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Where Does My Music Tuition Go?

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Congratulations on choosing to enroll in piano lessons! 

 

Music has been found to enrich the lives of all who participate in its creation or in its enjoyment. When you choose to take music lessons, you are choosing to learn a skill that will benefit you and bring you joy for your entire life! 

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No price can be put on such a beautiful art as music. Yet, obtaining the skill will certainly require assistance from a professional--your music teacher.

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Your teacher has chosen to make music their business and their occupation. As with any business, costs are calculated to ensure that both the highest quality product is given and that the business makes enough profit to continue providing their services.

What does my yearly tuition cover?

 

All independent music teachers (IMTs) differ in methods of operation. However, the tuition of nearly all teachers covers the following:

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  • Time spent with the student

    • Lessons, performance classes, group lessons.​

  • Time spent in preparation for the student

    • Trips to the music store, lesson planning, bookkeeping, development of curriculum, etc. It has been cited by professional music journals that for every hour enrolled in piano lessons, you are investing in at least 2 hours of the teachers time!

  • Your teacher's training and experience

  • Recital costs and preparations

    • Programs, refreshments, facility rental.​

  • Professional organization memberships​

    • Memberships are maintained by the teacher to enhance their teaching skills and curriculum.

  • Professional journals and online memberships​

    • Publications to assist the teacher in keeping current on new teaching materials and trends.​

  • Studio expenses​

    • Copying, computer software, teaching aides, instruments, tunings, repairs, website maintenance.​

  • Music books and CDs​

    • Materials purchased by the teacher to keep costs low for students.​

  • Property taxes, self-employment taxes, insurance, business licenses, retirement.​

    • The IMT has no corporation to assist in providing health and life insurance by matching funds. Tuition helps cover the increased living costs of your self-employed teacher.​

  • Continuing education​

    • Lessons and classes that keep the teacher current on methods, techniques and personal performance skills.​

  • Certification costs​

    • IMTs pay to be re-certified every five years provided they have met all the continuing education and studio requirements. This keeps the teacher accountable to a professional organization.​

  • Book and music club memberships​

    • This enables many discounts to be passed to students.​

How do I know if music lessons are worth the price?

 

Shop around! Not every teacher is right for every student. You will want to be sure that your music teacher provides those things that are important to you as well as the things that are important to the student's musical developments.

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Start by interviewing several music teachers to learn more about their:

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Education

Goals and Expectations

Philosophies of music education

Teaching experience

Curriculum

Studio Policy

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Above all, find out how they demonstrate commitment to excellence in music education.

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No price can be put on such a beautiful art as music, but investing in your child's music education can provide them with the skills that they will enjoy for a lifetime!

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