FAQs
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The Membership Program at Sounds of Carolina is a comprehensive plan designed to provide consistent, high-quality music instruction. Here’s an overview:
What is the Membership Program?
- Weekly Private Lessons: Members receive one-on-one lessons with a highly qualified teacher throughout the school year (August to May).
- Performance Opportunities: Membership includes participation in three annual events (Fall Fest Open Mic, Winter Recitals, Spring Spectacular) and additional teacher-selected opportunities at no extra cost.
- Structured Learning: A total of 36 lessons are scheduled across the school year, ensuring progress despite studio holiday closures.
What’s Included?
1. Weekly Lessons: Regularly scheduled sessions tailored to the student’s needs.
2. Performance Opportunities: At least three major events per year to showcase students’ skills.
3. Flat Monthly Tuition: Consistent pricing based on lesson length and teacher level.
4. Discounts: A 10% discount for siblings or multiple memberships of equal or lesser value.
5. Optional Extras: Members can purchase additional lessons (Single Lessons) as needed.
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Teachers provide reserved time slots, prepare for lessons, and focus on long-term student development.
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Tuition is billed monthly on the 1st via auto-pay. A one-time $40 registration fee applies for new students.
Level 1 Teachers:
30-minute private lesson per week: $108 per month
45-minute private lesson per week: $162 per month
60-minute private lesson per week: $216 per month
Level 2 Teachers:
30-minute private lesson per week: $144 per month
45-minute private lesson per week: $216 per month
60-minute private lesson per week: $288 per month
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No, Members are responsible for purchasing materials, rentals, and accessories. Your teacher will recommend books and accessories for you to purchase. You may view our SOC Local Picks page for information about local instrument dealers.
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Yes, siblings or members with multiple subscriptions get a 10% discount on equal or lesser-value memberships.
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Submit the online cancellation form by the 15th of the month. Memberships are non-transferable, and make-up credits expire 30 days after cancellation.
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We understand life happens, and you might need to miss a lesson. Here’s what you need to know:
1. No Refunds for Missed Lessons: If you miss a lesson, we don’t offer refunds or credits, even for illness.
2. If Your Teacher Cancels: We’ll arrange a substitute teacher or give you a full refund for the missed lesson.
Options for Missed Lessons
If you cancel a lesson with less than 24 hours' notice, you can choose one of these two options:
1. LessonMate
- LessonMate is a customized lesson plan prepared by your teacher to help you stay on track.
- You’ll receive it via email after your scheduled lesson time.
- To request a LessonMate, use the Student Portal before the lesson starts.
2. Online Lesson
- Instead of missing your lesson completely, you can request an online lesson with your teacher at the same scheduled time.
Plan Ahead for Full Make-up Credits
If you cancel with at least 24 hours' notice, you’ll get a Make-up Lesson Credit to reschedule later. Make sure to use these credits within 30 days!
This way, you can keep learning even if something unexpected comes up.
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A substitute will be arranged, or you’ll receive a full refund for the missed lesson.
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The best way to cancel a lesson is through the student portal which you can access here. Teachers are automatically notified of any changes.
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The best way to schedule a makeup lesson is through the student portal which you can access here. Teachers are automatically notified of any changes.
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Tuition is charged on the 1st of each month via auto-pay.
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Yes, first-time prospective students can have one free 30-minute Trial Lesson. Your Free Trial is your opportunity to meet the teacher and ask any questions you may have. You’ll get a feel for the teacher’s teaching style and you can see if it’s a good fit. Your teacher will make suggestions about acquiring an instrument if you don’t already have one. If you need to borrow an instrument for your Free Trial please call ahead and let us know.
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Single, a la carte lessons based on teacher availability, without membership benefits.
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Memberships are on “Summer Hold” in June and July. You can purchase Single Lessons during this time.
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No refunds or makeup credits are provided for missed group classes.
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Yes, with a 14-day notice before the next billing cycle.
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No, sick students should stay home. Illnesses include colds, flu, COVID-19, and others. Lessons missed due to illness cannot be refunded. Please remember, if you are sick you can still meet your teacher online during your scheduled lesson time.
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The Student Portal is an extremely useful tool that helps us stay organized.
In the student portal you can:
-View your upcoming lessons
-View any upcoming recital assignments
-You can self-cancel and rebook private lessons
-Update your student information
-See your upcoming and past invoices
-View and update your payment method
-Leave messages for your teacher
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Yes, we take adult students. Preferred student age ranges are unique to each teacher but we generally teach all ages 5 and up.
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You can see all our holiday closures by viewing our Calendar or logging into the Student Portal.
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If there is only one teacher in the lesson area then a parent must stay during the lesson. Parents can wait in the lesson room or in the designated waiting area. If there are multiple teachers in the lesson area then a parent may step outside and come back in when the lesson is over. Teachers are not responsible for children outside the assigned lesson time. Teachers may request that parents stay in the lesson area at all times.
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Your teacher is going to be the best person to answer this question. However, here are some general guidelines.
Generally, for all ages:
-It is better to practice a little bit every day throughout the week, rather than a lot one day.
-Our student recitals are designed to be welcoming to everyone and one of the biggest reasons they are important is because they provide a goal to work toward.
-Listening to excellent music recordings is very important. The more quality musical exposure the student has, the better. The genre doesn’t necessarily matter. Bonus points if you can see great musicians live in concert. There are many regional opportunities for this, and many offer discounted student tickets.
-Sing and dance at home in your kitchen like no-one is watching. Be silly and train yourself that it’s okay to make different sounds and movements. Uninhibited freedom of expression is one of the most useful tools in the learning of any art form.
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We highly encourage participation in all our recitals and other events. Participation encourages students to practice, which increases their long-term musical enjoyment. We assume that every student enrolled in our Membership Program is participating in all recitals and events, unless requested otherwise. You can find all information concerning recitals and events here.
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You can view your time slot by logging into the student portal.