LIST

If a scheduling conflict arises, families may choose to exchange lesson times with another participating studio family for that week.

Participating families will have access to a password-protected Swap List through the studio website. The Swap List is provided solely to facilitate lesson exchanges. Contact information shared through the Swap List is for studio use only and may not be shared outside the studio community.

Lesson swaps are arranged directly between participating families. The studio is not responsible for scheduling conflicts or misunderstandings related to lesson exchanges.

Families who wish to participate in the Swap List must provide written permission for their contact information to be shared with other participating studio families.


INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event of inclement weather, lessons will be held online during the regularly scheduled lesson time.


PANDEMICS

In the event of a government-mandated shutdown, public health emergency, or other circumstance that prevents in-person lessons, instruction will continue online until it is safe to resume in-person lessons.


PRACTICE

Students are expected to practice on a well-maintained piano that is in tune and located where they can practice with minimal interruptions. If you need recommendations for local piano tuners or technicians, please contact the studio.

A metronome is an essential practice tool for students in Suzuki Book Two and above, as well as for late elementary students and beyond.

Parents play an important role in their child's musical success. Assigned music should comfortably fit within the recommended practice times listed below. Parental involvement during lessons and home practice is especially important for younger students. Please feel free to ask questions at any time about how to best support your child's practice at home.

If assignments are consistently completed in less time than recommended, please let me know so I can adjust your student's assignments as needed.


RECOMMENDED DAILY PRACTICE TIMES

Pre-Twinkler: 5–20 minutes

Book One or Early Elementary: 20–30 minutes

Book Two or Late Elementary: 35 minutes

Book Three or Early Intermediate: 40–45 minutes

Book Four or Late Intermediate: 50–60 minutes

Book Five through Book Seven or Advanced: 60 minutes or more


Students preparing for a Book Graduation Recital should add an additional 10–15 minutes of daily practice. Students in Books Five, Six, and Seven should add an additional 20–30 minutes per day.

COMMUNICATION

You may contact the studio by phone between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or on weekends. Text messages (preferred) and email are welcome at any time.

Email: Hello@hemdahspianostudio.com

The studio calendar is provided in each student's notebook and is also available on the studio website.

Periodic parent conferences and ongoing communication help keep families informed of each student's progress and support continued growth throughout the year.


PARTICULARS

Students are expected to arrive on time for their scheduled lesson. Because lessons are scheduled back-to-back, lesson time cannot be extended for late arrivals.

Students are welcome to arrive a few minutes early to observe the lesson before theirs, warm up on the digital piano, or enjoy listening to music in the listening corner.

For children under the age of 12, a parent or guardian is expected to attend each lesson. For students ages 12 to 14, parent attendance is encouraged but not required every week. Parents of students age 15 and older are always welcome but are not expected to attend lessons.

Please park in the driveway or across the street on Sunrise Drive. (There is no curbside parking on my street.)

To help maintain a comfortable learning environment, students should arrive with clean hands and short fingernails and enter and leave the studio and waiting area quietly and respectfully.


RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers play an important role in a student's musical growth. Families are asked to:

  • Play the assigned Suzuki recordings regularly at home or in the car (for Suzuki students).

  • Provide appropriate seating and foot support for home practice.

  • Attend lessons as outlined in the Particulars section of this policy.

  • Provide a positive practice environment with a well-maintained piano.

  • Support and supervise consistent home practice.

  • Ensure tuition and other fees are paid on time.

  • Encourage and support the student's musical development.

  • Commit to the full school year of lessons.

If circumstances require a student to withdraw before the end of the school year, one month's written notice and one month's tuition are required.


STUDENTS

Students are expected to:

  • Practice assignments thoughtfully and consistently.

  • Complete theory assignments and practice activities as assigned.

  • Bring all required music and materials to each lesson.

  • Prepare assigned pieces for recitals and other performance opportunities.

  • Come to lessons ready to learn and enjoy making music!