Policies

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Tuition Calendar Makeup Lessons Preparation Waiting for Lessons Performances & Festivals About Dr. Winston Private & Group Lessons Contact

Tuition

Tuition due on the 1st of every month
Tuition is the same every month from Sept-May Lessons follow the studio calendar.
Fall and Spring Semesters (September through May):

Fall Semester includes: 12 private lessons, 1 recital/event, 3 performance classes,

Spring Semester includes: 16 private lessons, 1 recital/event, 3 performance classes.

- Private 30 minute lessons $720/Fall; $900/Spring ($180/month)
- Private 45 minute lessons $1080/Fall; $1350/Spring ($270/month)
- Private 60 minute lessons $1360/Fall; $1700/Spring ($360/month)
- 50 minute group classes: $720/Fall; $900/Spring ($180/month)
- Summer lessons – per lesson at $95/hour
- Per lesson tuition for adult students, $95/hour
A $60 yearly enrollment fee is due for K-12 students every August. This covers recitals, rewards, incentives, and supplemental materials for the school year. A one time enrollment fee of $35 is invoiced to new families when they begin lessons.
A 30 days notice is required to discontinue lessons.

September - December 2024
Fall term:

September 2

September 9

September 16

September 23 – no private lessons, studio performance class week

September 30

October 7

October 14

October 21

October 28

November 4 – no private lessons, studio performance class week

November 11

November 18

November 25 – no lessons, Thanksgiving break

December 2

December 9

December 16 – no private lessons, studio performance class week

Studio Performance Classes:

Sunday 4-5 pm for Elementary students, and 5-6 pm for Middle and High School students

September 22, November 10, December 15

Events:

Formal Studio Recital Tuesday December 17th at 6:30 pm at Hope Presbyterian Church, Austin

Jazz/Pop/Rock Festival, Oct. 5th at UT

Hymn Festival, Dec. 7th at UT

RCM Examinations, online
January - May 2025
Spring Term weeks:

January 6

January 13

January 20

January 27

February 3

February 10

February 17, no private lessons, studio performance class week (This may change)

February 24

March 3

March 10

March 17, no lessons, spring break

March 24

March 31

April 7

April 14, no private lessons, studio performance class week

April 21

April 28

May 5

May 12

May 19, no private lessons, studio performance class week (This may change)

Studio Performance Classes:

Sunday 4-5 pm for Elementary students, and 5-6 pm for Middle and High School students

Dates TBD

Events:

State Theory Test, Feb. 9th at UT

Baroque/Classical Festival, Feb. 8th at UT

NFMC Gold Cup Festival, March at Hope Pres.

Romantic/Contemporary Festival, April 5th at UT

RCM Exams, online

Formal Studio Recital in May, Date and time TBD
June-August 2025
Per lesson tuition over the summer, $95/hour

Events:

Studio Party

Studio Performance Class

Summer Fun Performance Opportunity

Makeup Lessons

One Makeup lesson offered per semester for lessons missed for any reason.
Lessons missed by Dr. Winston will be promptly rescheduled.
No refunds or credits given for missed lessons
If absent more than once per semester, students may simply forfeit that lesson, or they may choose for Dr. Winston to record a video lesson during their lesson time. The video plus a new practice plan will be sent to the student during their normal lesson time for them to review at their conveneince.

Preparation

Students should come to their lessons prepared to learn. Daily practice is essential to success, and it is recommended that students practice a minimum of 5 days per week, 30 minutes per day. Parents are encouraged to help students establish a healthy practice routine. It is essential that parents assist with practicing at home for children 10 years and younger. Practice time varies by level, and I will be happy to discuss with each individual student and parent about practice expectations.

Written lesson plans and what to practice are sent via email to each student/parent after each lesson.

Waiting for students

I teach in two locations in my home studio – a front room with my grand piano, and a side room with a separate entrance that contains my digital pianos and room for my student to do activities on a table. Parents and siblings are welcome to sit outside on my covered front porch or inside the studio to wait for students. On occasion, parents may be invited to observe lessons in order to help with practice, etc.

Performances & Festivals

Recitals are offered 2x per year. Only currently enrolled students may perform in recitals.
Festival opportunities offered through the local ADMTA association
Interested students may prepare for and participate in Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Examinations in both performance and music theory
Interested students may prepare for state TMTA music theory tests
AP Music Theory exam prep offered as an option for high school students
All students take music theory through Dr. Winston’s online music theory courses, Piano Program.
Studio Classes offered three times per semester
Students are encouraged, but never forced to perform.

BM Piano Performance, Trinity University

MM Piano Performance, Southern Methodist University

DMA Music Education, Piano Pedagogy, The University of Texas-Austin

Adjunct Professor – St. Edward’s University 2009-2019

Adjunct Professor – Trinity University 2007-2009

Adjunct Professor – Baylor University 2021

Owner and Director, Velocity Music Academy, 2010-2020

Owner and Developer, Piano Program LLC, 2017-current

Private Piano Teacher, 1995-current

ADMTA teacher of the year, 2022

Private & Group Classes

Private lessons are available for students ages 5 to adult. Materials, books, and repertoire will be assigned based on student goals, age, and ability. Books may be purchased online or through a local music store. It is recommended that beginning student take 30 or 45 minute lessons. Once students enter into a level equivalent to RCM level two, 45-minute lessons are recommended. High school students and adults usually take 60 minute lessons.

Group lessons are offered for beginners. Groups of 4 students meet for 50 minutes a week, and explore learning how to play the piano at the beginning stages.