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Studio Policy

Image by Marius Masalar

2025/26 Policy​​

Tuition

 

  • Monthly tuition for private lessons is due on the first of the month at the rate of $125/hr (prorated).

    • Even if a student does not have a lesson scheduled in the first week of the month, tuition is still due for the month on the first of the month.

    • Scholarship students will continue at the original rate of $120/hr.

    • If tuition is 5 or more days late, a $40 late fee will be applied. 

  • Scholarship of Excellence

    • Each year a limited number of advanced students 18 years old or younger will be awarded a Scholarship of Excellence.

    • Scholarship recipients will be charged at the rate of $120/hr.

    • Reevaluation for scholarship recipients will occur every summer.

    • This year’s scholarship period lasts from September 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. 

  • Tuition for other events is as follows:

    • Recitals and masterclasses: free

    • Studio Class: $40/class (due on the day of the class)

    • Chamber coaching: $125/hr. (due on the day of the coaching)

  • In the event that the teacher is unable to teach unexpectedly, any lessons which have already been paid for will be rescheduled.  

  • Student cancellation policy:

    • In the event that a student cannot attend for any reason, with at least 24 hours of notice, that lesson may be rescheduled. 

    • An absence with at least 24 hours’ notice may alternatively be refunded, or the tuition for that lesson may be applied to the following month.

    • An absence with less than 24 hours’ notice is not subject to rescheduling or refund. *Note that this also applies to lessons in the first week of the month when tuition has not yet been paid. Payment will still be due for those lessons.

  • COVID contingencies:

    • In the event that the teacher is unable to teach due to being ill with COVID, any pre-paid lessons may be either rescheduled for a later date or skipped without a refund or applying tuition to following month.

    • This applies to a maximum of 2 pre-paid lessons per student. Beyond that amount, lessons may be cancelled for a refund or an application of tuition to following month.

  • Student/parents are responsible for the purchase of relevant learning materials.

 

Lessons

  • A condition of enrollment in the studio is that students practice daily and arrive prepared for their lessons. The reason for this requirement is that if students do not practice regularly, progress quickly becomes impossible, as it does in all other subjects of study. Consequently, when students no longer have a personal sense of progress and achievement, this can result in their own internal motivation dampening, and their excitement and love for music no longer being nurtured. In addition, as a performing musician who loves music and commits to bringing a high level of instruction to each lesson, I also ask that students likewise arrive prepared for lessons so that lessons remain productive and inspiring rather than becoming stale or repetitive. Practice requirements are as follows:

    • Students are expected to practice at least 6 days a week for a duration equivalent to the length of lessons. (Ex: Intermediate students enrolled in 45 min. lessons are expected to practice 45 min. a day at least 6 days a week.) 

    • For young intermediate students (7 and younger), 30 minutes a day is sufficient.

    • Lessons count as practice time!

    • Allowances are always made in the event that final exam week, illness, or travel interferes temporarily with practice schedules.

  • Parents, and not the teacher, are responsible for watching their children and for picking up the child at the correct time.

  • If students arrive early, they are to sit in the living room quietly while they wait for the previous lesson to conclude. See this as an opportunity to learn from someone else’s music! Students that are very early to their lessons may be asked to wait outside.

  • The teacher is not responsible for monitoring children who are not having lessons.

  • It is the teacher’s prerogative to discontinue lessons at any time.  If this happens before the last lesson of the month, the remaining lessons will be refunded.

  • Minimum lesson times are as follows:

    • Beginner students and young intermediate students (7-): 30 minutes

    • Intermediate students: 45 minutes 

    • (Students studying level 3A+ Piano Adventures or Keith Snell books up to and including level 5 or equivalent are not eligible for 30 minute lessons due to the increasing length and demands of their repertoire. They may be enrolled in 45 min. lessons or longer.)

  • Advanced students: 60 minutes

  • (Students in Keith Snell level 6+ or equivalent, or students finished with method books and studying unabridged classical repertoire must be enrolled in 1 hour lessons due to the length and depth of advanced piano repertoire. The demands of this music cannot be met with only 45 minutes of instruction each week.

  • Please review the studio calendar (https://www.gretchenhullpiano.com/studio-calendar) and save all relevant dates.

  • For access to the student resources page (https://www.gretchenhullpiano.com/resources), use password *******

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Health Protocol

  • Students should wash hands or use hand sanitizer directly before lesson, or after touching their faces. They are also recommended to do so following their lesson.

  • Masking for lessons is currently optional.  The teacher reserves the right to require masking for a limited time in the case of a widespread outbreak or the appearance of a more severe COVID variant.

  • Students who appear to be sick during a lesson may be asked to wear a mask.

  • If any student or accompanying friend or family member have experienced any of the following symptoms in the 48 hours before the lesson, please stay home.

    • Fever or chills

    • Headache with muscle or body aches

    • New onset of cough, congestion, or runny nose

    • New loss of taste or smell

    • A positive COVID antigen test or a positive COVID PCR test (except following a recent infection; in that case please see below)

  • All students and accompanying friends and family members must follow all current guidance in Santa Clara County to return to school or work following a COVID infection

 

Additional Information (Please read.)

  • Parents are encouraged to attend lessons, especially for young children.

  • Parents/adults, please just address me by my first name! I go by Dr. Hull with children.

  • Lesson preparation:

    • Daily practice is necessary to progress, and the best guarantee of rapid musical growth!

    • Young children will need the help of a parent to guide practicing at home.

    • Bring lesson books and a notebook​ for lesson notes.

    • Keep fingernails short.

    • Complete any written or listening assignments.

    • Write down any questions or difficult spots to go over in lessons.

 

Additional Considerations

(For advanced/ambitious students, especially in high school)

  • Up to two lessons per week

  • Theory classes (especially if not offered in school)

  • Local, statewide, or national competitions

  • Participation in masterclasses and summer music festivals

  • Analytical listening assignments

  • Chamber music

  • Recordings for auditions/self-promotion

  • ABRSM exams or California Certificate of Merit (all ages)​

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