Where does my music tuition go? 

How does it benefit my student?
Answers to frequently asked 
questions about tuition 
and music lessons.

MUSIC LESSONS – 
FOR A LIFETIME OF ENJOYMENT

Congratulations on choosing to participate in music lessons!  Music has been found to enrich the lives of all who participate in its creation or enjoyment and foster brain development. When you choose to take music lessons or give them to someone you love, you are choosing to learn a skill that will benefit you and bring you joy your entire life!  No price can be put on such a beautiful art as music.  Yet, obtaining the skill will certainly require assistance from a professional—your music teacher.
Your teacher has chosen to make music their business and their occupation.   As with any business, costs are calculated to both ensure that the highest quality product is given and that the business makes enough profit to continue providing their services.   
 
How do I know if music lessons are worth the price?

Shop around!  Not every teacher is right for every student.  You will want to be sure that your music teacher provides the things that are important to you as well as the things that are important to students’ musical developments. 
 
Start by interviewing several music teachers to learn more about their: 

• Education & Teaching experience 
• Goals & Expectations 
• Philosophies of music education
• Curriculum & Studio Policy 
• Above all, find out how they demonstrate commitment to excellence in music education and how they interact with your child.     

 
No price can be put on such a beautiful art as music, but by investing in your child’s music education, you can provide them with a skill they will enjoy for a lifetime! 
 
 
So what does my yearly tuition cover?
For Mill Pond Music Academy tuition covers: 

• Time spent with the student
  Lessons, classes, group lessons. 
• Time preparing for the student                                                                                                                                                       Searching for the perfect music, lesson planning, bookkeeping, development of curriculum, etc.  It has been cited by professional music journals that for every hour enrolled in piano lessons, you are investing in at least 2 hours of the teacher’s time! 
• Your teacher’s training and experience                                                                                                                                                 All of our teachers have college degrees in music and are great educators
• Recital preparations                                                                                                                                                                            creating recital programs, printing costs, refreshments, site rental
• Professional Organizations                                                                                                                                                    Memberships are maintained by Mill Pond Arts to enhance each teachers training and skills which provide the student with opportunities for festivals, competitions, and performance events such as MAMTG and others
• Professional Journals
  Publications to stay current on new teaching materials and trends (like our K-8 Magazine)
• State Fingerprinting                                                                                                                                                                             and other rising state and local fees to maintain a business
• Music books, supplemental materials, studio licenses
  Materials purchased by the teacher to keep costs low for students including digital print and recorded music that can be printed/burned to CD at the lesson. Websites and apps.
• Property taxes, self-employment taxes, insurances                                                                                                                        The independent music teacher has no employer to assist in providing health and life insurance by matching funds.  Tuition helps cover the increased living costs of your self-employed teacher.  
• Continuing education
  Lessons and classes that keep your teacher current on methods and techniques to help your child succeed!
• Studio expenses                                                                                                                                                                                 Copying, computer software, reminder service, time preparing newsletters, instruments, tunings, repairs, advertising and utility bills!