What to Expect at the Center
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FAQ
What would be better for me: Group classes or Private lessons?
Group classes often work best for social learners who are motivated by the energy of classmates and a flow of set topics. Private lessons are typically for the most serious of students who have their own goals set, or for students who thrive with the personal focus that private lessons provide.
Do you work with gifted students?
Yes, we welcome any student who wants to learn, and many of our instructors have worked for years with all kinds of students, including students with special needs such as ADHD & autism, students competing at the national level, and professional-bound musicians, actors, and artists.
Can my child benefit from musical instruction at their young age (1, 2, 3, 4...?)
Absolutely. At Encore the potential of little ones is never underestimated. Musical study has a huge impact on babies' and toddlers' foundation for both musical and life skills. With parents on board at home, very small children are even able to play simple songs independently. This age is really the best for instilling good pitch and rhythm so that it is normal to them instead of what becomes a difficult skill to learn if introduced later.
Is there a waiting area on site? Lesson and class start/end times are prompt. If you arrive a few minutes earlier than your booked time, you may wait in the library, on the entry benches, or at the seating in Starlight Stage (if the stage is not being used for a class at the time). These are also quiet waiting areas available to parents/guardians and siblings who are waiting during lessons/classes. Students who were dropped off must be picked up within 5 minutes of lesson/class ending time.
Can I observe my child in the classroom? Parents/guardians are welcome to observe lessons or classes at any time. It is highly recommended that parents/guardians of children at least 6 years old and younger attend lessons with their children to know how to help with practice at home.
What is the expectation for practice at home? Students who take classes or lessons on an ongoing basis are expected to practice at home 5 or more days per week. Recommended minimum daily practice lengths per instrument are 15 minutes for ages 2-5, 30 minutes for ages 6-9 and 45 minutes for ages 10 and up. Prizes are awarded for faithful practice. Assignment sheets are provided. During private lessons, your instructor writes directly on your assignment sheet. During group classes your instructor writes the assignments on a whiteboard, then at the end of class, students take a picture of the board for transfer onto the assignment sheet.
Can I attend a class on trial? Class space is reserved for paying, ongoing students, but if there is space we offer a drop-in trial rate for trying group classes. One-time private lessons are also given at the trial rate without committing to ongoing lessons. Once per month we hold an open house exploration event where prospective students may try new instruments with guidance and participate in short free workshops that give a preview of what ongoing classes are like. Follow Facebook.com/encorecreativecenter/events to see when the next open house will be.
What recitals and performance opportunities are provided at Encore? We believe sharing what we've learned should be a frequent, low-stress habit. We hold monthly open mics, a November/December video showcase, and a May/June outdoor festival where all our students and groups are encouraged to perform. We strongly encourage all music students to book recording studio time twice per year or more, to mark their progress and hone in their observant listening skills.
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Policies
PRIVATE LESSON payment schedule: Each month’s tuition must be paid in full BEFORE the 1st of the calendar month. For private lessons, once the student has arranged an ongoing schedule with the front desk, it is assumed that the schedule will continue unless other arrangements are made with ample written notice. No lesson is given without payment made in advance.
GROUP CLASS payment schedule: This works the same as "Private lesson payment" above, except each "month" refers to 4 weeks in a row, not the calendar month (many semesters begin mid-month).
Payment methods: Online payment via card is made through this website or Venmo to @encorecreativecenter. Cash or checks may be dropped into the blue lockbox under the bulletin board between the front windows by the front desk. All cash must be in an envelope with the student's full name written on it. IF PAYING BY CARD AT THE DESK, you will be automatically charged at the end of each month for the coming month of your same lessons/monthly classes. Lessons not paid in advance cannot be reserved.
Missed lessons: In the event of a PRIVATE LESSON schedule conflict, rescheduling arrangements must be made by written notice 48 hours in advance in order to have a credit for a makeup lesson. In the event of an illness or unexpected reason the student must stay home, students may send in written notice prior to their lesson start time and ask to receive their lesson via live or recorded video. Uncommunicated no-shows are not able to receive a video lesson.
Missed classes: If a student has to miss a GROUP CLASS, notice is appreciated, but no credit can be given for a missed group class.
Refunds: A full refund or credit is only given if a class or lesson is canceled by the center or by an instructor, when a substitute instructor from the center is not available and the student and instructor are not able to schedule a make up lesson. Registration fees are non-refundable.
Discontinuing Lessons: Regardless of payment method and classes/lessons enrolled in, students must give a 30-day notice if they are going to discontinue lessons or take a break from the billing cycle.
GROUP CLASS payment schedule: This works the same as "Private lesson payment" above, except each "month" refers to 4 weeks in a row, not the calendar month (many semesters begin mid-month).
Payment methods: Online payment via card is made through this website or Venmo to @encorecreativecenter. Cash or checks may be dropped into the blue lockbox under the bulletin board between the front windows by the front desk. All cash must be in an envelope with the student's full name written on it. IF PAYING BY CARD AT THE DESK, you will be automatically charged at the end of each month for the coming month of your same lessons/monthly classes. Lessons not paid in advance cannot be reserved.
Missed lessons: In the event of a PRIVATE LESSON schedule conflict, rescheduling arrangements must be made by written notice 48 hours in advance in order to have a credit for a makeup lesson. In the event of an illness or unexpected reason the student must stay home, students may send in written notice prior to their lesson start time and ask to receive their lesson via live or recorded video. Uncommunicated no-shows are not able to receive a video lesson.
Missed classes: If a student has to miss a GROUP CLASS, notice is appreciated, but no credit can be given for a missed group class.
Refunds: A full refund or credit is only given if a class or lesson is canceled by the center or by an instructor, when a substitute instructor from the center is not available and the student and instructor are not able to schedule a make up lesson. Registration fees are non-refundable.
Discontinuing Lessons: Regardless of payment method and classes/lessons enrolled in, students must give a 30-day notice if they are going to discontinue lessons or take a break from the billing cycle.
