Parents and students often ask for make-up lessons when they have to miss their normal lesson time. I find that most teachers dread the term “make-up.” Making up lessons can really be a hassle and inconvenience for teachers. Rescheduling students can extend our teaching hours or add more time on another day when perhaps we aren’t teaching. Because of that, some teachers have a strict “no make-up” policy.
I keep a statement in my studio policy that make-up lessons are not guaranteed. That statement protects me in case of situations where my time could potentially be abused. I generally try to offer something for students who have to miss a lesson. In one of my first posts, I wrote about retention in your music studio. I think as business owners, it is important to be accommodating whenever possible.
Here are five solutions that I offer students when they have to miss a lesson:
- Phone or Video Lesson
If there is a transportation issue or the student is only mildly ill, offer a phone or video lesson during the student’s scheduled time.
- Fill Another Cancelled Lesson
Offer to let students know of a cancellation later in the week or at a later date. If there is no available lesson time the same week of their cancellation, they could come twice in a week at a later time. With everyone’s hectic schedule these days, most students will not be able to make a second lesson. Even if they can’t make it, at least you’ve tried to accommodate them.
- Email a Recording or Theory Assignment
If the student isn’t available for a phone or video lesson during his or her scheduled time, have the student email you an audio recording later in the week. You can listen and evaluate at your own convenience. Doing so might keep the student on track for the next lesson. If the student had theory homework, he or she can take a picture of it and email it to you. I also tell students to just call or text me if they have questions before their next lesson. Again, I find that most students don’t do this, but at least I’ve offered some of my time to them.
- Switch Lesson Times
Offer to have the student switch lessons with another student. I don’t keep a formal “swap list,” but I do have a few students who can be flexible with their schedule. Sometimes they are willing to switch lesson times with each other.
- Group Class
If you teach occasional group classes, offer for the student to attend the group class in lieu of his or her private lesson. This year for Halloween, I had several students who had to miss lessons. Rather than make up several private lessons, I offered for them to attend a group ensemble class on Saturday. This saves me a lot of time and they still get a lesson.
Lauren teaches piano to students of all ages in New Orleans, LA. Teaching is her passion. She enjoys creating resources for her students and is the author of Ready for Theory®.
