Lesson Policy

The instructor is committed to creating a positive learning and teaching environment for all students. For this reason, it is important that students and parents understand and adhere to the policy outlined below. This policy may be updated at the instructor's discretion at any time and students will be notified in the event of such changes. — The Lesson Policy was last updated in August of 2024

Table of Contents

Lesson Dashboard
Lesson Notebook
Quick Links
Messenger
Admin Tools

Communication
Video Conferencing
Messenger
Email
Text Messages
Phone Calls

Scheduling
Absences & Make-ups
Holidays
Suspending & Discontinuing Lessons

Tuition & Fees
Pricing
Payment Frequency
Payment Methods

Lesson Dashboard

The Lesson Dashboard is the hub for students and parents to manage all aspects of lessons. From the dashboard you can communicate with your instructor, access the lesson notebook to review assignments, and more! Be sure to bookmark the dashboard on your most frequently used devices: www.musicianstoolshed.com/lesson-dashboard/

To access the dashboard you will need a Musician's Toolshed account, which the instructor will set up for you during registration. (A note to families with multiple students: you will need to use separate email addresses for each student as the site only allows one email address per user.) You can access the login page by visiting www.musicianstoolshed.com and clicking the keys icon at the top right of the menu bar.

Here's a brief overview of the Lesson Dashboard’s main features:

Lesson Notebook

The Lesson Notebook contains student's weekly assignments which should be reviewed during every practice session. Each week the instructor will update the notebook and include information on what to practice, links to resources (audio, video, images, etc.), and anything relevant to what is being covered in lessons.

The notebook is powered by Notion. Notion is a web-based application and it has dedicated desktop and mobile apps, however, they are not required to access or use the notebook. Moreover, you do not need a Notion user account to view the contents of the notebook.

  • Lesson Dashboard: takes you back to the Lesson Dashboard
  • Open Notebook: links to the lesson notebook
  • Join Meeting: links to the Google Meet conference call for weekly lessons
  • Edit Profile: update user fields such as instruments, favorite music genres, etc
  • Sign Out: user logout of www.musicianstoolshed.com

Messenger

The messenger allows you to contact the instructor directly. By default, students will receive email notifications when a new message is received, however, email notifications can be disabled.

If you are using a desktop or tablet you can always see the messenger from the dashboard. On smaller mobile devices (anything smaller than a tablet like smartphones) the messenger can be found by clicking on the chat bubble button located in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.

Admin Tools

Admin tools are readily available to all adult students, however, for children, these features can be password-protected at parents’ request. Note that there is only one login per student which means that parents can use the student login to access the dashboard.

The admin tools can also be accessed without a password by using the 🛠️ icon link in the footer from any page on the website. Please note, that accessing the admin tools from this link will not provide any of the user-specific features found through actually logging into the site.

The Admin Tools features include:

  • Scheduling: book make-ups, request new day/time, and view the lesson event calendar
  • Payments: make payments and view the lesson pricing guide
  • Policy: view the lesson policy
  • Preferences & Settings: edit the user profile, username, email, and change password

Communication

Having good communication is the key to any successful relationship. The instructor aims to be prompt and timely with communication and expects the same from students. You can expect most responses to be within a 24-48hr window, however, weekend messages will be attended to on the following Monday.

Here are the main forms of communication and best way to direct correspondence:

Video Conferencing

Lessons are held digitally via Google Meet and can be accessed from the Quick Links sidebar. If for some reason Google Meet does not work with your tech set up, please inform the instructor and an alternative option will be considered.

Messenger

The dashboard’s built in messenger is the best place to communicate with the instructor.  Don't be shy, say "hi!" Let the instructor know if you need help or clarification on an assignment.

Email

Email is best suited for parents to relay anything non-assignment such as advanced scheduling changes (anything more than 24hrs notice,) payments, or policy related discussions.

Text Messages

Text messaging should be reserved for last-minute notification only which may include cancelations (less than 24hrs) or if you are running late.

Phone Calls

Most communication is done through written form or during the lesson. If you would like to schedule a phone call, let the instructor know.

Scheduling

Note: This section primarily applies to weekly lessons, however, the Absences & Make-up section also applies to drop-in students.

Your scheduled lesson time has been reserved explicitly for you. Making progress is directly related to honoring this time commitment with the instructor. If you would like to make a permanent change to a different day or time for your regular lesson, please complete a new time request form found in the scheduling section of the dashboard.

Absences & Make-ups

No-shows or last-minute cancelations (less than a 24hr notice) are not guaranteed a make-up and may be considered forfeited.

If you know about a scheduling conflict in advance, promptly notify the instructor and book a make-up through the dashboard. Instructor availability is limited to office hours so make-ups cannot be guaranteed and should be scheduled within a reasonable time frame. Lessons are not credited forward regardless of advanced notice and/or the reason.

If the instructor has a planned absence they will contact you in advance to request a make-up.

All rescheduled lessons or make-ups are considered final bookings and cannot be rescheduled regardless of advanced notice.

Holidays

There are two one-week breaks per semester. Students may schedule a make-up lesson for one of these weeks within the same semester, but it cannot be carried forward to the next semester. The instructor will inform students of breaks well in advance, typically at the start of the semester.

Lessons are not held on the following major U.S. holidays and will not be made up:

  • Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
  • Independence Day (7/4)
  • Labor Day (first Monday of September)
  • Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
  • Winter Holiday Break － the weeks of Christmas (end of fall semester) and New Year’s (beginning of spring semester)

Suspending & Discontinuing Lessons

Notify the instructor before the 15th of the month to suspend or discontinue lessons. If notice is given after the 15th, you are still liable for the next month's tuition. Tuition for the final month of lessons are not prorated.

If you would like to take a break from lessons and want to keep the current time slot it can be reserved at the rate of $50/month.

If concerns arise regarding lack of preparation, dependability, or payment that cannot be resolved, the instructor has the right to dismiss students.

Tuition & Fees

Note: This section applies to weekly lessons because drop-in payments are made during booking.

Weekly lessons are considered a subscription-based service which means that lessons are a flat fee regardless of how many lessons are given within a pay period. Most months have four lesson days, however, some will have three or five lesson days depending on the year and holidays.

There are no credits or refunds for canceled, missed, or unused lessons.

Pricing

The current lesson rates can be found on the Lesson Pricing Guide page.

Payment Frequency

Weekly Lessons are invoiced on the first day of the payment period depending upon the student’s preferred payment frequency

Monthly: due at the beginning of the month

Semesterly: payments are made every four months and grouped accordingly:

  • January - April
  • May - August
  • September - December

Annually: payments are based upon the designated start date of lessons

Payment Methods

  • Credit Card: Pay, Visa, MasterCard, Discover
  • Direct Bank Transfers (ACH): $30 additional fee for non-sufficient funds

Last updated: August 2025

On the Same Page

This policy outlines how lessons are structured to support a consistent, positive experience for every student. Clear expectations help everyone stay on the same page and make the most of their time.

Quick Links

Lesson Dashboard

Lessons are managed through the Lesson Dashboard, your hub for weekly assignments, communication, and scheduling. Login access is provided at registration—please bookmark it and refer to it regularly.

The Dashboard includes the lesson notebook, built-in messenger, video meeting links, and scheduling tools. It’s accessible via desktop or mobile—no special apps are required.

Need help navigating it? Visit the Help section for a full walkthrough.

Communication

Good communication is key to a successful lesson experience. The instructor aims to respond promptly and expects the same in return. Most messages receive a reply within ~24 hours on weekdays. Messages sent on weekends or holidays will be addressed the next business day.

To help keep communication organized, please use the appropriate method for each type of message:

Video Conferencing

Lessons are held online using Google Meet, accessible from the Lesson Dashboard. If needed, alternate platforms may be arranged. Before each lesson, students should:

  • Log in on time, ready to begin
  • Use a stable internet connection
  • Have a working camera and microphone
  • Test their setup in advance

Lessons missed or shortened due to student-side tech issues will not be rescheduled.

Lesson Messenger

The built-in messenger, available through the Lesson Dashboard, is the best way for students to stay in touch. Use it for:

  • Questions about assignments or materials
  • General updates or quick check-ins
  • Sharing videos or practice recordings

Confused about something? Don’t wait until your next lesson! Reach out through the messenger so it can be addressed promptly.

Email

Email is best for parents or guardians, particularly for:

  • Advance scheduling changes (more than 24 hours’ notice)
  • Policy or billing-related questions

Text Messages

Use texting only for time-sensitive issues, such as:

  • Canceling a lesson with less than 24 hours’ notice
  • Running late to a lesson

Phone Calls

Need to speak by phone outside of lesson time? Please message or email the instructor to schedule a call.

Newsletter

Students are automatically subscribed to the required lesson newsletter, which includes important seasonal updates about scheduling, policy changes, and student showcases.

Scheduling

Note: This section applies primarily to weekly lessons. The “Absences & Make-ups” policy also applies to drop-in lessons.

Weekly lessons are offered as a subscription. Your scheduled day and time are reserved for you, and consistent attendance is key to progress.

To request a permanent change to your lesson time, please use the Request New Day/Time Form in the Lesson Dashboard.

Absences, Make-ups, & Late Arrival

  • 24+ hour notice: You may request a make-up lesson if the instructor is notified at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Under 24 hours / No-shows: These are considered forfeited and not eligible for make-up.
  • Emergency exceptions: Life happens. In rare circumstances—such as illness or serious emergencies—a courtesy make-up may be offered at the instructor’s discretion. These are not guaranteed and should be considered exceptions.
  • Instructor absence: If the instructor must miss a lesson, a make-up will be offered or alternate arrangements will be made.
  • Late arrival: Lessons begin and end at the scheduled time. If you arrive late, the remaining time will be used as best as possible, but the lesson will not be extended or rescheduled.

If a live make-up cannot be arranged, the instructor may, at their discretion, provide an alternative such as a recorded check-in or a notebook assignment update to help maintain forward momentum. These alternatives are offered selectively based on the situation and content of the missed lesson. They are not guaranteed and do not replace the full experience of a live lesson.

All make-ups must be scheduled within the same semester. Once booked, they are final and cannot be rescheduled.

Semesters, Holidays, & Breaks

Note: Ongoing enrollment is assumed unless the instructor is notified in advance. Students do not need to re-register each semester—“semester” refers to the billing structure and calendar planning, not a fixed commitment period. Choosing the semester option provides a payment discount and helps align scheduling with planned breaks and showcase dates.

Each semester includes two scheduled break weeks when no lessons are held. These breaks are communicated at the start of each semester. As part of this structure, only one of the break weeks is eligible for a make-up.

Lessons are not held or made up on the following holidays:

  • Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
  • Independence Day (July 4)
  • Labor Day (first Monday of September)
  • Thanksgiving Break (fourth Thursday & Friday of November)
  • Winter Holiday Break: Christmas week (end of fall semester) and New Year’s week (start of spring semester) – These two weeks count toward the semester’s two break weeks and are not eligible for make-up lessons

To stay up to date on important dates and scheduled breaks, view or subscribe to the Lesson Calendar (linked in the Lesson Dashboard).

Suspending & Discontinuing Lessons

To pause or end your lesson subscription:

  • Notify the instructor by the 15th of the month to avoid charges for the following month or semester
  • Requests made after the 15th will be charged for the next billing period
  • Tuition is not prorated for mid-month or mid-semester cancellations

Want to keep your time slot while on break? You may hold your slot for $50/month.

Practice, Progress, & Performance

Musical growth comes from steady, mindful practice—supported by a shared commitment between students, families, and the instructor. The goal is consistent engagement and meaningful progress between lessons.

Student Responsibility

As students grow, they’re encouraged to take more responsibility for their musical journey—setting personal goals, tracking progress, and reaching out with any questions or challenges between lessons.

Instructor Role

The instructor provides structure, feedback, and encouragement tailored to each student’s goals and stage of development.

  • Create weekly assignments in the Lesson Notebook and provide supporting materials (e.g., sheet music, recordings, videos)
  • Suggest practice strategies and offer feedback on technique, accuracy, and expression
  • Support goal-setting and help students reflect on their progress

Family Involvement

Support at home plays a key role in musical growth, especially for younger students.

  • Establish a consistent practice routine
  • Set up a quiet, distraction-free space for practice
  • Encourage effort, celebrate progress, and stay involved

Student Showcases

Showcases are offered 1–3 times per year, either virtually or in person, to celebrate growth and build performance confidence in a supportive setting.

Tuition & Fees

Note: This section applies to weekly lessons. Drop-in lessons are paid at the time of booking.

Weekly lessons operate on a subscription-based billing model, charged at a flat monthly or semesterly rate regardless of the number of lessons in a given period. Some months will include 3, 4, or 5 lessons depending on the calendar and holidays.

There are no credits or refunds for missed, canceled, or unused lessons.

Payment Frequency

Lesson subscriptions are set to auto-pay on the 1st of each billing cycle, based on your chosen frequency:

  • Monthly: Billed on the 1st of each month
  • Semesterly: Billed every 4 months
    • Spring: January – April
    • Summer: May – August
    • Fall: September – December

Payment Methods

Payments are securely processed through Stripe, Musician’s Toolshed’s online billing platform. Accepted options:

  • Credit/Debit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Apple Pay)
  • ACH Bank Transfer (includes a discount; $30 NSF fee for failed payments)

How it works:

  1. Your preferred payment method is saved during registration
  2. It will be automatically charged on the 1st of each billing cycle
  3. You’ll receive an email confirmation for each successful payment, including billing details and the amount charged.

To update your payment method, contact the instructor for assistance.

Lesson Rates

Current rates, multi-student discounts, ACH savings, and tuition calculator tool can be found on the Lesson Pricing Guide.

These policies provide a supportive structure and clear expectations. With consistency, clarity, and open communication at the core, we can focus on what matters most—learning, growth, and making music.

“Music is the social act of communication among people, a gesture of friendship, the strongest there is.” — Malcolm Arnold