2026-2027 Studio Policies
Rates & Monthly Tuition:
- $28.50 / 30 minute lesson
- 5% discount for all lessons beginning prior to 4 PM
- Monthly Tuition Chart below assumes 18 lessons per semester, divided into four equal payments (Please see studio calendar for specific dates for lessons and holidays)
| Semester Tuition | Divided into 4 Monthly Payments |
Early Bird Discount Rate | |
| 30 minute lesson | $513.00 | $128.25 | $121.80 |
Enrollment Type: Weekly reserved appointments
- Standard enrollment:
- 1st semester : August 31 - January 21
- 2nd semester : January 25 - June 7
- As a reminder, we do not follow any local county school calendar. Our spring and winter breaks typically align with local public schools, but we do not follow late arrivals, early dismissals, or any other days off.
- Monday Holidays: Monday students will not have lessons on Labor Day (September 7), Winter Break (December 21 and 28), Spring Break Monday (March 29) and Memorial Day (May 31). All other Mondays will have lessons, regardless of federal or school holidays.
- Studio Holiday Breaks:
- Thanksgiving Break: Tuesday, November 24 - Saturday, November 28
- Winter: Monday, December 12 - Saturday, January 2
- Spring Break: Friday, March 26- Sunday, April 4
Invoicing & Payment: Invoices will be issued on the first day of September, October, November and December for a total of 4 monthly installments for 1st semester tuition. Invoices will be issued on the first day of February, March, April and May for a total of 4 monthly installments for 2nd semester tuition. All payments are due by the 15th of the month of issue. A Late Fee of 5% will be assessed on tuition after the 15th of the month. Payments may be made online via Zelle, Venmo, check, or cash. If paying by check, it must be made out to your student's teacher. If paying by cash, the student is responsible for providing exact change as teachers to do not carry petty cash.
Dealing with Absences: Ernst Music Studio does not offer rescheduled "make up lessons." As student progress is dependent on regular attendance, lessons missed for reasons other than in the case of serious illness or family emergency are discouraged. Should a student not be able to attend their lesson due to a rare scheduling conflict or illness, we offer the following alternatives to your regular lesson experience:
- Pre-Recorded Lesson Feedback/Correspondence Learning – submit a video of you performing your pieces PRIOR to your scheduled lesson time. During your lesson time, we will review your playing and send detailed feedback and more assignments for the following week’s at home practice time at no additional cost. This option might be particularly helpful for students with doctor’s appointment or some other type of scheduling conflict, but does require advance preparation and planning on the student’s part.
- Video Lesson - When a student can't make it to their lesson, the teachers will use your lesson time to make you a short video recording demonstrating a new assignment with new music, theory and/or technical skills to accomplish. We will send you that lesson and any required materials so that you can complete the assignment and continue practicing and making progress even when a traditional lesson cannot happen.
Teacher Cancellations: In most cases, we are able to cover lessons with highly qualified substitute music teachers when one of us is unavailable. In the event of an emergency or when no substitute is available and a lesson must be canceled by the teacher, the student's account will be credited based on their tuition rate.
Books, Materials & Other Fees: The teacher will purchase necessary books & materials for the student. Each year, an $85 Student Materials Fee is charged at start of semester to help offset expenses associated with maintaining the student's subscriptions to
- Piano Maestro
- Sproutbeat
- Zoom
- Boom Learning
- Supersonics Plus and other apps.
The annual Student Materials Fee also covers assorted expenses for performance opportunities & supplies, studio licensed music and resources that form a large part of our lending library for students. Entry fees for outside the studio recitals or special events will be assessed to the student directly.
The student is expected to maintain a sufficient instrument for regular practice in the home. Students are strongly encouraged to have access to an iPad in order to take advantage of all apps and subscriptions that are included in the Student Materials Fee.
Components of Instruction: In addition to the study of piano, flute, oboe or vocal coaching, all students' lessons will include elements of music theory, sightreading and performance etiquette as we assist each student to become a well-rounded, skillful musician. Additionally, piano students will work to develop skills of accompanying, improvisation and harmonization.
Special Events: Throughout the school year, students will be offered the opportunity to perform in studio classes, mini-recitals, formal recitals and other types of performances in a variety of venues. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities as they provide a goal and purpose to learning repertoire more thoroughly and developing the skills of performing. Group Classes provide opportunities for students to work on theory games with other students and learn new material presented by special guests and resources above and beyond private lessons. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities whenever possible. To "Save the Dates" for these special events, please check out our studio calendar.
Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather, all lessons will be held via Zoom to avoid travel. In the event that Calvert County Public Schools delay opening due to weather, morning lessons only will be delayed accordingly. Please contact your teacher directly to confirm scheduling changes due to inclement weather.