Comments on: Rules to live by for the home music studio

By: Stephanie Dickinson

Stephanie Dickinson — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:19:37 +0000

Hi. I just asked my homeowners insurance about extra liability coverage and they told me I could lose my insurance if I teach out of my home! What insurance company do you use?

By: Wanda

Wanda — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:36:15 +0000

My students’ parents wait outside for the lesson to be over or leave and come back. I don’t have parents/siblings waiting in my house. I also have a clause in my policy that I do not have a public restroom and students should used the restroom and wash their hands before coming to their lesson. If, however, I feel a student is in emergency and HAS TO GO NOW…I will walk them to the bathroom and I remain nearby in the hall in case one of my kids or their friends head for that bathroom and so I can accompany the child back to the studio room instead of them walking thru my house alone. I do not let waiting parents and their other children use my house or restroom. In 12 years of teaching I have only had students use my facility 3 times.

By: Heather

Heather — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:38:54 +0000

I have in my studio policy clauses for dismissal or repayment if anything in my home is damaged. So far nothing has happened, but I think by having this in writing, people have understood the idea that they are guests in my home and should act accordingly. I have only had to get on to people twice for this. I also put in my studio policy that if more than one child is there for successive lessons, someone over age 18 must be there to supervise the other children. I cannot teach at my best if I have to babysit at the same time. Lastly, I only have people come through the front door and down the hallway to the studio. At some time in the future I hope to remodel to add another door that students can enter from the rear. But until that time, I have every student and parent that comes past the threshhold remove their shoes (to help keep the floors clean) and students wash their hands with soap before they touch anything! This has helped dramatically to keep things clean and help me from spreading disease. I also keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on the keyboard for quick fixes, like sneezes, etc.

By: Ronnie Currey

Ronnie Currey — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:54:15 +0000

Great piece! I have over 40 students and families coming in and going downstairs to the studio and waiting room. Some are courteous and even straighten up magazines, etc. Others will actually leave trash behind, trash the bathroom and leave the front door wide open when they exit (there is no screen door – that was trashed also). Thanks again for the article.