AMI Policies
Recommended Lesson Length by Age
3-5yrs (30min) – 5-6yrs (45min) – 6+yrs (60min)
Attendance – Private Lessons
Lessons are scheduled weekly on the same day and time, consecutively. Missed Lessons – Every Quarter (3 months – ie Jan-March, April-June, July-Sept, Oct-Dec)
Student Absence
Each student is eligible for up to 2 excused make-up lessons per quarter with a week or more’s notice. AMI provides up to two excused make-up lessons per quarter when students give at least one week’s notice. Students must schedule make-up lessons during the teacher’s designated make-up days, subject to faculty availability. During the last month of each quarter, faculty members designate one or more make-up days outside their regular teaching schedule. If a student is unable to attend a scheduled make-up, the student then revokes the make-up.
Teacher Absence
If a teacher must cancel a lesson, the teacher will reschedule the lesson during the same month. In some cases, if a teacher is absent, AMI may assign a substitute teacher. The substitute lesson counts as the student’s scheduled lesson. If a student or parent declines a substitute lesson, the student forfeits that lesson. AMI does not provide a make-up lesson from the permanent teacher. AMI also does not issue an account credit for the missed lesson.
No make-ups for cancellations within 24 hours prior to the lesson. Unused make-up lessons do not carry over into the next quarter. I understand that if I suspend lessons for any reason, but wish to continue lessons at a later date, AMI administration must be informed, resulting in suspension of account until returning; this does not guarantee the same day/time/instructor.
Campus & In-Home Lesson Policies
On-campus lessons at AMI: Any student under the age of eight (8) years must be accompanied on AMI premises by a parent or legal guardian, or by a sibling who is at least fourteen (14) years of age. The accompanying adult or sibling must remain on campus for the full duration of the student’s lesson. AMI faculty and staff are responsible for the care and supervision of students only during the student’s scheduled lesson time; AMI does not assume responsibility for students before their lesson begins or after their lesson concludes, and parents or guardians remain responsible for timely drop-off and pick-up.
AMI faculty conduct in-home lessons. A parent, legal guardian, or sibling who is at least eighteen (18) years old must remain at the property throughout the lesson. AMI and AMI faculty assume no responsibility for student(s) outside the scheduled lesson period.
Attendance – Group Classes & Package Lessons
There are no make-ups or reimbursements for missed group classes, package lessons, and summer music camp days.
In-Home Lesson Policy
No in-home lesson can take place unless a parent or guardian is present.
Tuition
Private Lesson (in-school or online)
1/2hr – $50 // 45min – $75 // 1hr – $100
Private Lessons (in-home – 5mi radius of campus)
1/2hr – $55 // 45min – $82.50 // 1hr – $110
College & Harp Faculty Lessons (in-school)
1hr – $150 or specific rate per college faculty member
Friends & Family (in-school only)
2 Stud (per stud) – 1/2hr – $40 // 3 Stud (per stud) – 1/2hr – $35 // 4 Stud (per stud) – 1/2hr – $30
Group Classes – Ask for specific class rates
Registration Fee Per Student: $50 // Re-registration Fee Per Student: $25
Tuition Payments
The initial tuition payment contains the following: 1st month pro-rated, plus the next full month and registration fee (per student). AMI processes all future tuition payments during the first week of each month for the following month’s tuition, until I withdraw from American Music Institute. I agree that in the event my credit card becomes invalid, I will provide American Music Institute with a new valid credit card upon request, to be charged for the payment of any outstanding balances owed to American Music Institute for services rendered, including future monthly payments as outlined by this agreement. If you do not update your credit card and pay tuition within 14 days of the due date, AMI adds a 5% late fee.
If tuition remains unpaid for 15 days, AMI removes the student from the schedule, and their reserved lesson time will be forfeited until the outstanding balance is paid in full. Please note that removal from the schedule may result in the permanent loss of the student’s designated day, time, and instructor. I understand that AMI may increase tuition to offset inflation and operating costs, which will be announced by email. I understand that tuition payments are nonrefundable.
Change in Lessons
I understand that if I wish to change a monthly billing fee to reflect new or discontinued AMI services, I must inform AMI administration via email or through the AMI Break or Withdrawal Form, and those changes will reflect on my monthly billing moving forward.
Student Recital / Performance Class
Students who participate in Performance Class pay a $15 fee; AMI applies the fee to tuition before the performance class. There are two AMI Student Recitals held annually for active/current students, in December and June. AMI charges a $95 recital fee per student for the school year. (August to July) and is applied to tuition upon registration or at the start of the academic year (August tuition or if registering between August and December). For registrations between January and April, AMI applies a prorated recital fee of $47.50 to tuition. If applicable, AMI adds an accompanist fee when applicable to tuition after the recital. Accompanist Fees… Beginner – $35 with a 5-minute scheduled rehearsal before the recital; Intermediate – $60 with a 10-minute scheduled rehearsal before the recital; and Advanced – $85 with a 15- 20-minute scheduled rehearsal before the recital. Pictures and Videos read below. There are no refunds or credits offered for performance class, recital, and accompanist fees.
AMI Faculty
AMI is well known for its Award-Winning Faculty! Faculty typically teach at AMI for a very long period of time, and even though, on average, AMI teachers have long tenure positions at AMI, on occasion, a teacher will leave. If a teacher leaves AMI, we will provide as much notice as possible. AMI will also provide a list of available instructors for continued lessons. Student/parent will then be able to choose from that list of AMI teachers to continue lessons with another amazing AMI faculty member. AMI does not guarantee any specific teacher.
Pictures & Videos
AMI occasionally uses photographs and videos of students during lessons and events for its website, social media, and promotional materials. By enrolling, I understand and authorize AMI to use photographic or video recordings of AMI students for educational purposes on promotional material, the internet, and social media.
Break From Lessons
To qualify for a break from lessons, a student must be absent for three or more consecutive weeks. Students must notify AMI by email before taking a break. They must also submit the AMI Break Form by the 25th of the month to avoid additional tuition charges. The form must include the last lesson date and the expected return date. AMI holds any remaining tuition in the student’s account for up to one year. Upon return, the student may resume lessons with their previous teacher if available or with another available teacher. No specific lesson day or time will be reserved during the break period.
Withdrawing
Private Lessons: To withdraw from private lessons, you must cancel your account by the 25th of the month from American Music Institute in order to stop payments. Cancelling your account on or before the 25th of the month will end your lessons at the end of the following month, and any unattended lessons or lack of attendance at classes at AMI does not constitute a reason for not paying tuition or requesting a refund. I understand that failure to attend a weekly scheduled lesson does not constitute a lack of receiving services.
Any chargeback processed will incur a $50 fee and suspension from lessons effective immediately, plus a 5% fee of the amount of the chargeback charged to the AMI student account. Program tuition that has been processed for educational services rendered at AMI, and that if I do not attend lessons, I will be rightfully charged until a withdrawal form is received by AMI. I further understand and agree that a change of teacher due to a teacher’s departure does not constitute a chargeback or refund. If I should withdraw in the proper timeline outlined above and I am still charged, I understand that if a charge is disputed by a student/parent, triggering a chargeback, the student/parent AMI account will immediately be suspended, and AMI pauses lessons until the credit card company resolves the dispute is settled with the credit card company.
Group Classes: After classes start, there are no refunds for group classes.
AMI Programs: There are no refunds for any AMI Programs / Classes. (AMI Programs: Summer Music Camp, Chicago Youth Chamber Orchestra, Mini Campus, Chicago Violin Competition, etc.)