Our goal is that all students who pass through AAM have a solid technique on their instrument and a lifelong love, enjoyment, and appreciation of music. We promise to provide all students with the best quality music education we can through lessons, classes, workshops, recitals, and events. In exchange, students/families promise to provide appropriate payment on time and arrive on-time and prepared for lessons and events.

AAM is not responsible for childcare before or after scheduled classes, lessons, or events.

AAM is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Lesson/class withdrawal: Two weeks notice in writing is required for any student wishing to withdraw from private lessons or a group class so we can make the space available to another student. Students who withdraw before the end of the semester and selected the semester payment plan are not eligible for refunds, as a commitment to the semester is given in exchange for the lower lesson rate. For camps and special events 48 hours notice is required to be eligible for a refund or credit.

Tuition

Tuition for classes and lessons is due on the 1st of each month. Payments not received by the 10th of each month are subject to a $25 late fee. Credit card payment is easily processed through our online portal. All major credit cards are accepted, as well as personal checks, cash (exact change), and Zelle. Gift certificates are available for lessons, classes, and musical playdates. Tuition for summer camps is due at the time of sign-up.

Payment for special events is due at the time of registration for the event. Tuition for special events is refundable only if the reservation is cancelled more than 48 hours before the event.

Tuition: Music for Little Ones Group Classes

Tuition for Music for Little Ones classes can be paid monthly per class, by semester (lower rate per class), or with an Unlimited Monthly Class Pass (less than $10/class). Families are encouraged to visit our Tuition page for more details and select the option that fits their needs and desires best. There is a one-time per semester $25 materials fee which covers the take-home materials distributed throughout the semester to continue your child’s learning and music-making at home. Families may also pay for classes or packages of classes individually, but this fee does not include access to other classes and events.

Tuition: Instrumental Lessons & Ensembles

Tuition for lessons includes a weekly (or bi-weekly) scheduled lesson with the same teacher. Participation in 2 AAM recitals per year is included in lesson tuition for both monthly and pay-per-lesson students. Recital participation is optional but highly encouraged.

Pay-per-semester is our preferred payment method and provides the best value and continuity for the student. The lesson tuition includes participation in workshops, studio classes, and participation in one recital per semester (2 per year). Many other opportunities are available during the semester and students receive a deeply discounted AAM Student drop-in rate. Pay-per-semester students are given scheduling priority during re-registration periods.

Students may also pay per lesson on a monthly basis, where the student pays for the number of lessons in each month on the 1st of the month. This rate per lesson is slightly higher than if the semester is paid in full. Lesson tuition includes participation in workshops, studio classes, and participation in 2 recitals per year. Pay-per-lesson students may attend additional opportunities for the AAM Student drop-in rate, which varies depending on the event.

Fees for graduate recital accompanists and exams, CAPMT Auditions, National Guild auditions, and other external auditions or events are not included in tuition. These fees will be billed separately as appropriate. These events are optional but encouraged, and families should be in communication with the teacher to plan for these goals appropriately. We are committed to helping students and families set achievable goals so they can have positive performance and audition experiences.

Make-up Policies

A quick note about makeups: We have carefully structured our policies to balance client desire for flexibility and teachers’ needs for reliable and predictable income. Please note that our makeup policies are standard for one-on-one education with highly qualified teachers. Out of fairness to all students, exceptions are not made to the makeup policies. Thank you for your understanding when we follow our policies. Teachers expect a certain amount of income from a given weekly schedule, and they need to be able to accurately plan their own finances. Excessive cancellations across their studio greatly affects their income. These policies allow us to maintain a roster of highly sought-after teachers while keeping our client costs at the low side of average for such services and providing many additional opportunities at no cost to the client.

Out of consideration for our teachers’ busy schedules, 24-hours notice is required when cancelling or rescheduling a lesson. Students may reschedule two lessons per semester. Lessons cancelled in the same semester after these 2 are not eligible for a credit or refund. Lessons that AAM cancels or reschedules for any reason do not count toward these allowed 2 makeup lessons. A makeup credit will be issued for any lessons cancelled with at least 24 hours notice. These credits may be used to schedule a makeup lesson with the same teacher as their schedule permits, or a different teacher on the same instrument. Cancelling and rescheduling lessons is easily done by the student/caregiver using our online portal. Please note that makeup credits expire 60 days after issuance and you may only carry 2 makeups in each student’s account at once. Kindly use your makeups in a timely manner to ensure continuity for the student and teacher. Once a makeup lesson is scheduled it cannot be rescheduled again. If a student does not attend their makeup lesson the credit will be forfeited. A maximum of 2 lessons per semester may be scheduled to be online lessons, to facilitate lesson continuity if the student is traveling, unable to get to AAM, or sick but still able to have a productive lesson. Students must provide 24 hours notice to convert an in-person lesson to online by emailing or calling our front desk at 408-440-2716.

If a lesson is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice, that lesson will be forfeited. If a student fails to arrive for their scheduled lesson, that lesson will be forfeited. Families may be allowed one emergency cancellation with less than 24-hours notice per year, to be used in case of unexpected illness on the day of the lesson or other unforeseeable events. This exception to the 24-hours rule will be made as a courtesy at the discretion of AAM management. A NO SHOW (not coming to the lesson and not alerting us beforehand) is not eligible for any kind of makeup and will be forfeited as we are completely unable to offer this timeslot to another student, and the teacher is unable to use the time for any other helpful purpose without advance notice of the absence. Please see the note above regarding reasons for our makeup policies.

If a student arrives late to a lesson only the remaining time scheduled for the lesson will be provided unless the teacher makes an exception as a courtesy. The missed time will not be eligible for a makeup.

For Music for Little Ones and group classes that are paid by semester, one makeup class is factored into our rate. (For example, if the class meets 17 times, per-semester students are charged for 16.) At least two other makeup opportunities will be provided during the semester for students to make up missed classes. If a student misses more than 3 classes per semester, those classes are forfeited. Monthly tuition may be paused at any time in accordance with our payment guidelines.

Makeups are not available for missed rehearsals for Onsite@… ensembles. The Onsite@ ensembles have been intentionally kept low-cost to allow for a few missed rehearsals.

Refunds

Regular weekly private lesson and weekly group class tuition is fully refundable if the student withdraws more than 24 hours before the first lesson/class. Registration and materials fees are non-refundable. Refunds will not be issued for any lessons after the first lesson, but a makeup credit will be issued in appropriate circumstances. All sheet music and instrumental supplies are final sale unless an exception is made by AAM management. Gift cards are non-refundable. Trial lesson fees are non-refundable unless the lesson is cancelled at least 24 hours before the scheduled time.

Refunds or credits are available for summer camp and special events with 48 hrs notice minus a $25 admin fee. Refunds or credits are not available for camps or special events with less than 48 hrs notice because we are unable to offer that spot to another student with such short notice.

Multi-lesson packs are refundable within 60 days of purchase, for the number of lessons in the pack unused minus a $25 processing fee. After 60 days after purchase the multi-lesson packs are non-refundable, but the credit may be used for another service at AAM at the discretion of management. Lessons purchased with a multi-lesson pack are useable for one calendar year from the date of purchase.

Refunds for Onsite@ ensembles are available after the first meeting of the ensemble. Refunds are no longer available after the 2nd meeting of the ensemble. Families who may not wish to continue for the entire semester are encouraged to take advantage of our pay-per-month option.

Kindly see our Calendar and Tuition pages for detailed information on our semester dates and tuition schedule. As always, please reach out with any questions. We’re here and happy to answer questions anytime.

Health & Safety

Out of consideration for one another, students and faculty/staff agree to come to AAM free from symptoms of illness. Teachers reserve the right to cancel the lesson for any student exhibiting symptoms of a communicable illness such as fever, runny nose, cough, sneezing, etc. In this case the lesson will be forfeited. Families are invited to take advantage of our easy makeup process, our emergency makeup policy, and an online lesson option to avoid this situation and help keep our community happy and healthy.

If there is a shelter in place order, or we are unable to meet in person for any reason, AAM is prepared to offer all lessons, classes, and events virtually. There will be no change in fee structure in this case, as we are committed to providing value whether in-person or other as circumstances out of our control require.

In the event that a student or any individual engages in behavior that inhibits our ability to provide a safe and positive environment, that student will be unenrolled from AAM and no refund will be issued. AAM has a zero tolerance policy for any items that could be considered dangerous or hazardous to a child or any person. This includes any items that include adult content, illegal or age-restricted substances, or any item that could be used to harm another person. (Even if this item is acceptable in other circumstances, such as a Swiss army knife.) If a student or caregiver brings anything that the teacher or other AAM staff deems potentially harmful, the lesson/class may resume when that item has been completely removed from the building. If an illegal item is brought into the building, we will alert the police. Students or caregivers will receive one warning. If they violate this policy again they will be suspended and any prepaid lessons/classes will not be refunded. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and comfortable environment for everyone at AAM by adhering to this policy. AAM reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.

Onsite@ Extracurricular Ensemble Policies (same as on Onsite@ page)

Our standard AAM policies apply for all AAM services in any location. Makeups are not available for missed Onsite@… rehearsals. Onsite@… ensembles have been intentionally kept very low-cost, so parents still receive value even if a student misses a few rehearsals. Rehearsals are typically for 45 minutes immediately after school; AAM will provide additional supervision in the rehearsal space for 5 minutes before and after the time of the rehearsal. (AAM does not provide supervision for children outside of the rehearsal space at any time.) Prompt pick-up is requested as AAM does not provide supervision after this time frame and is responsible for locking the classroom door. Thank you for helping us provide exceptional service by adhering to these policies.

Refunds for Onsite@ ensembles are available after the first meeting of the ensemble. Refunds are no longer available after the 2nd meeting of the ensemble. Families who may not wish to continue for the entire semester are encouraged to take advantage of our pay-per-month option.

AAM is committed to providing an environment in which students of varied abilities and learning styles can thrive. We will do all we can to facilitate participation for any interested child, as long as we can still provide a positive and educational experience for all. In the event that a student needs behavioral support, AAM reserves the right to require the caregiver to stay for the rehearsals until the instructor feels the student has settled into the routine. In the rare event that a student is not ready to participate in the ensemble, or if their behavior presents any kind of safety concern to other students, that student will be excused from the ensemble and a refund will be given for the remainder of the paid period.

Materials

The purchase of materials such as lesson books, reeds, strings, etc is occasionally necessary to support the student’s learning. For the client’s convenience we stock many of these items at AAM, and the teacher may give the student a material that they consider necessary for their learning. If the item/s total less than $25 we will charge the credit card on file for the item, and the client will receive an email confirmation invoice and receipt. If the item/s total more than $25, AAM will request permission from the client before processing the charge for the item/s. AAM charges the printed MSRP for the item with no additional mark-up except in cases where the item is specialized and included a high shipping charge.