Frequently Asked Questions

New Students

  • In order to sign up for a trial lesson, please fill out our new student registration form. You’ll be contacted by our front desk via email or phone to book your first lesson. We recommend scheduling the one-time trial lesson at a time that works for you on a weekly basis. If everything feels good, we can get you on the schedule for ongoing lessons going forward. That time slot will be reserved for 3 days following the lesson, so be sure to let us know if you’d like to continue.

    Trial lessons pricing
    30 min / $30
    45 min / $45
    60 min / $60

    School tours and walk-in lessons are not available unless scheduled ahead of time. New students are more than welcome to visit during office hours to chat with our front desk and ask any questions. However, the lesson rooms will be occupied by students and teachers.

    Office Hours are M-Th 12-7p and Fridays 12-6pm

  • Lesson pricing is dependent on your lesson length, and is not determined by the instrument or teacher. Pricing is based on a flat, monthly rate regardless of the number of weeks in the month. Billing occurs on a monthly basis, and total is pro-rated to the number of weeks in each month. You can view lesson pricing here.

    Lesson frequency
    Most of our students take lessons on a weekly basis. Others who like to work on multiple instruments will take two lessons per week, and some who may have a busy schedule will book every other week or “one-off” lessons.

    Every other week lessons are typically scheduled at the beginning or end of a teacher’s day OR must be booked on the off weeks of another student’s lessons. One-Off (single time) lessons are scheduled whenever you contact us.

    We recommend once a week, because consistency is key!

  • RSM does not use one specific teaching method or curriculum as every student has different goals and a different way of learning. We use a combination of method books and materials to cover both theory, sight reading, ear trainig, and technique for a well-rounded approach to learning how to play and learn music.

    Our teachers will tailor lessons to the needs and learning style of their student, and will sometimes ask students what songs or styles they are interested in learning. If you have any concerns about which teacher is best fit for you, reach out to the front desk and we can provide you a recommendation.

  • It’s recommend that you have an instrument either before the first lesson or by the second week of lessons. At-home practice is a crucial aspect of making progress, and this cannot be done without having access to an instrument away from the school.

    If you need advice on what type to buy or where to go, ask your teacher or check out one of our instrument guides located to the left of the front desk.

Billing

  • For trial lessons - your card on file will be charged prior to your trial lesson.

    For ongoing lessons - Billing goes out on the first of each month for lessons during that month. Payment is due within 7 days of invoices being sent.

    • Auto-pay/charge card on file (includes 3% service fee)

    • Venmo

    • Paypal

    • Cash/Check

    All students are on auto-pay after the trial lesson. You can turn off auto-pay on the portal or reach out to the front desk.

  • Discounts are offered when both or all family members are signed up for weekly lessons. The first family member pays full price and each additional family member will receive either $5 or $10 off per month depending on lesson length. Check out our private lessons page for more details.

  • Update your card on file, adjust auto-pay settings, and view a full history of billing in the student portal. You can give us a call at the front desk to update any payment settings or for help accessing the portal.

Scheduling

  • If you need to miss a lesson, you can either schedule an absence in the portal or shoot us an email to notify the front desk. If it is 24 hours prior to the lesson, you will receive a makeup credit that can be used to reschedule the lesson later on.

    Regardless of the reason, 24 hours notice is required to reschedule the lesson. If you cannot attend the lesson with less than 24 hours notice, you will not receive a makeup credit and cannot reschedule. We can switch the lesson to virtual, if at least 4 hours notice is given, or you can request your teacher to send over some extra practice material. The purpose of this policy is to respect our teachers’ time and keep your lesson spot reserved for you.

    ____________

    Makeup credits can be used in the next 90 days to reschedule the lesson. You can book it in the portal under the “calendar” tab or ask the front desk for help.

    90 days after the cancelled lesson, your makeup credit will automatically expire.

  • Holidays
    RSM is closed on major holidays, and our teachers receive the option to either delete lessons (with no charge and no makeup credit), or provide makeup credits. For holidays that the school is open for (such as Halloween, Valentine’s Day, etc.), 24 hours notice is required for an absence but we plan for all students to come otherwise.

    Bad weather
    In the case of ice, snow, and hail, the school will notify you via text and email if we are closing for the day. Students will often switch over to virtual lessons or receive a makeup credit. If the school is open during bad weather and you are unable to drive over, we can switch your lesson to virtual or receive new material emailed over by the teacher.

  • Students will receive an email and sometimes phone call if a teacher is unable to attend a lesson for both pre-planned absences and sick days. Students will receive a makeup credit for the lesson, or we can take a look at the schedule to see if a substitute teacher is available.

  • The process for cancelling ongoing lessons and pausing is the exact same, and your lesson time cannot be reserved. Just reach out when you are ready to return and we’ll take a look at the schedule.

    In order to cancel ongoing lessons, please fill out this form or email us. We require two-weeks notice or to finish out the month. If you are planning to leave at the end of the month, please let us know at least 5 days before billing occurs.

    Makeup credits can be used even if you are not enrolled for weekly lessons. Just don’t forget to book before they expire!