Are you sure?

No Yes
Switch to mobile website Switch to full website
Share Close

Our Policies

PRIVATE MUSIC LESSON POLICIES

SCHEDULING LESSONS

  • Commitment: Weekly Attendance with a Full-Year commitment is expected to ensure consistent progress.

  • Timing: Lessons are scheduled when school is in session and will not take place during closures or breaks.

  • Location: Lessons are conducted in person on the UNIS campus.

  • Coordination: Families will work directly with their assigned private lesson teacher to arrange weekly lesson times. Attendance will be monitored through the private lesson website.


LESSON TIMES

  • Junior School Students: Any length lesson after school, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

  • Middle School Students: 30 minute lessons during lunch periods, or any length lesson after school, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

  • Tutorial House Students: 30 minute lessons during lunch period, or any length lesson during a free period or after school, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

  • If suitable slots are unavailable, email the Arts Department Administrator (ereineke@unis.org) to join the waitlist. You will be notified if another slot should become available.


IMPORTANT DATES

  • First Semester Lessons: September 15th-January 23rd

  • Second Semester Lessons: January 26th-June 5th


ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP PROCEDURES

  • Lesson Completion: Students are expected to complete at least 12 lessons per semester.

  • Tracking: Attendance can be tracked on the UNIS private lesson website, accessible to families, by going to the student's profile and selecting “past visits” on the right hand menu.

  • Reporting Absences: Notify the private teacher directly by phone or email if a lesson will be missed, the evening before or in the early morning (before 8:00 a.m.) of the lesson day.

  • Unexcused Absences: These WILL count toward your semester total. Students will be marked as “No Show” and this will be a billed a lesson. Unexcused absences include:

    • Missed lessons without prior notification

    • Last-minute scheduling conflicts

    • Extra-Curricular Conflicts (Sports, Theater, Clubs, Outside engagements etc.) do not automatically qualify as excused absences. Please discuss any anticipated after-school conflicts with your private teacher before scheduling lessons.

  • Excused Absences: These will not count toward your semester total and include:

    • Mandatory school events (e.g. UNIS UN)

    • Emergencies, severe injury, or illness that prevents students from attending their lesson.

  • Make-Up Lessons

    • If a teacher must cancel a lesson, they will offer a make-up lesson or arrange for a UNIS-approved substitute teacher.

    • If a make-up lesson cannot be scheduled despite reasonable efforts, the missed lesson will count towards the student’s 12 pre-paid lessons.

  • Exceptional Circumstances: Please contact the Director of Arts to discuss your situation.


PRIVATE MUSIC LESSON BILLING

Families are billed twice per semester: once for the prepayment of the first 12 lessons, and again at the end of the semester for any additional lessons.

  • Prepayment: Families pre-pay for lessons each semester. Charges will appear on your UNIS account in October (Semester 1) and February (Semester 2). The pre-payment covers the first 12 lessons per semester.

    Most students will receive more than 12 lessons per semester. Any lessons beyond the initial 12 will be billed separately at the end of the semester.

  • Additional Costs: Lesson fees do not include instrument rentals, printed music, reeds, strings, or other accessories


BILLING DETAILS

  • First Semester:

    • In October, Veracross accounts will be charged for 12 pre-paid lessons

    • Any additional lessons beyond 12 will be billed in February.

    • If fewer than 12 lessons are completed due to Excused Absences, a refund will be issued in February.

  • Second Semester:

    • In February, Veracross accounts will be charged for 12 pre-paid lessons and a $50 recital fee.

    • Any additional lessons beyond 12 will be billed in June.

    • T4 students will be billed for 9 pre-paid lessons. The recital fee will be charged only if they choose to participate.


LESSON RATES: 2025-2026 School Year

The total cost for each semester is based on the number of lessons completed. Families prepay for 12 lessons at the start of the semester - this is, the minimum lesson requirement. Since most students take more than 12 lessons, additional lessons will be billed at the end of the semester.

The prepay rates are as follows:

  • 30 Minute Private Lessons: $56 per lesson ($672 per semester)

  • 40 Minute Private Lessons: $69 per lesson ($828 per semester)

  • 40 Minute Paired Lessons: $44 per lesson ($528 per semester)

  • 40 Minute Group Lessons: $35 per lesson ($420 per semester)

  • 60 Minute Private Lessons: $93 per lesson ($1,116 per semester)

  • $50 Recital Fee (One-time fee for all students)


RECITALS

  • Participation: J1-T3 students are required to participate in an end-of-year recital (optional for T4). If there are extending circumstances that prevent participation, please notify the private lesson teacher or coordinator as soon as possible to discuss potential options.

  • Dates: Recitals will take place l between June 1st through the 4th. You will be notified of your specific date and time by your private lesson instructor in the second semester.

  • Fee: A $50 fee is charged to cover administrative costs.


WITHDRAWING FROM LESSONS

  • Mandatory Lessons: M2-T4 students in a band or string ensemble are required to continue private lessons to remain in the ensemble. Withdrawal from lessons will result in removal from the ensemble.

  • Non-Mandatory Lessons: Students participating in non-mandatory private lessons are expected to complete their year-long commitment. If withdrawing after the first semester, please notify the Arts Department Administrator (ereineke@unis.org) before January 9th, 2025.

  • Please note that refunds are not available for withdrawals mid-semester. For exceptional circumstances, please contact the Director of Arts.