Music Lessons Tuition Policy

Music lessons are a wonderful investment in your family’s future. Our tuition is designed to be budget-friendly, with no long-term contracts required.

Tuition and Academic Calendar

• Inspire Music Academy’s academic year includes 48 weeks of instruction.

• Four scheduled breaks/holidays are built into the calendar each year.

• These planned closures—such as Labor Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th—are pre-accounted for in our annual schedule and tuition structure.

• Tuition is a flat monthly fee, designed to remain consistent throughout the year.

• Most months include 4–5 lessons, with rare months containing 3 lessons when major national holidays occur.

• Tuition is due on the first of each month and is billed automatically for your convenience.

• To view our calendar visit: https://www.inspiremusicacademy.com/academy-calendar 

Payment Methods  

Tuition payments are made conveniently through:

• Automatic credit or debit card charges

• Recurring ACH (bank transfer) payments

Additional details:

• We recommend ACH payments as they are more convenient and our preferred payment method.

• We accept all major credit cards except American Express.

• We do not accept stored-value cards, cash, or personal checks.

Late Payments

• $25 late fee automatically applied to payments more than 15 days overdue

• 30+ days overdue: Student receives a discontinuation notice and may not attend lessons until the balance is paid in full

Getting Started

We require ACH or credit/debit card information to confirm your first lesson.

Additional Fees

In addition to monthly tuition, the following one-time or occasional fees may apply:

• Registration Fee
  A one-time $45 registration fee is added to the first month’s tuition when a new student begins lessons.

• Medal Advancement Program
  New students are charged a one-time, non-refundable $25 fee to participate in our Medal Advancement Program. To learn more about the program visit: https://www.inspiremusicacademy.com/medal-advancement 

• Books & Materials
  Students may need to purchase books or other materials based on their curriculum and teacher recommendations. These items are not sold at the academy but can be easily purchased through Amazon or other online retailers. We’re happy to provide direct links to make ordering easy.

• Binder & Academy Bag
  To help students stay organized, we provide a binder and academy-branded bag for a one-time non-refundable fee of $15.

• Additional Lessons
  Students may also purchase additional exam or recital preparation lessons if needed

Recital Fees

We provide students the opportunity to perform in two recitals each year:

• Winter Recital – Held during your regular lesson day. Included in tuition; no additional fee.

• Spring Recital – Held at a professional venue. The participation fee typically ranges from $65–$85, depending on location and associated expenses.

Inspire Music Academy Policies

Missed Lessons

Regular attendance is vital to your student’s growth and success in music. We expect full commitment to their scheduled lesson time. While we recognize that unexpected situations can occur, makeup options are available to ensure your student stays on track.

• If your child needs to miss a lesson, please mark the absence in the Student Portal at least 24 hours in advance.

• Missed lessons are only eligible for a makeup if the absence is recorded at least 24 hours ahead of the scheduled lesson time.

• Makeup credits will be issued when eligible and must be booked through the Student Portal in accordance with our current makeup policy.

No-Show Policy (No Makeups Allowed)

A “no-show” occurs when a student misses a lesson without providing at least 24-hour notice.

• No-shows are not eligible for makeup lessons.

• Once scheduled, makeup lessons cannot be rescheduled.

• Missed makeups are forfeited.

Makeup Lessons

• Each student is allowed two (2) makeup lessons per four-month period, starting from the date of their first missed lesson.

• Makeup lessons will expire at the end of the four-month period.

• Makeup lessons are subject to teacher availability and are not guaranteed. We recommend planning ahead for known absences such as vacations or school events.

• Once a makeup lesson is scheduled, it cannot be rescheduled

• If a student misses a scheduled makeup lesson, it is forfeited.

Example

First Missed Lesson: 

• On January 15 a student misses their first lesson with a given 24-hour notice marked in their student portal. 

• The student can now schedule a makeup lesson in their student portal for the missed lesson before May 15.

• On February 10, student misses another lesson with a given 24-hour notice marked in their student portal. Second makeup lesson can be scheduled in their student portal.

• March 5, student misses a third lesson with a given 24-hour notice marked in their student portal. Student has used both makeup credits for the four-month period since the first missed lesson, therefore no makeup can be scheduled.

• By May 15, four months from the first missed lesson, both eligible makeups must be used or they will expire.

Important Notes:

• Makeups are only available with at least 24-hour notice.

• If a student misses a scheduled makeup, it is forfeited.

• Unused makeups after the four months eligible period cannot be carried over.

Group Class Students

Eligible makeup lessons for group class students will be a 30-minute one-on-one lesson with their teacher, which can be scheduled in their student portal. This provides a more focused opportunity to review missed material and stay on track.

🚫 Please note: There are no makeups for Group Music Theory classes.

Instructor Absences

If an instructor is absent:

• Inspire will provide a qualified substitute teacher, with or without notice.

• If no substitute is available, we will offer a makeup lesson in addition to your standard makeups.

• Makeup lessons for instructor absences do not expire.

• If you choose not to attend a lesson with a qualified substitute, the lesson will be forfeited and not eligible for a makeup.

Pausing Lessons (With Plans to Return)

Students may pause lessons and payments for up to two full calendar months at a time, with the intention of returning.
A “pause” means temporarily stopping lessons and billing — not canceling enrollment.

1. When Pauses Take Effect

• Pauses begin on the first day of the month and end on the last day of the month.

• You may pause for one or two full calendar months at a time.

• Partial-month pauses are not allowed.

2. Deadline to Submit Pausing Form

To pause lessons for the upcoming month, the Online Pause/Withdrawal Form must be submitted by the 15th of the current month.

• Example 1 — On-Time Submission
  Form submitted on June 10 → Lessons paused July 1–August 31 → No charge for July or August → Return in September

• Example 2 — Late Submission (Fee Applies)
  Form submitted on June 16 → Lessons paused July 1–August 31 → $45 late processing fee charged → No charge for July or August → Return in September

3. Lesson Timeslot Not Guaranteed

We cannot guarantee the same lesson time or instructor after a pause.
Before returning, notify us by email or phone, and we will do our best to match your preferred schedule.

4. Student Account Deactivation

• If a student does not return after a pause, their account will be deactivated.

• A $45 reactivation fee will apply upon their return.

• You may withdraw a pause request before it takes effect, but your original lesson time or teacher cannot be guaranteed
  
  

Withdrawing from Lessons (No Plans to Return)

If you plan to withdraw permanently:
• Submit your request at least 30 days in advance via the Online Pause/Withdrawal Form.

With 30+ days' notice:

• No processing fee

• You are responsible for tuition through your last scheduled lesson

With less than 30 days' notice:

• A $45 processing fee will be charged

• You are responsible for tuition for all lessons scheduled during the 30-day period

• Unused eligible makeup credits will be forfeited.

Media Release Policy

Students may occasionally be photographed or recorded during lessons or events.
These images may be used for Inspire Academy’s website, social media, or promotional materials.
If you prefer not to have your child included, please let us know.

Unattended Children

For safety reasons, Inspire Academy is not responsible for children left unattended before or after lessons.
Please ensure your child is supervised when not in class.

Tuition Discounts

Multi-Enrollment Discount
Families enrolled in three or more classes (multiple children or multiple instruments) receive a 10% discount on the third class.

👫 Refer-a-Friend Discount
Refer a friend, if they enroll, and you’ll receive 20% off one month’s tuition as a thank-you.

If you have any questions about our tuition or policies, please contact our front desk at (925) 461-3266 — we’re happy to help!