OK. We thought we’d re-organize our website in an effort to answer some of the most frequently requested answers. Before it was a labyrinth of mismatched terms, broken links and frustration. Now you can hopefully find all information regarding our policies, payment options and rates.
That’s right. All the important stuff. In one place.
Here’s a menu for your convenience:
Policies
Policies differ by program. Choose the program that you are enrolled in to see the policy.
Drop-In Waiver
Students schedule one initial drop-in lesson to see if it’s a good fit.
Afterwards, drop-in lessons are scheduled for one month at a time. All scheduling must be completed prior to the first of the month that the lessons will take place in. Payment for all lessons is due in advance by the first of the month. No refunds or make-ups will be given for lessons canceled with less than 24 hours notice. Only 2 rescheduled lessons are permitted each semester.
Liability Release: By participating in our program, students and parents hereby release MMA, its instructors and students, from any liability arising from accidents, injuries or loss or damage of personal property while attending or training at this school, including but not limited to accident, negligence or physical injuries.
Trial Student Waiver
Trial Lessons are the first step towards enrolling in our “Basic Program” at Musically Minded Academy. During the initial trial lesson a student will meet with their chosen instructor, tour the facility, discuss what they hope to achieve through music lessons, ask any questions they may have about the program and receive instruction for 30 minutes.
Students interested in the basic program may take two sets of 4 trial lessons before enrolling. Following the initial trial lesson, students may schedule the next three. After that, they may schedule an additional four trial lessons if they need more time to decide. Then, after this 4-8 week trial period, students enroll for a full year.
Payment for trial lessons is due in advance by the first of the month. No refunds or make-ups will be given for lessons canceled with less than 24 hours notice. Only 2 rescheduled lessons are permitted each semester.
Liability Release: By participating in our program, students and parents hereby release MMA, its instructors and students, from any liability arising from accidents, injuries or loss or damage of personal property while attending or training at this school, including but not limited to accident, negligence or physical injuries.
Ensembles & Group Class Waiver
There are no make-ups or credits for missed ensemble classes. The ensemble tuition must be paid in full whether the students chooses to attend all classes or not.
Liability Release: By participating in our program, students and parents hereby release MMA, its instructors and students, from any liability arising from accidents, injuries or loss or damage of personal property while attending or training at this school, including but not limited to accident, negligence or physical injuries.
Basic Program Policy
Musically Minded Academy (MMA) is open year round, seven days a week and in accordance with the published MMA calendar which includes weekly private lessons, labs, events, holidays and events. The 2011-12 sessions are divided as follows:
Academic Year:
- First Semester: August 23, 2011 – January 23, 2012
- Second Semester: January 24, 2012 – June 12, 2012
Summer Session:
- June 13, 2012 – August 21, 2012 (10 lessons)
All students will receive one regular weekly time slot per instrument that they are studying for the entire year.
Academic Year:
During the Academic Year, each student is allowed one excused absence per semester. An excused absence is a lesson cancellation that has been reported directly to the instructor at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson time. Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours are not excused absences and no make-ups or credits will be offered for these absences. Excused absences are not cumulative or transferable between sessions. Students may arrange make-up lessons beyond the one excused absence per semester by trading time slots with other students who take lessons with the same instructor. The instructor will provide the contact and lesson time information for this potential time-slot trading. Lessons may be traded between family members at any time.
Summer Session:
Each student will have 10 lesson opportunities during the summer session.
The summer schedule is flexible on a week-by-week basis in terms of lesson times and days and scheduling must be confirmed by May 13th, 2012. Each student will have scheduling priority over the time slot held during the academic year. Summer lessons may be made up in advance of the summer session during the academic year if many summer absences are foreseen. If time slots cannot be filled with the students current instructor, Students may also opt to take lessons from other MMA instructors during the summer session.
In lieu of make-ups, each student may credit up to three summer lessons to the tuition for the 2012-13 year. Alternatively, these credits may be applied to pay for any ensemble, group lesson, private lessons with other MMA teachers, and events directly related to Musically Minded Academy. Family members who are not enrolled in MMA may make-up lessons for students who will miss them (e.g. a parent may take a few summer lessons if their child is unavailable for a few weeks).
Other General Policies
On-Going Scheduling Conflicts: If students choose to prioritize an ongoing scheduling conflict over music lessons such as a sport or school play, we can only hold their slot available if they continue to pay their tuition in full.
Make-up/Credit Policy: Make-ups are given for excused absences and teacher absences only. Make-ups will be offered over the course of the year, if possible, or credited at the end of the Summer Session. If a student cancels or misses a make-up, the lesson will not be rescheduled or credited. No make-ups are given for student absences for semi-private lessons or ensembles.
Absence: As a courtesy, always contact the instructor if a lesson will be missed.
Teacher Cancellation: If an instructor cancels or reschedules a lesson, a substitute instructor may be offered. If there are no suitable times to reschedule the lesson for either student or instructor, a financial credit may be requested toward the tuition for the following year or for books, materials or events.
Tardiness: Students that arrive late for their time slot will lose time and lessons will be forfeit for students who arrive more than 20 minutes late without contacting the instructor. Instructors will offer make-up time if they are tardy.
Withdrawal: In the case of early withdrawal or termination, four weeks written notice is required. Starting one week from the date of the notice, the next four lessons must be paid for whether taken or not. If a student withdraws before the start of the summer session, the final invoice will include any advanced summer make-ups that the student has taken during the academic year.
Enrollment: New students may enroll at any time during the year on a space available basis. Tuition will be pro-rated.
Tuition: Tuition must be paid in full whether students make it to their time-slot or not. Tuition includes a regular weekly time slot, all MMA events as listed in the published calendar, plus other communication with staff for the entire year: August 23, 2011 – August 21, 2012. Tuition does not include books and materials.
Book and Materials: Upon receipt, books and materials must be paid for by the following lesson.
Rates: Please see our published 2011-2012 rates online. Tuition will be prorated for students who join the MMA mid year. Rates are listed on our website: from the main menu bar, click Enroll Today, then click Rates.
Payments: As listed on our website (from the main menu bar, click Enroll Today, then click Rates), three payment plans are available: annual, biannual, and monthly. Annual payments and payments for books and materials must be made by personal check or money order and made out to Musically Minded, Inc. Other payment plans will be managed by either FACTS tuition management program or ActiveNetwork.
Tuition paid through automatic monthly debits from checking or savings accounts will be processed by FACTS tuition management. FACTS tuition management system also process all tuition paid through personal checks.
Tuition paid by credit card will by processed through ActiveNet.
A late fee of $15 per incident will be collected for all tardy payments. A $50 charge will be assessed for returned checks.
Liability Release: By participating in our program, students and parents hereby release MMA, its instructors and students, from any liability arising from accidents, injuries or loss or damage of personal property while attending or training at this school, including but not limited to accident, negligence or physical injuries.
Payment
Thank you for your interest in Musically Minded Academy! We are now accepting new students and looking for people with a passion for learning and making music.
Once you have made your selections, here are the payment options for enrolling in programs at Musically Minded Academy:
OnlineOur convenient ActiveNet online system allows you to create an account for yourself and your family. You can schedule lessons, classes and ensembles, choose payment plans, and view your schedule. In PersonEnroll with one of our administrators at the Academy during our administrative hours: Mon-Thu 10am-6 pm,Fri 12-4 pm |
On The PhoneCall us and we will complete enrollment over the phone. (510) 601 5700 Through E-mailSend us a message explaining what you want and we will communicate with you through e-mail to begin the enrollment process. |
Payment methods accepted:
- Credit cards - our online enrollment system accepts credit cards for our programs.
- Checks – send checks in the mail or drop them off in person. Make checks payable to “Musically Minded, Inc.” and send them to 5776 Broadway, Oakland, CA, 94618.
Please note that we do not accept cash at any of our facilities.
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Rates
| Musically Minded Academy has many different programs and rates vary program by program. Please select the program that you are interested in to see the rates. |
Drop-In & Trial Lesson Fees
30 Minute Lesson: $46
45 Minute Lesson: $61
60 Minute Lesson: $76
90 Minute Lesson: $115
Payment Options
When enrolling in a drop-in or trial there are two payment options:
1) Credit card (online or in person).
2) Check (in person or through the mail). To confirm lessons, checks must be received at least 48 hours prior to the lesson. Please make checks payable to:
Musically Minded, Inc.
5776 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94618
Basic Program Rates
Comparing Rates »
Payment Plans »
Basic Program Tuition »
Payment Methods »
Comparing Rates
When comparing the costs and benefits of full enrollment in Musically Minded to regular lessons at of other studios, keep in mind that Musically Minded offers not only lessons, but a full music education program:
- In addition to weekly teaching sessions, Musically Minded holds several events during the course of each academic year. During these events, students celebrate their progress and receive formal comments and instruction not only from their own teachers but from other Musically Minded teachers and students. Some of these events include:
- September Opening Party
- October Recitals
- Holiday Party
- CD parties
- Technique/Skills Labs
- Duo/Ensemble Class
- Optimal Performance Class
- June Recitals
- Musically Minded integrates several technology techniques and devices to support and enhance students’ motivation and progress including to live recordings of student performances.
- All Musically Minded teachers are highly educated and experienced. The staff works collaboratively to coordinate instruction and materials and to ensure a high quality education and curriculum.
- Families who enroll in Musically Minded join a community of artists working together to promote high quality musical instruction.
We have found that these elements add considerably to both the rate and quality of students’ progress. They also separate Musically Minded from most other programs, and enrolled families appreciate the value of our philosophy.
Basic Program Payment Plans
The tuition for the Basic Program is calculated based on the number of private lessons and events that are included in our school calendar. Tuition is prorated for mid year enrollments.
There are three payment plans available for the Basic Program:
- Monthly — pay by the first of each month for the whole term
- Semi annual — pay in July and January of each term
- Annual — pay the tuition in full
Basic Program Tuition
Monthly Tuition — pay annual tuition in monthly installments
Semi-Annual Tuition — pay annual tuition in two installments
Annual Tuition — pay once for the whole year for all lessons and events
Payment Options
The Annual payment plan must be paid by check.
Three payment options are available for the semi annual and monthly payment plans:
- Credit Card — contact us to set this up, only our administrators can set this up through our online system.
- Check — Set up an account through our company, “FACTS Tuition Management”. They administer these types of payments for us. (This option is closed until the 2011-2012 term which begins on August 23, 2011).
- Automatic Funds Transfers — Set up an account through our company, “FACTS Tuition Management”. They administer these types of payments for us.
Ensembles & Workshop Rates
Fees for ensembles and workshops vary. Depending on the activity, you may also have the option of paying in installments. Please look at our Ensembles & Workshops pages for more info:
Adults: Ensembles & Workshops
Youth: Ensembles & Workshops
If you would like to enroll in an ensemble today, please click here.








