Summer at Benbrook Music Academy: How Lessons, Makeups, and Spots for Fall Work
Important Update: July Classes Now Scheduled for July 13 (Not July 6)
Dear parents and students,
Each Spring, we often receive these questions:
Q. “How do lessons work in the summer?”
A. The Academy is open year-round, and we do not close during the summer.
Q. Do a lot of students quit during the summer?
A. For the past 5 years, our enrollment has grown by 10% each June. While some students withdraw, we experience a significant influx of new students in June, with many continuing into the Fall. Last summer alone, we enrolled a total of 44 new students! Due to current inflation, the number of students traveling in the summer and withdrawing for vacations has hit record lows.
Q. How full is the Academy?
A. As of today, we are at 87% capacity, and many teachers are fully booked between the hours of 4:00-9:00 p.m.
Q. If we withdraw for the summer, can we keep our spot for Fall?
A. Lessons are first-come first-serve, so if you withdraw for the summer, we cannot guarantee that we will have a spot for you in the Fall as we will open the spot to new students.
The big question for all parents and students to consider is:
Do you want to stay with the same teacher in the Fall?
If the answer is YES, there are 2 ways to do this:
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Take advantage of our summer makeup lessons.
We understand that some of you will go on vacation for a portion of the summer. By signing up for the summer makeup lessons, you can make up 4 of your missed lessons and keep the same teacher and spot for Fall. Alternatively, you can request unlimited pre-recorded makeups and virtual lessons.
It’s very easy to do:
Check off the weeks you want to come for your makeup lessons on the enclosed form and return it to the Director. If you don’t know the dates yet, you can turn it in anytime during the summer. GET A HEAD START! You can start making up lessons for the summer in advance starting May 1.
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Sublease your spot to a family or friend OR donate them to charity.
You can send a family member or friend in your place for the dates you will miss. Just let the office know who is coming in your place and when. Make sure that they reimburse you directly for the lessons. Prefer to donate your lessons? Let us know which charitable organization you have in mind, and we’ll coordinate everything for you.
If you take summer lessons and need a specific time for Fall, please contact me around late July, and I will do my best to accommodate you.
Each September, I receive calls from students who have been with us for years but withdrew for the summer. They want to return to the same teacher, day, and time, but the spot has been filled by another student.
If you LOVE your teacher, keep your spot by using the summer makeup lessons or sublease your spot.
If you have any questions, please call me directly.
Thanks!
Dr. Jose Quesada
Director
Benbrook Music Academy
817-767-3373
