Policies

Before a student enrolls in lessons with GCMA, the student is entitled to one (1) free 30 minute trial lesson. This trial lesson allows the student and teacher (and family members as appropriate) to become acquainted, set individual music goals, and review policy and procedure. Approximately 20 minutes of the lesson will encompass musical instruction, while the remainder will be utilized for administrative purposes. 

Lessons will be offered in half-hour or 45 minute increments from 5:00pm to 7:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. . Should a lesson be needed outside of this schedule, requests will be reviewed on an individual basis. Students may reserve their initial lesson time by contacting GCMA via email (gatescountymusicacademy@gmail.com) or via the contact form on the GCMA website (bit.ly/gcmusicacademy). Once a timespot has been selected, the same time spot will be reserved for the student until written notice is received as per the policy outlined in the “Cancellation/Reschedule Policy” section below.

The tuition fee of $30 per half hour or $50 per 45 minutes provides students with individual weekly lessons. Lessons may be purchased individually or on a monthly basis. Tuition fees are due at the time of purchase for the lesson and may be paid in cash, check, credit card, or via electronic payment methods (e.g., PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, Zelle). Tuition does not include curriculum and material costs. A $10 late fee will be assessed for any unpaid tuition beginning 3 business days post-lesson unless prior arrangements have been made.  GCMA may increase monthly fees in future months but will not do so without providing 30 days written notice. 

Regular attendance is critical to the success of lesson students. Please plan to attend all lessons and arrive on time and prepared with all materials (music, assignment notebook, pencil, water, etc.) in hand. If students are late, the instructor cannot extend the lesson into another student’s lesson time, therefore, the time missed is forfeited. Students are expected to devote regular practice time between lessons. This will vary according to individual student needs, however, 30 minutes per day, five days per week is typically a general rule of thumb. Cell phones (student and parent/guardian) are to be turned to silent during lessons.  If the student is ill, or if illness is traveling through the student’s family, please cancel your scheduled lesson. If a student arrives for a lesson visibly ill, the teacher may choose not to teach the lesson and send the student home. In this case, no make-up lesson will be issued.

To cancel or reschedule a lesson at no cost, you must provide at least 4 hours prior notice. All effort will be made to reschedule your lesson, subject to instructor availability. If you do not show up for a lesson or if you do not provide adequate notice, you will be charged for the missed lesson. Lessons canceled by the instructor will be rescheduled or refunded. If a student cancels a make-up lesson, no further make-up lesson will be scheduled.

To cancel your enrollment, and to terminate your lessons, you must provide written notice, which may be provided by email (to gatescountymusicacademy@gmail.com), prior to the next scheduled lesson. Termination is effective on the date of notice. In the case of enrollment cancellation, any prepaid lesson tuition fees are non-refundable, and any unpaid fees are immediately due. 

GCMA may, at its option, cancel your enrollment if you (a) do not make timely payments; (b) you fail to show up without notice for 3 consecutive lessons; or (c) your conduct is rude, improper, or harmful.

On occasions of extreme weather, Gates County Music Academy will mirror the status of Gates County Public Schools. If inclement weather occurs during a time when the schools are not in session, a lesson may be canceled without charge up to 30 minutes prior to the lesson by either the student/parent or the instructor if conditions prohibit safe travel. Please use your best judgement as to whether conditions are safe enough for travel to the studio. Better safe than sorry! 

To enroll in lessons, a student must have a good grasp of the English language and be able to read English fluently. As music shares many symbols with the English language but does not utilize them in the same way, students who do not have a firm grasp of the English language may find it confusing and frustrating when trying to learn to read music. Typically, reading fluency occurs in the 2nd or 3rd grade, so it is the policy of Gates County Music Academy to accept students aged 8 and older for instrumental lessons. Additionally, those wishing to study voice must be age 11 or older, as vocal lessons too early in an adolescent's life can lead to permanent and irrevocable injury to the vocal cords and vocal folds. Students who wish to study voice but do not meet the minimum age requirement are encouraged to study piano until they meet the minimum age requirement. 

Communications between GCMA staff and with minor students will only be on site, at the facility, within GCMA systems, and directly related to instruction. Any other communication will be between the adult parent/guardian of any minor student and GCMA staff through GCMA operated phones, GCMA systems, and proper email addresses. An adult parent or guardian must accompany any student under 12 years of age upon arrival and departure from every lesson.

Prior to using MakeMusic Cloud (“SmartMusic”), which facilitates audio recording for practice purposes, you will be asked to provide consent for audio recording. If the student is a minor, the consent of the parent or other legal guardian will be required.

Additionally, from time to time, GCMA may record, photograph or video a student during recitals and other public performances to be used on Gates County Music Academy websites and any other medium. By completing the registration, you consent to such use as a student or legal guardian of a student.