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.