san diego piano academy
2026 - Lesson Information and Agreement
**By beginning or continuing lessons with The San Diego Piano Academy, you agree to abide by this policy.**
Lesson Information and Agreement
What's Included
Your enrollment in sdpa includes:
Tuition
Your monthly tuition is flat and consistent - it never changes based on how many lessons occur in a given month. Think of it as your membership in the academy: it holds your spot, your teacher, and your place in everything sdpa offers throughout the year.
Payment is due on or before the 5th of every month. Invoices are emailed on the 1st. A $35 late fee applies to any invoice not paid on time. If no payment is received by the 20th, with the late fee included, then the student may forfeit their placement in the academy.
How Payment Works
Payment Options
Your lessons are scheduled at a mutually agreed day and time with your teacher, and that time stays consistent throughout the year. If your teacher is coming to your home, please allow a 15-minute arrival window.
If you need to miss a lesson, please let your teacher know at least 1 day in advance!
Lesson Schedule
Over the course of the year, you'll receive approximately 40 lessons, give or take 1 or 2. A student is expected to miss a few lessons throughout the year due to illness, travel, or the occasional emergency - that's completely normal and we have accounted for that by reserving 3 flex weeks for you. The summer may be a little lighter, the fall a little fuller. What matters is consistent progress over time.
Your teacher may also miss a lesson here and there. To be clear, they are allotted 3 flex weeks per year to take off as they wish on top of the 6 academy holiday weeks. In the extremely rare circumstance of a 4th or more miss by your teacher they will either promptly find a 1-1 makeup time with you, or the academy will find an internal solution to this issue that benefits you.
Flexibility and Lesson Count
If you are unwell, please let us know and plan to skip the lesson. We never want anyone to feel penalized for taking care of themselves though, so, to keep momentum going on sick weeks, you are encouraged to record a video of your playing and send it to your teacher. The teacher will review it and send back written feedback to keep the lesson plan moving forward.
Illness
Missing a few lessons throughout the year is completely normal - illness, travel, and life happen, and we've built that in. Our Group Makeup Classes are designed for students who feel they've missed more than a few lessons and would like the opportunity to make up some of that ground. They're not meant for the occasional miss - they're a resource for the student who's had a genuinely tough stretch and feels they deserve more.
Three times a year - in June, August, and December - the academy hosts these in-person sessions, organized by level and run by Chetan, Melissa, or another premier teacher in the academy. A genuine, unique and rewarding musical experience!
In Person Sessions by Level:
Makeup Classes
Can't Make It In Person?
Online-only group sessions are also available around the same June, August, and December windows for students who can't attend in person.
Video Submission Option:
During these same three windows, students who have missed a significant number of lessons and cannot attend one of the make up classes, may submit a video of their playing to the academy. Chetan, Melissa, or another premier academy teacher will review it and provide written feedback.
Makeup Dates Coming by April 2026
No lessons are held on the following academy-wide breaks:
Academy Holidays
If you're planning an extended vacation, our June and August Group Makeup Classes are well-timed to help absorb summer misses.
Extended Absences
Virtual Lessons
Virtual lessons are an effective way to maintain continuity. Teachers may occasionally conduct a lesson virtually due to illness or travel - this is at their discretion.
Your monthly tuition holds your place in the academy - with your specific teacher and your specific time slot. That spot is genuinely valuable. Our teachers are exceptional, our schedule fills quickly, and the relationships built here tend to last for years.
If you ever need to step away, just know that spots and teachers fill quickly, and we won't be able to give you the same availability when you return.
Your Membership & Your Spot
Refer a family who passes their audition and completes their first month, and you'll receive a $100 credit for a 1hr lesson or $75/45 or $50/30.
Send Lillian the referral name at lillian@sandiegopianoacademy.com.
Referrals
Either party may discontinue lessons at any time and for any reason. If a student discontinues mid-month, that month's tuition will not be refunded. If a teacher cancels lessons mid-month, a partial tuition refund will be granted.
Discontinuing Lessons
Tuition is reviewed every two years in January and adjusted to reflect the current rate of inflation.
Tuition Increases
FAQ
What does my monthly tuition cover?
Your tuition is your membership in the academy. It holds your spot with your specific teacher at your specific time, and gives you access to everything sdpa offers - lessons, recitals, masterclasses, video courses, group makeup classes, certificates, competitions and more.
Does my tuition change if we miss a lesson?
No. Tuition is completely flat every month, all year. It doesn't go up or down based on how many lessons happen. What you pay in January is exactly what you pay in December.
When is payment due?
Payment is due by the 5th of every month. You'll receive your invoice by email on the 1st. A $35 late fee applies if payment comes in after the 5th.
How can I pay?
You can pay by Zelle (billing@sandiegopianoacademy.com - pay the subtotal only), credit or debit card via your invoice (a 3% processing fee applies).
Will my tuition ever increase?
Approximately every two years in January, tuition is reviewed and adjusted to reflect the current rate of inflation. You'll always receive advance notice before any change takes effect.
If a family you refer passes their audition and begins their second month, you'll receive a credit of $100 for a 1-hour lesson, $75 for a 45-minute lesson, or $50 for a 30-minute lesson. Just send Lillian the name at lillian@sandiegopianoacademy.com.
Tuition and Billing
How many lessons will I receive?
Approximately 40 private lessons throughout the year, give or take 1 or 2. Life has a natural rhythm - the summer may be a little lighter, the fall a little fuller - and we've built that in. What matters is consistent progress over time.
What time do lessons happen?
Your lessons are scheduled at a mutually agreed day and time with your teacher, and that time stays consistent throughout the year.
What if the teacher is running late?
If your teacher is coming to your home, please allow a 15-minute arrival window. Our teachers travel throughout San Diego County and occasionally encounter traffic delays.
What do I do if I need to miss a lesson?
Please let your teacher know at least 1 day in advance. Missing 3 lessons throughout the year is completely normal and already accounted for - no guilt, no penalty.
What happens if I am sick?
Please skip the lesson! We never want anyone to feel penalized for taking care of themselves however, so, to keep momentum going, you can record a short video of your playing and send it to your teacher. The teacher will review it and send back written feedback to keep the lesson plan moving forward.
What happens if my teacher needs to miss a lesson?
Your teacher may also miss a lesson here and there. To be clear, they are allotted 3 flex weeks per year to take off as they wish on top of the 6 academy holiday weeks. In the extremely rare circumstance of a 4th or more miss by your teacher they will either promptly find a 1-1 makeup time with you or the academy will find an internal solution to this issue that benefits you.
Can lessons be done virtually?
Yes. Teachers may occasionally conduct a lesson virtually due to illness or travel - this is at their discretion. Virtual lessons are a great way to maintain continuity when in-person isn't possible.
What if we're going on an extended vacation?
Our June and August Group Makeup Classes are well-timed to help absorb summer misses. Just plan ahead and enjoy your trip.
Lessons and Scheduling
What if I miss more than a few lessons?
Missing a few lessons throughout the year is normal and expected. We have allotted 3 flex weeks for you to use as needed to miss lessons. If you have had a genuinely tough stretch - illness, travel, a family situation - and feel you've missed more than this and deserve some makeup time, our Group Makeup Classes are there for exactly that.
What are the Group Makeup Classes?
Three times a year - in June, August, and December - the academy hosts in-person Group Makeup Classes organized by level and run by Chetan, Melissa, or another premier teacher in the academy. They're a genuine and rewarding musical experience, not just a checkbox.
Who are the makeup classes for?
Sessions are organized by level:
What if I can't make it to an in-person makeup class?
Online-only group sessions are available around the same June, August, and December windows. There's also a video submission option - you record your playing, send it to the academy, and Chetan, Melissa, or another premier teacher will review it and provide written or video feedback.
Do I need to attend a makeup class if I've only missed one lesson?
No - and they're not designed for that. The makeup classes are for students who've had a genuinely difficult stretch and feel they deserve more. Missing one lesson here and there is already built into the year.
Makeups & Flexibility
What does my tuition actually protect?
Your monthly tuition holds your specific spot with your specific teacher at your specific time. That's genuinely valuable - our teachers are exceptional, our schedule fills quickly, and spots don't stay open for long.
What happens if we pause or stop lessons?
Either party can discontinue at any time. If you step away, just know that your spot and your teacher will likely be filled quickly. We'd love to welcome you back, but we won't be able to guarantee the same availability when you return. If a student discontinues mid-month, that month's tuition is not refunded. If a teacher discontinues mid-month, a partial refund of that month’s tuition will be given.
Your Spot & Membership
What recitals does sdpa offer?
Students have access to all academy recitals - held more than 6 times per year - covering a range of levels and formats. There are also artist recitals and masterclasses, including faculty recitals, open to all students to attend.
What are the certificates and honors programs?
Starting fall 2026, sdpa will offer official certificates for level progression and achievements. This is a great document that can be used for college applications for instance. An Honors status with official certification will also be available for exceptional students. Academy competitions designed for various levels are coming soon as well.
What are the video courses?
All students have access to sdpa's full library of video courses and tutorials - a resource for practice guidance, technique, theory, and more.
Academy Programs & Perks
When does the academy take breaks?
No lessons are held during the following academy-wide breaks:
Holidays & Calendar
Still have questions?
Reach out to Melissa at melissa@sandiegopianoacademy.com
I have read the lesson agreement in its entirety and agree to abide by the Academy's operating agreement.
*Changes to our lesson agreement may be made any time at the discretion of the Academy. We will inform you of any changes in advance.*
© San Diego Piano Academy 2026