Community Music and Dance Academy Policies and Procedures

The policies and procedures of the Community Music and Dance Academy have been established in order to assist students achieve continuity of study. All students are required to abide by them.

• Students and/or parents have the responsibility of notifying the Community Music and Dance Academy Director, Dr. Mara Gibson, when problems arise, whether financial, instructional or personal. Every effort will be made to respond to individual need. Telephone:  816-235-2742; Email:  gibsonmb@umkc.edu
  
• Students enrolling for individual lessons cannot be currently studying that same instrument at another institution or with a private teacher, without the prior approval of the Director.  (In general, school music programs such as choir, band, and orchestra do not constitute a conflict.)
  
• Students must make every effort to be on time for all lessons and classes. In deference to subsequent students and classes, all lessons/classes will end at the scheduled time. Out of courtesy for the teacher, students are requested to call at least 24 hours in advance of an absence. Teachers should provide you with a voice mail number to leave messages. If this number is not available, please call the Community Music and Dance Academy office at 816-235-2741. There are no make-up lessons given. No refunds are issued. Lessons canceled by the teacher, however, will be rescheduled.
  
• Students should not come to lessons if they are sick and could pass contagions on to other students. If students stay home from school or work because of illness, we request that they not come to their lesson.
  
• When UMKC cancels classes due to severe weather or other emergency circumstances, the Community Music and Dance Academy is closed. Community Music and Dance Academy instructors are unable to make up lessons. In the event that severe weather impacts more than one lesson per session, compensation will be made.
  
• The Community Music and Dance Academy reserves the right to dismiss any student because of lack of interest or progress, frequent unexcused absences (more than two consecutive lessons), frequent tardiness, frequent schedule changes, behavioral problems, delinquency in payment of tuition, and/or failure to abide by policy.
  
• The Community Music and Dance Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, sex, ethnic origin or religious conviction in any policy related to admissions, financial matters, educational programs or activities.
  
• Please note that there is no free parking on campus.  Community Music and Dance Academy students and parents should make use of UMKC parking meters ($1.00 per hour).
  
• At the discretion of the instructor, a studio may choose to hold a special “9th week activity” instead of a regular lesson. Students who opt out of this activity are not guaranteed a regular lesson that week.
  
• Rates will increase annually and proportionately in conjunction with the tuition increases at UMKC and cost of living inflation.
  
• For more information about these policies, please contact the program’s Director or Assistant Director: 
  • Mara Gibson, Ph.D., Director.  816-235-2742 or gibsonmb@umkc.ed
  • Cheryl Melfi, D.M.A., Assistant Director.  816-235-2741 or melfic@umkc.edu