Northeast Iowa School of Music

Private Lesson Registration Info & Policies

This page pertains only to private lessons.  Click here for information about group classes.

Welcome

Thank you for entrusting your music education to the Northeast Iowa School of Music. We want this to be the most positive experience possible. Whether you are planning to become a professional musician or taking lessons for personal fulfillment, music can be a powerful force in life. That is why we are here.

Important: By registering for lessons at NISOM, it is assumed you will continue for the entire academic year (or the remainder thereof, if registering after the first trimester begins). Your registration is essentially a contract stating that you have reserved your teacher's time during the year at that specific time period each week. Because it is assumed that students will continue for the entire academic year, students do not have to re-enroll between trimesters.

Registration

By registering at NISOM, you are agreeing to abide by the policies and adhere to the payment dates.  The full trimester tuition and registration fee (when applicable) must be paid in order to reserve your lesson time(s).  See Tuition Information for amounts.

Fall Registration

July 14: Scholarship applications due

July 21: Registration begins for current (summer) students

July 28: Registration opens to former students

Aug. 4: Registration opens to new students

Aug. 25: 1st trimester begins

No early registrations will be accepted

You can still register for summer lessons!   The summer session is 10 weeks, June 9-Aug. 16.  Students do not need to sign up for all 10 weeks.  If you come to registration prepared with any dates the student will not attend due to vacations, etc, you will only be charged for those lessons you plan to attend.  Tuition is $17.50 per 30 minute lesson.  There will also be a $10 registration fee if you have not already paid the annual 2007-2008 registration fee.  There are no lessons July 4; other schedules vary by instructor.

Returning students:  If you have taken lessons at NISOM during the 2007-2008 school year, you do not need to complete a new registration form.  Be sure to notify us of any changes of address, phone number, or email. 

New students:  To come prepared to registration, be sure to review our policies and download and complete a registration form.  You can also review faculty biographies.  Also see Frequently Asked Questions.

Automatic Withdrawals:  If you wish to utilize automatic monthly withdrawals, download and complete the Authorization Agreement for ACH Debits form.  You will also need to submit a voided check or deposit slip in addition to the tution deposit and registration fee.  If you have used this payment method in the past and your account information has not changed, you do not need to fill out a new form, but you will need to register in person to sign and date your form on file to re-authorize these payments.  See tuition information for more details about ACH.  No automatic withdrawals for summer session.

Registration by mail:  If you can not register in person, mail the completed forms and tuition payment to 2728 Asbury Road, Suite 200, Dubuque, IA 52001.  Be sure to include a note with your desired teacher and lesson time, as well as alternates if your first choice is not available.  You may call our office for up-to-date scheduling information.  Your registration will be processed as early as possible after registration has opened to you. 

Registration by phone:  Registrations will be accepted over the phone for returning students if tuition is paid using Visa or Mastercard.  A 5% processing fee will be added to all credit card payments.  New students may be able to register over the phone, but a completed registration form must be received within 10 days to continue to reserve the lesson time.  We highly recommend all new students register in person or via mail. 

NOTE:  Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.  Preference will be given to in person registrations.  If you are registering over the phone during peak registration times, you may be asked to call back at a later time.

NISOM Policies

Attendance, Absences and Make-ups

Tuition reserves all lesson times during the trimester for a student regardless of student non-attendance, vacation, field trips, school music obligations, sports, etc.  In the event of illness or family emergency, the student/parent must contact the office as early as possible, and in such cases, every attempt will be made to reschedule the lesson during make-up week or as the teacher’s schedule permits. Teachers may only be able to make up one lesson per trimester. All other absences are considered unexcused, but whenever possible we will work with you to find an alternate opening in the teacher’s schedule for that week. NISOM is not obligated to make up for student absences. Cases of extended illness will be handled on an individual basis. Any lesson missed due to teacher absence or inclement weather will be made up or refunded upon request at the end of the school year. In the event of teacher absence, NISOM reserves the right to provide a substitute teacher. No credits or refunds will be given for student absences.

Payment Options

Full tuition is due before the start of each trimester.  Students/parents may pay with cash, check, or credit card, or have the option of making monthly payments through automatic bank withdrawal.  Written notice is required one month in advance if automatic withdrawal needs to be stopped for any reason.  See tuition schedule for more details.

Discontinuing lessons

If it is necessary for a student to withdraw, students/parents should pick up a Discontinuance Form at the office, fill it out, get the teacher’s signature, and return it to the office.  This must be done one month in advance of withdrawal in order to receive any refund for the remainder of the trimester (or to stop the automatic withdrawals).  No refunds will be given for those students withdrawing from lessons during the last four weeks of a trimester.  Written notice is also required for students who wish to withdraw at the end of the 1st or 2nd trimester; you will otherwise be automatically billed for the following trimester.  Forms are not necessary at the end of the 3rd trimester.  Verbal notification of intent to withdraw is not acceptable.

Trial lessons

For those students who are just beginning and are unsure that they will like taking lessons, a four-week paid trial period is available.  At the end of the trial period, the student must notify the office if they wish to continue lessons, at which time the remainder of tuition for that trimester will be due.

Inclement weather

Do not assume that if the schools are closed due to inclement weather, NISOM will be closed. We will make every attempt to make a decision as early in the day as possible. Notification via mass email will be sent to those who have supplied an email address on the registration form. If NISOM closes, we will also call Radio Dubuque and Cumulus to ask their radio stations to announce the closing. Please call the office if in doubt.

Injuries

If a student has an injury or a non-contagious medical problem that would temporarily prevent performing, we strongly encourage that the student's music education continue through the healing time using our MIDI resource stations.  Teachers can work with students using various software to offer lessons in theory, composition, and/or listening skills until such time as regular performance lessons can resume.  Please discuss this option with the office and your instructor before canceling these lessons. 

Teachers

If you have no preference for a specific teacher, you will be assigned to a teacher best suited to your ability level, at the most convenient time possible for your schedule.

It is very important to all of us that your NISOM experience is a positive one. If you are having a problem with your teacher, please discuss this with your teacher first. If you cannot resolve the issue directly with your teacher, contact the Executive Director to discuss this matter in confidence. If you prefer not to discuss it with the Executive Director, please contact the Secretary of the Board. We will make it a priority to see that any problems are resolved and that you are reassigned in a timely manner.