Initial Consultation
Students wishing to enter the Charles Hutton Piano Studio will receive a free consultation before beginning lessons. This is a chance to meet and make sure that lessons will be mutually beneficial. Topics for this meeting include goals, past experience, repertoire, methodology, instrument, home environment, lesson schedule, and payment policy. Beginners and transfer students will be interviewed and briefly assessed. Transfer students should collect previously used music books and expect to perform some music of their choosing. Consultations typically last one hour.
Lesson Length and Scheduling
- Young students receive weekly 40-minute lessons.
- Adult students receive weekly 60-minute lessons.
- Exceptionally busy adults may opt to receive 60-minute lessons every two weeks.
Charles Hutton does not teach students younger than 5 years old. Lessons are scheduled from 12:15 to 7 pm Monday through Thursday and from 10:00am to 4:00 on Saturdays.
Cancellation
In order to avoid being charged for a cancelled lesson, notice must be given by phone or e-mail three days in advance. Last minute cancellations will also be accepted only for illness and family emergencies. Unacceptable reasons to cancel a lesson at the last minute include unexpected parties and vacations as well failing to practice.
Summer Scheduling
Students are expected to continue lessons at least intermittently during the summer. Six summer lessons are required to guarantee a space in the fall.
Payment Policy
Payment is due one month in advance. For those beginning lessons, it is expected at the initial consultation. Otherwise, it is expected at the last lesson of the month. For example, payment for October is due at the last September lesson. After the 1st of the month, payment is subject to a $10 late fee. The fee rate for instruction is $60 an hour. Checks should be made out to Charles Hutton.
Monthly Tuition
Listed below are the rates for 40 and 60 minute lessons. Most months include 4 lessons, so the total for a 4-lesson month is below as well. Adjustments will be made if the month has more or fewer lessons.
| Individual Lesson Rate: | Month with 4 Lessons: |
|---|---|
| 40 minutes = $40/lesson | $160 |
| 60 minutes = $60/lesson | $240 |
Library Fund and Sheet Music Pre-Payment
In order to inspire and to educate, students are encouraged to borrow scores, CDs, or DVDs from the instructor. A $25 deposit is required to borrow items. This protects against damage, loss, and to pay fees. To help grow the studio collection, the following fees will be collected from this deposit per loan: $1 per score, $2 per CD, and $3 per DVD or scholarly book. Checkout period is for 2 weeks and it is the instructor’s responsibility to keep thorough and accurate records of borrowing. This money is also used by the instructor to pay for scores to be owned by the student. $1 or $2 is added to the list price of scores in order to cover tax and shipping and will be deducted from the remaining deposit. After the deposit is exhausted, $25 is requested again. Unused money is refunded when ending lessons.
Necessary Materials
- A well-maintained piano.
- A 3-ring binder to collect sheets provided by the instructor.
- Sheet music. I recommend Hutchins & Rea here in metro Atlanta (770.455.3130)
- Pencil to record notes in your scores.
- A pen or pencil to record notes in your notebook.
- A notebook to record practice and lesson information.
- A Korg MA-30 metronome or other metronome that allows one to tap in a tempo. This is not necessary for beginners.
