FAQ 

Q: What should students expect? 

A: Students should expect to learn about music in a fun and engaging environment. Students should expect to be challenged and encouraged to explore their creative side. Rehearsals, classes, and lessons are designed with an objective: to provide practical performance experience and opportunities. 

Q: What does Cadence expect from members?

A: Cadence expects all members to bring their most positive attitude, enthusiasm, and focus to all activities. Respect for others, kindness, and consistent effort are crucial to the success of our mission. 

Q: How should I communicate with Cadence?

A: With the exception of last-second emergencies or system outages, families should always use the MyMusicStaff Portal to communicate with Cadence. 

Q: What kind of commitment am I making? 

A: For all group activities, you are making a financial and time commitment of either 30 or 40 weeks (September to May). 

Q: Cancellations, Refunds & Withdrawals?

A: See Policies Below. 

Q: How qualified are Cadence instructors? 

A: Our instructors are qualified either through their formal training, professional experience, or a combination of both.

Q: Safety and Clearances? 

A: All our instructors are required to maintain up-to-date PA Abuse Clearances and undergo background checks. We place student safety and teacher accountability as the most important goal. 

Q: How do I pay? 

A: With cash, check, or through our online portal. We encourage families to setup autopay through the portal if they are paying monthly. 

Q: Regarding the choirs, will singers have an opportunity for a solo? 

A: Occasionally, we will program music that includes one or more solos. The director will hold auditions and select a singer based on that singer’s ability to perform that solo.

Policies

General Expectations

Cadence is not specifically a religious organization. That being said, our founders, board members, and many of our staff and families are Christians. These Christian backgrounds guide much of our decision-making. Cadence members (whether they be instructors, staff, or students) are not required or expected to be practicing Christians. However, all staff, instructors, and members are expected to understand & respect the culture in which they are choosing to participate. 

Members will be polite, respectful, and courteous to all other members and staff. Unkind, impolite, or outwardly negative comments aimed at other members or staff will not be tolerated. Cadence is a place for all of us to escape the world's stress.

Regardless of a member’s age or the program they belong to, all members are expected to show respect to the teachers, volunteers, and other members. This includes keeping chatter to an absolute minimum during all activities. We like to make the most of our limited time together. 

To receive the most from the instruction provided, members must remember that:

Practice is the time you spend on your own to prepare the music and materials you are given. 

Rehearsal is a time to polish what you practiced, usually with the rest of a class or ensemble. 

Performance is the time when an individual or ensemble presents their music or project to an audience. 

Members will communicate privately with the Director of Cadence regarding any concerns or potentially negative comments. “Drama” will not be tolerated. 

Hold your questions until the end of an activity to maintain momentum and rehearse efficiently. This is not to discourage questioning, but rather so we pick which questions are answered now rather than later. Make sure they are relevant to the activity at hand. If you need to, keep some notepaper in your binder to write down your question(s).

The facilities we use will be left better than they are found. Do not engage in behavior that would disrupt the business of, or destroy the property of, any facility we use. Parents are responsible for the behavior of their child(ren). 

There are designated areas, either outside or in a gymnasium/rec room, at most of our locations for children to run and play. They may not wander or "go exploring" rooms, halls or other areas that are not specifically designated for Cadence Youth. 

We are guests at these facilities. We will be courteous to our hosts. 

All members are expected to dress modestly. Form-fitting attire, sleeveless shirts, short skirts/shorts, or midriff-baring attire is not permitted. 

For adults in class or choir, we are here to grow, encourage, and uplift each other. Focus on yourself, the things challenging you, and areas you may improve before you consider chiding others. 

For youth, we are here to learn & grow. You are expected to behave and show respect to your teachers and other members. Disrespect, unruly behavior, or disrupting an activity will not be tolerated. Phone usage is prohibited. Repeated infractions will lead to dismissal for the remainder of class and a discussion with parents/guardians. 

All students from age 7 and up are expected to know how to read at a second-grade level.

Code of Conduct

By enrolling in our programs, both Cadence youth and adult members of Cadence Music and Arts Programs (CMAP) agree to accept the responsibilities and expectations outlined in this Code of Conduct (shown below).

Code of Conduct

As a member of CMAP, I understand that:

1. Self-discipline, kindness, and respect are the foundation of our program. 

2. I will treat others as I would like to be treated. 

3. I will practice self-control and think before speaking or acting. (I will not be rude or interrupt other people, especially my instructor.)

4. I will tell the truth. 

5. I will listen when someone is speaking and wait to express my ideas. (I will wait for my turn.)

6. I will keep my word. 

7. I will keep a positive attitude. Negativity is useless at best, and harmful at worst. 

8. I will work on the songs, concepts, and ideas taught in my program outside of the classroom. 

9. I will dress modestly and age-appropriately. 

10. I will use appropriate language. 

11. I will respect the opinions of others even when they differ from mine. 

12. I will strive to make a positive contribution to the program for the good of myself and my fellow students. 

13. I will treat any property we use with respect.

General Discipline Policy

As a member of CMAP, I also understand that choosing not to follow the Code of Conduct will result in certain consequences:

1. Spending time in a separate place until permitted to rejoin the group.

2. Apologizing to someone if my words or actions disrespected or harmed them. 

3. In the case of youth, informing my parents of my inappropriate behavior. 

4. Being excluded from a rehearsal or performance, if the instructor deems it necessary.

5. Meeting with my parents (if applicable), the instructor, and CMAP administrators to determine continued enrollment, if the case is severe.

Concerning youth, Cadence values parental involvement. Unlike other institutions, we understand that no schooling method or system can ever replace the involvement of consistent & encouraging parenting. We encourage all parents to take an active role if any issues arise. 

Member Comittment

Regular attendance and practice are key to student success.

For all lessons except voice, students are responsible for having their own instrument.  Let us know if you need recommendations about where to obtain your instrument.

Piano students will benefit from having a piano or 88 weighted-key keyboard at home.

All students are responsible for bringing their music each week once it has been assigned and distributed.

Attendance and participation in all recitals, concerts, community service performances, workshops and other events is strongly encouraged. That said, we do not force students to perform.

When you are going to be absent, please login to MyMusicStaff, select the correct date on the calendar, and "Cancel" your lesson or event. You may provide a note as well; explaining the situation. 

Due to the nature of our flexible schedule and affordable pricing, there are no refunds or credits for missed lessons due to student absence unless the instructor chooses to offer a makeup of his or her own volition.

Make-up lessons for student absences are not guaranteed and should never be expected. Makeup lessons for student absence are (usually) at the discretion of the teacher and sometimes at the discretion of CMAP's Director. If you are given makeup credit for a lesson, the studio reserves the right to expire the makeup credit if it is not used in a timely manner.  

For ensembles, classes, and group lessons, there are no make-ups, refunds, or credits for student absences.

In the case of inclement & dangerous weather for in-person lessons, lessons continue online. Credit will not be given if a student wishes to take the day off.

Regarding Teacher Absences...

There are four teacher absences built into your annual lesson schedule. We strive to provide consistency in lesson timing to our students; therefore, if your usual teacher is unavailable for future lessons we work to schedule you with another one of our highly qualified educators as your substitute for the day. We believe that this is a benefit; both for maintaining consistency in lesson timing as well as giving students exposure to different teachers and their methods.

If a teacher is absent and no substitute can be provided, we will make an effort to work out a makeup or monetary credit.

There are no make-ups for make-ups. If you are scheduled for a make-up lesson that you do not attend for any reason, there will not be another scheduled.  

If you are granted a makeup credit, it cannot be used in lieu of a regularly scheduled lesson.

If you need to take a long-term leave (greater than 3 months) from lessons we cannot hold your spot as there are other students on a waiting list for lessons.

Withdrawals

If a family chooses to withdraw from Cadence programs...

(a) Within the first three weeks of their scheduled programs: 

(b) After the first three weeks of their scheduled programs: 

(c) Three weeks prior to Winter Break or three weeks prior to the Spring Program:

Photography Policy

Cadence reserves the right to use all video and audio media of our programs for promotional purposes. 

Parents must email service@cmaprograms.com to request that a student's face is edited out of any material.

Cadence will blur out the faces of any minor at the written request of their parent.