Frequently Asked Questions

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Student rehearsing to play the trumpet in the trumpet lessons

Frequently Asked Questions

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When are lessons?

Music lessons run year round, scheduled at a time that works for both you and your teacher. Your tuition covers 48 lessons. Tuition is divided equally over 12 months. Lessons are scheduled anytime that a teacher has an available slot.
We do not follow a traditional school calendar and there are many dates that we are open when school is out. If you choose to miss lessons on these days they cannot be made up.

What if I miss a lesson?

There are no credits or refunds for missed lessons. For private students, one makeup lesson is allowed per quarter for illness only. However, the private makeup lesson is only scheduled during your teacher’s open times, and is not guaranteed if your teacher does not have an opening in their schedule. These lessons do not roll over and must be made up by the end of the quarter in which they were canceled.

Lessons canceled by the teacher will always be promptly made up or taught by a substitute.

All of our teachers are equipped to teach virtual lessons. If you are unable to bring your child to their lesson simply let our front desk know the morning of the lesson and we can arrange a virtual lesson during your regular lesson time with your teacher!

What is my child has been exposed to COVID but they feel fine?

All of our teachers are equipped to handle virtual lessons. Please ask our office to arrange an online/virtual lesson for your child.

When can I arrange an online/virtual lessons?

We are happy to arrange an online/virtual lesson at your regular lesson time for any reason! We’ve taught students online when their parents couldn’t drive them in, when they’ve been visiting grandparents and even while on vacation!

Do you teach music theory?

Yes! All of our students are taught music theory in a way that is appropriate for their age. Our teachers often create worksheets, use additional theory books or have their students enroll in Dr. Rabago’s online music theory courses, which cover 1 year of music theory instruction per level, for $35. More information can be found at https://www.pianoprogram.com.

Can students study pop music?

Absolutely. We try to integrate repertoire into each lesson that both motivates the students and provides them with the best learning environment. We often hold special pops recitals but pop music is always welcome at any of our recitals!

What about students that are serious about music?

Once a year we host The Music Development program, an intensive program that lets students of all ages prepare for an assessment of their skills in repertoire playing, etude playing, technique, and sight-reading/ear training. This is just one of the serious programs that we offer. There are several other competitions and festivals that students can participate in. All of our teachers hold university degrees in music, allowing us to properly educate and train students of all abilities and all levels. Several of our students have gone on to major in music and complete University degrees in music.

Do you have performance or masterclasses for students?

Yes. We often arrange for guest teachers to come in and provide masterclasses for our students. The participants are charged a fee to compensate the guest musician but attendance as an audience member is free to all students and parents. We host performance classes throughout the year that are free to attend.

What type of lessons are offered over the summer?

Lessons continue year round! Summer is a fun time to get out of the rut of weekly lessons and explore exciting topics such as music video recording, composition, etc. If you do not choose to take summer lessons, your lesson slot will be given to another student. If you cannot attend lessons every week over the summer, please let our office know at least 2 weeks before our billing cycle (the 1st of every month). Tuition that is billed on the first of the month will not be refunded if you failed to provide notice that you were discontinuing lessons.

What type of music is taught at Velocity Music Academy?

Music is assigned to students that is appropriate for their age and interest level. All students study either out of a method book or the 4 main genres of piano music: baroque, classical, romantic, and contemporary. Students are taught to read music as well as music theory. We also love to teach pieces that are motivators for students, such as movie pieces, pop pieces, jazz, contemporary Christian, ragtime, etc. Velocity Music Academy sells a wide variety of music books and sheet music that students can purchase.
Please note that we do not allow you to photocopy or scan pages out of books in order to avoid purchasing the book. Help support musicians by purchasing their material.

Do I need an instrument at home?

All students must have an instrument at home for practice. If you do not own an instrument, arrangements can be made for rental or purchase. All piano students must have a well maintained acoustic piano or a full sized digital piano with 88 keys, proper key width, weighted keys, and pedal.

How much should my child practice?

In order to make the most of lessons, students should be expected to practice between 4-7 days a week at home. Parents may have to supervise practice for younger children. Throughout the year we offer practice incentives for students. As a general rule, younger children (ages 4-7) should practice a minimum of 15 minutes per day, children ages 8-12 should practice a minimum of 30 minutes per day, and children ages 13 and above should practice a minimum of 45 minutes per day. If you have questions about practicing or how to help your child practice, please contact us for suggestions.

Do you offer recitals?

Recitals are held every November and May, with additional honors recitals, coffee shop performance, adult student recitals and other specialty recitals throughout the year.

Do you have any other events?

Students may participate in our in-house festival, masterclass, and duet performances every year. Students whose teachers belong to ADMTA may also participate in ADMTA festivals. We also host The Royal Conservatory Program Examinations in May of each year. Other festivals and competitions are available in the Austin and surrounding areas for interested students.

What is the recital fee?

The recital fee helps cover the cost of renting a venue and staffing the event. The recital fee is $25 per student or $50 per family (2 or more students in the same immediate family) and will be charged to your card on file one week before the event. The recital fee is non-refundable. Participation in the recital is always optional. You will only pay the recital fee if you sign up for the recital.