Piano Academy Policies — Overview
The Piano Academy Policies set out the essential rules, guidelines, and fee structures that govern lessons at the Piano Academy of Ireland. These Piano Academy Policies have been carefully developed to ensure a safe, professional, and rewarding experience for students of all ages. Families enrolling at the Academy agree to uphold these Piano Academy Policies as part of their commitment to musical development.
Our Piano Academy Policies cover all aspects of the lesson relationship, from registration and tuition fees to attendance, communication, and student conduct. Whether you are a new or returning family, please read these Piano Academy Policies carefully before your first lesson. If you have any questions about our Piano Academy Policies, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Policies & Fees
Piano Academy of Ireland – School Policy
The Piano Academy Policies outline essential rules and regulations for students, parents, and teachers. These guidelines cover lesson attendance, behavior, communication, child protection, and performance expectations. By following these policies, students can make the most of their learning experience while ensuring a respectful and supportive environment for all.
- The following policies ensure smooth operations and a supportive learning environment for all students. By enrolling at PAI, families agree to the terms outlined below.
1. Enrollment & Registration
- A non-refundable registration fee of €30 is due at initial sign-up (€10 discount for siblings and returning members).
- A Returning Member is defined as someone re-enrolling after a gap of one (1) month or less.
2. Tuition & Payment
- Tuition payment is evenly distributed over 10 months (September–June) and covers 35 weeks of lessons.
- Students beginning mid-year will have their first month’s tuition adjusted to reflect the number of lessons remaining.
- Holidays listed on the Academy Calendar are not included in tuition charges.
Payment Methods
- Tuition payment is due on the 1st of each month and is automatically charged to your Visa or MasterCard through our Auto-Pay system.
- Credit card payments are subject to a 3% surcharge.
- Cheque, debit, or bank transfers are accepted with no additional fee.
- A €25 late fee applies to payments received after the 10th of the month for non-auto-pay members.
- A €25 fee will be charged for each returned cheque.
Early Bird Pay-in-Full Option
- Families who pay tuition in full before June 30th receive a 5% discount on the annual fee.
- Accepted payment methods include bank transfer, cheque, cash, or credit card.
Additional Costs
- Educational materials, music books, and accessories are not included in tuition and will incur additional charges.
- Extra lessons for exams, competitions, or recitals may be purchased separately.
3. Membership Terms
- Commitment: Membership is for the full academic year (September–June), regardless of the start date.
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- If a student withdraws before the start of term, a full refund will be issued minus the deposit and registration fee.
- No refunds are given for withdrawals once the term has begun.
- Early Withdrawal: Membership at PAI reserves your lesson time and teacher for the full academic year. If a student chooses to discontinue (for example, to take up another activity in the spring), fees for the full year remain due, as replacement students are rarely found mid-year and teacher salaries depend on this commitment. In such a situation – or in other types of extenuating circumstances, withdrawal may be requested in writing to PAI management, with approval granted at the Academy’s discretion. If approved, families may choose to convert the total number of lessons taken up until that point – into a bundle package – charged at the standard single/bundle lesson rate (a higher per-lesson cost than membership tuition).
- Participation: Active membership is required to participate in PAI recitals, exams, and events.
- Non-Transferability: Membership is personal and cannot be transferred to another individual.
- Termination by PAI: The Academy reserves the right to terminate membership. In such cases, prorated tuition payment will be refunded.
4. Attendance & Missed Lesson Policy
Student Absences
- Students must message/call their teacher to inform them of a cancellation.
- Lessons cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled lesson time will be forfeited.
- A remote lesson may be offered in place of cancellation, ie if the student has a cold or you wish to save on travel-time.
- No-shows, will be forfeited.
- One credit per student, per year is granted for cancellations made with more than 24 hours’ notice given, and expires on June 21st.
- Once scheduled, the make-up lesson cannot be rescheduled.
- Late arrivals result in a shorter lesson, as time cannot be extended into the next student’s slot
Teacher Absences
- For teacher cancellations, a credit will be issued for each lesson missed and the lesson rescheduled.
- These credits expire July 31st.
- The teacher reserves the right to put a substitute teacher in place during scheduled or rescheduled lessons.
- PAI Community Events: If your regular lesson coincides with a recital day, a rehearsal (individual or group, at teacher’s discretion) will take place instead of the lesson.
5. Summer Lessons & Registration
- Membership runs September–June. To support continuity and progress, students are encouraged to take individual summer lessons in July and August.
- Students who take a minimum of three (3) summer lessons will qualify as returning members in September and receive €10 off the annual registration fee.
- Students who do not take summer lessons will be considered new enrolments and charged the full registration fee upon returning.
6. Photo & Video Release
- Unless a written request is submitted, PAI reserves the right to use photos and videos of students for promotional purposes (e.g., brochures, websites, advertisements).
- PAI retains copyright for these materials.
Piano Academy of Ireland
2025/2026 Fees
September 1, 2025 – June 22, 2026
35 weeks of instruction30 min
Payment Plan
Monthly Payment – €115.50 per month over 10 months
Deposit €100
3% discount for Siblings
Late payment fee €25 after 10 daysFull Payment – €1,155.00
5% Early Bird discount (Pay in full before June 30): €1,097.50Single Trial Lesson €30
Single Visit €37
Bundles
10 Lessons €350
5 Lessons €17545 min
Payment Plan
Monthly Payment – €168.00 per month over 10 months
Deposit €150
3% discount for Siblings
Late payment fee €25 after 10 daysFull Payment – €1,680.00
5% Early Bird discount (Pay in full before June 30): €1,596.00Trial Lesson €45
Single Visit €54
Bundles10 Lessons €510
5 Lessons €25560 min
Payment Plan
Monthly Payment – €222.25 per month over 10 months
Deposit €200
3% discount for siblings
Late payment fee €25 after 10 daysFull Payment – €2,222.50
5% Early Bird discount (Pay in full before June 30): €2,111.37
Trial Lesson €60
Single Visit €70
Bundles
10 Lessons €670
5 Lessons €335Piano Pals (2–3 students per class)
Deposit €10
Per Class €20
Monthly: Dependent on number of weeks in the month#Sharp Kids 3-5 yrs (Max 8 students)
Deposit €10
Per Class €15
Monthly: Dependent on number of weeks in the monthFull Payment: €535
Trial Class: €15
Further Information on Our Piano Academy Policies
Our Piano Academy Policies are reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect current best practice in music education and child safeguarding. All members of our teaching staff comply fully with these Piano Academy Policies and are Garda-vetted in accordance with national guidelines. We encourage all families to familiarise themselves with our Piano Academy Policies at the start of each academic year.
For students preparing for formal examinations, our Piano Academy Policies include specific guidance on lesson attendance during exam preparation periods. We follow the examination standards set by ABRSM and recommend that students also consult the resources available from the Royal Irish Academy of Music for further guidance on examination preparation and musical progression.
Thank you for choosing the Piano Academy of Ireland. We look forward to supporting your musical journey within the framework of our Piano Academy Policies.