Billing
Monthly Billing: Little Dell Music Studio bills students/families on the first of each month. Payments are due by the 10th of the month.
Payment Requirement: Prepayment is required to secure a student’s lesson time and/or place in a group class. For alternative payment options, please speak directly with our office staff.
Private Lesson Options and Pricing
We have two primary enrollment options for students taking private lessons.
• Enrolled Student: By far our most popular option, Enrolled Students pay a flat monthly rate that reserves their weekly lesson time. Students may reschedule up to three times per semester (about 4 months) and credits are not given for missed or cancelled lessons.
--> Best option for beginners through intermediate for consistent progress.
30 min ⟶ $142/mo ($73/hr) • 45 min ⟶ $208/mo ($71.50/hr) • 60 min ⟶ $275/hr ($70.75/hr)
Flat Monthly Rate Includes Closures: The flat monthly rate covers our 4 weeks of closure in November, December/January, and March/April.
These closures are: November 23rd - 29th 2025 • December 21st - Jan 3rd 2026 • March 29th - April 4th 2026
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• Schedule-As-You-Go: $78/hr, may be scheduled in 30, 45 or 60 minute increments.
A more flexible scheduling option is available for busier schedules. Students who opt to schedule-as-they go pay our full rate of $78/hr but have greater freedom in cancelling and rescheduling lessons. Lessons may be scheduled up to two weeks in advance and must be paid for at the time of scheduling.
---> We do not recommend this option for children unless they are advanced and/or need help prepping for something specific.
Discounts: 10% military discounts available.
Summer Lesson Policy:
From June to August we charge per lesson to allow scheduling flexibility for summer plans.
During this time, weekly lessons are billed at: 30 min - $36.50 • 45 min - $53.75 • 60 min - $71 • One off lessons will continue to be billed at $78/hr
Group Program Pricing:
• Let's Play Music:
••1st Year: $320/semester ($80/month)
••2nd Year: $340/semester ($85/month)
••3rd Year: $360/semester ($90/month)
•Sound Beginnings:
••1st child: $240/semester ($60/month)
••Each additional child: $80/semester ($20/month)
•Group Piano:
••Introduction to Keyboard: $96/month
••Prelude Piano: $96/month
•Group Singing:
••Singing Studio: $96/month
••Rising Voices: $96/month
•Little Dell Rock Band:
••$320/semester ($80/month)
•Band Basics:
••$240/semester (70/month)
Discounts: 10% military discounts available.
• Notice Required: All programs require a 30-day notice to cancel. Families must complete the current month, and mid-month credits or prorating will not be given.
• Cancellation Process: Notice must be provided in writing. The office will guide you through the enrollment cancellation form.
Summer Months
• Private lessons continue year-round. While billing practices change during the summer to accommodate vacations, enrolled students are expected to continue unless otherwise notified.
• Families must provide proper notice through the enrollment cancellation form to avoid continued billing.
Mid-Year Enrollment or Cancellation
• New students enrolling after September 1st will have their first month prorated based on their start week, not the number of remaining lessons in their first month.
• Students discontinuing lessons before May 30th may have a final month that is prorated based on their last week, not the remaining lessons in their last month.
• As a result, first or final prorated payment may be either more or less than the cost of the scheduled lessons in the month.
• Students using third-party payments (e.g., charter school funding) are financially responsible for their services.
• If funding is denied, families must pay their balance directly to Little Dell Music Studio.
• Questions regarding funding applications should be directed to the respective school.
• Monthly purchase orders do not constitute payment. Little Dell Music Studio will invoice the payer according to their policies, and student accounts will not be marked as paid until payment is received.
• Families using third-party payments are required to read and sign a policy addendum agreeing to our policies.
• All communication between teachers and parents should occur during the scheduled lesson times.
• Schedule changes should not be made directly with teachers. Any changes must be communicated to office staff either in person or via email at office@littledellmusicstudio.com.
• Little Dell Music Studio has an open door policy. Parents are always welcome to sit in on their children's lessons.
Private Lessons - Enrolled Students
Our cancellation policy aims to be realistic while still respecting our teachers time and enabling us to keep our lesson prices below market.
• Cancelled lessons will not be credited. Eligible cancellations will be offered a make-up lesson scheduled as soon as possible.
• Cancellations must be made by 6 PM the day before to qualify for a make-up. Cancellations after this time will be forfeited, with one “grace” make-up allowed per semester for day-of cancellations due to illness or emergencies.
• Your tuition reserves a weekly time in a teachers schedule. Students may reschedule up to 3 lessons per semester, including for illness and emergencies, so please plan accordingly. This limit also includes your "grace" make-up (same day cancellation for emergency or sudden illness, limited to one per semester).
• In the event that you have a planned absence (vacation, surgery, performance) providing us with as much notice as possible increases the likelihood of making an exception to our make-up limit.
• Make Ups must be scheduled within 90 days of the cancelled lesson.
• Schedule changes, including cancellations, must be provided in writing to the office, or given directly to office staff at the desk or over the phone. Email is preferred over a phone message.
• Office staff may be reached by emailing: office@littledellmusicstudio.com or calling (760) 282-4171
Private Lessons - Schedule-As-You-Go
• Cancellations must be made by 6 PM the day before to qualify for a make up.
• Lessons cancelled with over three days notice (72 hours) are not billable, and will not be rescheduled unless requested.
• Lessons cancelled with less than three days (72 hours) notice but before 6pm the night before will be billed for and rescheduled.
Group Classes and Rehearsals
• Make-ups or credits are not available for missed group classes or rehearsals. Students should complete homework to stay on track.
Teacher Absences
• If a teacher requests time off, we will either find a substitute to follow the lesson plan or ask families to reschedule.
Tuition does not include materials, which vary by program and are required for participation.
Students must have an instrument at home to practice. Participation in lessons or group classes without an instrument at home is not permitted.
Little Dell Music Studio encourages students/parents to log into their student account by visiting www.littledellmusicstudio.com/studentlogin.html to view lesson notes, billing, set up autopay, and access any resources your teacher may have provided.
We aim for 2 recitals per year: one in late May and one in early January. Recitals are optional.
• Students are expected to practice 4-5 times per week.
• It is not typical for children or teenagers to practice without reminders from their parents.
• Parents play an integral role in their child's music education, in facilitating practice time and ensuring that the student has the resources they need to practice.
• Students who practice less than 3 times per week are more likely to plateau / stop making progress.