Monthly tuition is determined by level:

• Prep Levels to Level 3: $135
  Includes :
  3 thirty-minute private lessons per month
  1 group lesson per month
  Recommended for students who have had 0-3 years of prior piano lessons

• Level 4 to Level 7: $160
  Includes:
  3 forty-minute private lessons per month
  1 group lesson per month
  Recommended for students who have had 4-6 years of prior piano lessons

• Level 8 to Level 10: $195
  Includes :
  3 fifty-minute private lessons per month
  1 group lesson per month
  Recommended for students who have had 7+ years of prior piano lessons

Levels will be determined before the first lesson and will typically follow the Royal Conservatory curriculum. 

Tuition is due by the first lesson of each month, and is charged per month, not per lesson. A $20 late fee will be charged if payment is made after the 15th of each month. If monthly fees (including late fees) are not paid after 2 consecutive months, the student(s) will be invited to take lessons elsewhere. Billing will be sent out over email during the first week of the new month. Lesson fees may increase each semester (Spring, Fall, or Summer).

Group classes help students to improve their performance  and memory skills. They are designed to be a safe place for students to get used to performing in front of an audience, as well as learning about relevant theory concepts and figures from music history.

Group lessons are typically held on the last Saturday of each month (except for cases of holidays). Students are divided up into four groups according to their level, and will be notified which group that they will be in before their first group class. Students are required to prepare a different memorized piece for each group class. 

 Each group will meet at a separate time, which may mean that students who are related will be attending group classes at different times. Please respect this and have them attend at their assigned times–group classes may be too easy/hard if students attend the wrong class. Time and date of group classes will be posted on my website

Because I have a very full studio schedule, make-up lessons are not offered. The only exception: If I cancel the lesson, the missed lesson will be made up at a mutually convenient time. 

Should a conflict arise with a scheduled lesson time, the following option is available:

• Students may trade lesson times with another student. Please notify me of any changes. (Contact me for a directory)

• Students may have a lesson over Skype.

• Students may cancel the lesson, however, no refund will be offered.

If a student should be unavailable for a period of time exceeding 3 weeks, these options are available with advance notice: 

• Students may request that the lessons be held asynchronously. Enough material will be given to the student to cover their learning for the time that they are gone. Full tuition will be paid for this option

• Students may pay half of the month's tuition to hold their spot. This guarantees that they will have a spot in my studio after the extended period of absence.

• Students may opt to not pay tuition, however, their spot will be filled by other students on my waiting list. This means that the student will have to wait for an opening in my studio before they can take lessons again.

Students should arrive at their lessons promptly and leave promptly, as other students are scheduled tightly after. Due to this, time cannot be made up for late arrivals. Every effort is made in the studio to stay on schedule.

The student should bring all materials to every lesson. These materials typically include: 

• Binder

• Repertoire, Etude, and any other books students are practicing out

• Technique sheets

Any new music or materials will be bought by the student. Students or parents will be notified of the material that is to be purchased . Please make every effort to have these materials by the second lesson after notified.

There are many performance events and activities available to students. Students are required to perform in all recitals (held 1-2 times a year). Students should also perform at at least two other events. Options for these events include: 

• Federation Festival: Held in early March. Students will prepare 1-3 pieces and perform them at the homes of piano teachers in Davis County. Students will receive an evaluation on their performance. The fee is around $15. Students can earn a trophy by earning the highest mark (Superior) for 3 years in a row. 

• Royal Conservatory examinations

• Community performances: Students can perform at any community events. This may include a solo at a religious meeting, senior centers, or other community activities. 

• Piano Competitions: There are many piano competitions that students can register for throughout the year. Students who want to do this option should let me know and prepare their pieces at least 6 months in advance.

• Silent Film Festival Fundraiser: Held every August. Typically held at the Megaplex theater in Centerville. Students learn a piece and perform it while a silent film plays. Registration fees in the past have been between $25-$50 per student, in addition to the cost of tickets to see the performance.

Students will be taught using the Royal Conservatory Curriculum (exceptions to this may occur). Students can choose to follow the Royal Conservatory Curriculum. Students will be placed in a level from Prep A to Level 10, taking a yearly practical examination consisting of ear tests, technique tests, performance of selected repertoire, and theory (optional). Options for taking these examinations are as follows: 

• Students may choose to take the examination in person with a Royal Conservatory examiner. These are typically held at accredited colleges at the end of Spring, Fall, and Summer. This option will cost anywhere between $60-$300 depending on the level of the student.

• Students may take the examination remotely with a Royal Conservatory examiner. These can be conducted at any time of the year, and at home or my studio. Students will register for these two weeks in advance. This option will cost anywhere between $60-$300 depending on the level of the student.

• Students may take the examination with me as their examination. This option will not cost anything, however, I am not an official Royal Conservatory examiner. Due to this, scores may vary slightly from an official Royal Conservatory examination. This option can be done at any time of the year at my studio. 

Students will be required to take the Royal Conservatory practical examinations when they have fulfilled all of the requirements of their level. Please note that students are required to take an examination at least every two years to ensure progress is ongoing.

Students should come fully prepared for lessons each week. Students should have meaningful practice at least 6 days a week. Daily practice is key to success.  Student, teacher, and parent (if applicable) will coordinate each week to determine an adequate amount of daily practicing time depending on the students needs and circumstances.

On average, students should be prepared to practice at a minimum :

Prep Level A-B: 30 Minutes each day, 6 days a week
       Levels 1-2:   40 Minutes each day, 6 days a week
       Levels 3-4:   50 Minutes each day, 6 days a week
       Levels 5-8:   60 Minutes each day, 6 days a week
       Levels 9-10:  90-120 Minutes each day, 6 days a week

Younger students often need reminders/help from parents to fulfill this requirement. Parents should be prepared to regularly help the student at home.

Students who do not meet any of the following expectations for three weeks will be put on probation and/or asked to take lessons elsewhere. The terms and length of probation will be communicated to the student and parent individually.

Student expectations:

• Meaningful practice has been fulfilled for the required 6 days per week

• ALL assignments are practiced/completed daily

• Monthly group class assignments are completed

• Significant practice has been dedicated to fixing corrections assigned to them weekly. Issues are promptly fixed

• Progress is ongoing and consistent

• Student is engaged with lessons and behavior is appropriate

Please check these resources often for information on important lesson dates, lessons trades, and weekly assignments:

• GroupMe group messages: Event reminders, recital and lesson scheduling, and lesson trades will be regularly posted here

• Calendar tab (www.valariebeer.com/calendar): Private and group lesson dates will be posted monthly here 

• Practice Space: Student’s weekly assignments will be posted on this app after every private lesson. Students should use this resource with every daily practice session. Students are encouraged to send me questions (by recording, video, or message) on this app throughout the week.

In addition, students will receive periodic updates from the teacher regarding progress and any changes that may need to be made.

Parents of young students are welcome and encouraged to attend student private/group lessons. Young students will need their parents to sit with them to practice at home most days of the week. Young students also benefit when parents review assignments with their students the day after their private lesson. 

Parents are expected to be involved in their young student’s practicing at home. Please communicate with me often about any issues or questions regarding the young student.

Many children and teen students need the help of their parents to have consistent dedicated practice. Parents of child students should plan on helping their child by making a consistent practicing schedule for their student at home and reminding the child student to fulfill their daily piano practice often. It is paramount for the success of young students that they practice the day after their private lessons. Young students tend to forget what was assigned to them if they don’t make a habit of practicing the day after their private lessons.