Our Policies

• Commitment: Private lessons are designed as a full-year commitment, and regular attendance is important for consistent progress.

• Timing: Lessons are scheduled during the school year and will not occur during school closures or breaks.

• Location: Lessons are conducted in person on the UNIS campus. If virtual lessons are necessary, please reach out to the Director of Arts (rokamoto@unis.org) to discuss possible arrangements.

• 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 Private Lesson Coordinator (ereineke@unis.org) to join the waitlist. You will be notified if another slot should become available.

• Students may not register for more than two instruments without approval from the Director of Arts.

IMPORTANT DATES

• First Semester Lessons: September 16th-January 17th

• Make-Up Week: January 21st-24th

• Second Semester Lessons: January 27th-May 29th

• T4 Students’ Lessons End: April 25th

• Private Lesson Recitals: June 2nd-June 5th

• Make-Up Week: June 9th-13th
  

• You can review all Private Lesson Date Adjustments Here

• Lesson Completion: Students are expected to complete 12 lessons per semester. Additional lessons can be requested by emailing the Director of Arts (rokamoto@unis.org)

• 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, preferably the evening before or in the early morning (before 8:00 a.m.) of the lesson day.

• Excused Absences: These will not count toward the student’s 12-lesson package and include:

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

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

• Unexcused Absences: These WILL count toward the student’s 12-lesson package. Students will be marked as “No Show” and this will be deducted from their 12-lesson package. Unexcused absences include:

• Missed lessons without prior notification

• Last-minute scheduling conflicts

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

• Make-Up Lessons

• One week at the end of each semester is reserved for 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.

• Make-up lessons are only provided for excused absences. If a make-up lesson cannot be scheduled after reasonable efforts, it will be deducted from the student’s 12-lesson package.

• Make-up lessons for unexcused absences are at the discretion of the private teacher and depend on their availability.

• Flexibility for Exceptional Circumstances: In exceptional circumstances, such as extended illness or significant personal issues, families may request a review of attendance and make-up options. Please contact the Director of Arts to discuss these situations.

• Prepayment: Families will pre-pay for each semester, billed to your UNIS account in October and February.

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

• First Semester:

• In October, Veracross accounts will be charged for the 12-lesson package

• Any unused lessons from the first semester will be refunded in February if fewer than 12 lessons are completed.

• Additional lessons requested will be billed in February.

• Second Semester:

• In February, Veracross accounts will be charged for the 12-lesson package and the $50 recital fee.

• T4 students will be billed for a 9-lesson package, with the recital fee charged only if they choose to participate.

• In June, any unused lessons from the second semester will be processed.

• Additional lessons requested will be billed in June.

The total cost for each semester is based on a 12-lesson package. The rates for each type of lesson are as follows:

• 30 Minute Private Lessons: $54 per lesson ($648 per semester)

• 40 Minute Private Lessons: $67 per lesson ($804 per semester)

• 40 Minute Paired Lessons: $43 per lesson ($516 per semester)

• 40 Minute Group Lessons: $34 per lesson ($408 per semester)

• 60 Minute Private Lessons: $90 per lesson ($1,080 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 2nd and 5th. 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.

• 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 Private Lesson Coordinator (ereineke@unis.org) before January 10th, 2024.

• Please note that refunds are not available for withdrawals mid-semester. However, in exceptional circumstances, such as medical emergencies, requests for a review of charges can be discussed with the Director of Arts.