FAQ | Belle Melodie Music

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is tuition calculated and billed at Belle Melodie?

A： Belle Melodie generally uses a monthly number-of-visits billing model for all private lessons. Instead of charging a flat monthly fee or requiring prepaid lesson packages, families are billed based on the actual number of scheduled lessons in each calendar month (typically 4 or 5, depending on the day of the week). This modern approach offers several advantages:

Fairer – You pay only for the lessons that are scheduled.
Flexible – It adjusts automatically for longer or shorter months.
Customer-friendly – It avoids large upfront payments like traditional 10-lesson packages.

Invoices are finalized on the 1st of each month, and autopay is processed between the 1st and 3rd using the credit card on file. Any planned absences approved in advance (in accordance with the school’s absence policy) are reflected directly in the monthly invoice—eliminating the need for separate credit tracking.

For group lessons, most programs operate on a package-based model and are charged at the time of enrollment. However, for recurring group classes—such as Music Theory, Enlightenment Class, Musical Theatre, and Ensemble/Band Classes—families who have completed more than one full cycle and are enrolled in multiple courses may, at the discretion of administration, transition to the monthly number-of-visits model for added convenience and billing alignment.

Q2: What happens if I want to cancel a class?

A: At Belle Melodie, we understand that scheduling conflicts and unexpected events may arise. Our cancellation policy is designed to be fair to both families and teachers, while supporting responsible communication.

1. Advance Cancellation – Before the Monthly Billing Cycle
If you know in advance that your child will miss a class next month (e.g., planning to cancel an August lesson while still in July), and the absence is not more than 3 consecutive weeks, please notify our staff before the 1st of the month through one of the following:

Text: 858-280-9334

WeChat: bellemelodiemusic

Email: service@bellemelodie.com

Approved cancellations will be automatically reflected in your monthly invoice. No further action is needed.

2. Mid-Month Cancellation – At Least One Day in Advance
If you need to cancel a class during the current month, please give notice at least 24 hours in advance (or reasonably, at least one day before). In this case, the class will be marked as "excused" and converted into a class credit, which can be used to make up the lesson in a future session.

3. Late Cancellation or No-Show – Same-Day Notice
If a class is cancelled on the same day or missed without prior notice:

The teacher has already reserved the time and will be paid in full, so the session is not refundable or credited.

However, some teachers may offer a courtesy make-up, either individually or by inviting the student to another group class, but this is entirely at the teacher’s discretion and is not guaranteed.

We encourage timely communication to ensure smooth scheduling and fairness to all parties. If you're unsure whether a cancellation qualifies for adjustment or credit, feel free to contact us.

Q3: What if we need to take a break for more than 3 weeks?

If your family needs to pause lessons for an extended period (typically equals or more than 3 consecutive weeks), you may request a temporary hold on your enrollment.

How It Works:
Submit a hold request in writing at least 7 days before the start of the hold period. You can contact us via:

Text: 858-280-9334

WeChat: bellemelodiemusic

Email: service@bellemelodie.com

The hold can last up to 10 weeks per calendar year, per student.

During the Hold Period:

You will not be charged for lessons during your absence.
Your regular time slot is not automatically guaranteed, especially with high-demand teachers.

If your teacher or time slot becomes highly requested during your hold, our staff will contact you to confirm whether you want to secure the slot upon your return. If you choose to keep the slot:

You will be required to prepay one month’s tuition (non-refundable and non-cancelable) to lock in the schedule after your hold period.
If your returning month's total is under $100, we may request two months’ prepayment instead.

Irrevocable Status & Further Scheduling

Once a hold is approved, its dates are irrevocable. If you later wish to take lessons during the hold period, those sessions must be booked separately as add‑on classes and are subject to current teacher availability and the latest tuition rate at the time of booking.
Only one active hold is permitted at a time; a second hold cannot begin until the first one has fully concluded.
Please note that the total length of your hold may affect your scheduling priority for teachers and time slots when you return—along with other factors such as demand, studio capacity, and the student’s overall commitment. All placement decisions are made with a balanced, school‑wide perspective in mind.

Q4: When will the tuition change?

A： For New Students
Tuition for new students is reviewed and updated twice per year, typically effective on:

January 1
August 1

Rate changes reflect rising operational costs and comparisons with local market standards. New students are always charged the most current tuition rate available at the time of enrollment.

For Existing Students
For students who maintain continuous enrollment, tuition is reviewed no more than once per year and typically updated after at least 12 months of study.

Tuition adjustment notices for existing students are issued selectively, based on several factors:

Whether the cost of assigned teacher increased
Whether the student increased total weekly lesson hours
The student’s long-term commitment and consistency
Whether the student is enrolled in multiple courses at Belle Melodie

What Happens When a Tuition Adjustment Notice Is Issued?
If you receive a tuition adjustment notice, you will be given the option to:
A. Continue with your current teacher at the updated rate
B. Switch to a more affordable teacher within the Belle Melodie faculty
C. Terminate your plan with no penalty

All tuition adjustments will be communicated in advance and take effect on the next monthly billing cycle.