Read below for policies and the areas we serve:

• Weekly lessons throughout the year (see vacations below)
• Registration fee 
• Recital prep classes held the week before recitals in Spring and Fall*
• Music books and recital pieces 
• A formal recital performance each year with live online video to share with family and friends*
• Several community performance opportunities each year
• Community Play Dates in the Park
• 2 Group Music Classes on Zoom each month

Recitals

Recital Prep classes are held in person and online within two weeks of the formal recital in May each year. Students will be notified and be able to sign up to participate. This is sort of like a dress rehearsal where students can get used to the performance process and space, and learn more about performance technique.

Our end of year recitals are usually about 45 minutes long, and students can choose between in person and online recitals to participate in. All family and friends are invited to attend, and we try to keep it fun and exciting for all ages!

Other Performances

We perform at local assisted living facilities and community areas. These performances are much more relaxed and so much fun! We have a minimum of two community performances a year and the time and location are shared as we schedule them throughout the year.

Group Zoom Lessons Each Month:

Ms. Alexia hosts a Zoom Group Lesson twice a month, and students will be notified and invited to sign up in advance to participate. These lessons are for all ages, instruments and levels and teach about a famous composer and composition, complete with arrangements in each level and instrument so students can learn an important selection for their repertoire and musical growth.

Prices:

30 minute weekly lessons are $175/month

45 minute weekly lessons are $245/month

60 minute weekly lessons are $320/month

(we offer up to a $25 per month discount for siblings with a minimum of 30 minutes of lessons each, for non-scholarship students)

The academic year is divided into three semesters in order to adjust the student's schedules if needed:

CLASS SCHEDULE 2025

• SPRING  2025  January 5 -  June  14
• SUMMER 2025 June 15 - August 16
• FALL 2025 August 24 - December 20

There will be no lessons for:

VACATIONS 2025

• MEMORIAL DAY VACATION  May  24-26
• JULY 4TH
• FALL BREAK August 17-23
• THANKSGIVING BREAK November 24- 30
• WINTER BREAK December 21 - January 3

Lessons will be held as scheduled for all other holidays.

*Please Note: Our monthly membership fee is an average of the entire year tuition. When we have a school vacation, the monthly rate is still the same amount. Most months have 4 lessons, some have 5, and when we have vacations, you may have less than 4, however the tuition stays the same. We have found parents prefer a regular fee to help them budget better.

Katrina Mendez is the lead teacher, overseeing all curriculum, lesson planning and training. Other managing teachers include Holly S., Quisqueyana G., Alexia D., and more. Our leaders are actively training and working with all teachers, leading group classes and workshops, hosting recitals and more. Reach out if you would like an evaluation at any point, and we would be glad to look over the student's progress and make adjustments to curriculum or lesson plans to fine tune to your goals and needs.

When  signing  up  you  will  input  a  card  or  account  in  order  to  pay  the  registration  deposit.  That  card  can  be used  for  auto-draft  on  the  final  day  of  the  month  before  the  month  being  billed  (i.e.  Aug  31  for  September  invoice),  starting  the  month  following  signup.  The  first  month’s  invoice  will  be  pro-rated  and  emailed  to  you  to  pay  manually.  

Should  you  prefer  to  change  your  auto-pay  account,  you  can  do  so  in  your  account  by  selecting  your  initials  in  the  upper  right  corner,  settings,  and  then  changing  billing  preferences.  If  you  have  questions  please  email  us.

Your  registration deposit  will  go  towards  your  first  lessons.

See our Online Lessons Page to get more details for online lessons

We do not offer makeups for canceled or missed lessons by the clients. If a teacher must miss a lesson, they will make it up.

You may request an online lesson during your usual lesson day/time by filling out this online form in  advance  of  the  lesson:  https://shiningstarmusicacademy.com/cancellation-form

Should you need to miss a lesson, you may elect to have a video lesson sent to you by your teacher. The videos are usually 5-10 minutes long, and will teach something new and assign new homework for the week. When you fill out the cancelation form, you can choose this option.

TEACHER CANCELATIONS

If a teacher is sick but able to teach, or their car breaks down  or  they  have  another  emergency  that  will  still  allow  them  to  teach  online, we will go to online lessons at your usual lesson time.  Consistent  lessons  are  so  crucial!

If a teacher must cancel for any other reason, you will be offered in this order:

A substitute teacher

or

A makeup: The teacher will make it up by reaching out to you to schedule a time that works for you. 

CANCELLATION PROCEDURE

Please fill out the cancelation form  HERE

In case of dangerous weather, Shining Star will contact students if we need to cancel, and we will offer a makeup. We do not go by school cancelations, so expect lessons even if school is canceled. 

Students are expected to be ready for their lessons on time. Teacher will wait for half the lesson time, and if they have not heard back from the student/parent, they will leave. Teachers are not expected to make up a lesson due to tardiness.

Should a teacher hit bad traffic or is otherwise late, all missing time will be made up that day if possible, or added to future lessons according to the student's schedule.

The teacher will provide all the music books for the student. Costs for books and recital pieces are included in your membership.

Students are expected to practice and finish their weekly assignments. Your teacher is available to help you understand how often, how long, and specifically how to practice. Please help your child by creating a dedicated time for practicing.

All communication and payments go directly through Hello @ Shining Star Music Academy. If you

have any questions for your teacher throughout the week or would like to purchase some new music,

please email or call Katrina. Teachers cannot accept payment or referrals, or reschedule or change your schedule.