Policies & Etiquette

Child Safety and Parental Responsibility

Faculty and staff are not responsible for supervising children before and/or after lessons or group classes. Children are only under supervision during their instruction time. A parent or guardian is required to be in the building during private instruction. For group classes and choirs, it is important that you are prompt in both delivering and picking up your children.

Using SPCAA Facilities

Parents, guardians, and siblings can wait in the basement lounge during a child’s lesson or class. We ask everyone to be respectful of the fact that likely other lessons or events are occurring in the building at the same time. Please keep noise and distractions to a minimum.

Siblings up to the age of five are welcome to play quietly in the nursery; however, we ask that parents and guardians ensure the nursery is straightened up before leaving. The nursery is technically part of St. Peter’s Church and is kindly made available to SPCAA families. Faculty are not responsible for putting away toys and cleaning the nursery.

Registration Fee

Each SPCAA family must pay a one-time, annual registration fee of $50.00 to sign up for classes during each academic year. If a family has paid $50.00 once, they will not owe any additional registration fees that year.

New Student Registration

New students should contact SPCAA to establish a lesson time in the appropriate studio. After placement with an instructor has been confirmed, please complete the SPCAA Registration Form and return it to SPCAA along with the appropriate fees and tuition before the first.

Returning Student Registration

After confirming day, time, and length of a lesson with your current instructor, complete and submit the SPCAA Registration Form with appropriate fees and tuition before the first lesson. A $30.00 late registration fee will be charged to students who continue to take lessons without registering.

Missed Lessons

As a courtesy, please notify your instructor in advance of any absence.   Make-up lessons due to student absence are at the instructor’s discretion and will be arranged at a mutually satisfactory time. SPCAA is not obligated to schedule make-up lessons or classes due to student non-attendance, illness, or vacation, and there is no refund for student-missed lessons. In the event of a cancellation due to inclement weather or by the instructor, the instructor is responsible for arranging a make-up lesson.

Weather Condition Cancellation

SPCAA does not necessarily follow public school cancellations. When weather conditions are questionable, cancellation notification will be made available as follows:

  • Instructors will notify their students.
  • Area radio stations will be notified.

Withdrawal/Refunds

Notice of withdrawal from instruction and all requests for refunds must be made to SPCAA in writing. Verbal notices or requests from students, parents, or faculty cannot be accepted. Registration fees and materials fees are not refundable.

Refunds are made on the following basis:

  • Before the first scheduled lesson/class – 100% of tuition charges.
  • Before the third scheduled lesson/class – 50% of tuition charges.
  • No tuition credit will be given after the third scheduled lesson/class.

Insufficient Class Enrollment/Cancellation

If any class has insufficient enrollment, SPCAA reserves the right to cancel the class. If a class is cancelled, refunds will be issued within 15 business days.

Photo and Recording Policy

SPCAA reserves the right, and may give permission to photographers or outside media, to photograph classes, programs, and participants at all our facilities and properties. Please be aware that these photos are for promotional purposes and may be used in future publications and media communications. By participating in SPCAA programs, you consent to the taking and publication of your photograph for these purposes.

Non-Discrimination Policy

SPCAA complies with all laws prohibiting discrimination in the conduct of its operations and programs. SPCAA admits students of any religion, race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship programs or other school administered programs.

Change of Address

Please notify SPCAA if your mailing or e-mail address is going to change. It is very important to provide this information, as SPCAA does not accept responsibility for lost or undeliverable mail.

 

Arts Academy Recital Etiquette

 

Student Recitals are valuable experiences for young musicians. Unfortunately, they can also be a source of some stress and anxiety. Below you will find general guidelines for both performers and audience members that ensure recitals are enjoyable for everyone. 

 

Performers

 

  • Performers should wear appropriate attire. 
  • The instructor and student will practice bowing before the recital.
  • Arrive at the requested time to receive instructions for the performance.
  • During the recital, you must be courteous to all performers. 

Audience

 

  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to find a comfortable place to sit.
  • Please stay until the performance or event is entirely over. 
  • Turn off all cell phones and other electrical devices.
  • When the recital begins, please listen quietly. 
  • Respect the performers. 
  • The soloist will bow; please applaud politely.
  • Enjoy! Your presence is the most significant affirmation!