Melting Virgo
Lesson Policies

The following policies are consistent for all Melting Virgo studio locations. The primary location for your class will determine the cost of monthly lessons, as there are varying operational costs at each location. When you book a lesson time with Ms. Alice, that is your weekly recurring time set aside just for you; Ms. Alice's schedule is very full, which is why make-up lessons cannot be guaranteed.

Attendance

The below yearly schedule outlines what classes are expected to have full attendance during the school year and which months allow for discounted absences. "Lesson holds" are 50% off reservations that ensure Ms. Alice can afford studio rent at each location while ensuring the stability of the music teaching profession. 

• Fall Semester: September-November. All lessons must be booked and paid for in full.

• Winter Travel: December. Unlimited lesson holds.

• Spring Semester: January-May. All lessons must be booked and paid for in full, except one "lesson hold" for spring break travel.

• Summer Travel: June-August. Unlimited lesson holds.

Holidays: The following dates are recurring holidays where classes will not be scheduled and no lesson fee paid. 

• Juneteenth: June 19th 

• American Independence Day: July 4th

• The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Day

• All classes between Christmas Eve & New Years Day

Family Holidays: Your family's religious holiday observations will be factored in (i.e. Easter Sunday, Yom Kippur, Ramadan, etc.) on an as-needed basis. If a make-up time cannot be found, we can negotiate an as needed "lesson hold." 

Student Travel: If a student must miss more classes than those outlined as exceptions above, Ms. Alice will work with you to try and reschedule your lesson; however, rescheduled lessons cannot be guaranteed. Classes will also be offered online in lieu of in-person attendance. Rescheduled classes may be offered at locations that are not your primary location; the cost of your class will remain consistent based on your primary studio space.

Student Illness: Absence due to student illness cannot be refunded. If a student is feeling well enough to do an online class, or would like to send in a video check-in some other time during the week for feedback, that is more than welcome. If the student is feeling sick and has a negative test for COVID and the flu, they may attend class with a surgical grade or N-95 mask. If no mask is worn and a student is symptomatic, Ms. Alice reserves the right to end class early so that she can avoid getting sick and potentially passing along illnesses to other students.

Teacher Absences: If Ms. Alice has scheduled travel, students will be notified at the beginning of the month and no lesson will be charged that week. A qualified substitute teacher may be offered as an option to keep consistency with students' practice. If Ms. Alice needs to cancel a lesson due to her own illness or unexpected travel, the class will be fully refunded.

Inclement Weather: Classes will be offered online in the case of inclement weather that prevents in-person attendance. Online classes will be offered over FaceTime or Zoom. In the case of power or internet outages preventing online attendance, no refund will be issued as that is outside of Ms. Alice's control.

Student Showcases: At the end of Spring semester, Ms. Alice will organize a free student showcase for all of her students' participation. Attendance is optional but highly recommended. All participating students earn a "milestone" to celebrate their growth. When participating, please plan on attending for the duration of the event to show some love for all of the students!

Safety

To ensure your child’s safety, please be sure to pick them up promptly. Ms. Alice is not responsible for supervising children outside of designated teaching time. 

If the student is behaving in a way that is dangerous to themselves or others, or the student is refusing instruction, the class may be ended early and the class will be considered completed.

Ms. Alice cares deeply about students' self-expression and feeling of safety in her classroom, including affirming gender expansive identities. Ms. Alice researches methods for teaching neurodivergent students , but she is not a trained therapist or doctor; any advice given should be seen from the lens of a caring music teacher. If a student is displaying need for additional supervision during class, she may mandate a parent or guardian also attend class for additional support.

Lesson Costs and Payment

Lessons are paid for in full at the start of each month by the student or parent via cash or check made out to "Melting Virgo." Payment may also be administered via Venmo, Cashapp, or PayPal with a 2% transaction fee. Students commit to one month of classes at a time. Class prices are subject to change with at least one-month's notice. If lessons are not paid for on the first class of the month, Ms. Alice may refuse to deliver that lesson and the time slot may be released for students on the Melting Virgo waitlist. 

Takoma Park (Sun-Mon): 

• 30min weekly classes | $52.50 per class | $26.25 lesson holds

• 45min weekly classes | $70 per class | $35 lesson holds

• 45min biweekly classes | $75 per class | $37.50 lesson holds

Eastern Market, Hill Center (Tues-Wed):

• 30min weekly classes | $52.50 per class | $26.25 lesson holds

Cheverly (Thurs): 

• 30min weekly classes | $42.50 per class | $26.25 lesson holds

The earlier students' travel plans are communicated, the easier it is to offer make-up times or online alternate classes. Make-up lessons are not guaranteed when students miss their weekly scheduled class time. Your lesson price will not change if taking a make-up lesson at a different location from your primary studio site.