POLICIES/PROCEDURES  2025/2026

We offer a 5% discount for families with more than one student enrolled. 

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​​Tuition is charged monthly based on the number of weeks in the month. If there are 5 weeks in the month. We invoice for 5 lessons. If there are 3 weeks in the month due to a holiday, we invoice for 3. etc. 

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DAMA accepts tuition payments by:  

• Credit Card (3% processing fee added).

• ACH (direct debit from bank account)

• Cash or Check

 

​Payments are securely set up for auto-pay through a software program called TeacherZone. Each student and parent will be assigned a TeacherZone account and parents are required to enter their payment information into the system after completing the registration form and prior to their child's first lesson. ​

Please note: DAMA does not have access to your bank/credit card information. TeacherZone uses a secure and encrypted ​program to protect your data. 

*** The $20 Introductory lesson fee is non-refundable. ***

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2- Registration/Materials/Prizes Fee 

There is a $50 registration fee charged annually and covers notebooks, prizes, incentives and other materials. 

There is a 10% discount for each student in the same family. ($45 per student).

If you choose not to participate in any of our incentive programs, the registration fee is $25 per student.

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​​The registration fee does not cover method books.  If a specific book is recommended,  we can order it and add it to you next invoice, or you may purchase it on your own. 

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3- Cancellations/Missed Lessons Policy

Once you register for lessons, we reserve a specific day and time with your teacher for your lessons.  You will be billed for your specific reserved days/times each month regardless of whether you take a lesson or not because your teacher is paid regardless of whether you take a lesson or not.     Lessons missed or cancelled by the student are not refunded, credited, or owed to the student in any manner regardless of reason or advance notice of the cancellation or withdrawal from the program.  

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In the event you must cancel your lesson,  there are 5 options:

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1) You may book a make-up lesson yourself through TeacherZone during days/times when other students cancel their lessons. Therefore, availability varies.  You may attend a make-up lesson prior to your cancelled lesson date and up to 60 days after the cancellation date.  

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2). You may choose to take a video lesson during your reserved day/time or request a pre-recorded video lesson that you can watch at your convenience. 

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3) You may attend a fun and informative one hour class that is offered once per month.  Group classes never expire so you can take however long you need to sign up for as many make-ups that you need.  You can register for a group lesson by emailing us at: admin@denverama.org.

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4) You may send a family member or friend to take a lesson during your reserved day/time.  Please inform your teacher through TeacherZone ahead of time so your teacher can prepare a lesson plan. 

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5) You may do nothing. 

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We appreciate as much notice as possible when canceling your lesson; however,  we understand that students get sick without warning and we appreciate you not attending lessons if you or your child is sick.  "No shows" prevent other students from rescheduling  their make-up lessons during your time slot so we ask for your cooperation by letting us know ahead of time if you you can't make your lesson. 

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​If your teacher must cancel, we will do our best to provide a qualified guest teacher. Please note, if you choose not to take your lesson during your reserved day/time when a guest teacher is scheduled, there will be no refund and it will be considered a cancelled lesson and will be banked.  However, there will be a credit on the following invoice for teacher cancellations if there is no guest teacher available.

 

​In the event of inclement weather, power outages, school closings  or COVID quarantine, lessons will be offered through a video call system such as Zoom or FaceTime. If a teacher does not feel the student would benefit from a video lesson due to their age, or inability to stay focused,  students may choose to either reschedule or credit the next invoice for lessons already paid. 

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4- Fall and Summer Schedules

​DAMA continues lessons even after school is out for the summer. We feel it is important to keep learning during the summer so that the material students work on throughout the year will stay committed to their memory. Students who stop lessons for an extended period of time, especially young students, may not remember even the basic concepts when they return to lessons and they may get out of the habit and routine of practicing.  So just be aware that the first few lessons back may involve re-learning and re-adjusting.  

 

Students who wish to withdraw from lessons during the summer will forfeit their teacher and day/time of their lesson.  In the Fall, they will be able to choose whatever is available at the time or be put on their teacher's waiting list.  Students who withdraw will be considered a new student when they return and they must re-register.

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​Students interested in lessons only during the summer (but not in the Fall) can choose a temporary day/time each week that stays the same, or they can schedule lessons on different days/times each week based on availability.  (Must be scheduled at least one week in advance). ​

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 5- 2025/2026 Holiday Schedule

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• Labor Day - Monday, September 1st is closed.  Friday and Saturday August 29th and 30th are optional.

• Halloween - Friday, October 31st is closed. 

• Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 27th is closed. Friday and Saturday, November 28 & 29th are optional.

• Winter Holiday Break -December 23rd through January 1st is closed. Friday and Saturday, January 2nd & 3rd are optional.

• Memorial Day- Monday, May 25th is closed. Friday and Saturday, May 22nd and 23rd are optional.

• Independence Day- July 4th. 

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"Optional" means that students will not be charged if they do not wish to attend lessons on optional days. It also means that DAMA teachers can decide if they will be available or not. 

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DAMA does not close for Spring or Fall Break because not all students have the same Spring and Fall Break schedules. Students who must cancel during Spring or Fall Break will be able to reschedule their missed lesson based on the Cancellation Policy listed above (#3)

 

6- Recitals and Performance Opportunities

DAMA hosts two formal recital opportunities each year and various informal occasions to perform throughout the year.

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The recitals in May and December are more formal in nature. Students may choose which songs they will perform. I ​Participation in recitals is not mandatory, however, part of learning to play music is also learning how to share it with others and so we highly recommend it. We offer recital rehearsals so that students can practice the art of performing in front of their peers.

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There is a small fee for recital tickets to help cover the cost of the venue.

Adults =$5

Children under 10 =$3

Students who perform =free

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Student Showcases are mini concerts performed by 3-4 students who have chosen 3-4 songs to play for their family and friends.  It is more informal and gives students the chance to work on building a repertoire.

 

We also offer several opportunities for students to volunteer to perform at local retirement centers. 

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Three times per year we host a concert/party. This is an informal way for students to play in front of an audience without the formality of a recital setting.  Students perform "background music" while the party is in full swing. October is our Costume Concert/Pizza Party, March is PJ Concert/Pizza Party, August is our End-of-Summer Concert/BBQ Party.

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Select students will be offered the opportunity to participate in regional and/or state competitions. These students should take advantage of every opportunity to perform prior to the competition. 

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7- What incentives does DAMA offer for students?

Your registration fee goes towards many incentive programs designed to reward students who put forth extra effort to learn.   ​

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THE MUSICAL LADDER SYSTEM:  

DAMA joined up with a national music lesson award system call the Musical Ladder System®  This is a proven system that helps students get excited about music and helps keep parents informed as to how they are doing.  Similar to karate belt tests, approximately every 3 months,  teachers will test their students based on the material that they've been working on.  If the students pass their test they will receive wristbands for their level. They also get a certificate of achievement and, at certain levels, they also get trophies engraved with their name.  This program has been proven for years to help keep students motivated and excited to earn rewards.  It has also proven to be a great tool for teachers and parents to communicate. 
 

COINS: During lessons, if students do well focusing, follow directions and have a good attitude, they are given a coin. Once they collect 5 coins they may shop in The Treasure Box (toys) or The Treat Box (candy or food items) with parents' permission.

 

RAFFLE: Students 8 and older may earn a raffle ticket for every 30 minutes that they practice during the week. Students younger than 8 earn a raffle ticket for every 15 minutes that they practice during the week. Students also earn a ticket for their lesson time each week. We do not round up minutes and minutes can not be carried over from a previous week. (except if the student is absent the previous week.). Parents must verify the practice time either verbally with the teacher or they may sign the student’s assignment sheet.  Tickets will not be awarded without confirmation from a parent.   On the last day of the month, 5 tickets are drawn for prizes: $25, $20, $15, $10 and $5 in cash.

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PRACTICE DERBY: After the raffle tickets are chosen, all of the tickets are counted.  The number of tickets each student earned is displayed as a horse race chart.  Each student's horse travels a distance based on the number of tickets they earned during that month. The winning horse wins an award.  Students who earn at least 40 tickets in a month receive a special award. ​

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STUDENT OF THE MONTH:

• Students who have put forth extra effort practicing and

• Have a good attitude about learning and

• Have attended at least 4 lessons during the month and who

• Have a song ready to perform

may be awarded the title of “Student of the Month”.

The prize is $50 cash, a trophy and an interview featured in our monthly newsletter on our website.

Note: there is one "Student of the Month" awarded at the end of August for the summer.

 

Exclusion from any incentive program should be requested by emailing: admin@denverama.org

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8- Does DAMA require lesson plans and practicing?

The only way to become proficient at any skill is by practicing.  Instructors will plan lessons each week in order for students to gain new skills and reinforce previously learned skills. Weekly assignments will be stated clearly on an assignment sheet or in their book and in the TeacherZone account.  Young students need a parent to sit with them during practice sessions. Relying on a child to WANT to practice usually causes the child a lot of stress.  If the child has a structured time to practice and is expected to  adhere to the schedule then it will eventually become a habit.   Young children simply do not have the ability to develop this type of structure on their own. 

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Students must expect to practice if they want to advance. We understand that not every student wants to be a professional musician and dedicate the time and effort it takes to achieve that level of proficiency. DAMA teachers will encourage practicing by providing fun, engaging and challenging lessons but it is up to you whether you choose to put in the time and effort in order to get better.  Parents may want to check their child's assignments each week. If the assignments are identical, or close to the same as the previous week, that means that the student did not practice and if they did practice, then it was not done effectively. Progress will be VERY slow if there's very little practicing between lessons. 

 

Different teachers have different expectations of their students.  It can be frustrating for both the student and the teacher if the student doesn't come prepared for their lessons. Students who continually come to lessons unprepared may benefit from changing teachers or trying a different instrument in order to stay motivated to continue their musical journey.    Our mission is help our students reach their highest potential. 

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9- What is DAMA's protocol for withdrawing from lessons?

We do not require contracts to secure lesson days/times because once a student decides to quit taking lessons, any lessons they are forced to take because of a contract are usually ineffectual.  Since lessons are billed at the first of the month,  students can continue to take lessons until the end of the month or cancel the rest of the lessons for the month without a refund.   If we are not informed of the students intent to withdraw from lessons by the fifteenth of the current month,  students and/or parent/guardians will be invoiced for the following month and they are responsible for paying the invoice that month regardless if the student takes any lessons that month.   

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There may be circumstances when a student and their Instructor are just not a good fit. Not all personalities mesh. Before quitting lessons altogether,  we hope that students will try lessons with a different teacher or a different instrument.  Instructors also have the option to request that a student try another teacher.  In these cases, it is based on the student's behavior that would suggest that he/she would better suited to a different teacher in order to reach their full potential. 

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GENERAL SCHOOL POLICIES

Conduct

Respectful and courteous conduct is required at all times of all DAMA instructors, students parents, and their guests.  Denver Academy of Musical Arts reserves the right to dismiss any student, parent, or guest for conduct that is disrespectful, disruptive, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate. In such cases, refunds for unused tuition may not be granted, subject to the sole discretion of DAMA administration. By enrolling in DAMA, all students, parents/guardians, and guests agree to abide by these conduct expectations.

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Photography, video, and audio recordings of students

Denver Academy of Musical Arts’ school staff routinely photographs and makes audio and video recordings of student performances and group activities which we may publish in brochures, posters, in-school displays, DAMA‘s website and newsletters, and on DAMA’s social networking websites such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.  

 

As a condition of enrollment at DAMA, you grant DAMA the right to utilize photos, video, and audio of student performances and group activities such as classes and camps.  

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DAMA will not identify students by full name in public materials without prior written consent from the parent or legal guardian. Last names may be added to our e-Newsletters because circulation is limited to our group. 

 

Exclusion of a student’s photos or recordings may be requested by emailing admin@denverama.org. 

 

DAMA will make best efforts to comply with exclusion requests when possible, however exclusion requests may not be granted with regard to group photos or video that include other students or staff.

 

Privacy Policy

Denver Academy of Musical Arts is committed to safeguarding the privacy and security of our students’ personal information. We do not disclose student identities or contact information to third parties, except as required to facilitate essential services through authorized providers, such as TeacherZone. Student data may be stored within the secure infrastructure of TeacherZone and Wix.com, our website hosting provider. These platforms employ advanced data protection protocols, including the use of encrypted servers and firewall technologies. 

 

In accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), we do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under the age of 13 without verifiable parental consent.

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All direct payment transactions are processed by ECS, a third-party service provider contracted through TeacherZone. All such providers are required to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS), established by the PCI Security Standards Council, which includes major credit card issuers such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Compliance with these standards helps ensure that your credit card and payment information is handled securely and in accordance with industry best practices.

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Our website host may also use cookies and similar technologies to monitor performance, analyze user interactions, and maintain the safety and functionality of the Wix platform. By using our website and related services, you consent to the use of these technologies.

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Liability Policy

By participating in any Denver Academy of Musical Arts program, students and their parents/guardians acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with musical instruction and studio participation. DAMA, including its owners, partners, employees, and independent contractors, shall not be held liable for any injury, illness, death, property damage, or other loss resulting from participation in DAMA activities, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

A separate liability waiver may be required at the time of registration. Please contact admin@denverama.org with any questions.

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Pandemic/Illness Protocol Policy

• DAMA follows mask mandates regulated by the state.

• Do not enter the facility if you have had a fever within 24 hours or have been exposed to someone with COVID.

• If you have an illness that is contagious such as a cold or flu or a contagious rash, please do not enter the facility.

• We appreciate you wearing a mask if you are no longer contagious but still have symptoms of an illness, such as coughing.

• Please consider video lessons in order to prevent spreading germs. 

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Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Denver Academy of Musical Arts,  with all owners, partners, and employees does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or political affiliation. DAMA is an equal opportunity educational institution and strives to provide an inclusive environment for all students and staff. Discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.

 

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Acceptance of this document

Students and/or their parents or guardians will be notified via email of any updates to this document. Continued participation in DAMA programs following such updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policies. If you do not agree to a policy change, you must notify us in writing within seven (7) days of registration or notification. DAMA reserves the right to decline enrollment or participation based on non-acceptance of these policies.

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Please direct any questions or concerns to: admin@denverama.org

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