STUDIO POLICY 2025-2026

Admission

Francesca Hurst Piano Studio welcomes serious piano students who are committed to becoming the best musicians they can be.

An audition/interview is required before enrolling, for a fee of $50 per student.

Tuition

Annual tuition covers much more than just a weekly lesson.

The annual tuition includes the following:

32 in-person or virtual lessons during the academic year (September through May)
Group performance classes, scheduled periodically on Saturday mornings, some in-person and some virtual
2 studio recitals (there is no additional recital fee)
Access to the online student portal
Piano studio maintenance (regular tunings, piano maintenance, etc)
Registration, scheduling, studio administration
Time spent judging/monitoring on day of competition/festival due to entering students, usually a minimum of 3 hours per event

Not included in tuition: book fees and event fees (i.e. entrance fees for festivals/competitions).

TUITION RATES 2025-2026

Payment Schedule

Quarterly payments are due September 1, November 1, January 1, and April 1.

Zelle is the preferred payment method. You can find me by my email address francescahurst@gmail.com or cell phone number 571-277-6953.

Enrolling mid-year

Students who enroll after the beginning of the academic year will make an initial prorated quarterly payment. All subsequent tuition payments follow the regular payment schedule listed above.

Lesson Termination

All tuition payments are non-refundable unless the teacher terminates the lessons.

Lessons may be discontinued by the teacher at any time for any reason.

Holidays/Breaks

Please consult the studio calendar for important dates.

Additional fees

Late fee: A $20 fee will be added to the account for payments received after the 10th of the month.
Returned/canceled check fee: $35

Enrollment Form

All students who are accepted into the studio, even returning students, must complete the enrollment form each year. After the form is completed, you will receive an email with a link to the lesson scheduling survey.

Teacher Absences

If the teacher misses a lesson, a makeup lesson will be offered. If this is not possible, a refund will be given for the missed lesson.

Missed Lessons

Your tuition reserves a spot for you in the teacher’s weekly schedule. Two missed lessons per academic year may be rescheduled, at a time agreed upon by both teacher and student, or during scheduled makeup days, provided that 24 hours’ advance notice was given for the original absence. Makeup lessons may be in-person or virtual. All makeups must be completed by the last day of the 2025-2026 academic year (see studio calendar).

There will be no refunds or credits for missed lessons.

Missed makeup lessons will not be rescheduled.

Please be assured that even if you miss a lesson, your tuition is always working for your child, as I spend time outside of lessons choosing repertoire, planning, strategizing, pursuing professional development opportunities, attending competitions, etc.

Inclement Weather/Illness

In the case of inclement weather, when it could be dangerous to drive to the lesson, a zoom lesson can be offered instead. Please let the teacher know as early as possible if you would like a zoom lesson instead of your regular in-person lesson that day.

In the case of illness: If your child is under the weather, but is well enough to do a lesson, please let the teacher know in advance that you would like a zoom lesson that day. If they have a fever, please do not bring them to their lesson.

Masking

Masking is no longer required during lessons and group classes. This is subject to change based on CDC recommendations. If the student is ill, please request a zoom lesson or a makeup lesson. Please do not bring a sick student to the studio.

Materials

Dr. Hurst will email you throughout the year with materials (books, flashcards) to be purchased for the student. Please purchase them promptly. Materials can be ordered online or at a local music store like Music & Arts, Foxes Music, or Middle C Music.
Students must have a piano at home for practicing. Acoustic pianos are ideal – either upright or grand – but good digital pianos with 88 weighted keys are also acceptable. Acoustic pianos should be tuned twice a year. If you would like guidance on purchasing a piano, please let me know. A great local resource is Rick Jones Pianos in Maryland. Tell them I sent you!
A metronome is an essential tool for the music student. You can buy physical ones (again, online or local music store) or use one of many free metronome apps on your smartphone. If you would like advice on which metronome to purchase, please contact the teacher.

Studio Behavior

Please arrive on time. Lessons will end at the scheduled time even if the student arrives late.
Please remove your shoes after you come in the front door.
Please bring your notebook and all necessary piano books to every lesson.
No gum chewing is allowed.
Clean hands and fingernails are a must. There is a studio restroom where students can wash their hands if necessary.
Please respect the studio space and help keep it clean, including the seating area, the restroom, and the pianos. Treat the pianos with care.
Please keep nails trimmed short.
Please be on time to pick up your child.

Parking, etc.

Please park in space #17.
If dropping off your child, please wait until you see the child come into the studio before leaving. You are welcome to wait in the car. I will always walk each student out at the end of their lesson.
Please be on time to pick up your child.

Accessibility

The studio is currently not wheelchair accessible. There are 6 steps up to the front door, and then one flight of stairs inside to the studio.

Additional Lessons

If you would like additional lessons during the year or lessons during the summer, these can be scheduled on an individual basis. Prices listed are valid through June 2026.

60-min lessons $120
75-min lessons $150
90-min lessons $180

Parent Observation of Lessons

For children ages 8 and under, parents are strongly encouraged to attend all or most lessons so they may help children practice during the week. For older students, parents are welcome to observe occasionally. For parents who wish to observe lessons, they must remain in the studio for the entirety of the lesson. No other part of my home is open to students or parents.

Practicing

Regular practice is essential for students’ success! A daily practice commitment is REQUIRED of all students. Please help your child create a daily practice schedule and stick to it. Make sure there are as few distractions as possible – TV, music, phones, etc. Especially for younger students, parents must be involved in ensuring regular practice takes place.

Required Minimum Daily Practice

8th grade and under: 60 minutes a day, with one day off each week

9th grade and above: 75-90 minutes a day, with one day off each week

You can always split the practice time into 2 shorter sessions.

Group Performance Classes

Group studio classes are included with your tuition. They will be scheduled periodically throughout the year on Saturday mornings. These will be a mix of in-person and virtual classes. In these classes, students play for each other and receive feedback from their peers. The benefits are many: students practice performing in front of others, they learn how to listen more thoroughly and how to give constructive criticism, they get social interaction with other piano students, and musical and theoretical topics may be introduced and/or reinforced. These classes are for students only, parents and others may not attend.

Group classes can be very helpful, especially before recital, festival, or competition performances. Attendance at group classes is not mandatory but strongly encouraged. There is no reduction in tuition if the student chooses not to attend the group classes. Group classes may be canceled if attendance is too low (i.e. one student).

Recitals

There will be two recitals during the academic year, usually in December and May. Typically, at least one of our recitals is held in Ward Recital Hall at Catholic University in Washington, DC, which features a 9-foot Steinway concert grand piano.

Festivals and Competitions

There are many musical events in the Northern VA/DC area every year that students can take part in. Your child may be encouraged to participate in various events during the year. Participation is not mandatory, but they can often be fun, and a great motivator to practice. Examples of these events include Judged Recitals, Fall Festival, Bach/Baroque Festival, Concerto Festival and Competition, Sonata Festival, Piano Achievement Awards, etc. Entry fees for these events are not included with tuition, and will be billed separately. Dr. Hurst is a member of both the Northern VA Music Teachers Association and the Washington Music Teachers Association. Check the studio calendar for event dates.

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