Conservatory Policies

In an effort to maintain our professional relationship, the So Cal Conservatory of Music has adapted these policies from the National Music Teachers’ Association of California for music instruction:


Tuition Rates and Fees

  • Invoices for lessons are sent in advance, at the beginning of every month and are to be paid within 7 days of receipt. Payments made after the due date will incur a $10 late fee, which will be added to the monthly payment due. Special arrangements can be made if you prefer to pay bi-weekly in advance instead of monthly for a 5 % processing fee.

  • Teacher rates for private music lessons are independent of and negotiated separately from the yearly registration fee paid to the Conservatory.

The yearly registration fee assessed to all Conservatory families covers expenses incurred by So Cal Conservatory, and is independent of lesson fees paid to individual teachers.  Your registration fee includes: 

  • Student participation in live and virtual music performances throughout the year, e.g. Holiday show, Spring Recital, and concerts and/or performances.

  • Administrative Expenses, including Student and Parent Portal use and maintenance

  • Ongoing Communication between Administrative Staff and parents inc: phone calls, emails, etc.

  • Discounted private lessons in the conservatory with teachers in the Teacher Training Program. 

  • Discounts on all classes and workshops for conservatory students

  • Discounts on sheet music in the Conservatory library. Scanned and/or printed sheet music provided by the Conservatory library will be offered to Conservatory students at a discounted rate of $3 per copy. We are saving you $6 to $15, the cost of purchasing a song online. 

  • Special awards and gifts for outstanding students

Yearly Registration fees:
$225 - one student per family
$275 – two students
$300 – three or more students

Payment Options:

Choose one of the following options below

  • 1 Payment: $200/$250/$300 due September 30

  • 2 Payments: $100/$125/$150 due September 30
    and $100/$125/$150 due January 31

A late fee of $10 will be applied to payments made more than 7 days after the due date. 

Lesson Attendance & Cancellations

  • Missed Lessons: At least 24-hour notice must be given for missed lessons. Lessons that were canceled with 24-hour notice may be rescheduled, subject to your teacher’s availability. If the lesson cannot be rescheduled, a credit will be applied toward the following month’s tuition. No-shows and cancellations with less than 24-hour notice will not receive a credit. Cancellations due to COVID-19 are exempt from 24-hour cancellation policy. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms, give teachers as much notice as possible.

  • Late Arrival: If you arrive late to a lesson, only the remaining time will be given.  If your teacher runs late, they will extend your lesson and give you the full amount of time.

  • Discontinuing Lessons: A 30-day notice must be given to the Conservatory if a student chooses for whatever reason to discontinue lessons. Tuition paid at the beginning of the month cannot be refunded; however, any outstanding lessons will be fulfilled before lessons are discontinued.

Student Expectations

  • Practice: Regular practice is expected and required for progress. Students must have a regularly scheduled practice time during the week and are responsible for being prepared for their lessons. 

  • Evaluations: Students are required to have at least 1 evaluation with the Headmaster or Dean before the Spring Recital.  We also require 1-2 additional evaluations in September and January.   The evaluating teacher will receive payment for these evaluations at their rate.

Studio Policies

  • Care of Students: So Cal Conservatory of Music and its teachers are not responsible for providing before or after class care for students. 

  • Injuries: You assume all risk of injury or harm to the child(ren) or adult(s) associated with participation in musical or other activities at any of our locations and agree to release, indemnify, defend and forever discharge So Cal Conservatory of Music and its teachers and staff from all liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, and expenses in the unlikely event of injury sustained by your child(ren) or adult student during the course or as a result of their participation in So Cal Conservatory of Music recitals, shows, lessons, classes or other activities.

  • Photo/Video Release: So Cal Conservatory of Music is granted permission to use the student’s likeness in photographs/videos to use in brochures, websites, posters, advertisements, social media, and other promotional materials, without payment or other considerations. Permission is also hereby granted for So Cal Conservatory to copyright such photographs/videos in its name.

  • Disclaimer: We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Policy is effective upon enrollment.  The So Cal Conservatory may, at any time, and at our sole discretion, modify the Terms of this Policy Agreement. Any such modification will be effective immediately upon notice to Conservatory members. Your continued participation in lessons or programs following any such modification constitutes your acceptance of these modified Terms.