CMS Lesson Fees

2024/2025 Academic Year
Fall: August 26, 2024 - November 18, 2024

It is always best to complete registration one week prior to the start of lessons each semester.  Late registration is possible, and tuition will be pro-rated, but teacher availability may be limited, and schedules are likely to be less flexible.

REGISTER

Private Lessons: These lessons are primarily taught by UGA students. (1 semester/2 semesters)

30 minute lessons: $360 / $720
45-minute lessons: $540 / $1080
1 hour lessons: $720 / $1440

Keyboard Kids (1 semester/2 semesters): (each semester includes 12 lessons + 8 group classes)

30 minute lessons: $438 / $876
45-minute lessons: $618 / $1236

Prior to the first Keyboard Kids lesson, new students will need to purchase the following:
Music Tree Time to Begin Lesson book
Music Tree Time to Begin Activities book
Music Tree Time to Begin Accompaniment CD

Suzuki Violin, Viola, Guitar, and Cello fees:

Taught by professionally trained Suzuki instructors:( each semester includes 12 lessons and 8 group classes + annual workshop and all performances)

30-minute lessons: $462 / $924
45 minute lessons: $672 / $1344
1 hour lessons: $876 / $1752

New students will need to purchase the appropriate Suzuki Method Book 1 music book and approved repertoire recordings. Please contact the CMS office for advice/instructions.  

PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS:
Payment for all classes must be paid in full with registration. The following payment plans are available to students enrolled in private lessons:

1.) Semesterly: 1 payment per semester, due August and January

2.) Quarterly: 2 payments per semester, due August, October, January, March

3.) Monthly: 3 payments per semester), due August, October, November, January, March, and April. Students who choose this option will be charged a one-time $25 fee to be paid with first payment. Students who join in the Spring semester will be charged a one-time $15 fee to be paid with the first payment.

Summer lessons are available and scheduling is flexible, so summer lessons generally don't fall into these payment plans.

With all payment plans, statements stating the balance due will be sent via email 2 weeks prior to the payment deadline. A late fee of $25 will be applied to balances not paid by the due date. Lessons will discontinue if payment is 2 weeks late.
 

FEE AND REGISTRATION POLICIES:

REGISTRATION: Lessons may not begin until all aspects of the first tuition payment have been paid.  Credit card payments through the Online Marketplace Registration Store are preferred, but checks are permitted and alternate registration process can be utilized, if needed. Check payments should be made payable to UGA School of Music and sent to: The Community Music School, 250 River Road, Room 230, Athens, GA 30602. Please contact the CMS office for office hours if you would like to drop off your payment.
 

REGISTRATION FEE: There is a $25 non-refundable registration fee for all new students taking private lessons.
 

WITHDRAWAL FEE: Once a student registers for lessons in the Community Music School, it is understood they will continue study through to the end of that semester. In the case of a mid-semester withdrawal request, students will be expected to pay for all lessons received (including any cancelled by the student), plus a $50 administrative fee. Please contact the CMS director prior to registering if you cannot participate for the entire semester. Exceptions can be made if the teacher is aware of the situation in advance, or for extreme circumstances only (moving out of the area, or extreme illness).
 

FAMILY DISCOUNT: A family discount is offered for families with more than one family member enrolled in private lessons. The discount will be $20 off tuition per child per semester. Family discounts apply ONLY when both family members are enrolled in private lessons. Family discounts do not apply for Suzuki siblings who may be eligible to share a lesson. Family discounts do not apply to students receiving financial assistance, and only apply to summer students when taking a minimum of 7 summer lessons.
 

SCHOLARSHIPS: Partial scholarships are available on a limited basis for cases of exceptional need.  Family discounts are not extended to families who qualify for financial scholarships. Please consult the CMS office for a financial assistance application.
 

MAIL: When sending checks in the mail, please be sure to include "Community Music School" or "CMS" in the address on the front of the envelope.