HARMONY ROAD CLASS POLICIES

Welcome to the Harmony Road program! Please familiarize yourself with our school policies and let us know if you have any questions. We can’t wait to make music with you!

💳 TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and registration fees can be paid in full or in 4 or 5 monthly installments, depending on class length. A $75 deposit is required upon registration to reserve your spot—this will be applied toward your tuition and materials. Your spot is not guaranteed until the deposit is received.

Tuition will be charged 7 days before the first class. If you choose the installment option, you agree to automatic billing for your remaining payments.

Should the student withdraw more than 7 days prior to the start of class, the deposit is refundable. Within 7 days of the start date, the deposit is non-refundable.

A semester class is typically 16–20 weeks. See class descriptions or email us if you’re unsure.

➡️ For a full breakdown of tuition and fees by class, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

🆕 NEW FOR AUGUST 2025: CREDIT CARD FEE

A 3% convenience fee will be added to all credit/debit card payments.
To avoid this fee, you may switch to paying via bank account (ACH). Let us know if you need help updating your payment method—we’re happy to assist!

🔔 NEW FOR FALL 2025: POLICY UPDATES

We’re always listening to your feedback and refining our policies to better serve students and families. Starting this fall, these changes will go into effect:

✅ Automatic Re-Enrollment (Opt-Out)

For students enrolled in:

  • Harmony Road Books 1–4

  • Young Musician Books 1–4

  • Keyboard Prep Books 1–3

You will now be automatically re-enrolled in the next semester unless you opt out using a form we’ll provide when your class begins. You’ll receive plenty of reminders and ample notice before re-enrollment is finalized.

Why this helps:

  • Keeps your spot secured without any extra steps

  • Maintains class continuity and community

  • Supports easier planning for families and teachers alike, reducing admin time and cost.

🔁 Flexible Make-Ups

You may now use your 2 allowed make-ups at any time during the semester when another class of the same level is available.

If your make-up class takes place on a different week than the missed one, you may repeat the same material—but that extra review and practice can still be very beneficial!

📂 Website Update Coming Soon

We’re revamping our website to make it easier to:

  • Access at-home activity sheets

  • View weekly practice assignments

  • Stay connected with your child’s learning

Stay tuned—more info coming soon!

📆 ENROLLMENT & SCHEDULING

📝 TERMINATION OF ENROLLMENT

Enrollment in a semester-long class reserves your child’s space and supports consistent group learning. Since our program is designed for a minimum of 3 students per class, your withdrawal can affect the viability of the class.

  • No refunds will be issued for materials, semester tuition, or fees.

  • Installment billing continues even if you withdraw early.

  • Heart Beats may cancel or discontinue any class if enrollment is or becomes too low. In this case, we will notify you in advance and refund any remaining tuition.

Any class that drops to 2 students will be adjusted in length as deemed appropriate. Students may be asked to join another class time the following semester/session. 55-minute classes will become 45 minutes, and 45-minute classes will become 30 minutes.

🔄 TRANSFERS AND CLASS CHANGES

We ask all families to commit to the full semester when registering for a group class. Our curriculum builds week to week and is designed to be experienced in community with the same group of students.

Transfers to another class may be granted on a limited basis, only if:

  • There is room in another class of the same level

  • The age and developmental needs are compatible

  • Moving a student will not jeopardize the balance or viability of either group

Mid-semester transfers are not guaranteed and are considered on a case-by-case basis.
If a class falls below our minimum enrollment threshold, we may reach out to discuss alternatives, including possible rescheduling, combining classes, or a private lesson option.

🏫 CHARTER SCHOOLS AND HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS

Heart Beats is a vendor with Inspire Charter School. If you’re with another charter or homeschool program, we’d be happy to consider becoming a vendor—just let us know ahead of time.

(Becoming a vendor means your charter program can pay tuition directly to us.)

If we don’t have time to complete the vendor process before your first class, you will be responsible for tuition and registration fees. For all programs, you are responsible for any costs not covered by your institution.

👨‍👩‍👧 PARTICIPATION & CLASS EXPECTATIONS

🧑‍🏫 PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend a parent orientation meeting within the first month of semester classes. Dates will be released before the start of the semester. Meetings will be held via Zoom.

Experience has shown that students and families whose caregivers attend orientation have greater success in the program. Caregivers who understand the curriculum are better prepared to support learning at home and participate fully in class.

🎶 IN CLASS

A parent or caregiver is required to attend the class with the student. Parents will participate in class activities along with their child, including singing and dancing!

Parents must make their own arrangements for the supervision of any other (non-enrolled) children under their care during class time. Additional children and guests are not permitted in the classroom. Older siblings may wait in the lobby if they can behave responsibly, but we encourage you to make arrangements whenever possible.

🏠 AT HOME

Students and parents will share in weekly assigned at-home activities together. This is an essential part of students’ music education! Each week your teacher will assign you activities to practice at home to reinforce class concepts and to make music-making a family activity and bonding experience.

These activities may include singing, rhythm games, movement, or playing simple songs on the keyboard.

Practicing every day will give your child the best foundation for learning and good habits for the future! At a minimum, please plan to practice 3 days a week outside of class time.

📅 ATTENDANCE & EVENTS

📌 ATTENDANCE POLICY

Missed Class Policy:

  • No refunds or credits for missed classes.

  • To be eligible for a make-up, text 916-818-3882 or email info@heartbeatsmusicschool.com at least 24 hours in advance.

  • Make-ups are not guaranteed but may be offered if another class of the same level is in session.

  • Make-ups may be used any time during the semester (NEW Fall 2025).

  • If no make-up is available, your teacher will send homework and an updated at-home activities sheet.

Class-Specific Make-Up Notes:

  • Music in Me & More Music in Me: Make-ups may be used at any time during your enrollment. If not re-enrolling, use any remaining make-ups during the current session.

  • Harmony Road & Young Musician: Max 2 make-ups per semester.

Please do not attend class if you or your child are ill. If needed, text or email to arrange a make-up class (subject to availability). Your teacher will ensure you have the homework from any missed class.

🧑‍🏫 TEACHER ABSENCE

Every effort will be made to obtain a substitute teacher if your teacher is not available. If that is not possible, we’ll either reschedule your class or invite you to attend another class that week.

🎹 RECITALS

Students ages 4.5 and up (in Harmony Road, Young Musician, and Keyboard Prep classes) are invited to participate in our three yearly recitals along with our private lesson students. This is a wonderful opportunity to share and celebrate what we’ve learned, and watching more advanced students perform is both motivating and inspiring!

Recital dates and locations will be announced at the beginning of each semester. Participation is encouraged but optional.

📆 CALENDAR

We observe the following holidays and breaks. There will be no classes on these dates. Your class schedule is planned around these holidays, and you’ll still receive the full number of classes in your course.

  • Labor Day

  • Thanksgiving Week

  • Two weeks at Christmas (dates TBA)

  • One week for Spring Break (TBA)

  • Memorial Day

  • One week each summer (TBA – usually in July)

📚 OTHER POLICIES

🎼 EQUIPMENT

  • Toddler Tunes: A piano or keyboard is not required.

  • Music in Me and More Music in Me: A piano or keyboard is recommended but not required.

  • Harmony Road, Young Musician, and Keyboard Prep (Book 1+): An instrument is required beginning the first week of class. We recommend an acoustic piano or a digital piano with weighted keys.

Although acoustic piano is our first choice, a touch-sensitive keyboard can work for teaching the very young. Fortunately, there are affordable rent and rent-to-buy programs, and digital pianos can be used until students are ready for more serious piano study. For help choosing an instrument, visit our instruments page.

👶 AGE POLICY

These classes are carefully designed for your child’s developmental stage. Children must meet the minimum age requirements for their class.

For example, a 3-year-old will not be accepted into Music in Me until they are at least 3.5 years old, unless special permission is granted by the teacher or owner. This will only happen after assessment and if we feel a different class is a better fit.

If you’re unsure of the best class for your child, our 4-class intro sessions are a great way to try it out and receive teacher feedback. For questions, please email info@heartbeatsmusicschool.com.

🦠 COVID-19 SAFETY POLICIES

Your safety and the safety of all our families and teachers is very important to us. We regularly sanitize frequently touched surfaces. Hand sanitizer is available in the lobby. Masks are available upon request.

This policy is reviewed regularly and subject to change based on public health guidance.
Last update: 2/7/23 – Masks are not currently required in group classes. Due to limited space, we are not able to enforce social distancing. We reserve the right to reinstate a mask policy at any time.