LESSON/ATTENDANCE POLICY

Lesson/Attendance Policy:

Cornerstone Music Studios at Millstone takes great care in our lesson policy to balance the various needs of our students, parents, faculty, and studio administrators. Payment of tuition reserves a student’s weekly time-slot in a faculty’s studio schedule for the length of the term thus, both student and teacher are expected to attend all scheduled lessons.

Your faculty member will choose and enforce *ONE* of the following options:

A. Student Flex Lesson Option: Faculty members will coordinate with the family to schedule an additional in-person lesson. One (1) Student Flex Lesson Option may be exercised per term. Flex Lesson eligibility: 24 hours’ notice TO THE TEACHER* via text message or email should a student need to miss their lesson.

B. Studio Class Option: Faculty members will provide an in-person group class for multiple students. One (1) Studio Class Option may be exercised per term. Studio Class eligibility: 6 hours’ notice TO THE TEACHER* via text message or email should a student need to miss their lesson.

C. Student Lesson Video Option: Faculty members will use the student’s lesson time to record an interactive video for students to follow along and practice with at home. Unlimited Student Lesson Video Option. Student Video Lesson eligibility: 1 hour notice TO THE TEACHER* via text message or email should a student need to miss their lesson.

Faculty Flex Lesson: Given the commitment of Cornerstone Music Studios’ Faculty to maintain lesson routines with their students, faculty will coordinate a Virtual Lesson, Faculty Flex Day, or a qualified Faculty Sub. Faculty will provide the Faculty Flex Day ASAP and will coordinate times directly with the student/parent. Should a qualified Faculty Sub be provided in the event of a faculty absence and the student chooses not to attend, the lesson will be considered forfeited and no Flex lesson will be provided.


INCLEMENT WEATHER: Given the Millstone Township studio location(s) of Cornerstone Music Studios, we will follow the Millstone Township School District’s inclement weather closures when school is in session.

Studio OPEN: In the event that the studio determines that it is reasonable to remain open (Saturdays and school closure days) in inclement weather, and provides sufficient notification to all concerned, regardless of whether or not other neighboring studios or institutions choose to close, this studio's faculty shall be present for their regularly scheduled lessons and classes, and the faculty will anticipate a regular lesson and class schedule with their students. If the student fails to communicate directly to their teacher about a Virtual Lesson or chooses not to appear for scheduled lessons or classes on days when the studio has chosen to remain open, the lesson or class is considered late canceled, and the student is not eligible for any of the aforementioned lesson policy options. 

Studio CLOSED: In the event the studio is prevented from operating or opening due to circumstances resulting from inclement weather, faculty may opt for all Virtual Lessons that day or will choose a Flex Day and will coordinate directly with students/parents.

Exigencies Not Anticipated Herein:  If there arise conditions of family emergency, serious illness, or casualty that are not covered by this policy, the studio administration stands ready and will make every effort to assist in resolving scheduling issues. 

Your continued commitment, support and dedication to your children's music education and confidence in our mission to provide them quality music instruction in a professional, friendly and nurturing environment are deeply valued! Should you have any questions regarding our policy, please email us!


Tuition Policy:
There are no refunds for tuition or fees, or credits for missed classes. Please remit payment prior to the start of lessons. We accept the following forms of payments: 

  • Credit Card;

  • Debit Card;

  • Cash;

  • Check; 

  • Venmo;

Please add billing@cornerstonemusicstudios.com and invoicing@messaging.squareup.com to your contact list to ensure receipt of your invoice. If payment is not received before the start of lessons, your child will forfeit their lesson slot. Cornerstone Music Studios assesses a $25.00 (per week) fee for all late payments and a $30 returned check fee.

Year-Long Enrollment Membership:
In the spirit of fostering a like-minded, connected music and performance community, our year-long Enrollment Membership program [paid at the beginning of the Fall Term] benefits our dedicated students and families, adding enhanced value to their experience at Cornerstone Music Studios:

  • Free lesson/technique/theory books;

  • Cumulative discount on full Enrollment Membership; 

  • Signature Cornerstone Music Studios satchel, pencil and pen.   

Unlimited Performance Membership (paid annually/at registration): 
At Cornerstone Music Studios, we believe performance plays an important role in musicianship.  We strive to not only nurture technically proficient musicians, but also develop confident musicians who are supported in a culture of creativity and comradery.  We strongly believe every human being is musical!  We offer multiple performance opportunities each year and do not charge admission!  These performances include, but are not limited to, our Annual Recital, Virtual Recitals, Mini Recitals, Outreach Recitals, Community Events, Senior Recital, Open Mic Night and Coffeehouses. As performers ourselves, we know that a significant part of our music education philosophy is performance.  We want you, as the student, to be able to feel comfortable and develop the confidence to share your gift of music with others, including your family, friends, and Cornerstone community!

With sincerest gratitude,
Laura Hines Wittman
Founder & Director