• Payment must be received to ensure a place in class or an instructor’s studio.

• RSM admits students of any race, religion, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school.

• To maintain enrollment, a valid method of payment must remain on file

Private Lessons Membership Tuition

Your monthly tuition membership reserves a weekly lesson or class time. Membership tuition is paid monthly and covers weekly lessons, including months that have five lessons  or as few as three due to holidays or school closures. Your monthly tuition rate remains the same each month. The school operates year-round and does not close for the summer. Tuition is based on a 48-week year. Please refer to the school calendar closure dates.

Membership includes:

• Regular weekly lessons (except during scheduled school closures; please refer to the school calendar).

• Student performance opportunities: Winter, Spring, and Fall recitals (subject to passing your recital jury). Only members are eligible to participate in recitals and various performance opportunities. Please note: there is a recital participant fee. 

• Monthly tuition remains the same regardless of the number of weekly lessons in a month (e.g., three, four, or five lessons). 

• Monthly billing.

• No yearly recurring registration fee.

Additional Costs

• Recital fee, educational materials, music books, instrument rental, and other accessories are an additional cost and not included in membership.

• Members may purchase additional lessons when additional lesson time is needed to prepare for performance engagements.

Tuition Payment and Payment Issues:

• All accounts are enrolled into Autopay. Auto payments are processed 16 days before the 1st of the month, in alignment with the schools payment due date schedule.

• A valid method of payment must remain on file.

• Please note: Opus System invoices are dated for the 1st of the month as a default setting. This is a system setting we are currently unable to change. Invoices are due according to the school’s payment schedule (see below) not on the 1st of the month.

Payment Due Dates for 2025 Invoices

All accounts are enrolled into Autopay.

We follow the pay schedule below, and invoices are due on the dates listed:

January Invoice

• Due on December 15th (personal check payments are due December 11th)

February Invoice

• Due on January 15th (personal check payments are due January 10th)

March Invoice

• Due on February 13th (personal check payments are due February 10th)

April Invoice

• Due on March 15th (personal check payments are due March 12th)

May Invoice

• Due on April 15th (personal check payments are due April 10th)

June Invoice

• Due on May 15th (personal check payments are due May 12th)

July Invoice

• Due on June 15th (personal check payments are due June 11th)

August Invoice

• Due on July 15th (personal check payments are due July 10th)

September Invoice

• Due on August 15th (personal check payments are due August 12th)

October Invoice

• Due on September 15th (personal check payments are due September 10th)

November Invoice

• Due on October 15th (personal check payments are due October 10th)

December Invoice

• Due on November 15th (personal check payments are due November 12th)

Late and Returned Check Fee:

• Payments received after the 15th (or posted payment due dates) will incur a $20 late fee.

• There is a $35 fee for returned checks.

• If your balance is not settled by the 1st of the month and you have not contacted the office to make payment arrangements, your lesson time will be forfeited and offered to a student on the waiting list. We want to avoid an interruption in your lesson schedule, so please inform the office of any payment issues or need to make alternate payment arrangements.

Payment Methods:

• Credit card payments incur a 3% card processing fee. ACH and debit card payments do not incur this fee.

• If you prefer to pay by  personal check, please provide payment at least three business days prior to the auto payment date. Please note: you will still need to have a valid method of payment on file.  If your check payment is not received at least 3 business days prior to the auto payment date, your invoice will need to be paid using the method of payment on file.

• There is a payment drop box located outside Studio 5 to deposit check payments. Checks should be made payable to Richardson School of Music and include the students name.

We understand that schedules can change, but it’s critical to provide at least 24 hours' notice to cancel a lesson in order to qualify for a make-up. This policy is in place because we must still pay teachers for their reserved time with you if proper notice is not given. Adhering to this policy ensures fair compensation for our teaching staff.

• "Day of" cancellations for any reason are not subject to receive a make-up lesson. The lesson will be missed and your teacher will need to be compensated for their scheduled time. No make-up lesson will be provided for day of lesson cancelations. Failure to provide proper notice means a make-up lesson cannot be scheduled.  No exceptions.

• You must cancel your lesson via the Opus student/parent portal at least 24 hours in advance of your absence in order for a make-up lesson to be issued to your account for future use.  Informing a teacher of intent to cancel or make-up a lesson does not constitute as proper notice.

• Students are allotted ONE make-up lesson every 90 days and it must be used within 60 days.

• Make-up lessons due to student cancelation expire 60 days from the date of the missed lesson. Make-up lessons issued due to a Teacher absence or Teacher cancelation does not expire.

• A sub is provided for teacher absences. If we are unable to provide a sub for your lesson, the office will add a make-up lesson to your account, giving you the ability to schedule a make-up lesson through the portal/platform. Please note: A make-up lesson with your primary instructor is not guaranteed.

• The Richardson School of Music reserves the right to substitute faculty when necessary.

• A make-up lesson with your primary instructor is not guaranteed.

• You have the ability to self-book your make-up lesson. If your make-up availability does not match your instructor's schedule, you may also schedule a make-up lesson with another instructor that matches your availability, schedule a make-up lesson during a designated school make-up day, use your make-up lesson to attend a studio master class or have additional time added to your lesson if there is booking space before or after your existing lesson.

• Make-up lessons must be booked through your account portal and cannot be rescheduled once booked.

• Make-up classes are NOT offered to individual students that miss group classes or ensemble rehearsals. If class is canceled due to a Teacher absence, additional class time may be added to make-up the time missed or a class will be offered on a designated school make-up day.

• Make-up lessons are not provided if one member of a private duo, private sibling, or private couple lesson is absent.

• Monetary credits or refunds are not issued for missed lessons or classes.

• Students are expected to attend and be punctual to all classes. Students who are late for a lesson cannot be guaranteed their full lesson time.

• Students arriving late by more than half of their lesson period will be considered absent (no show), and their instructor will be dismissed and paid for their time. Student no shows are not eligible to receive a make-up lesson.

• Students should not attend lessons when sick (ie fever, nausea, vomiting, constant runny nose, etc.) out of respect for our teachers and other music students.

• Richardson School of Music reserves the right to dismiss a student from a scheduled lessons if the student arrives at their lesson exhibiting possible symptoms of illness.  We do not offer make-ups for sick-related absences.

• If you desire a teacher change, please email or call the school office at 301-660-4455 for assistance.

• Richardson School of Music reserves the right to substitute faculty when necessary.

• If your teacher becomes unavailable for regular lessons, you will be provided a new teacher with similar teaching style and or availability, or the opportunity to choose a new teacher.

To terminate membership, please email the school office at rsmstudents@richardsonschoolofmusic.com and submit a cancelation form at least five business days before the 15th of your final month. For example, if you wish to terminate lessons as of December 31, 2024, please contact our office and fill out a membership cancelation form by December 9, 2024 (5 business days prior to the 15th of the month). We do not prorate tuition for the last month’s lessons. Cancellation forms can be found on the school website or can be requested via email from the school office.

Membership Cancelation forms must be received 5 business days prior to the 15th to take effect at the end of that month. For example, a Membership Cancellation Form received on the 16th of May is billed for June and takes effect at the end of June.

• Submit a cancellation form at least five business days before the 15th of your final month to terminate membership.

• Membership fees are not prorated for the last month.

• Make-up credits expire 30 days after membership ends and are not refundable.

• No refund will be provided for make-up credits. There are no exceptions.

• You may withdraw the cancellation request at any time before it takes effect but your teacher and/or time slot cannot be guaranteed.

Withdrawal Form: https://forms.gle/17D8Dk8G1wB839iX9

Summer Exception (June, July, August)

1. You may place a membership on “Summer Hold” for up to two (2) months with a 21-day notice before the 1st of the month.

2. To reserve your current lesson time and teacher, tuition for the returning month must be prepaid by the start date of your hold. This tuition prepayment is non-refundable. If your tuition prepayment is not made by your hold start date, your lesson day and time will be available for other students to reserve. The latest date to resume lessons on hold is September 1st.

Please be aware that teacher availability may change. If your reserved day and time cannot be accommodated due to a change in your teacher’s schedule, you will receive priority access to select a new lesson time. If we unable to find a new time that’s conducive to your schedule, we will refund your tuition prepayment.

3. While on Summer Hold, members may purchase individual lessons.

Summer Hold Form: https://forms.gle/wjTKW9jgdghS5y7F6

• In the event of inclement weather, The Richardson School of Music makes decisions regarding closures independently of local school districts.

• RSM reserves the right to cancel classes due to inclement weather and holidays.

• RSM is not obligated to make-up lessons or classes due to inclement weather.

• For school closure information please go to our website at www.richardsonschoolofmusic.com or call 301-660-4455.

• School Closing Announcement: An official announcement will be emailed and or texted  8:00 AM for morning lessons and classes, and by 1:00 PM for afternoon lessons and classes. If inclement weather conditions occur later in the day, RSM  reserves the right to make a decision at a later time.

• Sunday events: An official announcement emailed or texted by 12:00 PM.

• RSM reserves the right to change lessons to an online format whenever necessary.

• To ensure your child’s safety, please be sure to pick him/her/them up promptly after each class/lesson time.

• Faculty and staff do not supervise children waiting before or after classes.

• Children are under supervision during their instruction time only. Neither instructors or administrators are responsible for supervising children outside of teaching time.

• Students are not allowed in classrooms other than instruction or scheduled studio time.

• Photographs and video of students may be taken for Richardson School of Music publications and/or news releases.

• No compensation is provided to individuals who appear in the publications.

• If you do not wish for you or your child to appear in our publications, please e-mail us directly to let us know of your preference or write your preference in the comment section of your registration form. You may also indicate your preference within your Opus1.io profile.

• Lost and Found items are discarded or donated after 30 days. Please check the lost and found bin or contact the school to inquire about lost and found items you may need to retrieve.

The safety of our students, families, and faculty is our priority. Please take a moment to read carefully through our safety guidelines. For the well-being of all, we will be strictly adhering to all safety policies outlined below.

The Richardson School of Music’s faculty, staff, and students will adhere to the following procedures when entering the building:

• Masks are optional but encouraged.

• Students will be required to wash and or sanitize their hands upon arrival.

The Richardson School of Music asks for students and families to understand and agree to the following guidelines and procedures regarding COVID-19:

• If the student is experiencing ANY symptoms of illness, the student should remain home and can request to participate virtually. Students who display signs of sickness will be sent home.

• If the student receives a positive COVID-19 test, the student can return after 10 days of isolation and upon receiving a negative COVID test. If a student is considered a CLOSE CONTACT of someone diagnosed with COVID-19, please follow the protocols below:

• If vaccinated: Isolate for 5 days. The student can return after 5 days of isolation and upon receiving a negative COVID test. Students can request to participate virtually.

• If not vaccinated: Isolate for 10 days. The student can return to in-person lessons after 10 days of isolation and upon receiving a negative COVID test. Students can request to participate virtually.

For your safety, The Richardson School of Music will continue to implement the following:

• Sanitizing stations or hand sanitizer bottles will be available in common areas as well as individual studios.

• Pianos will be cleaned between classes.

• Social distancing will be practiced as much as possible.

• RSM has the right AND will send students home who display any signs of sickness. RSM teachers and staff are aware that all signs of sickness are not COVID-19 related. However, this rule will be strictly enforced regardless of the ailment/cause.

• We will continue to use email and phone as our primary means of communication with families. If you opt-in to receive SMS please view our SMS policy on our website.

RSM reserves the right to change lessons to an online format whenever necessary.

Richardson School of Music has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, Richardson School of Music cannot guarantee those who enter the premises will not become infected with COVID-19. Attending in-person lessons could increase the risk of contracting COVID-19 for all in attendance.

It is a requirement of all students and persons entering the business premises of Richardson School of Music to comply with the procedures outlined in the COVID 19 guidelines mentioned above. Procedures and guidelines are subject to change. All those agreeing to this waiver must comply with any changes made. The Richardson School of Music reserves the right to discontinue in-person lessons effective immediately for non-compliance.

Following the pronouncements above I hereby declare the following:

• By signing this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that my child(ren) and I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending in-person lessons at Richardson School of Music and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability and death.

• I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at Richardson School of Music may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, Richardson School of Music teachers, volunteers, program participants, and their families.

• I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury to my child(ren) or myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I or my child(ren) may experience or incur in connection with my or my child(ren)'s attendance at Richardson School of Music or participation in any activities associated with Richardson School of Music.

• On my behalf, and on behalf of my children, I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless the Richardson School of Music, its teachers, and owners, of and from the Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto. I understand and agree that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of the Richardson School of Music, its teachers, owners, agents or representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any program.

By signing this policy, I acknowledge that I have read the foregoing Liability Release Waiver and understand its contents; that I am at least eighteen (18) years old and fully competent to give my consent; That I have been sufficiently informed of the risks involved and give my voluntary consent in signing it as my own free act and deed; that I give my voluntary consent in signing this Liability Release Waiver as my own free act and deed with full intention to be bound by the same, and free from any inducement or representation.

The electronic agreement to this policy and the related fields are treated by The Richardson School of Music as a physical handwritten signature on a paper form. I acknowledge that I have read and agree to all the above terms on my own behalf and that of any listed minor children (under 18) of whom I am a legal parent/guardian (to whom it may apply).

At Richardson School of Music, we value your privacy and make every effort to respect your wishes and personal information. In line with this commitment, we have established the following policy for the use of our SMS service. Please read it carefully to understand how we collect, use, and manage your phone numbers.

Collection Of Phone Numbers

We collect your phone numbers only when you voluntarily provide them to us, for example, during transactions, inquiries, or when you register for lessons or classes. You can opt in to receive these SMS messages when you enroll or by accepting SMS service through the Richardson School of Music Opus 1.io portal.

Use Of Phone Numbers For SMS

Your phone numbers are used to provide you with our services, updates, school news and reminders. These text messages may relate to any related services you receive at Richardson School of Music. SMS messaging charges may be applied by your carrier. We will only share your phone number with our SMS provider. We use Opus1.io to send all SMS communications to users who have opted in. Please view Opus1.io policy here for information on how they use user information.

Opting Out Of Marketing Messages

If at any time you wish to stop receiving SMS from us, you can opt out by

• Texting STOP to opt-out

• Texting UNSUBSCRIBE to opt-out

• Texting CANCEL to opt-out

• Texting QUIT to opt-out

• Disabling SMS services from the Opus1.io platform.

Please note that the opt-out process may take up to 10 business days to become effective. During this period, you may still receive some messages from us.

Changes to This Policy

If any changes are made to this policy you will be notified through the Opus1.io platform. Updated policy information will also be posted on our website.

• No food or drinks are permitted in RSM. 

• Be respectful of others at all times.

Payment of class fees or beginning lessons implies acceptance of all policies above.

I agree to the above terms and conditions.