Innovative Music Studio Policy 2025-2026
We are thrilled that you have chosen Innovative Music & Arts! We look forward to working with you! One of our primary goals is to provide a unique learning experience tailored to our student’s interests. Most importantly – we want to help them develop a life-long love for music and the arts!
The following studio info should answer most questions that you have about how our studio works!
- Overview
- Schedule
- Tuition
- Missed Lessons
- Discontinuing
- Instruments & Books
- Performances
- Media
Overview
- Lessons are given on a weekly basis and are 30-minutes in length unless otherwise noted.
- Tuition is paid on a monthly basis through auto-pay which is usually billed on the 25th for the upcoming month’s tuition.
- If a student must miss a scheduled lesson, the teacher is happy to provide an online lesson at the regular lesson time or a recorded video lesson that the student may view through the student app at their convenience.
- If a student must discontinue lessons, there is a 30-day notice requirement.
Click on the tabs above for more details!
Schedule
- Lessons/classes are scheduled for the same day/same time every week. If there will be a change to the scheduled lesson/class time, the studio will reach out to the student family by text or email.
- We are a year-round studio and our regular weekly music lesson schedule continues through the summer months. Our summer lessons include awesome music challenges, theme weeks, prizes and more! We are able to accommodate student’s travel schedules with our pre-scheduled make-up lessons, online zoom lessons or custom recorded video lessons. Please let us know what days your student will miss, and we will help you sign up for one of the above options!
Scheduled closed weeks
The studio is open 45 weeks and is usually closed for the following holidays – see Studio Calendar for details:
- Valpo schools spring break week
- Memorial Day week
- Independence Day week
- First day of Valpo schools/Labor Day/Halloween
- Thanksgiving week
- Christmas week
- New Years week
Please note:
- We do not follow the same schedule as United Dance Arts, so please view Studio Calendar for more details or check with us for any questions.
- The studio is NOT closed on every national holiday. Sometimes students will have lessons on a day when there is no school.
- All scheduled breaks are factored into the monthly lesson cost. We calculate tuition based off of a 45-week lesson year and divide the cost evenly over the 12 months of the year. This allows the tuition to be the same each month.
Tuition
- Tuition is divided evenly into 12 monthly payments for the year.
- Invoices are billed on the 25th for the upcoming month’s tuition.
- Payments are accepted online only. Auto-pay is set up at registration.
Details
We calculate tuition based off of a 45-week lesson year and divide the cost evenly over the 12 months of the year. This allows the tuition to be the same each month.
Missed Lessons
When a lesson must be missed, the following options are available:
- The student may attend their lesson online through Zoom at their regularly scheduled time.
- The teacher may create a short video lesson and assignments that the student can view and complete at a later time. These will be available to for the student to access on the Tonara app.
- Due to time constraints, we are unable to reschedule lesson times. You may check with the studio in advance to see if a cancellation becomes available.
- No-Show Lessons are Forfeit. Please keep us in the loop!
Illnesses
- Students should NOT attend lessons if they are in any way ill or have been exposed to any illness. Text asap to notify the studio and make arrangements as listed above.
Adverse road conditions
- If it is unsafe to drive to the studio for lessons, please notify the studio and make arrangements as listed above.
- If any of our teachers are unable to safely drive to the studio, we will provide either a Zoom lesson or recorded lesson option.
If a teacher must cancel
- If a teacher is unable to make it to a scheduled lesson/class, the studio will provide a substitute teacher who is qualified to teach in their absence.
If the studio must cancel
- In the rare event that the studio would need to cancel a scheduled lesson or class, arrangements will be made to provide an alternate lesson/class time or the lesson/class will be credited to the following month – per the studio’s discretion.
Discontinuing
Music and the arts are a lifelong pursuit, but lessons/classes are not always possible for a multitude of reasons. Whatever the reason, we will not take discontinuation personally. If you are unsatisfied for any reason or if you are contemplating quitting, please speak freely to us about your concerns.
Please complete this form if you plan to take a break or discontinue lessons/classes: Discontinuance Form
Note: the studio requires 30-days notice to pause or discontinue lessons
- Per studio policy, your lessons will discontinue 30 days from the time you gave written notice.
- You will be invoiced for the remaining lessons within the 30 days.
- We hope that you can attend the remaining lessons, but understand if that is not possible.
When students pause or take a break from lessons/classes, their spot will not be reserved. Students may be placed on a waiting list when they return if no spots are available.
Instruments
- Music lesson students are required to have an instrument to practice on at home. We are happy to make recommendations for good instruments to purchase or rent, depending on the needs and interests of the student.
Books
- Music students will be responsible for purchasing their lesson/theory books and repertoire. If the studio has the books on hand, the cost will be added to the upcoming month’s invoice.
- Students may also be encouraged to subscribe to a music app appropriate to their level and instrument.
Recitals
- Each student will be given the opportunity to participate in at least one studio recital each year. These events are usually held in late May and early December at our studio or a local church. Information will be sent out in advance with locations, dates and times. Our recitals are designed to be fun and to help students become comfortable with performing and sharing their accomplishments! Family and friends are welcome to attend!
Talent Shows
- We host talent shows for our students about every other month usually on a Friday evening at our studio. All of our students are encouraged to participate in these events as often as they like! We feel that it is important for them to have the opportunity to share what they are learning on a regular basis. We would never think of having a sports team that practiced year-round but only played once or twice a year! So with our music and arts students, we like to provide a time and place that they can show off their skills and get positive reinforcement! Family and friends are welcome to attend!
Studio Safety, Security and Preparedness Policy
Safety & Peace of Mind
We are committed to creating a secure, supportive, and transparent environment for every student and family in our studio.
- Background Checks: Mandatory criminal, sex-offender and terrorist registry screenings are required for all teachers, assistants, and staff members prior to hiring.
- Visual Transparency: All lesson rooms and classrooms feature viewing windows facing the hallway and waiting area. Parents are always welcome to remain on-site during lessons/classes or sit in on private sessions.
- Drop-Off & Pick-Up: Parents are responsible for walking their children directly to their lesson or classroom and picking them up promptly when class ends.
Emergency Preparedness
Whether taking 1-on-1 private music lessons or participating in group classes, your student is in trained, capable hands. Every instructor undergoes emergency response training to act swiftly and calmly.
- Medical Emergency: Immediate first aid, instant emergency services contact, and swift parent notification.
- Severe Weather: Prompt relocation to secure interior space with mandatory headcounts.
- Fire & Evacuation: Rapid exit to outdoor assembly points with strict attendance tracking.
- Security Lockdowns: Immediate door locking, device silencing, and clear sightline protection.
Our staff’s core mandate is simple: secure students first, account for everyone, and keep families informed
Thank you for visiting our studio info page! Please reach out with any questions!