Enrollment Policies

Lesson Scheduling:

Lessons are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Your lesson time is secured and guaranteed once payment has been received.

Lessons are available in two durations: 30 minutes or 60 minutes.

Students are encouraged to maintain a consistent lesson schedule by booking weekly lessons and paying on a monthly basis.

I typically avoid scheduling lessons on Friday and Saturday evenings because those are prime gigging nights for me. Additionally, I prioritize spending quality time with my family on Sundays, so I rarely schedule lessons on that day.

If you need a lesson duration exceeding one hour, please get in touch with me first
so that we can discuss the details.

Payment:

Payment for lessons is due in advance.

My preferred method of payment is through Zelle due to its quick transfer speed and lack of processing fees. Zelle is a user-friendly payment method that can be easily set up and is compatible with a wide range of banks. Seriously, it takes less than five minutes to set up.

I also accept payments via PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, and, of course, cash.

I want to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder your music education. If you’re facing financial difficulties, I’m open to discussing alternative arrangements. Some students may even qualify for scholarships, and I’m also willing to explore options for bartering or trading to support your musical journey.

If you have the means to contribute more than the standard enrollment rate, any overpayment will be allocated to scholarships for students facing financial challenges. Puget Sound & Percussion appreciates voluntary contributions from students who are financially able, which can go towards funding reduced-tuition scholarships for those in need.

Trial Lesson:

 I offer a 30 or 60-minute trial lesson at a discounted rate of $30 or $60 for new students to determine compatibility and preferences. Continuing enrollment is at the discretion of all parties.

Cancellations and Rescheduling:

 A minimum of 24 hours notice is required for lesson cancellations or rescheduling.

Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance may not be eligible for a makeup lesson or refund. Exceptional cases may be considered and granted solely at the discretion of Puget Sound & Percussion.

If you anticipate being unable to attend one of your regularly scheduled lessons, simply let me know and we will work together to arrange a suitable makeup lesson at a time that accommodates both of us.

If you are sick, please contact me as soon as you know. Puget Sound & Percussion values the health and well-being of our students, instructors, and families. The following is our Sickness Notification Protocol:

  • Early Communication: If you know you’re sick in the morning and won’t be able to attend your scheduled lesson, please reach out as early as possible. You may call, text, or email and it will be seen first thing in the morning.
  • Rescheduling: Unexpected illnesses occur. By letting me know promptly, you make it easier to reschedule your lesson and potentially offer that time slot to another student.
  • No Penalty: In cases of illness, I waive any cancellation fees, and your health takes priority. Please be responsible by not coming to the studio when you’re unwell.

Makeup Lessons:

Makeup lessons will be offered for lessons canceled with proper notice. It’s no problem if you have a scheduling conflict. This happens all the time. Just let me know what won’t work and we’ll find a suitable alternative that will suit both of us.

Makeup lessons must be scheduled within one month of the missed lesson.

Most months include four weekly lessons, but occasionally, a month will contain five of your regular lesson days. In such cases, the extra (fifth) lesson is included at no additional charge—it’s a bonus for consistent attendance and isn’t factored into tuition.​

If a student misses a lesson during a five-week month, a makeup lesson may not be offered, as the fifth lesson already provides built-in flexibility. Please plan accordingly, and if you have any questions or unique circumstances, feel free to discuss them with me.

I do not offer discounts on tuition in place of makeup lessons. Makeup lessons are provided to maintain the consistency of your education.

Refunds:

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, missed lessons without prior notice are not eligible for rescheduling or refunds.

Exceptional circumstances are evaluated on a case-by base basis at the discretion of Puget Sound & Percussion. Generally speaking, I’m willing to accommodate situations that are beyond your control, provided you notify me as soon as possible if you anticipate being late or unable to attend. In return, I ask that you respect my time and I assure you that I will reciprocate the same courtesy.

I greatly rely on the tuition fees for the stability of my business and providing refunds can pose financial challenges. I request that refund requests be made sparingly and only in exceptional circumstances.

Materials for Lessons:

Please bring your instrument (if necessary) and any necessary accessories to every lesson. This includes drumsticks, sheet music, something to write with, and any other equipment or tools required for your lesson. Puget Sound & Percussion has a well-stocked music studio. I have two drum sets ready to go, as well as lots of synthesizers and keyboard instruments. You probably don’t need to bring any instruments with you.

Bring any lesson materials provided by the instructor, such as practice exercises, sheet music, or assignments. Make sure you have your music books and notes with you.

If you have a specific item you’d like to work on during our lessons, whether it’s a worksheet from a website or music for your band, please remember to bring a copy for me. Having these materials in hand will help us tailor your lessons to your individual goals and make the most of our time together.

You are strongly encouraged to maintain a practice journal or record of your homework and practice sessions. This helps to track your progress and address your needs effectively. If you don’t know how to do this, I’m happy to go over some strategies during a lesson.

Tardiness:

Students are expected to arrive on time for lessons. The lesson will end at the scheduled time, even if the student is late.

I make an effort to be accommodating with my time, but it becomes more challenging if your appointments do not respect my schedule.

Holidays:

Puget Sound & Percussion will not teach lessons on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day (January 1)
  • Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (3rd Monday of January)
  • Memorial Day (Last Monday of May)
  • Juneteenth (June 19th)
  • Independence Day (July 4th)
  • Labor Day (First Monday in September)
  • Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Second Monday in October)
  • Veterans Day (November 11th)
  • Thanksgiving through Sunday (Fourth Thursday in November)
  • Christmas Eve (December 24th)
  • Christmas Day (December 25th)
  • New Year’s Eve (December 31st)

 

If your regularly scheduled lesson falls on one of these holidays, we will figure reschedule to a time that suits both of us. Again, the cost of monthly tuition is not impacted by holidays. With one exception:

Because of the holiday season in December, when many people are traveling and are quite busy, Puget Sound & Percussion is usually closed for the last two weeks of the year. This will be discussed before the billing cycle for December begins.

Additional Costs:

While I will make an effort to minimize additional expenses, please be prepared to purchase, at a minimum, your own drumsticks and a practice pad, snare drum, or drum set for home practice between lessons.

I maintain an extensive library of teaching materials and am delighted to provide resources to my students up to a certain extent. However, if we decide to concentrate on specific publications for an extended period, it may become necessary for the student to purchase those materials.

Although this is not directly related to pricing, I’m more than willing to assist you with significant purchases such as drums, drum sets, cymbals, electronics, and more as the need arises. Most students feel overwhelmed when they start to consider instrument purchases. I can probably save you some money and stress by helping to sort through what options are available. There are generally good deals to be had on Craigslist and Reverb. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you require guidance or recommendations.