Entry Forms

Parents of new students will receive an email confirmation for their lesson times with an intake form. This needs to be completed before their first lesson.

Music supplies

Mrs. Zavoral has a wide variety of instruments, games and sensory tools for students to use during our active lessons. The cost of lessons helps cover these supplies. She will select and order method books and sheet music that best support each student’s interests, skill level and learning style. Families will need to cover the cost of their own child’s music books.

To get the most out of their lessons, piano students need a real acoustic piano at home—it really makes a difference and can’t quite be matched by a keyboard. Families should plan to have it tuned regularly (every 6 months is ideal). If budget and space makes that tricky, a full-size electric keyboard with 88 weighted keys and touch sensitivity is a good alternative.

Come Prepared

When you come to lessons, bring your water bottle and music books. If you forget these supplies, we can still have a productive lesson. However, please keep in mind that without your music, it slows down student progress and takes extra time for Mrs. Zavoral to provide alternative activities.

Getting to the studio

The studio is located in the rear of the Zavoral home at 2077 Pentuckett Ave, San Diego, CA 92104.

Families can use street parking. Students walk the “piano pathway” to the brown side gate, entering with a provided key code. Follow the path to the back patio for private entry into the music room. Parents may drop off or wait on the back patio during lessons.

late arrival

Please arrive a few minutes early so that we can begin on time. Students that arrive late will still be charged for the full lesson period. Please be mindful that lessons are scheduled back to back, so we cannot exceed your ending time.

Annual Schedule

Our annual schedule runs on trimester terms (Fall, Winter and Spring) where each term will run for about 12 weeks. Payment will be collected at the end of each trimester.

Typically we will not host classes when school is closed for SDUSD, with the exception of Spring term, where lessons will run through the end of June. Families are encouraged to view the Studio Calendar to see specific start and end dates for each trimester, as well as studio closures and fun events.

Absences

We understand that illness, travel, and other events may cause absences. To accommodate this, we offer 1 Grace Day per trimester, allowing students to miss a lesson without charge. After the Grace Day is used, any additional missed lessons during the trimester will be charged as if attended.

If Mrs. Zavoral needs to cancel a lesson, families will be notified as soon as possible and will not be charged for the lesson.

Cancellations

There is no fee if a student needs to discontinue lessons before the trimester is over. However, they will lose their lesson spot for future terms. If they wish to return at a later season, they will be added to the waitlist.

Practicing

Practice is very important, but it’s also important for it to be age-appropriate and child-centered. Mrs. Zavoral works closely with each student to help them create an individualized practice plan that meets their skill level, learning style, and interests.

Parents are asked to support their child’s practicing by creating time in their child’s schedule to have routine practice. Throughout the season, Mrs. Zavoral gives tips on how parents can support their child’s practice plan, and parents help give feedback when adjustments to workload may be needed. When a student fulfills their practice goals, we celebrate with small prizes and other rewards.

Performances

Students enjoy multiple opportunities each school year to perform in the studio and throughout the community, at no additional cost.

Mini-recitals are a low-key way for students to share their music in small groups at the studio.

Our larger recitals welcome audiences of 70+ guests and are not your typical music recitals! The atmosphere is upbeat, family-friendly, and fast-paced. Students choose how they’d like to share their music based on their comfort level, and Mrs. Zavoral leads interactive music games with the audience. By singing, moving, and playing instruments together, these recitals become a place where music helps us build community!

Along with this, Mrs. Zavoral helps coordinate opportunities for students to perform at street fairs, senior living centers, and invitational recitals in the community.

Payment

Payment is due at the end of each term. Mrs. Zavoral sends invoices to each family and payments can be made by cash, check, or Venmo (@ZavoralMusicStudios). Families are welcome to make smaller payments throughout the term, though one payment per term is appreciated for bookkeeping simplicity. Late payments may result in a fee or discontinuation of enrollment.