Policies
Community Education
Program Policies
Individual Lessons
Classes & Ensembles
If you have questions or need guidance on the best option for you or your child, we are happy to help!
Contact us at communityed@crowden.org or 510.559.6910.
Individual Lessons
Registration and Placement
All new incoming Private Lesson and Suzuki students must complete a new student interview, scheduled starting mid August, prior to starting lessons in September of any given year. Crowden starts conducting new student interviews in mid-August for new Private Lesson and Suzuki students to start lessons in September. While we will consider registrations year-round, mid-year placements are rare. We will reach out if a spot becomes available during the year. Due to demand, Crowden does not guarantee placement. No payment is due until after a teacher has been assigned. Crowden requires at least a 2 month commitment for all private lessons and Suzuki registrants. Withdrawals will not be considered or processed until the second month of lessons.
Absences and Make-ups
Crowden does not provide make-ups or grant refunds for regularly scheduled classes or lessons missed by students.
Crowden values the expertise that its professional faculty offers to students, but recognizes that an active performance career may occasionally require teachers to cancel a regularly scheduled lesson. Teachers may also need to cancel for personal reasons. If a teacher cancels a regularly scheduled lesson, the teacher is expected to schedule a make-up lesson. If a teacher is not able to reschedule a lesson they had previously canceled, the lesson will be refunded at the end of the month.
Due to the nature of the individual relationship between a student and a private teacher, Crowden does not provide substitute teachers for private lessons except in cases of an extended leave of absence.
Crowden Cancellations
All Crowden classes and lessons may be canceled at Crowden's discretion. In cases where the lesson or class is canceled by Crowden and can not be made-up, students will receive a full refund or credit for that lesson or class..
Withdrawals and Refunds
Intention to withdraw from lessons must be submitted in writing to the Crowden office by the 15th of the month. Informing a teacher of a decision to withdraw from the class, stopping or withholding payment, or not attending class does not constitute withdrawal.
Upon receipt of the written withdrawal notice, students will not receive a refund for that month's tuition, but billing will be canceled for the following month. Students may choose whether to attend the current month’s remaining classes. Refunds will only be issued for any make-up lessons still owed by the teacher.
Failure to meet the 15th deadline will result in a full, non-refundable tuition charge for both the current and the following month.
Requesting a Teacher Switch
Students who would like to request a teacher switch must first communicate their concerns with their current teacher. If both the student and teacher agree that a switch is the best solution, the student must inform the Crowden office to schedule a meeting to determine a new teacher placement.
Summer Lessons
Participation in summer lessons during June and July is at the discretion of both students and teachers. Teachers may choose to opt-out of teaching during these months and Crowden cannot guarantee substitutions or teacher switches will be available at these times. Billing will be adjusted accordingly.
Payment
Monthly payments are due on the 1st of each month. Students are required to set up automatic billings on their accounts. Accounts that are more than 2 months delinquent will result in immediate termination from the program.
Tuition Assistance
Tuition assistance is available and awarded based on demonstrated financial need and Crowden’s available budget. Applications must be accompanied by proof of income, preferably the most recent Form 1040 from your tax return. After reviewing applications, Crowden will contact students to inform them of their award. Based on the financial aid offered, students who wish to proceed must register within 10 days of accepting the award.
Tuition assistance is only granted to the specific class, camp, or program listed on the tuition assistance application (i.e. students must reapply for each class, camp, or program for each stated calendar cycle). Tuition assistance recipients are expected to comply with all Crowden policies and maintain a positive attendance record; failure to do so may result in the revocation of the tuition assistance.
Recitals and Concerts
Crowden offers many opportunities for students to perform in recitals throughout the year. Teachers will submit the names of students who would like to perform at these recitals. Please see all the recital dates listed in our Community Calendar and discuss recital opportunities with your teacher.
Media Consent
By participating in Crowden programs, community members consent to being photographed or filmed for publicity purposes. This consent includes the use of likenesses in Crowden materials.
Classes, Ensembles, and Summer Programs
Auditions and Placement Interviews
Classes with previous experience requirements require a placement interview and/or audition. Auditions for Fall ensembles are conducted in mid-August; a mid-year placement in a class is rare. Auditions for summer camps are conducted in the Spring. Due to demand, Crowden does not guarantee placement. No tuition payment is due until after a student has been accepted into the program.
Crowden Cancellations
All Crowden classes are subject to minimum enrollment requirements. Classes may be canceled if enrollment is deemed insufficient.
All Crowden classes and lessons may be canceled at Crowden's discretion. In cases where the lesson or class is canceled by Crowden and can not be made-up, students will receive a full refund for that lesson or class.
Absences and Make-ups
Crowden does not provide make-ups or refunds for classes missed by students. However, if a teacher needs to cancel a regularly scheduled class, the teacher is expected to schedule a make-up session. While student flexibility in scheduling make-ups is appreciated, refunds will only be issued if the teacher can not make-up the class.
Crowden aims to limit the use of substitute teachers for lessons and classes. In rare instances, you will be informed in advance if a substitute teacher will be present. However, in most cases, the class will be canceled.
Payment
Crowden offers two payment options for classes: one lump sum for the class or monthly installments. Monthly payments are due on the 1st of each month. Students are required to set up automatic billings on their accounts. Students are required to set up automatic billings on their accounts, with a current payment method. Accounts that are more than two months delinquent will result in immediate termination from the program.
Withdrawals and Refunds
Intention to withdraw from lessons must be submitted in writing to the Crowden office. Informing a teacher of a decision to withdraw from the class, stopping or withholding payment, or not attending class does not constitute withdrawal.
YOUTH CHAMBER ENSEMBLES: Intention to withdraw from an ensemble must be submitted in writing to the Crowden office by the 15th of the month. Informing a teacher of a decision to withdraw from the ensemble, stopping or withholding payment, or not attending rehearsal does not constitute withdrawal.
Upon receipt of the written withdrawal notice, students will not receive a refund for that month's tuition, but billing will be canceled for the following month. Students may choose whether to attend the current month’s remaining classes. Refunds will only be issued for any make-up lessons still owed by the teacher.
Failure to meet the 15th deadline will result in a full, non-refundable tuition charge for both the current and the following month.
GROUP CLASSES: Intention to withdraw from a group class must be submitted in writing to the Crowden office by the end of the third class of the series. The refund will be processed through Teacher Zone, and refunded back to the card used to make a payment. Informing a teacher of a decision to withdraw from the class, stopping or withholding payment, or not attending class does not constitute withdrawal. No refund will be given after the withdrawal deadlines pass.
SUMMER PROGRAMS: Intention to withdraw from any camp must be submitted in writing to the Crowden office at a minimum of two weeks before the camp start date (Scrape, Squawk, & Bang or Summer Strings). For students participating in a summer program that includes an audition for specific placement into an ensemble, withdrawals must be submitted one month in advance (for example: Youth Chamber Music Academy, Chamber Music Workshop, Adult Chamber Music). No refund will be given after withdrawal deadlines pass.
Tuition Assistance
Tuition assistance is available and awarded based on demonstrated financial need and Crowden’s available budget. Applications must be accompanied by proof of income, preferably the most recent form 1040 from your tax return. After reviewing applications, Crowden will contact students to inform them of their award. Based on the financial aid offered, if students wish to proceed with the class, they must register within 10 days of accepting the award.
Tuition assistance is only granted to the specific class, camp, or program listed on the tuition assistance application (i.e. students must reapply for each class, camp, or program for each stated calendar cycle). Tuition assistance recipients are expected to comply with all Crowden policies and maintain a positive attendance record; failure to do so may result in the revocation of the tuition assistance. Tuition assistance does not roll from one session into the next, students must reapply each season.
Recitals and Concerts
Crowden provides numerous opportunities for students to perform in recitals throughout the year. Classes and Ensembles have pre-scheduled concerts throughout the year, which are mandatory. Any scheduling issues should be discussed with the teacher well in advance.
Media Consent
By participating in Crowden programs, community members consent to being photographed or filmed for publicity purposes. This consent includes the use of likenesses in Crowden materials.