Policies

Our studio policies are designed to create a positive teaching environment and keep students motivated and engaged. Continuity is key to success, which is why we have a well-structured yet flexible set of policies that will make sure that students progress steadily.

General

Students are encouraged to attend lessons regularly, once or twice per week, over the 38 weeks of the academic calendar, as well as over the summer (subject to instructors’ availability). Lessons over breaks and holidays (particularly those who reserve Mondays for their lessons) should be discussed with your teachers. Lessons will vary in duration from student to student (30–90 minutes), depending on age and level. By registering, we reserve a specific time slot just for you, giving you the certainty that lessons will recur regularly throughout the year.

Billing

Lessons are paid for in advance. Invoices are sent out the 20th of every month and payments are due on the 3rd (or first workday) of the following month. We offer both flexible plans and annual packages, which include all administrative and recital fees for the entire school year. Payments for annual packages are due July 15, 2022. Instructors reserve the right to refuse service if the balance is not settled prior to the first lesson of any given month. Please be advised that a late fee of $50 will be applied to the next invoice if the payment is not received by the due date and a $35 returned check fee for each of the returned checks. A $50 Processing Fee (one per family) will be charged each school year. Invoices can be paid either by check or PayPal, which accepts all major credit cards (please note that a 3% processing will be applied). Please make checks payable to Chevy Chase Music, LLC.

Location

We offer in-home lessons throughout the greater DC area, as well as remote (online) lessons nationwide. A limited number of spots are available to pianists at Dr. Palcic’s home studio in Vienna, VA.

Recitals

Cancellations and Make-Ups

We kindly ask you to provide a 24-hour notice for any cancellation that is related to illness or a family emergency. Our teachers are very active, not just as teachers, but also as performing musicians and scholars, which is why finding a suitable date to reschedule a missed lesson may not always be possible. However, we realize that sometimes missing a lesson is inevitable. In order to allow for these lessons to be made up and avoid schedulingconflicts, missed lessons shall be made up remotely.

Illness

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments, institutions, and individuals have become aware of how important and effective, not to mention necessary, safety protocols are. In order to avoid spread of diseases, regardless of kind, we ask that you either reschedule or set up a remote lesson in case of illness.

COVID-19-Specific Guidelines for In-Person Lessons

In an attempt to be as cautious as possible, masks will have to be worn for the entire duration of each lesson, regardless of vaccination status, by both teachers and students, and the occupancy of shall be limited to the teacher and student, unless otherwise agreed upon. Teachers reserve the right to take the student’s temperature with a contactless thermometer before each lesson. In case of any signs of illness, we kindly ask you to inform us and make up the lesson remotely.

Lesson Time Changes

We realize that sometimes engagements and schedules change mid-year. In such case, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our absolute best to find an alternative solution

Behavior and Conduct

While we strive to create a relaxed and happy lesson setting, we expect students to conduct themselves in a manner that is commensurate with a creative, yet disciplined academic environment. The teacher or the administration reserve the right of removing any student whose behavior should be deemed disruptive, disrespectful, or otherwise inappropriate.

Parental involvement is crucial for a proper development. However, we ask that parents and all of our students place trust in our instructors’ teaching experience and credentials. If you feel that there is something that needs changing, we would be happy to address your concerns and discuss them with your instructor on your behalf.

Pets

In order to ensure a distraction-free experience as well as maintain a safe and healthy environment for teachers with allergies or anxiety, we kindly ask that pets and other domestic animals be kept from entering the teaching space.

Substitute Teachers

On occasion, our instructors might have to move away from the immediate area they serve, in which case we will provide an alternative teacher so that lessons can proceed without interruptions. In such case, the schedule might require adjusting, although we will try to maintain the original lesson time. All of our teachers undergo the same rigorous selection process, ensuring that the quality of instruction remains uncompromised.

Permanent Lesson Cancellation

We understand that sometimes circumstances will require you to cancel lessons permanently. In such case, we will require a one-month’s notice in order to avoid billing you for the following month (for example, in order to cancel lessons effective April, a notice is due March 1).

Disclaimers

• All payments are non-refundable.

• Chevy Chase Music LLC and Music School 21 LLC may photograph and/or record recitals, lessons, and other events (video and/or audio) for archival and promotional purposes.