2026-2027 Policies & Guidelines
Music is a personal journey, and I want to make your lessons an inspiring and memorable experience. I welcome your feedback, questions, or conversation at any time. Email is the best way to reach me.
Communication
Location
Lessons are offered in-person at my Hillsborough, NJ, home and online through Zoom. Students can choose a format that works best for them: exclusively in-person, exclusively online, or a hybrid of both.
Tuition, Fees, and Payment
Tuition is due by the first lesson of each month, payable via Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, cash, or check (made out to “Megan Register”).
An electronic invoice will be sent each month.
30 minutes: $47/lesson
45 minutes: $62/lesson
60 minutes: $77/lesson
Additional Fees
A $15 recital fee per family will be charged for in-person studio recitals and will be added to your December and June invoices.
All other costs, such as books, festival fees, and exam fees, are the student's responsibility.
Attendance
Your tuition guarantees a dedicated weekly lesson time for the academic year. To get the most out of your lesson, please arrive on time.
Student Tardiness: Lessons end at the scheduled time, regardless of when you arrive. If more than half the lesson is missed due to tardiness, the remainder of the lesson is forfeited and will not be rescheduled.
Teacher Tardiness: If I am late, I will extend the lesson to ensure you receive the full lesson time.
Cancellations and Make-Up Lessons
Please notify me as soon as possible if you need to cancel.
No-show or Late Cancellation: If you cancel with less than two hours' notice or don’t show up, the lesson is forfeited and will not be rescheduled.
Advanced Cancellation: Make-up lessons or tuition credits may be offered at my discretion for cancellations made in advance.
Teacher Cancellation: If I have to cancel, we will either schedule a make-up lesson at a mutually convenient time or credit the lesson to the following month’s tuition.
Health and Safety
If you are ill, please be considerate of others. Students with cold symptoms (coughing, sneezing, runny nose) should wear a mask. If you are too sick to attend school or work due to a contagious illness, please do not attend your in-person lesson. Instead, you may attend your lesson online via Zoom.Thank you for helping keep our studio a healthy environment.
Materials
Please bring all necessary materials to each lesson, including your music books (typically 2-5), theory workbook, assignment notebook, and a 3-ring binder. A backpack or tote bag is an easy way to keep everything organized. Students are responsible for purchasing these materials promptly unless other arrangements have been made with me.
Hands Ready to Play!
For proper technique and to maintain the cleanliness of the piano, please keep your nails trimmed and your hands clean. Hand sanitizer is provided and should be used before each lesson.
Practice Expectations
Progress at the piano comes from consistent daily practice, not just attending lessons. The weekly practice assignment is tailored to each student's needs, focusing on specific and manageable steps to help turn challenges into strengths. Rather than assigning a specific amount of time, the goal is for students to practice long enough to achieve the objectives set during each lesson.
For Younger Students & Beginners: Consistent, daily practice is crucial for developing good physical habits. Parents, please help your child set aside quiet time each day to practice. This routine will help them build strong finger muscles, proper posture, and a more intuitive musicality.
For Adult Students: The biggest challenge for adults is finding consistent practice time. Try to think of your musical journey as a "practice" in the same way you might approach meditation or yoga—it’s amazing what a small, daily commitment can accomplish!
Instrument
An acoustic piano is the best option for lessons. The unique way a real piano's vibrations travel through your fingers helps build stronger technique and better musical expression. A used upright in good condition is often a better (and potentially cheaper) choice than a new keyboard. Your acoustic piano should be tuned at least once, and preferably twice, per year.
A digital piano or keyboard can be acceptable for a beginner's first year or two, but it's important to understand the limitations. While they can imitate the sound of a piano, they lack the vibrations and dynamic range that are crucial for a student's development. Students who wish to progress to intermediate and advanced levels will be at a disadvantage with a digital instrument. If you use a digital piano, it must have 88 weighted, touch-sensitive keys, a music stand, a pedal, and a stand at the proper height.
Smaller keyboards with unweighted or non-touch-sensitive keys are not suitable for lessons or practice.
Performances
Performance Opportunities
I strongly encourage students to perform at least twice a year. Performances are a great way to celebrate hard work, bond with fellow pianists, and build poise and confidence. Performance opportunities can include recitals, school showcases, family gatherings (in person or online), group lessons, or competitive events.
Festivals, Competitions, and Exams
Please let me know if you are interested in participating in special events like festivals, competitions, or examinations. Before committing, we must agree that the event is appropriate for the student's age and skill level.
For any piano event, consistent practice is essential for a positive experience. If a student is not fully prepared two weeks before an event, we will not participate.
Updated May 9, 2026
Effective June 21, 2026