Studio Policies, Tuition & Enrollment
Sweet Music Studio | Adam Sweet
Welcome to Sweet Music Studio!
My goal is to provide an enjoyable, encouraging, and productive learning environment for students of all ages and experience levels. Whether you're beginning your musical journey, returning to an instrument after years away, or developing more advanced skills, our time together should be something you look forward to each week.
The following policies help keep lessons running smoothly, establish clear expectations, and ensure that every student receives the attention and instruction they deserve.
Experience Matters
With more than 45 years of experience teaching, performing, and recording music, I bring considerably more to a lesson than an instructional method or a collection of exercises.
My background includes classical music, bluegrass, traditional Irish and Celtic music, klezmer, folk, composition, and ensemble performance. I've worked with beginning students, experienced musicians, and adults who simply want to become comfortable enough with their instruments to enjoy making music with other people.
I believe in developing good technique, musical independence, listening skills, and an understanding of how music works. Above all, I believe that learning music should be enjoyable.
Lessons are individualized. We work on the music that interests you while building the skills necessary to become a well-rounded musician.
Private Lesson Tuition
All private lessons are currently conducted online through Google Meet.
Students may choose from three lesson options:
30-Minute Private Lesson — $45
A focused, individual lesson particularly suitable for beginners, younger students, or musicians who prefer shorter, more concentrated sessions.
Includes private instruction only.
45-Minute Private Lesson — $60
Our intermediate-length option allows additional time for technique, repertoire, musical development, and individual questions.
A good choice for students who want more instructional time without committing to a full hour.
Includes private instruction only.
60-Minute Private Lesson — $95
Our most comprehensive lesson option.
In addition to a full hour of personalized instruction, students enrolled in this program receive complimentary access to our weekly virtual group classes:
Monday: Mandolin
Wednesday: Klezmer
Thursday: Celtic
Friday: Bluegrass
All group classes begin at 5:00 PM Eastern Time and are hosted through the Sweet Music Studio YouTube channel.
There is no additional charge for group classes when enrolled in the 60-minute private lesson program.
Group classes are not included with 30- or 45-minute private lessons.
The combination of private instruction and group learning provides students with opportunities to develop individual technique while exploring different musical traditions and learning the skills needed to play with other musicians.
Visit our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@sweetmusic413
Save With Monthly or Annual Prepayment
Students who commit to regular lessons receive discounted tuition when paying in advance.
Monthly Prepayment: Save 10%
Monthly tuition is calculated on a four-lesson enrollment.
| Lesson Length | Regular Price | Monthly Prepaid |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Minutes | $180 | $162 |
| 45 Minutes | $240 | $216 |
| 60 Minutes + Group Classes | $380 | $342 |
Annual Prepayment: Save 15%
For students who wish to commit to a full year of musical study, annual prepayment provides our largest tuition discount.
Annual tuition is calculated on 52 weekly lessons.
| Lesson Length | Regular Annual Tuition | Annual Prepaid |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Minutes | $2,340 | $1,989 |
| 45 Minutes | $3,120 | $2,652 |
| 60 Minutes + Group Classes | $4,940 | $4,199 |
Annual tuition reserves your regular weekly lesson appointment throughout the year.
Discounts cannot be combined. Monthly and annual prepayment options are alternatives, not cumulative discounts.
Monthly packages cover four scheduled lessons. Any additional lessons in a five-week month are billed separately at the applicable discounted per-lesson rate. Annual packages cover 52 scheduled weekly lessons.
Payment Information
All tuition is payable through Venmo.
Pay Sweet Music Studio / Adam Sweet:
https://account.venmo.com/u/adamsweetonline
Payment must be received before lessons begin.
Individual lessons are payable in advance.
Monthly tuition is due before the first lesson of the prepaid period.
Annual tuition is due before the beginning of the annual enrollment period.
Your regular weekly appointment is reserved once enrollment and payment have been confirmed.
Please include the student's name and lesson period in the payment description.
Attendance and Scheduling
Private lessons are available Monday through Friday, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Students select a preferred day and time when enrolling. Once confirmed, that becomes their regular weekly appointment.
Please make every effort to attend your scheduled lesson.
Tuition is charged for the reserved lesson time, whether or not the student attends.
Missed lessons, forgotten appointments, vacations, birthdays, and other personal scheduling conflicts do not qualify for refunds or tuition credits.
If you know you will be unable to attend, please let me know as early as possible. Advance notice is appreciated, even when a missed lesson remains payable.
If I must cancel a private lesson, a makeup appointment or appropriate tuition credit will be provided.
Holidays, Snow Days, and Inclement Weather
One advantage of virtual instruction is that we aren't dependent on school calendars, road conditions, or the New England weather!
Sweet Music Studio remains open online for private lessons throughout the year, including:
School vacations and holidays.
Birthdays and other personal celebrations.
Snow days and inclement weather.
Traditional school and seasonal breaks.
Unless you receive a direct notice from me, assume your private lesson will take place at its regularly scheduled time.
Our virtual group class schedule may occasionally be affected by holidays, special events, or other circumstances. Please keep in touch and watch for announcements regarding changes to the group schedule.
Be Ready When Your Lesson Begins
A little preparation makes a tremendous difference.
Please be ready to begin playing at your scheduled lesson time. This means having your instrument out, your music available, and your equipment ready before we connect.
Depending on your instrument, please make sure:
Your instrument is tuned.
Your bow is rosined and ready to play.
Your strings, picks, shoulder rests, straps, and other accessories are available.
Your music, notebook, and assigned materials are within reach.
Your computer or tablet is charged or connected to power.
Your camera, microphone, and Google Meet connection are working.
You have a quiet, comfortable place to participate without unnecessary interruptions.
Please join your Google Meet appointment a few minutes early.
Tuning, finding missing materials, and resolving equipment problems during a lesson take time away from instruction. Lessons begin and end at their scheduled times, so late arrivals cannot ordinarily be extended.
Practicing Between Lessons
Learning an instrument requires regular practice. There is simply no substitute for spending time with your instrument between lessons.
That doesn't mean you need to practice for hours every day!
For most students, a shorter period of focused, consistent practice is far more productive than one long session immediately before the next lesson.
We'll discuss reasonable practice goals based on your age, experience, schedule, and musical interests.
A few suggestions:
Try to play something every day, even if only for a short time.
Review material from your previous lesson before beginning something new.
Practice slowly enough to play accurately.
Spend time listening to the music you're learning.
Keep a notebook of questions and things you'd like to work on.
Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your instrument.
Progress is a partnership. My responsibility is to provide thoughtful instruction, encouragement, and direction. Yours is to spend time exploring and applying what we've worked on together.
You don't have to be perfect. You just have to participate!
Technology and Virtual Lesson Etiquette
Private lessons are conducted through Google Meet. A meeting invitation will be provided once your appointment is confirmed.
Please use a reliable internet connection and position your camera so that I can clearly see your instrument, hands, and playing position.
For younger students, a parent or guardian should be available to assist with the connection and any technical difficulties.
Occasional technical problems are inevitable. If a connection is interrupted, please attempt to reconnect. If a significant technical failure prevents the lesson from taking place, we'll determine an appropriate solution.
Lessons may not be recorded or publicly shared without prior permission.
Please treat our virtual lesson space with the same courtesy and attention you would bring to an in-person studio.
Virtual Group Classes
Students enrolled in the 60-minute private lesson program automatically receive access to our virtual group class program at no additional charge.
These classes are intended to supplement individual instruction by introducing additional repertoire, musical traditions, and opportunities for shared learning.
Classes take place through YouTube, allowing students to follow demonstrations, participate through live chat, and play along from home.
Group classes are a complimentary benefit of active 60-minute private lesson enrollment. They are not individually refundable or exchangeable for missed private lessons.
Group class schedules and access information will be communicated as the program develops.
Enrollment and Getting Started
Ready to begin?
Please visit our Contact page or send an email directly to:
Include your name, instrument, experience level, musical interests, and preferred day and time for lessons.
I'll follow up regarding availability, enrollment, payment, and your Google Meet appointment.
By enrolling and submitting payment, students (or their parents or guardians) acknowledge and agree to the studio's tuition, attendance, and scheduling policies.
I look forward to working with you!
Adam Sweet
Sweet Music Studio
Granby, Massachusetts
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