2026-2027 Studio Policy
 
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

  • To nurture a love for and understanding of music in an engaging, encouraging, and inspiring environment
  • To strive for excellence while developing poise, confidence, and self-discipline
  • To equip students with skills to discover and develop their musical voice at the piano
  • To lead students in becoming independent learners so they may enjoy life-long music making at the piano
  • To pursue music learning with joy
  • So that my students will be more whole from the experience
 
 
COURSE OF STUDY
  • Students enroll for weekly 45-minute private lessons plus 15-minute enrichment time. Lessons may be in the studio or online.
  • Musicianship classes meet in lieu of the private lesson up to 6 times during the school year, usually the week of a Monday holiday. These are small groups of students of similar age and level. Classes provide performance and ensemble opportunities as well as focused work on theory and music history.
 
 
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
  • All students perform in the Studio Recitals held 1-3 times a year. Participation is required unless the student is out of town.
  • Based on teacher recommendation, other opportunities are available to motivated students through the Raleigh Piano Teachers Association and the North Carolina Music Teachers Association. These may include:
    • RPTA Young Artist Auditions (YAA) - recommended for most students
    • RPTA Ensemble Festival
    • NCMTA Piano Performance Festival (PPF)
 
 
TUITION AND FEES
  • A non-refundable enrollment fee ($80/student; maximum $160 per family) is due June 9 and reserves your child’s place in the studio for the upcoming year.
    • Covers the student notebook, assignments, handouts, studio awards, recital expenses, digital music licenses, sheet music, access to the lending library for sight reading and ensemble music.
  • 2026-2027 tuition for the studio year (September through May) is $1890 divided equally into 9 monthly payments of $210, due and payable in advance on or before the first lesson of the month, September through May.
  • Alternatively, annual tuition may be divided into two installments of $945 payable September 1 and January 15. 
  • Charges for new music books and any event fees will be invoiced.  The instructor purchases most music for the students’ convenience.
  • Tuition includes 34 weeks of lessons per year from the end of August through the beginning of June. 
  • Students may take summer and additional 45-minute private lessons at $55 per lesson.
  • Payment is accepted via checks (made out to Sheila Dacus), cash, and Zelle. NSF checks are charged $25.
  • Scholarships are available for students who qualify through MusicLink (www.musiclinkfoundation.org).
  • New students may enroll at any time during the year; tuition will be prorated to reflect the number of lessons the student will receive.
  • Prospective students are interviewed in a complimentary mini lesson to assess readiness and placement before being accepted into the studio or placed on a waiting list. 
 
 
ATTENDANCE
  • Your tuition reserves a regularly scheduled time for you. 
  • If you are unable to keep your appointment no refunds or credits can be given, but with advance notice (24 hours if possible, before 10:00 a.m. if the child is ill) and a valid excuse, a lesson may be rescheduled if an opening becomes available or during musicianship class week.
  • A valid excuse would involve illness or being out of town. Any lessons missed without prior notice will not be rescheduled. 
  • Musicianship Classes cannot be made up.
  • Please notify the instructor via text during teaching hours, as I do not check email or answer the phone while teaching.
  • Students may trade private lesson times if needed. Please notify the instructor of any swaps.
  • The studio does not close due to weather; please use your judgment for travel.  Students who are unable to attend due to health concerns or weather may opt to take their lesson at their regularly-scheduled time online or submit a video for evaluation.
 
 
PRACTICE
  • Families are expected to make consistent quality practice a priority in their student’s weekly schedule. 
  • Minimum practice time requirement is three times the student’s age, 5 days a week. The more focused practice time, the more progress will be made. More progress in turn creates more motivation.
  • Students are responsible to complete all practice assignments and accurately record it on their assignment sheet. 
  • Please see that fingernails are kept short at all times (nails do not extend past the fingertip) in order to develop a healthy technique. Because of risk of injury to the wearer and damage to the piano, students with acrylic nails will not be allowed to play studio pianos.
  • The bench must be at the proper height (elbow at least as high as the key surface) with support provided for the feet if they cannot reach the floor.
 
 
YOUR HOME PIANO
  • A well-maintained acoustic piano at home is essential for success.  Keep your piano in good working condition with all the keys and pedals working, and have it tuned at least once a year.
  • Full-sized digital pianos (with 88 weighted keys, full-sized pedals, a music stand and bench) are acceptable for the earliest stages only of piano study but cannot replicate the responsiveness of a good acoustic instrument.  Digital pianos will hamper the student’s technical and musical progress.
  • Keyboards are fun and have their place, but are not suitable for developing appropriate technique.
  • Families should plan to invest in a quality acoustic piano. 
 
 
LEAVING THE STUDIO
  • It is expected that a student will study for the full studio year from September through beginning of June.
  • If lessons must be discontinued, 30 days’ notice is requested and should be given in person. 
  • No refunds are given.
  • The teacher reserves the right to dismiss a student who is frequently absent, has an uncooperative attitude, shows a lack of lesson readiness, or is practicing insufficiently to benefit from the lessons.