Piano Lessons Registration/Policy Form 2023-2024
About the Teacher
Sarah McFadyen has over 30 years of piano teaching experience and has led early childhood music classes for more than 15 years. She is currently the President of the San Joaquin County Branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California. Sarah has lived in Galt since 1988. She helped form the Galt Teen Center and currently serves on the board.
Piano Instruction
Age 7 is the recommended age to start piano lessons, though it is never too late! Piano lessons include 30 minutes of individual piano instruction, along with 30 minutes of tech(nology) time weekly. Tech time creates a well-rounded music education encompassing theory, sight reading, ear training, rhythmic development, and music history using technology. Tech time is required and progress is monitored.
The first week of each month, students attend a piano group lesson instead of a private lesson. Students are required to play one piece for their group each month. Parents are not to be in the music studio during private or group lessons, but are welcome to relax in the waiting room.
Piano Program
The studio offers a year-round program, which averages 33 private lessons, 12 piano group lessons, and 4 recital opportunities each year. The studio will be closed during regular school holidays and also 2 other weeks each year for vacation. Please refer to the online studio calendar for event dates and when lessons will not be held. Monthly group lessons are required for piano students, recitals are not.
As a member of the California Music Teachers’ Association, Sarah's students have opportunities to participate in our Branch recitals and other events, such as Certificate of Merit. This yearly evaluation assesses the student’s technique, ear training, sight reading, performance abilities, and theory knowledge. Students may also participate in The Royal Conservatory Music Program. Please inform Sarah if you're interested in a rigorous piano program that includes either of these evaluations.
Piano Requirements
Students are expected to practice 5 days per week for a minimum time appropriate to their level. It is recommended that students ages 7-9 practice 20 minutes daily; students ages 10-13 practice 30-45 minutes a day; students ages 14 and older practice in the upper intermediate and advanced levels spend an hour or more a day practicing. It is imperative that the student read the instructions written in their lesson binder in order to make progress each week. Students must bring all materials to the lesson (binders, books, etc.). Remember to keep your fingernails trimmed short, because fingers don’t curve properly with long nails.
Parents are to maintain communication regarding progress and problems in order to mutually work toward the student’s musical goals, development, and enjoyment. The student needs a piano in the best possible condition, preferably an acoustic, tuned once annually, with adequate lighting and bench height. I recommend Greg Evans (916-362-5079) as a piano technician. If you prefer a keyboard, I recommend a Yamaha Clavinova (standard model is just fine). A full size keyboard with weighted keys is necessary.
Tuition
Piano lessons with Sarah McFadyen are $125.00 a month (whether there are 3 or 5 lessons in any given month). Tuition must be received or postmarked by the 15th of each month or a $15.00 late fee will result. No refunds will be given for missed lessons. There is a registration fee of $75 and a recurring materials fee of $75 that is due each following year in September. The teacher will purchase all the necessary materials for the student. Payment accepted through Venmo, check, or cash. Advanced students may choose to have 45 minutes of weekly private lessons, instead of 30 minutes, for $165.00 a month.
Piano Make-up Policy
When unable to make a lesson, please cancel on the calendar online instead of emailing or texting the teacher. This will open up a make-up lesson opportunity for another student. If you need to cancel a lesson the day of, please text Sarah (instead of calling) so that it does not disrupt a piano lesson with another student.
A piano lesson may be rescheduled for a vacation, sickness, or family emergency with at least 24-hours notice. The student is responsible for scheduling a make-up lesson (one maximum per month) on the website calendar. Choose a time that works for your schedule, then add your name to a make-up lesson spot that doesn't already have a name attached.
Please make every effort to attend each group lesson prepared to perform. This opportunity is an important part of your music education. There are no make-ups for missed group lessons. If there is a calendar conflict, occasionally a student may attend a different group lesson if the teacher is notified in advance.
In the event that the teacher is ill or cannot teach a lesson (besides school holidays and 2 weeks of vacation each year listed on the calendar), the lesson will be rescheduled or the cost of the lesson will be refunded.
Lesson times will not be reserved for students who wish to take time off. Students who take a break from lessons will need to arrange for another time slot when they return. If none are available, they will be placed on a waiting list.
Piano Termination
If a student wishes to discontinue piano lessons, they are to give at least 2 weeks notice. The teacher may terminate lessons when the student is irregular in attendance, is repeatedly unprepared, or consistently fails to follow the directions of the teacher during lesson time.
The Studio Environment
The McFadyen Music Studio is located at 9215 Orr Road (1 mile west of Christensen Rd). Students need to be dropped off and picked up at the scheduled time. Please park on the east side of the piano studio in the driveway and use that entrance. Wash your hands in the outdoor sink or use hand sanitizer before entering. Schedule a make-up lesson if you have symptoms of illness. Come in without knocking. Wait in the waiting room until the door opens to the rest of the studio when it’s time for your lesson to begin. Your family is welcome to wait in the waiting room during the lesson. There is also a bathroom available in the backyard to use. No animals are allowed outside of your car on the property.
Food, drinks, and gum are not allowed inside the studio or waiting room. Water bottles are permitted. You may eat or drink using the table and chairs provided outside by the studio entrance.
McFadyen Music Studio Website
Piano students will receive an email with a username and password to log onto the website galtpiano.mymusicstaff.com. Please log in promptly because the password expires a few days after it is emailed. You can access the Piano Studio Calendar and other information from the website. Please avoid texting your teacher about calendar questions. Instead, refer to the online calendar for lesson times and events. Thank you.
I am registering for piano lessons with Sarah McFadyen.
Student’s Name: _____________________________________________________________
Student’s Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _____________
Guardian’s Name (if student is a minor): ___________________________________________
Guardian’s Signature: _______________________________________ Date: _____________
I do / do not give permission for my picture or my child’s picture to be shared on social media (circle one).
I heard about McFadyen Music Studio from:
Thank you for your cooperation,
Sarah McFadyen