Policies

ELFI (Emi Lee Frantz, Inc.) Studio Services and Policies

 August 2024- August 2025 

Instructors: Emi Lee Frantz, Gina Montalvo, Mary-Helen Pitman, Alice Ryan

Phone: (708) 406-9343       Email: emi@elfistudio.com

Lesson Locations: 

Chicago Studios – 

Portage Park & Logan Square

Oak Park Studios – 

121 N Marion St, Suite 2 & 5

Virtual Lessons –

Zoom

Why Private Music Lessons? 

As a child, music was an outlet that gave me self-confidence, helped me embrace my individuality, and inspired me to pursue excellence. As a teacher, my goal is to instill these principles in my students. Through private voice lessons, you or your child will work to develop healthy vocal technique by focusing on breathing, healthy/natural sound production, resonance, and diction; develop aural and memorization skills through vocal exercises and assigned repertoire; learn to read music; develop self-discipline in practice sessions and performances; and, cultivate musicianship and artistry through observation and performance. 

Expectations and Requirements: 

  • Regular, prompt attendance and preparation. 
  • Enthusiastic participation in lessons and recitals. 
  •  Performance of memorized song(s) at the end-of-semester recital (optional)

Required Materials: 

  • Three ring binder or folder
  • Water bottle

Payment

  • Lesson cost: 30 minutes = $40-$45 / 45 minutes = $55-$60 / 60 minutes = $70-$75
  • Invoices are sent on the last day of the month for the upcoming month, with tuition due by the 5th of the month. 
  • A late fee of 10% will be charged if payment is overdue. 
  • At the beginning of each semester, a $50 fee will be collected for each student to cover recital and workshop costs.
  • Payments can be made the following ways:
  • Cash/check payable to Emi Lee Frantz Inc.
  • QuickPay with Zelle to emi@elfistudio.com
  • Apple Pay to 757-572-0237
  • Stripe via mymusicstaff.com (fee associated with this option)

Scheduling

  • Lessons are weekly with the exception of pre-planned teacher absences and some major national holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). 
  • ELFI Studio Fall 2023 calendars, including teachers out of studio dates, are available for viewing at the studio on our website at www.elfistudio.com, and here.
  • All students are assigned a regular day and time for their lesson. Students and parents are asked to respect this commitment once a regular lesson time is arranged.
  • If a student’s schedule changes and they can no longer keep their regularly scheduled time, please contact your teacher immediately to request a permanent change in lesson times. 

Attendance

  • Weekly attendance is expected from all students. 
  • If a student is late for a lesson, they will only be taught for their remaining lesson time. 
  • Students are expected to come prepared for their lesson with all assigned materials.
  • It is recommended that siblings/friends of students are not invited to attend lessons on a regular basis. Additional visitors can be a distraction to the student and result in a less productive lesson.

Missed Lessons

  • There are no refunds if the student misses their scheduled weekly lesson. Please let your teacher know as soon as possible if a lesson must be missed for any reason. 
  • Students will be issued a make-up credit for a missed weekly lesson, regardless of the reason. 
  • Missed lessons may be made-up within 30 days, dependent on teacher availability.  
  • Students will be allowed two make-up lessons per semester. Additional missed lessons will not be eligible to be made up.
  • If there is inclement weather or illness, lessons may be moved online.  
  • If the teacher misses a lesson, the student will be guaranteed a reschedule by the end of the semester.
  • Teachers will have one designated Saturday make-up day per month, as well as make-ups during the week as available. Families can view teacher availability for make-up lessons on the MyMusicStaff calendar and contact the teacher to request a time slot.

Discontinuing Lessons

  • Please give written notification to your teacher 30 days prior to discontinuing lessons.
  • If a student chooses to end lessons with less than 30 days notice, no refunds will be issued and the student will be billed for one month’s tuition.

Repertoire

  • Your student will be responsible for learning and memorizing at least two (2) songs during each semester of study. 
  • Music will be printed or copied by the teacher and distributed to students. 

Practice Requirement 

  • Practice is essential to a student’s success! Your student will see faster musical and vocal growth with consistent practice. 
  • Students should practice a MINIMUM of 15-20 minutes, three times a week. Older students (high school and up) should aim to practice for 30-45 minutes three times a week.