STUDIO POLICY

2026-2027 Studio Year

SEMESTER DATES

Fall Semester: September 8 – December 19, 2026

Spring Semester: January 6 – May 29, 2027

Studio Breaks
  • October 15–16, 2026
  • October 30, 2026
  • November 23–27, 2026
  • December 20, 2026 – January 5, 2027
  • January 18, 2027
  • February 11–12, 2027
  • March 22–26, 2027
  • May 13–14, 2027
  • May 26, 2027

If I need to take additional days off during the year, I will communicate those dates in my monthly scheduling email. From time to time, I may offer a limited number of lesson openings during studio breaks if my schedule allows. Those opportunities will be announced in advance.

Important Performance Dates
  • End-of-Year Recital – April/May 2027
  • Christmas Cabaret – December 2026
  • Classical Recital – March 2027
  • Senior Showcase – March 13 or 14, 2027

TUITION & FEES

Annual Administrative Fee
  • $75 if paid by September 1
  • $100 after September 1
Lesson Tuition
  • 30-minute lesson — $30
  • 45-minute lesson — $45
  • 60-minute lesson — $60

Monthly tuition is invoiced through QuickBooks and is due upon receipt.

Your monthly tuition reserves your student’s recurring lesson time in my teaching schedule—not just the individual lessons attended. Because that lesson time is held exclusively for your student, tuition remains due regardless of planned vacations, school events, extracurricular activities, illnesses, or other absences. Advance notice of an absence is always appreciated but does not reduce or prorate monthly tuition. Tuition will be prorated for any month that includes a scheduled break or holiday.

If you ever have questions regarding billing or payments, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

ATTENDANCE, CANCELLATIONS & MAKE-UP LESSONS

Consistent attendance is one of the biggest factors in a student’s growth. These policies help me maintain a reliable schedule while serving all of my studio families.

  • Students and parents are responsible for keeping track of lesson dates and times using their personal online lesson calendar.
  • Each student is eligible for one make-up lesson per studio season, regardless of the reason for the absence. To use this make-up lesson, please notify me as soon as possible if your student cannot attend.
  • Once the annual make-up lesson has been used, additional missed lessons are forfeited and cannot be rescheduled or refunded.
  • If a student is unable to attend in person due to illness, travel, or other circumstances but feels well enough to participate, I encourage switching to a virtual lesson whenever possible. Virtual lesson requests should be made before the scheduled lesson time.
  • Students who miss a lesson without notice (no-show) are not eligible for a make-up lesson.
  • If a student arrives late, please send a text with your estimated arrival time. Lessons will still end at their scheduled time so that the remainder of the day’s schedule stays on track.

Thank you for respecting these policies. They allow me to provide consistent instruction while honoring every family’s reserved lesson time.

LESSON INFORMATION

IN-PERSON LESSONS

Lessons are held at the ACT Benson/McAdams Academy (top floor of the Thea Foundation):

401 Main N. Main St.

North Little Rock, AR 72114

Or at my home studio:

16 Sugar Creek Rd.
North Little Rock, AR 72116

VIRTUAL LESSONS

Virtual lessons are held through Zoom (or FaceTime upon request). Please have:

  • the latest version of Zoom installed,
  • a second device available to play accompaniment tracks,
  • both devices logged into the studio webpage.

For the best sound quality, Zoom audio should be set to Original Sound for Musicians.

COMMUNICATION

I am happy to communicate by phone, text, or email. For scheduling matters, email is preferred so I can easily keep track of requests. If your message is urgent, please send an email followed by a text letting me know you’ve sent one. For same-day lesson updates (such as illness, cancellations, or running late), please send a text.

STUDENT PORTAL

Each student will have access to the studio website and a personal student page (or a shared page for siblings). The studio page includes:

  • Studio announcements
  • Zoom links
  • Studio resources and challenges

Each student’s page includes:

  • Vocal range
  • Digital sheet music
  • Practice tracks
  • Warm-up links
  • Semester lesson calendar

Please check your calendar regularly for your lesson schedule.

PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS

Regular practice between lessons is essential for continued growth. Suggested practice goals:

Weekly lesson students

  • 20–30 minutes, 2–3 times each week

Bi-weekly lesson students

  • At least 20 minutes, 3–4 times each week

Click here to utilize the online warm-ups. Students are encouraged to use the online warm-ups available on the studio website. Daily warm-ups help develop healthy singing and speaking habits while building consistency and vocal endurance.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Students may participate in several optional performance opportunities throughout the year, including:

  • Christmas Cabaret
  • Classical Recital
  • Senior Showcase (seniors only)
  • End-of-Year Recital

These performances are an exciting way for students to celebrate their progress and gain valuable stage experience.

Recital Eligibility

Students who wish to perform are expected to attend the majority of their scheduled lessons so they are adequately prepared.

Students who miss a significant number of lessons may not be eligible to participate in recital performances. This policy is not intended to exclude anyone, but to ensure every performer feels confident, prepared, and successful on stage.

SUPPLIES

Please bring:

  • Water bottle
  • Pencil
  • Binder