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Piano Street Magazine:
A Sudden Chat with Paul Lewis about Beethoven & Schubert

Substituting for the suddenly indisposed Janine Jensen, pianist Paul Lewis shares his ideas on his global Schubert project, classical repertoire focus and views on titans Beethoven vs. Schubert. Read more

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Topic: Saving spots over summer (Read 2351 times)

mama206

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 1

Saving spots over summer

on: March 21, 2003, 08:57:42 AM

I teach piano part-time with a small studio and a growing wait list. Any suggestions on students who don't want to take lessons during summer but want a spot in the fall? Is a deposit reasonable? Many thanks!

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glamfolk

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 87

Re: Saving spots over summer

Reply #1 on: April 02, 2003, 10:39:39 PM

If you're teaching over the summer, I think it's reasonable to expect students to take lessons over the summer. I always try to let parents know right up front that the student's brain atrophies over the summer, and they've wasted a few months worth of tuition by letting their kid lose three months' worth of practice time. If you're part time, it might not matter too much, though. I also let the parents know up front that it's my living, and that I need to fill spots, and that their spot might not be available again in the fall (it usually isn't). Almost all of them are very understanding and flexible. i count on my income being cut in half during the summer because of vacations, and so I take on a few extra students to help out--it's nice for college kids to get a little theory or jazz instruction as a head start for fall classes.

Have fun!