Private Lesson Policies
Please note: the policies below apply to CSMA’s Private Music Lesson Program starting in Fall 2026 and do not necessarily reflect the policies of other CSMA program areas.
I . Tuition and Terms
Tuition for enrollment in the Fall and Spring Semester covers a full 19-week term consisting of 18 private lessons and 1 Workshop Week, billed as a flat rate based on lesson length. Tuition for enrollment in the Summer Session varies depending on the calendar year and lesson availability. Students registering after a term has started receive a prorated tuition rate for the remainder of that term.
Attendance & Make-Up Lessons
There is no school credit, reimbursement or refund for missed lessons due to a student’s absence. CSMA does not guarantee a make-up for a missed lesson due to a student’s absence. As a courtesy, please notify your teacher in advance about any lessons you will miss.
If a lesson is missed due to a teacher’s absence, a make-up lesson will be scheduled.
In cases of emergency or serious illness, a leave of absence may be requested. All requests must be made in writing to the Private Lessons Team (privatelessons@arts4all.org). Be sure to include any supporting medical documentation. If approved, some school credit may be given for those absences.
Payment Plans & Financial Aid
CSMA offers tuition payment plans for Fall and Spring semesters to help ensure affordability for students and families. Students who enroll by the start of the semester are eligible for a four-installment payment plan. Once the semester begins, payment plan eligibility and the number of installments are determined by the number of weeks remaining in the Private Music Lesson Program.
CSMA offers financial aid for qualified students; for more information regarding financial aid, please contact Student Services at info@arts4all.org.
II. Withdrawal Policy
A. Pre-Term Withdrawal
- Definition. A “Pre-Term Withdrawal” is defined as the cancellation of all scheduled lessons and activities within the Private Music Lesson Program for the entirety of an upcoming term that has not yet started, for which tuition has already been paid.
- Eligibility. A Pre-Term Withdrawal may be requested if the student’s first scheduled lesson of the term has not yet occurred. All Pre-Term Withdrawal requests must be made at least 3 business days prior to the first scheduled lesson. Any requests after this period do not qualify as a Pre-Term Withdrawal and will instead be categorized as a “Mid-Term Withdrawal” (definition provided below).
- Notification. Written notice must be submitted to privatelessons@arts4all.org by the Primary Account Holder at least 3 business days prior to the student’s first scheduled lesson of the term. Verbal notifications do not qualify as official notice.
- Payment. In the event of a Pre-Term Withdrawal, all paid tuition for the term will be refunded or credited in accordance with the guidelines of the Tuition Refunds and School Credits Policy; registration fees are non-refundable. CSMA must receive the fully completed Withdrawal Form, which will be shared after receipt of a withdrawal request, before a refund or school credit is issued.
B. Mid-Term Withdrawal
- Definition. A “Mid-Term Withdrawal” is defined as the cancellation of all remaining scheduled lessons and activities during a term within the Private Music Lesson Program, for which tuition has already been paid, effective 30 days after written notice is received.
- Eligibility. A Mid-Term Withdrawal may be requested at any time during an active term by the Primary Account Holder.
- 30-Day Notice Period. Upon written submission of a Mid-Term Withdrawal request, registration for the Private Lesson Program remains active for 30 days. Lessons will continue during this period, and Primary Account Holders remain responsible for the tuition of all scheduled lessons and activities within these 30 days, regardless of attendance.
- Notification. Requests for a Mid-Term Withdrawal must be made in writing to privatelessons@arts4all.org. Verbal notifications do not qualify as notice.
- Forfeiture. Any make-up lessons accumulated due to approved student/teacher absences in accordance with established policies must be scheduled and completed by the final day of the 30-day withdrawal notice period. All lessons that are not used by this date will be forfeited.
- Payment. Paid tuition of the remaining term for lessons and activities scheduled after the 30-day notice period will be refunded or credited in accordance with the guidelines of the Tuition Refunds and School Credits Policy. CSMA must receive the fully completed Withdrawal Form, which will be shared after receipt of a withdrawal request, before a refund or school credit will be issued.
III. Change Requests
Teacher Transfer | Schedule Change | Lesson Length
- Eligibility. Students may request a Teacher Transfer, Schedule Change, or Lesson Length Change (extensions only) at any time during the term. While we strive to accommodate adjustments, fulfillment cannot be guaranteed as it is strictly dependent upon teacher availability and operational requirements.
- Authorization. All change requests must be submitted directly by the Primary Account Holder in writing to privatelessons@arts4all.org; faculty are not responsible for submitting or relaying requests. In the event a faculty member shares a request on behalf of a student, it will not be processed until confirmed in writing by the Primary Account Holder. The official request date will be the date of the Primary Account Holder’s written confirmation, not the date of the faculty member’s notification.
- Notification. To submit a Change Request, please send written notice to privatelessons@arts4all.org at least 3 business days before the next scheduled lesson. Verbal notifications or late submissions will not be accepted for eligibility.
- Payment. Any additional tuition owed to CSMA as a result of a Change Request must be paid in full at least 3 business days prior to the change effective date. Any refunds or school credits resulting from a Change Request will be processed in accordance with CSMA’s Refunds and School Credits Policy.
IV. Account Creation and Management
A. Account Eligibility and Establishment
- Primary Account Holder. A Primary Account Holder is associated with every registration at CSMA. Every account must have one designated Primary Account Holder who assumes full financial and legal responsibility.
- Establishment. Accounts are uniquely established and identified via one primary email address provided at the time of registration. This email address serves as the official channel for all billing, email communications, email communications, and account modifications.
- Restrictions. The Primary Account Holder must be a student 18 years of age or older, or parent/legal guardian.
B. Account Management
- Only the Primary Account Holder has the authority to create, modify, update, or close an account.
- While the Primary Account Holder may add authorized users, doing so does not transfer financial liability or ownership of the account away from the Primary Account Holder.
V. Tuition Refunds and School Credits
- Refund and School Credit Selection. The Primary Account Holder has the option to receive either a refund or a school credit. Eligible refunds and school credits will be processed and distributed within 14 business days.
- Withdrawal Form Requirement. To start the refund or credit process, the Primary Account Holder must submit CSMA’s Withdrawal Form.
- Timeline: Payments and credits are distributed within 14 business days once CSMA receives the required Withdrawal Form.
- Refunds. Refunds processed within 120 days of the original payment date will be issued back to the original method of payment and returned directly to the Original Payor. Refunds processed more than 120 days after the original payment date will be distributed via check. The check will be issued to the Primary Account Holder.
- School Credits. Eligible school credits will be issued to the Primary Account Holder. Available school credits may be applied toward tuition and fees for any Music School or Art School program within CSMA.
- School Credit Expiration. School credits must be used within 12 months of the issue date. Any unused credits will automatically expire after 12 months and will be forfeited.
- Transferability. All school credits and refunds are non-transferable to third-party individuals, families, or organizations. The Primary Account Holder may, however, apply available school credits to any student within their immediate household who is connected to the Primary Account Holder’s account.
