Lessons at
Big Time Music
Where, When, How Much?
Policies Effective January 1, 2011 (Last update, December, 2010)
Who
Mark Olson and Susan Mathews teach for Big Time Music, a division of Off Beat LLC. Mark teaches for and is head of the guitar program. Susan teaches for and is head of the piano program.Eligible Students
Mark (guitar) teaches adults and students in grade five and up. Susan (piano) teaches adults and students in grade K and up. Both teachers may accept and decline students for reasons that may include the following: whether the student-teacher relationship is a good fit, whether a student practices regularly, behavior, the student's interest level, demand for lessons, non-payment of tuition, or any other reason.Where
Guitar and piano lessons are held at here in our home in Cambridge where we meet with students once a week for half-hour lessons. There is a guitar room, piano room, and waiting area. Click here for a Google map: Map to Big Time Music . The address is N4328 South Street, Cambridge. Tel: 608-423-4424.When
Lessons are 30 minutes each, and they are back to back, so it is important that students arrive a few minutes in advance of their lesson time. Lesson schedules are currently posted on the website, and students may confirm their lesson times there or by calling us.Attendance, Transportation, and Friends: Big Time Music accepts no responsibity for the supervision or transportation of students before or after their lesson time. If a minor (or any student) does not come to their lesson, we will not attempt to contact them or their parents. Because of driveway traffic concerns and liability issues, friends and minor siblings of students are not permitted to "hang out" unattended by an adult during lessons.
How Much: A "Use-Them-or-Lose-Them" Policy:
Big Time Music charges quarterly tuition for enrollment in private lessons. When students make a tuition payment, they book a lesson at a designated lesson time and no other time, on a quarterly basis. Some students enroll knowing they will miss some lessons. Rescheduling students to other times is limited and not guaranteed. There are no refunds for pre-paid lessons. Student lesson time, tuition, and enrollment, are non-transferrable. Tuition rates are listed on the Tuition and Holiday page on the website. Payment of tuition indicates that the payer accepts the Big Time Music policies.Non-Transferrable:
Tuition is not transferrable to others. In otherwords, if a student is sick or cannot come to a lesson, please do not send a sibling, parent, relative or friend in his or her place. Students may not swap lesson times with other students on a week to week basis. Each department head is in charge of their own schedules.Inclement Weather:
Student safety is more important than one music lesson. If travel seems unsafe because of weather or road conditions, please stay home (and practice!). Big Time Music does not strictly follow school closures due to weather. Often, if schools are cancelled because of the road conditions, lessons are cancelled, too. However, if it is a "snow day" for area districts because it was snowy in the morning, but the roads are OK at lesson time, we will probably have lessons. If we cancel lessons, we will email everyone, so please check your email and/or call us at 608-423-4424. A refund or credit ($20) is given for cancellations caused by weather.Payment and Cancellation Policies
The payment and cancellation policies are designed to make payment and record keeping as painless as possible, encourage attendance, and help keep teaching schedules consistent. The policies are also based on experiences, both good and the other kind.
- Advance Payment: Tuition is due in advance of each quarter. Please refer to the Tuition and Holiday table which is available on the website or at Big Time Music. By paying in advance, students reserve one specified time slot for their lesson, and we look forward to and plan for teaching students at their scheduled lesson time. Please make checks payable to Big Time Music.
- Forfeiture: If a student's tuition is not paid by the due dates, he or she risks losing their lesson time. Please call if you have a question or concern.
- Rescheduling: Students are not entitled to reschedule. Requests to reschedule should ideally be made one week in advance. Requests may be granted if and when it is convenient for the teacher. Students are not entitled to swap lessons with other students, siblings, family members, or friends. Rescheduling is limited to a maximum of one (1) lesson per quarter per student, if and when it is convenient to the teacher.
- Quarterly Payments: Paying quarterly helps both student and teacher focus on long-term goals and plans. There are no refunds for pre-paid lessons; students who may have conflicting sports schedules or extra-curricular activities need to plan ahead.
- Credit: If Big Time Music cancels lessons because of inclement weather, teacher illness, or unforeseen teacher conflict, BTM will credit or refund $20.
- Refunds: Sorry, no refunds for prepaid lessons. When tuition is paid, students commit to lessons, and we commit to students and make scheduling, educational, and advertising decisions based on the roster.
Photographs and Recordings:
As a document of events, performances, and student progress, Big Time Music, a division of Off Beat LLC, will record student performances and may take photo's of students at lessons, recitals, or other events. Enrolling yourself or a son or daughter, authorizes Big Time Music to use, re-use, publish, and re-publish the same in whole or in part, individually or in any and all media now or hereafter known, and for illustration, promotion, art, editorial, advertising and trade, or any other purpose whatsoever without restriction as to alteration or time. Students or their parent or legal guardian hereby release and discharge Big Time Music and/or its staff from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of the photographs or recordings, including without limitation any and all claims for libel or invasion of privacy. Big Time Music retains copyright to all such recordings or photographs in any form, and may use the student's name in connection therewith if it so chooses. Contact Big Time Music with any questions or requests.
