2026 Piano Lesson Policy

It is mandatory for each student to practice a minimum of 10 minutes on 3 separate days each week. By spreading it through the week, they will be able to remember the details about the assignments. It would be fantastic if your student can practice more than 30 minutes! Your student must write down his or her practice time on each week’s assignment book page.

I would sincerely appreciate your payment at every lesson. Another option is to pay at the end of the month. If there are unique situations or questions, please let me know. You may pay using one of the following:

• Cash App or Square App.*
  • ID: $darlaspiano.
  • Email: DarlaJones1@hotmail.com
  • Phone #: 309-830-3662
    • If you are interested in opening a Cash App account, I’ll be happy to send you a referral to join the app. There’s a possibility we could each earn $5 using a referral.
• PayPal
  • ID: @DarlaJonesDPP.
• Zelle
  • Email: darlajones1@hotmail.com
  • Phone #: 309-830-3662.
• Cash or Check payable to Darla Jones.

I allow 8 Excused Absences annually. If your student attends weekly lessons, they are allowed to miss 8 lessons for free. If your student’s lessons are not weekly, or if they start taking lessons mid-year, the number of Excused Absences will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. (For example, if you start weekly lessons in September, you will receive 3 Free Absences.)

The reason for using these absences may be vacation, illness, scheduling conflicts, etc. After you have used all your Excused Absences, you will be charged every week until the end of the year ~ whether your student attends or not. If I am the one who cancels or if it is a holiday, it will NOT be counted as one of your 8 Excused Absences. I will reschedule lessons as much as possible to minimize the number you may miss.

If you do not inform me of a cancelled lesson at least 1 hour before the assigned lesson time, you will be charged for the missed lesson. You will also use an Excused Absence. If this happens, I will send an email to you to make you aware of the fee and Excused Absence.

Likewise, if you have not arrived within 10 minutes after your assigned lesson start time, your lesson will be cancelled. The Fee and Excused Absence will be charged. An email will be sent to you in this case, as well.

If we can reschedule the lesson, the Excused Absence will not be used, but you will still be charged the lesson fee for the missed AND make-up lessons. I will always do my best to reschedule that lesson to avoid using your Excused Absence… but the fee for the late cancellation will still apply.

I must insist that you keep your student at home if he/she is ill – or if there is illness in your home. The reason I allow so many free absences is to try and give your student enough free weeks off for sick days, vacations, and other reasons.

I hope you understand that if I catch an illness from your student or family, I must cancel multiple lessons and do not get paid.

Also, my forced cancellation of lessons results in numerous students missing their lessons ~ and possibly becoming ill themselves.

This is especially important during recital preparation, holidays, or around my vacations. Thank you for understanding!

Each year, we have a practice contest during the month of February. The student who practices the most from February 1st through February 28th will receive an award! There will be awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place! Encourage your student to start keeping track of their time in their assignment books and having a parent/guardian sign it so they get into the habit! I don’t want them to miss out on a chance to receive a prize!

You’ll be amazed how some contests are won by a difference of only a few minutes. So, be certain to write the SPECIFIC ACTUAL TIMES they practice in their assignment book, rather than the approximate minutes practiced. (Here’s an example of a correct log: 4:05-4:28.) This makes it easier for the parent or supervising adult to confirm the student actually practiced then, too.

The practice times must be written in the book BEFORE the student arrives at the lesson. The parent or guardian must SIGN that the log is correct for the student to receive credit for the contest. If the week’s practice log is unsigned when they enter my home, that week’s time will NOT be counted toward the contest.

Unfortunately, in prior contests a few students exaggerated their practice times. If a student exaggerates the amount of practice time, they will be immediately disqualified from the contest. Likewise, if the student’s abilities during the lesson do not reflect the amount of time claimed as practiced – it will be my prerogative to immediately disqualify that student. PLEASE, carefully monitor your student’s practice times during the contest. I will be ever so grateful!

In the Spring, I will plan on having a Piano Recital. We will start selecting and working on the pieces in January 2027. As the recital approaches, you will receive more details on what it involves, including applicable fees. I will try not to have it over spring break (4/2-4/12) and it will not be on Good Friday or Easter Sunday. If you plan or anticipate being out of town or unable to participate on any weekends in March or April 2027, please advise me as soon as possible.