Policies

Private Lessons

Private Lessons: 24-hour notice by email or phone is required to reschedule a single private lesson. Private lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be charged to the student and will not be rescheduled. A maximum of one rescheduled lesson (lessons cancelled with 24-hour notice) is allowed per term. The rescheduled lessons (also called "make-up lessons") must take place within that term; otherwise, the student forfeits the lessons.

Private Lessons cancelled by CIM: When an instructor cancels a lesson, they will reschedule a make-up lesson with the student during make-up week (at the end of the term), or at another time during the term. Make-up lessons will be scheduled before the end of the term.

Group Classes

Students are expected to attend all group classes. No group classes will be repeated due to the absence of individual students.

Group Lessons: The Center reserves the right to cancel classes or ensembles with insufficient enrollment. A minimum of 4 students is required to run a group class. Classes that do not meet the minimum enrollment by one week before the first meeting may be cancelled. In the event a class is cancelled, you will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another class or upgrade to a smaller group class. If you do not enroll in another class you will receive a full refund.

Weather Cancellations

CIM follows the Saint Paul Public Schools' (SPPS) announcement of snow days. In general, if classes and after-school activities are cancelled for SPPS, CIM will also be closed. There are two exceptions:

• If school/activities are cancelled because of low temperatures and NOT because of excessive snow, CIM will be open.
• If school is cancelled but after-school activities are not cancelled, CIM will be open.

Check the homepage of our website or CIM Facebook page for the most up-to-date information. We try to make a call by 3pm in the event of a snowstorm or extreme weather.

Private lessons:

• A 100% refund is available if administration is notified directly within two weeks of the first lesson. Notifying your instructor of withdrawal from private lessons is not sufficient.

• After the two-week grace period (private lessons only): Once a student has registered for a certain number of lessons for the term, the arrangement is considered a contract between student and instructor (instructors have reserved that time slot and room specifically for the student). If the student decides to withdraw after the two-week grace period, please notify CIM administration in writing within one week of your last lesson. 100% refunds are available for medical reasons only. For all other reasons, students will be charged 20% of the balance of remaining lessons. If CIM administration is not notified of withdrawal, the student is responsible for the balance of all remaining lessons until the administration is notified by the student.

Group classes:

• In the case of a student who is unsatisfied with the content of the class, they must notify us within two business days of the first class. A 100% refund for remaining classes will be given.

• After the first week: 100% refunds are available only for medical reasons.  For all other reasons, students will be charged for 20% of the balance of remaining classes. If CIM administration is not notified of withdrawal, the student is responsible for the balance of all remaining classes.

Registration fees are nonrefundable.

CIM Events, Workshops & Summer Camps: Upon student’s written notice of withdrawal from a workshop or summer camp, the student is entitled to the following schedule of refunds:

• 30 days before event – full refund
• 14 days before event – 75% refund
• 7 days before event – 50% refund
• Refunds are not available on the day of the event or for advance concert ticket sales.

Family Discount: Families with more than one student enrolled at the CIM (immediate family members only) are eligible for a 5% discount as long as all family members are registered before the registration deadline each term.

Ensemble Member Private Lesson Rate: Students enrolled in any of our ensembles, youth or adult, receive a 10% discount on private lessons. Ensemble students must take lessons at least every other week on the instrument they play in the ensemble. Advanced Youth and Starling Ensemble students are required to take weekly lessons on the instrument they play in ensemble.

Registration fees are not eligible for discounts.

CIM policies are subject to change.

Please see our financial aid page.

If you are interested in developing a community partnership with the CIM for a grant application, please review these guidelines and take a look at our current community partners page.