Studio Policy & Calendar

Keys of Praise Academy of Music

Studio Policies (Updated Spring 2025) 

Thank you for joining the Keys of Praise family! I am so happy that you want to learn and grow and become 

a better musician! Below are a few policies that have been implemented to help the studio run smoothly. 

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns!   Mrs. Rhonda Rice Hatfield

Attendance/Makeup Policy: Please give your teacher 24 hours notice if you are going to miss your  lesson. If less than 24 hours notice is given, the lesson will be forfeited unless it is an excused absence/emergency  situation. Each student has a reserved lesson time and is responsible for that time, this includes school lessons and online lessons. If the student is tardy to the lesson, the lesson will not be extended. Three absences/cancellations are built into the semester schedule.  This means the student/teacher can cancel (with notice) 3 times before a makeup lesson is needed.  After three missed lessons, makeups will be offered at the teacher’s  discretion, in the form of an online lesson, group lesson or masterclass. Missed lessons must be made up  before the end of the semester. After this time period, any remaining make-ups will be forfeited. In the case of a teacher cancellation, all attempts at a makeup or substitute teacher will be made. We will follow the Tangipahoa/St. Tammany Parish School Calendars. If school is out, generally, we will not have  lessons. Please see the attached calendar.

Payments:   The Spring session will consist of 16 thirty minute lessons and an end of the semester recital.  The session runs from the week of January 6th with the end of semester recital tentatively scheduled for June 7th.  The cost of the Fall semester is $500 or 5 payments of $100 which includes registration fees. A discount of $25 will be given if tuition is paid in full by January 5th.

Late Payments: Payments are due on the 1st of every month regardless of the number of lessons in that month. A $15 late fee will be assessed to unpaid balances on the 6th of the month and lessons will be suspended until payment is received.  Lessons will be forfeited until the account is paid in full.  If payment is late twice within a semester, auto pay will be required or the student will be dismissed from the studio.  If you prefer autopay, it is available within the portal.  

30 Day Notice of Cancellation: If a student must discontinue lessons, a written, 30-day notice is required (preferably via email).  Payment is due during this 30-day period whether lessons are taken or not. Because you are paying for a slot of time with a teacher, if you cancel without proper notice, it leaves an open spot that cannot be filled.  In most cases, I need at least a 30 day window to fill your lesson spot. As a general rule, I do not give refunds. 

Curriculum Fees/Recital Fees:  Typically, your teacher will send you a link to purchase your own curriculum.  If we provide the curriculum, I will bill the cost of that curriculum immediately. Please pay  for books by the next lesson date. In some cases, I will bill your curriculum to your next tuition  invoice. You are always welcome to purchase your own curriculum.  I do have an extensive library and sometimes have the books we need in stock. I do not upcharge for the curriculum.  

Spring Recital Fees is $75 and is due with April tuition. This fee includes the rental of the venue, piano rental, cleaning fee, sound tech, insurance, etc. All students are required to participate in recitals.  If your student is not participating in the recital, please let me know no later than March 15th to be exempt from this fee. 

Practice:  All instrumental students must have an instrument on which to practice regularly. This is crucial to the student’s success in piano lessons.  For beginner instrumental students, please reach out to your teacher for beginner instrument recommendations.   Students need a daily, non-interrupted time to practice. We have motivational, practice challenges throughout the year.  Your student’s goal should be to practice at least 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week.   

Parental Involvement:  Parental support is crucial to the success of each student. The MyMusicStaff portal is our means of weekly  communication about expectations, assignments, scheduling reminders, studio news and student  progress. You will receive a login and password for this portal. It can also be reached from our website,  www.keysofpraise.com.  

Semester Calendar -  Spring 2025

JANUARY

7th -  Spring Semester - Lessons begin

FEBRUARY

24th-17th - Basketball Tournament Week - may affect lessons this week

MARCH

3rd-7th - Mid-Winter Break - NO LESSONS

APRIL

21st-25th -  Easter Break - NO LESSONS

MAY

19th - Summer Session Registration Begins for KoP Home and CCS Studios

27th - 30th - Makeups Only

JUNE

2nd - 5th - Makeups Only

6th - 5-7pm - Rehearsal and Awards at Reimer’s Memorial Building

7th - 4-5:30pm - Keys of Praise Annual Spring Recital at Reimer’s Memorial Building

17th - 6 Week Summer Sessions begin (June 17th - July 25th)

Keys of Praise Academy of Music

Studio Policies (Updated Spring 2025)

Thank you for joining the Keys of Praise family! I am so happy that you want to learn and grow and become a better musician! Below are a few policies that have been implemented to help the studio run smoothly. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns!   Mrs. Rhonda Rice Hatfield

Attendance/Makeup Policy: Please give your teacher 24 hours notice if you are going to miss your  lesson. If less than 24 hours notice is given, the lesson will be forfeited unless it is an excused absence/emergency  situation. Each student has a reserved lesson time and is responsible for that time, this includes school lessons and online  lessons.  If the student misses their scheduled lesson due to detention, suspension, expulsion or any other behavior issue, the lesson is forfeited.  If the student is tardy to the lesson, the lesson will not be extended. Makeups will be offered at the teacher’s  discretion, in the form of an online lesson, group lesson or masterclass. Missed lessons must be made up  before the end of the semester. After this time period, any remaining make-ups will be forfeited. In the case of a teacher cancellation, all attempts at a makeup or substitute teacher will be made. If school is out, we will not have lessons. 

Payments: The Spring session will consist of  12 twenty-five minute lessons and an end of the semester recital.  The session runs from the week of January 13th with the end of semester recital tentatively scheduled for May 24th.  The cost of the Fall semester is $400 or 5 payments of $80 which includes recital  and registration fees.  A discount of $25 will be given if tuition is paid in full by January 10th.  

Cancellation Policy: When signing up for music lessons, you are committing to the full semester.  As a general rule, there are no refunds. 

My Music Staff: Keys of Praise will continue to use My Music Staff (MMS) to keep track of billing, scheduling, online resources and lesson notes.   Parents will receive a portal invitation.  MMS also has a practice tracker as well as the ability to set up autopay.  The portal login can always be located on the Keys of Praise website, www.keysofpraise.com/parent%2Fstudent-portal.  

Curriculum Fees/Recital Fees:  Typically, your teacher will send you a link to purchase your own curriculum.  If we provide the curriculum, I will bill the cost of that curriculum immediately. Please pay  for books by the next lesson date. You are always welcome to purchase your own curriculum.  I do have an extensive library and sometimes have the books we need in stock. I do not upcharge for the curriculum.  

Spring Recital Fees are now included in the semester tuition.  This fee includes the rental of the venue, piano rental, cleaning fee, awards, programs, etc. Recital fees are non-refundable even if the student chooses not to participate.  

Practice:  All instrumental students must have an instrument on which to practice regularly. This is crucial to the student’s success in piano lessons.  For beginner instrumental students, please reach out to your teacher for beginner instrument recommendations.   Students need a daily, non-interrupted time to practice. We have motivational, practice challenges throughout the year.  Your student’s goal should be to practice at least 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week.   

Parental Involvement:  Parental support is crucial to the success of each student. The MyMusicStaff portal is our means of weekly  communication about expectations, assignments, scheduling reminders, studio news and student  progress. You will receive a login and password for this portal. It can also be reached from our website,  www.keysofpraise.com.  

School Calendar

January

1/7 - Back to School/Star Testing Week

1/13 - Lessons begin

1/20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School/No Lessons

February

2/17 - Professional Development Day - No School/No Lessons

March

3/3-3/7 - Mid-Winter Break - No School/No Lessons

3/17 - Professional Development Day - No School/No Lessons

April

4/16 - Tentative Choir Day - No Lessons

4/18 - 4/25 - Easter Break - No School/No Lessons

May

5/5 - 5/9 - IOWA Testing - No Lessons for 3rd-7th Graders

5/12-5/23 - Makeup Weeks

5/24 - Tentative Keys of Praise/CCS Recitals