Welcome to the studio of Andrea Luyties! I look forward to working with you over the course of this school year as we explore the beautiful world of music. Before we begin, however, there are a few guidelines that I would like to go over. These guidelines are consistently maintained and shall not be altered on a case-by-case basis, as they allow the business portion of voice lessons to flow smoothly and equitably.

Studio and Studio Procedures

Please remember that the voice studio is an extension of my home. I do have 2 friendly cats, a dog, a husband, and 2 children who may be present during lesson times. If you are allergic to any of those, you may need to continue your search for a teacher. :-)

No food or drink (with the exception of water) is allowed in lessons!

Please come right in when it is your lesson time (the front door will remain unlocked during lesson times). Wipe your feet when you come in and leave wet umbrellas and shoes at the door.

If you should arrive early for your scheduled lesson time, please wait until no earlier than five minutes before your scheduled time before entering the studio.

Practice and Parental Support

Sufficient scheduled practice time on a daily basis is the surest guarantee that students will experience consistent progress in vocal performance. Learning the necessary skills to become proficient with your instrument will not occur by simply going to lessons. It takes committed practice on a daily basis during the week to put the skills covered at the lesson into motion.

Parental support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Children whose parents take an active and honest interest in their child’s progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive.

Music is not easy. At times, it can be downright frustrating. Adults often do not realize that children are rarely self-motivated and lack the self-discipline to put in that all-important practice session. With commitment to learning the art of music comes the decision to practice on a regular basis. Consistent progress results in pride, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment!

Materials

Students should bring the following materials to every lesson:

Attendance

Regular attendance is crucial to vocal growth.

If the student is unable to attend the regular lesson timeslot, the student must switch that week's lesson with a fellow studio member in a different timeslot and inform the instructor of the arrangement as soon as possible. Once enrolled in lessons, you will be invited to join the studio's Facebook page, which is invaluable for contacting fellow students to make such arrangements.

In the event that the student is unable to switch lesson times with a fellow studio member, the student must inform the instructor at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled lesson time in order to reschedule. Rescheduling (as opposed to switching with a fellow studio member) is entirely at the discretion of the instructor.

Camps, shows, games, or other conflicts that are scheduled and known about in advance need to be brought up with the instructor as soon as they are scheduled. Waiting until 24-hours prior to a lesson that conflicts with an event that was scheduled months in advance will not be considered as sufficient grounds for rescheduling.

Calendar

The studio will follow the Cy-Fair ISD calendar. Lessons will be taught on teacher in-service days. The first full month of instruction is September and the last is May, with a week off for Thanksgiving, two weeks for the Winter holidays, and a week off for Spring Break.

Recitals and Performances

During the year, several performance opportunities are made available to students. These events provide further incentive to practice and excel, and can have a positive effect on a student’s sense of accomplishment. Recitals build confidence and reinforce the concept that good practice habits result in good performers.

At the end of each year, students have the opportunity to showcase their advancement at the annual studio recital.At Students choosing to take part in the recital commit to the event at least one month in advance, thereby giving ample time to prepare their respective piece(s). All music is to be memorized. Deadlines for preparation are imposed and strictly adhered to in order to ensure that all participating students are secure with their piece(s). Those students whose pieces are not performance-ready by the deadline shall be withdrawn from the recital. I want everyone to look good and would not put a student on stage who is not properly prepared and comfortable with their pieces. Remember, it is a privilege to get the opportunity to perform.

Students scheduled to perform in the recital are required to attend the entire performance. Except in cases of family emergency or illness, students may not “drop out” of the program. Such behavior affects the entire recital and is not fair to the other performers (nor is it fair to the instructor!).

Performers must be at the performance venue no later than twenty minutes before the beginning of the recital. Participating students and their families are expected to remain for the duration of the recital, thereby providing a respectful, consistent audience for all performers.

In addition to the recitals, I try to have two or three "coffee house" events during the year to provide students with additional performance opportunities.In These events are less formal and take place at local coffee houses or musical venues. Students may bring family and friends to watch their performances, but may come and go more freely than one would in a formal recital setting. As always, though, they are encouraged to hang around, support their friends and fellow studio members, and patronize the venue.

Billing Policy

For more information, see the pricing page.

Monthly payment reminders or invoices are sent out on or before the last Saturday of the month for the upcoming month. Payment for the entire invoiced amount is due on the first day of the month (with the exception of the first “trial” month of lessons, which may be paid individually at the weekly lesson time). If payment is not received by the seventh day of the month, a late fee of $25 will be added.

If a financial situation arises in which the cost of lessons becomes a burden, please discuss this situation with the teacher. Skipping lessons to save on cost is not an option, and the student is still responsible for paying for any lessons missed without 24-hour notice and teacher approval (see Attendance above). In the event that a break in lessons is decided upon, the student time slot will need to be offered to a student on my waiting list. When lessons are resumed, every effort will be made to find another weekly appointment time.

While I love my job, and I love each and every one of my students, I am also running a business on which I rely to pay my bills. My paycheck, like yours, is essential to my family's survival. In paying for lessons, you are not only paying me for my expertise, but you are also paying for devoting an hour of my time to helping you improve your voice. If you choose not to show up for a lesson without switching with another student or providing 24-hour notice so that other accomodations can be made, that hour of my time is still reserved for you, and you remain financially responsible for it regardless of whether or not you took advantage of my tutelage. This is not unlike dance classes, doctor's appointments, or any other professional services for which, if you miss your appointment, you forfeit your payment.

Make Up Days

There will be 1-2 make-up lesson days per semester, scheduled at the teacher's discretion, and offerred to anyone who made a good-faith attempt to switch lesson times with another student and was unable to do so and who obtained the instructor's permission to miss the lesson with at least 24 hours' notice. However, if you are also unable to attend one of these sessions, the cost of the missed lesson must be forfeited. Missed lessons cannot roll over into the next month or semester unless the teacher has determined to do so.

Payment Methods

Monthly payment reminders or invoices will be sent via email, SMS, paypal, venmo, Google Pay, or zelle, depending upon your preferred method of payment. Cash and checks are also acceptable, but must be brought by the student to the first lesson of the month. Your bank's online billpay should also be able to send a monthly recurring payment in the form of a check through the mail.

Termination of Lessons

If you should decide to terminate lessons at any time during the year, the studio requires a two-week notice. Regardless of when notice is given, such student shall be financially responsible for the last two weeks of study, whether or not the student chooses to attend.

CODA

As a music instructor, I care for and support all of my students and their families in a very special way. One-on-one education is very concentrated, and the bond between teacher and student can grow quite strong. Nevertheless, the studio reserves the right to terminate a student’s lessons for the following infractions:

You are an extension of my studio, which represents inclusion, kindness, and professionalism. Please act accordingly and refrain from inappropriate behavior, commentary, bullying, or talking poorly about other singers regarding casting, performances, or auditions.

If you have any questions, please call my cell phone at any time. Voicemail is available 24/7, though I may be unable to answer if I am with a student or otherwise occupied. If there is no answer, simply leave a message—I will return your call at my earliest convenience. You may also contact me using the studio Facebook page or via e-mail.

Thank you for taking the time to read and understand the studio policies. I look forward to our musical journey together!