Willow St. Studios, Inc.
Susan Barnes Dance
Payment Policy
Frequently Asked Questions about Payments at Susan Barnes Dance
Question: When are payments due?
Answer: Monthly payments are due your first class of the month.
Semester payments are due the first class of the new semester and yearly payments are due the first week of classes. Payment is always due at the beginning of these cycles, not negotiated afterwards.
Question: What happens if I don’t pay the first class of the month or semester?
Answer: Always add a $ 5.00 late fee to your payment for every month you are behind.
Question: How do I know much my tuition is?
Answer: Your tuition was stated in writing on your application that you filled out when you registered. There are also payment charts visible throughout the studio, as well as in our brochure.
Question: Do I have to pay if I miss a class?
Answer: Yes. The classes at the studio are not itemized, so please do not ask us. This is stated very clearly on the registration application. Upon your registration you made a financial commitment to pay at the beginning of each month or semester or year, not at the end of these periods. We can not base a class or run a business on sporadic payment. When you register for a class, you have financially committed yourself, whether you are there or not. Payment is due regardless. We fulfill our end of the commitment by having our instructors there every week, even if you are not.
Question: Do I have to pay if the studio cancels a class?
Answer: Yes. Again, to re-iterate, we do not itemize classes. The studio only cancels as a last resort due to bad weather or an instructor is ill and has no substitute. We will provide a make-up.
Question: If I miss a class, can I have a make-up?
Answer: Yes, we do offer make-ups. Just ask your instructor if there are any appropriate classes you can use as a make-up. It is important to ask them, so they can let another instructor know they will have a guest student and also give you the correct time. If you prefer not to participate in make-up classes, that is your decision, but our policy still stands.
Question: Do I pay the same tuition when the studio is closed for the holidays?
Answer: Yes. These are studio authorized holidays for our instructors, as well as our students. Our calendar has built in sensitivities to accommodate everyone’s distribution of lessons throughout the year, no matter what day their lesson is.
Question: When an extra class is called by the instructor outside the normal class time, do we have to pay extra?
Answer: No. We do not ask for compensation, although the majority of studios do require extra payment for extra classes or rehearsals, even when the studio calls them. However, we have instructors who are very generous with their time and give many extra hours freely.
Question: How do I drop a class?
Answer: You must call and leave a message at the studio at 549-9546 or let us know in writing. If you drop, do so before the next payment is due. Otherwise, you will still be financially responsible for the next month.
Question: Can I drop a class and then re-start?
Answer: Yes, but you must re-register and then pay the $25.00 fee again. We have to have consistency. The class becomes jeopardized as a whole when we have sporadic attendance and payment.
Question: Can I add a class?
Answer: Yes. You must call the studio or talk to the Director or Assistant Director about class availabilities for what you would like to add, get permission and we can adjust your tuition payment accordingly.
Question: What if I can’t afford my tuition anymore?
Answer: Please come talk to us immediately and we will set up a financial conference.