Portzline Music Academy programs are designed to give your child’s musical learning the best possible chance to bloom and progress.  The following policies and guidelines for piano students are meant to help the overall success of lessons and performances for each individual student.

• Piano students receive 38 lessons in one year, beginning with the first week of school in August through the end of July. Summer lesson attendance is not only important for good progress, but it also holds your student’s place in the studio for the following school year.
• Tuition Information is on this website.  Tuition payments are accepted by Venmo or check.
• Materials Fees must be paid separately from tuition payments.
• The public Calendar link on this website gives an overview of the piano lesson and recital schedule. A calendar detailing students’ specific lesson times is available to registered students only.
• Each student has a reserved lesson or class time for which they are responsible.  Tuition is charged whether or not they attend their scheduled time.  Make-up weeks are built into the calendar in advance, and can be used either prior to or after a missed lesson.  Make-up lesson times must scheduled by the parent. It may also be possible to arrange a lesson trade with another student.
• Recitals hosted by the studio usually occur 3 times per year.  All students are encouraged to participate in these recitals whenever reasonably possible.  Advanced students may have separate and/or additional recital opportunities that come up during the year.
• The National Federation of Music Clubs has two local festival days each year, and Portzline Music Academy is an active participant in this organization.  All students Levels 1 and up are invited to participate in the Piano Solo Festival held each March. Students may also be invited to participate in the Theory Festival on the same day in March, or the Piano Concerto/Duet Festival held each November.  The participation fee is $10 per student per event. These festivals are evaluations rather than competitions, and are designed to encourage students to make continual progress as they participate and increase their playing level each year.  Each student will receive a score and comments from the judges.  Gold Cup Trophies can be earned every few years based on points earned.
• Piano Lesson & Practice Content:  Parents should be conscious of five categories of piano lesson content that correlate with what a student should practice:  1. Music for short study:  method book music or repertoire that can be learned in 1-3 weeks  2. Sight Reading:  most students need to read new music daily from a specific sight reading book; the music should be easy enough to play correctly by about the 3rd time through  3. Technique:  scales and other exercises  4. Repertoire for longer study:  assigned for performances, learned in 2-3 months for beginning students, 4 or more months for more advanced students  5. Review of past performance music & favorite repertoire.  The first four categories are worked on daily; the fifth can be in place of other practicing once per week.  An additional category that some children are inclined towards is playing by ear and/or creating original music, which sounds like “messing around.”  Even though I do not work every week with students on these creative skills, do not discourage it.  Occasionally there will be lessons set aside for composing, along with a recital of original compositions.
• Daily Practice:  Please help your child have a practice routine that includes a regular practice time in a quiet environment (no TV or other distractions).  Guidelines for how much to practice: 1st year piano students, 10-20 minutes per day.  2nd year and up, 20-30 minutes per day. Intermediate students, 30-45 minutes per day. Upper Intermediate, 45-60 minutes per day.  Early Advanced, 60-90 minutes per day.  Ideally, all students will practice 5-6 days per week, and one of those days can be spent reviewing past repertoire.
• If your child has unique needs, learning styles, or talents, please let us know. 
  
• Your questions should be directed to Diana Portzline at 801-882-0945 or dianaportzline@gmail.com.  Your honest feedback is appreciated.  We value your child’s quality learning and your great experience with Portzline Music Academy.