Policies

Lesson Time
Students pay for a specific time slot and are expected to arrive on time for lessons--extra time will not be given if a student is early/late (here's the current time at Melanie's studio). All questions, concerns, scheduling issues, and payments must take place during your lesson time (or phone/email) to avoid cutting into another student's lesson time.

For Parents Dropping off Children
Do not drop off your child early, and please pick up your child immediately after the lesson. Melanie is not responsible for supervising any children before/after their lesson time in/outside the house (this is not a daycare service!) and Melanie has students before/after yours to attend to. If you will be late picking up your child and do not want him/her to wait outside unsupervised, call Melanie immediately--your child can wait upstairs for up to 15 minutes maximum, but you will be charged a $20 supervisory fee. Alternately, your child can take lessons with Melanie at the New School of Music, where there is a public waiting area--visit www.newschoolofmusic.org for info.

Payment
Payment for the upcoming month of lessons must be received by the last day of the previous month (January payment is due by December 31). Please bring payment to your last lesson before the due date, mail/drop off payment, or pay online. Cash, personal checks, and online payment (credit card or PayPal) accepted. New students beginning mid-month must pay (before the first lesson) for whatever lessons remain in the current month plus next month.

Additional Fees
Returned check--$25. Late payment (for payment not received by the due date)--$20. Parent late pick-up--$20. Lessons will not resume until fees are paid in full.

Refunds/Credits
Once you have submitted payment, there are no refunds or credits, no matter what the reason, so please only pay for lessons you plan on taking.

Cancellations/Make-up Lessons
If you need to cancel your lesson, CALL Melanie (do not email). To qualify for a make-up lesson you must call Melanie by 5pm the day before your lesson. Only one make-up lesson every 6 weeks will be given for lessons cancelled by the student. If you call after 5pm the day before your lesson, do not show up, or already received 1 make-up lesson within the last 6 weeks, you will not get a make-up lesson. All lessons cancelled by Melanie will be made-up and do not count toward your 1 make-up lesson. All make-up lessons must be completed within 6 weeks of the cancelled lesson. Make-up lessons cannot be rescheduled.

Weather Cancellations
In the case of a declared emergency, lessons will be canceled and rescheduled. In a non-emergency, Melanie will reschedule all lessons at her discretion (otherwise, cancellation policy is as stated above). Please allow extra time to find parking if the driveway is not cleared--Melanie's side of Line Street is Somerville permit parking and she has a visitor permit you can use. Cambridge permit parking on the streets below Line St. (toward Harvard Sq.). Melanie's studio is T/bus accessible.

Discontinuing Lessons
If a student discontinues lessons for any reason, he/she must notify Melanie immediately and will not be refunded for any lessons previously paid for. Melanie reserves the right to discontinue lessons at any time for any reason, and if so, will refund the student for any untaught lessons.

Liability Waiver
Students/parents agree to hold Cambridge Lessons, Melanie Maz, and the other residents of the house harmless from liability for any personal injury, accident, or damage to personal property occurring while on the premises of the studio or house.