Frequently Asked Questions

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Children as young as 5–6 years old can begin with our Beginner Lessons. These 30-minute sessions introduce the fundamentals of piano and music in a fun, engaging way, perfect for first-time learners. 

Yes! Our Adult Piano Lessons are designed for beginners starting fresh or adults returning to the piano. Lessons are personalized, flexible, and paced according to your schedule — whether your goal is to play for personal enjoyment, join our adult social recitals, or pursue more formal study.  

Beginner Lessons → 30 minutes (ideal for first-time students of all ages)

Intermediate Lessons → 45 minutes (usually 2nd year and beyond, exploring classic repertoire)

Advanced Lessons → 60 minutes (for students with 4+ years of experience or accelerated progress, focusing on competitions and concert repertoire)

Adult Lessons → Flexible, based on student goals and availability

Tuition at Spotlight Piano School is billed on a quarterly basis (four times per year). Each quarterly payment reserves your child’s lesson time as part of our full program of 46 lessons per year. This keeps billing simple and predictable, guarantees consistency for both students and teachers, and locks in your tuition rate for the full year.

Example of tuition breakdown:

• 30-minute lessons: $552 per quarter (calculated at $48 per lesson)
   
• 45-minute lessons: $793.50 per quarter (calculated at $69 per lesson)
   
• 60-minute lessons: $1,035 per quarter (calculated at $90 per lesson)
   

For students who enroll mid-year, tuition will be prorated based on the point of entry into the program.

We don’t offer month-to-month lessons because true progress on the piano simply cannot happen in such a short time. Piano is a skill that develops gradually through consistent practice and long-term guidance. Short-term scheduling often creates a “stop-and-go” pattern that disrupts learning, making it harder for students to build momentum, stay motivated, and achieve steady improvement.

Our quarterly structure provides the commitment needed for real growth while still giving families flexibility. Just as importantly, it fosters discipline and perseverance—qualities that benefit students not only in music, but in life. Consistency and commitment are core values of our school, and they are what set our students apart and help them succeed.

For new families wishing to explore our program, we’re happy to arrange a paid trial lesson so you can experience our teaching approach before making a longer commitment. And if you ever need to withdraw, we simply ask for 30 days’ written notice before the next billing cycle.

In addition to tuition, a few other fees may apply during the year:

• Enrollment Fee – A one-time enrollment fee of $50 is charged at initial registration. This fee does not apply if a student continues into the next year, but will reapply if a student withdraws and later re-enrolls.
   
• Recital Fees – Students participate in two mandatory public recitals each year. A recital fee is billed to cover venue, programs, and related expenses.
   
• TMTA Student Affiliate Fee – Every school-aged student must register as a Student Affiliate Member of TMTA through our school each year. This membership provides access to the TMTA State Theory Test and other TMTA events.
   
• Materials and Books – Families are responsible for purchasing books and learning materials. If the school orders them on your behalf, the cost will be added to your account for reimbursement.
   
• Competitions, Workshops, and Special Events – Participation in optional events (such as masterclasses, festivals, or competitions) may involve additional entry fees.
   

These fees are billed separately from tuition and will appear on your invoice at the time they are due.

Yes. Tuition invoices are issued through our online billing system, which allows families to pay securely by credit card. However, a convenience fee of 2.9% + $0.10 will be added to credit card transactions.

To avoid this fee, you may pay tuition by Zelle (preferred: info@spotlightpianoschool.com) or by cash.

At least one week’s notice is required to reschedule planned absences. Make-ups are not guaranteed but may be offered online, during scheduled breaks, or by extending another lesson. No-call/no-show and last-minute cancellations will not be rescheduled or refunded. 

School-aged students are required to perform in two mandatory recitals each year, presenting memorized and well-prepared pieces. In addition, monthly volunteer performances provide valuable opportunities for students to gain confidence and give back to the community, though participation in these is optional. Adult students are not required to perform but are warmly encouraged to take part in our adult social recitals for enjoyment, growth, and community connection. 

Spotlight Piano School, led by Dr. Ying Zhang, is built on the core values of consistency and commitment, which form the foundation of student success. Lessons are taught by professional instructors on beautiful grand pianos, giving students the highest quality learning experience.

Beyond private lessons, students enjoy meaningful performance and enrichment opportunities, including two public recitals each year, TMTA events, monthly volunteer performances, and optional workshops, competitions, and masterclasses. These experiences build confidence, stage presence, and a lifelong love of music.

In short, Spotlight Piano School stands out for its leadership, teaching quality, values, and student achievements. Our students excel not only because of their talent, but because they are supported by a community of committed students, supportive families, and dedicated teachers.