Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts

Guidelines & Policies

There are four easy ways to register for classes at the Ann Arbor School for Performing Arts. Click here to learn more.

Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts REGISTRATION & FINANCIAL INFO

Registrations are due on or before the student's first scheduled class. At the end of the semester sessions, students continuing with private lessons must renew their registration by the end of the make-up week. Some instructors offer lessons during weeks when public schools are on break, and if that adds lessons in addition to the fifteen-week semester, please contact the office to make arrangements.  When renewing registrations for summer private lessons, please take into account vacation or travel absences by either the student or the instructor, and calculate the exact number of summer sessions to be taken.  Summer lessons may be arranged with a substitute instructor by the student's primary instructor.

REGISTERING-THREE EASY WAYS TO REGISTER!
Please note-students MUST be registered before they may begin classes and/or lessons!

1.  Call the office at 734.213.2000 during office hours to register with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
2.  Online registration at www.aa-spa.org/registration or click here.
3.  Visit the AA-SPA administrative office at 637 South Main Street during office hours.

 

NOTE: A personal consultation is required for private instruction and an audition is required for most ensembles (Youth Orchestra, Choir, Clarinet ensemble, Chamber Music, Jazz Combo). 


PAYMENT SCHEDULE-
Full tuition payments are due at the beginning of the semester (payment plans are available).  THE STUDENT MAY NOT BEGIN LESSONS OR CLASSES UNTIL REGISTRATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND CONFIRMED BY THE AA-SPA OFFICE.  Tuition may be pro-rated for students who enroll mid semester – for more information, please call the office 734.213.2000.

 


Enrollment Fees
These fees are not refundable.
$35 – Annual Family 2012-2013 Registration Fee – ONE required per family. The registration fee is for the entire school year. (The registration fee is waived for the scholarship students).
$20 – Payment Plan Fee per semester
$25 – Returned Check
$20 – Late Registration Fee will be charged to students who continue to take lessons without registering.
Registration will not be processed without payment.

Payment
The student (or parent/guardian) is financially responsible for all classes and lessons attended. Unregistered students who attend classes and lessons will be billed for the full semester tuition. Registration will not be processed without payment.
Tuition and Fees may be paid with:
• Visa |MasterCard | American Express
• Check (payable to Ann Arbor School of the Performing Arts)
• Money Order

Tuition for Private Lessons
Group of 30 private lessons (fall & spring semesters 15 sessions each) get a 5% discount and no registration fee (payment plans are available):
30-minute | $997.50
45-minutes | $1425
60-minute | $1852.50

 

Group of 15 private lessons:
30-minute | $525
45-minutes | $750
60-minute | $975

Rate per Individual Private Lesson 
30-minute | $40
45-minutes | $55
60-minute | $70

 


Tuition for Group Classes
Group of 30 classes (fall & spring semesters 15 sessions each) get a 5% discount and no registration fee (payment plans are available)

The tuition for classes is available online at www.aa-spa.org

Payment Options

Option Registration Payment Description Fees

Option 1*:
Register for full year (fall & spring semester 30 lessons) Pay in full to AA-SPA - prepay for the academic year Full payment is due at registration If you register and pay by September 1, 2012: get a 5% discount & the registration fees will be waived
        
Option 2*:
Register for full year (fall & spring semester 30 lessons) Pay in installments First payment must be made to AA-SPA at registration. All next payments will be made by the 1st of each following months If you register and pay by September 1, 2012: get a 5% discount & registration fees will be waived
    Pay the $20 installment plan fee per semester
        
Option 3:
Register for one semester only Pay in full to AA-SPA Full payment due to AA-SPA at registration before the first lesson and/or class When you register: Pay the $35 registration fee
        
Option 4:
Register for one semester only Pay in a maximum of four monthly installments First payment due to AA-SPA at registration. All next payments will be  made by the 1st of each following months When you register: Pay the $35 registration fee and
    Pay the $20 installment plan fee per semester


*For option 1 and 2, if a student decides to drop the lessons in the middle of the school year or semester there will be a cancellation fee of:

Private
$50 for students enrolled in 30-minute lessons
$65 for students enrolled in 45-minute lessons
$80 for Students enrolled in 60-minute lessons

Classes
$50 for students enrolled in the Youth Orchestra, Chamber Music, and Jazz Studies
$40 for students enrolled in any other classes not mentioned above

 


ALL BALANCES MUST BE SATISFIED BY THE CONCLUSION OF EACH SEMESTER AND BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THE NEXT SEMESTER IN ORDER FOR A STUDENT TO CONTINUE WITH LESSONS OR ENSEMBLES.  AA-SPA reserves the right to dismiss students for non-payment of tuition and in addition, outstanding balances may be referred to an outside collection agency.

ACCENT-PLUS DISCOUNT
For each additional class the students registers for, total tuition may be reduced by 10%.


FAMILY ALLOWANCE
If two or more family members are enrolled, the less expensive invoice(s) will be reduced by 10%. 

 


WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS
If a student withdraws from a class or ensemble before the end of the second week of the semester by informing the school in writing, the pro-rated balance of the semester tuition will be refunded.  No refunds will be given for withdrawals from classes or ensembles after the second week of the semester.  The registration fee is non-refundable.  AA-SPA reserves the right to cancel any class due to insufficient enrollment.  In those cases, all fees will be refunded.

PAYMENT PLAN
If a student signs up with a payment plan option the registration must be made by credit card only

 


PRIVATE LESSONS
If a student withdraws from PRIVATE LESSONS before week ten of the fifteen-week semester, pro-rated fees will be refunded.  If withdrawing after week ten, no refund will be due.  The registration fee is non-refundable.

The Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts, a not-for-profit education organization, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs or other school-administered programs.

The arts naturally foster personal discipline.  All students are expected to exhibit respectful, attentive behavior towards directors, coaches, instructors and other musicians.  AA-SPA reserves the right to dismiss students for non-adherence to policies.  It is each student's and/or parent's responsibility to read and understand AASPA policies.

REGISTRATIONS OF GROUP OF 15 OR 30 LESSONS: ALL LESSONS HAVE TO BE TAKEN WITHIN THE SAME SEMESTER (15 LESSONS/FALL & 15 LESSONS/SPRING) – THERE WILL BE NO ROLL OVER

ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS
Remember: Consistency is the key to excellence!
Although sometimes it is impossible to arrive on time, please respect your instructors by making habit of prompt arrival! 

Classes, ensembles and workshops | AA-SPA does not offer make up classes or ensemble rehearsals for sessions missed by students.  Classes will be made up if there is a weather closing or teacher cancellation.  Musicians in ensembles are expected to arrive early enough to be unpacked, warmed-up and seated to begin on time.  In all cases, that means planning to arrive at least fifteen minutes BEFORE the rehearsal or class is scheduled to begin.

Private Music Lessons | Students registered for private lessons are allowed one excused absence per semester.  In those cases, twenty-four hour notice must be given by the student to be offered a make-up lesson.  If proper notice is not received, the lesson will be considered forfeited and the student will be billed for the scheduled time.  Students should call BOTH the school and the individual teacher.  Lessons owed that are not taken by the end of the make-up week are forfeited unless the lessons were missed by the instructor or cancelled due to weather.  Teachers will allow ten minutes to pass from the scheduled start of an individual lesson, then it will be considered a forfeited lesson, and the student will be billed for the scheduled time.  If a student is late for a lesson, the lesson will still end at the scheduled time.

 


WEATHER CLOSINGS
The message machine at the school 734.213.2000 and the School's website (www.aa-spa.org) will have the current status of classes and ensembles as of 2:00 p.m. with final information for that day.  In general, AA-SPA follows weather cancellation decisions made by the Ann Arbor public Schools.  DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF FOR A REHEARSAL OR LESSON IF YOU ARE NOT SURE IT IS TAKING PLACE!

Classes, Ensembles & Workshops | Large ensembles (e.g. orchestra) will establish an e-mail communication tree for the purposes of last minute rehearsal status; please provide the School with a viable e-mail address.  Class or small ensemble instructors (e.g. Jazz Combos, Music Play, Keyboard Music Club) will reschedule one class that was cancelled because of weather conditions during the designated make-up week at the end of each semester.  If more than one class has been cancelled because of weather, the student will receive a pro-rated refund.

Private Music Lessons |If Ann Arbor Public Schools have closed because of inclement weather, private students should consider their lesson cancelled UNLESS it is mutually decided with the teacher to meet for the lesson; under some circumstances lessons can take place even when group activities are not practical.  Students should discuss cancellations due to weather with their teacher directly as there may not be anyone answering the phone at the School.  One private lesson cancellation due to the weather will be rescheduled during the make-up week.  If there are more than one cancellation and the instructor is unable to reschedule, a pro-rated refund or credit for the next semester will be applied.

Withdrawals and refunds | If a student withdraws from a class or ensemble before the second week of the semester by informing the school in writing, the pro-rated balance will be refunded.  If a student withdraws from private lessons before week ten of the fifteen week semester, pro-rated fees will be refunded.  Registration fees are non-refundable.

Student Safety and the Learning Environment |The waiting area of the school is for the comfort and convenience of families who are waiting during music instruction and supports a positive learning environment in the studio or classroom.  Adult supervision is not provided for children left alone at the school.  Do not drop off young students who are sixth grade and younger without an adult.  Do not drop off young students earlier than twenty minutes before the start of a scheduled lesson.  Young siblings must be supervised while waiting and may not run in the building or play on the staircase.