Summer lessons?

[jenilyn]

What do you all do for the summer?  I am trying to take a different approach and something more refreshing.  I also don't want everyone to assume they don't have to pay for lessons when they miss because they are having way too much fun.  Last summer I gave everyone 3 freebies, but even that is going to put me out.  I would love to hear what you all do!

[tdow]

We've found that holding a shorter term of lessons (5-6 weeks) instead of the entire summer had a better success rate.  You are totally right in that piano lessons in the summer seem to take a back-seat to fun in the sun.  Instead of offering freebees - where you sit and wonder if they are coming or not - I'd make it a short session, offer a theme or a focus to this session and ensure that they are different from their lessons during the school year.  Last year we did a CD recording summer session where we recorded a 4 track CD of their summer accomplishments at their last lesson.  It went over really well...and the students were NOT going to miss a lesson for anything as they wanted so badly to make a really great CD!

I think allowing students a few weeks for a complete brain break is important (and family holiday time) as well as giving you some time to re-charge for the school year as well!
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