Administrative Policies & Information
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Private lessons are offered and consist of standard 30-minute weekly lessons each semester. However, we want to be flexible and do what’s best for each student! 45 minute and 1-hour lessons are available when the instructor and student deem it appropriate. We can also work out details such as biweekly lessons. Lessons are offered at various times depending on the instructor’s availability.
All lessons are offered on the campus of Bethel Baptist Church.
Students as young as 7 can register or with instructor approval.
–Bass: Beginner, Intermediate
–Cello: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
–Clarinet: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
–Drums: Beginner, Intermediate
–Guitar (Acoustic or Electric): Beginner, Intermediate
–Horn: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
–Piano: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
–Photography: Beginner
–Trumpet: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
–Voice
30-minute lessons cost $30
60-minute lessons cost $60
At the beginning of each semester, students are billed a one-time $75 registration fee. This is so important because it helps us pay our staff that work behind the scenes to make the Academy run smoothly and cover some other Academy expenses (for example, the software we use, etc…). As a result, the instructors can take home almost all of their profit from lessons.
Yes, we require a 24-hour cancelation notice unless the cancelation is due to sickness or a family emergency. The lesson is billable if a 24-hour notice is not given.
For registration, financial, or scheduling questions please contact Alanna McCue-Gomes (amccuegomes@bbcyorktown.org).
FACULTY QUALIFICATIONS & POLICIES
Each instructor must be a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. This is a Gospel-centered ministry in which we desire to advance the Gospel.
Each instructor must have a certain mastery of their skill through formal training or considerable experience. The Worship Arts Academy Director will assess this qualification as we desire to offer top notch training.
Faculty members should dress according to the policy set forth by Bethel Baptist Church. While dressing for comfort, instructors should present a conservative approach to clothing styles. Modesty is valued. The Worship Arts Academy Director reserves the right to counsel faculty on proper dress or hygiene.
Each instructor is encouraged to attend additional professional development such as: conferences, seminars, observations of other schools, etc. The Worship Arts Academy Director will provide funds for this professional development as the yearly budget allows.
Agreements will be renewed each year as the Worship Arts Academy has needs and as it develops. The agreement will entail general expectations of the faculty, be based on a year agreement in most cases (a semester contract may be offered based on needs), signature, etc.
If you are going to be absent for a lesson, call the Worship Arts Academy Assistant the evening before if possible to allow for notification of the staff and student. A 24-hour notice is requested by both parties: instructor or student. If you are going to be late, notify the Worship Arts Academy Assistant so arrangements can be made to best utilize the time until your arrival.
Faculty members must use good judgment when discussing academy business, student behavior, progress, or achievement.
- Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality concerning faculty members, student, and parent information.
- Problems: Discuss problems or situations only with the Worship Arts Academy Director.
- Faculty Questions: Direct all faculty questions or concerns not covered in handbook to the Worship Arts Academy Director.
- Parent Questions: Direct all parent questions or concerns not covered in the handbook to the Worship Arts Academy Director.
- Safety & Care: Our policy is that a teacher is never alone with a student one-one without someone in close proximity. Also, the ministry assistant continually walks the halls during lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Make every effort to safeguard records from anyone other than Worship Arts Academy faculty members. Shred papers that contain any personal information (e.g. addresses or phone numbers, etc.).
Use of tobacco in any form by Worship Arts Academy personnel is prohibited on church grounds.
Periodic evaluations will be provided to faculty. Instructor/assistant evaluations shall, at a minimum, take into consideration the following:
The role of the instructor in meeting the Worship Arts Academy’s student achievement goals, including academic gains of students. The assistant will be evaluated on their contribution to achieving the organizational goals of the Worship Arts Academy.
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Interaction with students, parents, instructors, director, and other school personnel.
- Responsibility: Timeliness and attendance for assigned responsibilities.
- Policy: Adherence to the Worship Arts Academy handbook and to the Bethel Baptist Church Personnel Manual) The website reflects the handbook in digital form.
- Conduct: Personal conduct while in performance of Worship Arts Academy duties.
Faculty members will be given 30 days’ notice if for any reason Bethel Baptist needs to terminate an agreement. Any faculty members can be immediately terminated for not following policies and/or procedures set forth by Bethel Baptist or The Worship Arts Academy. Authority for termination resides with the Worship Arts Academy Director. A faculty member desiring to appeal termination will follow the procedures outlined in the Bethel Baptist Church Personnel Manual.
Faculty members are requested to provide a 2 week notice if they wish to terminate their commitment.
The Worship Arts Academy Assistant will be happy to run copies for your studio.
Faculty members are required to review policies and procedures before signing their offer letter.
Every faculty member is required to have a background check. This will be reviewed at the start of each academic year (Fall) to ensure a current background check is on file.
A verbal warning will be issued by the Worship Arts Academy Director for policy infractions. This will be followed by a written warning, issued during a meeting, that will be included in the faculty personnel file. The faculty member will be subject to termination if the conduct persists.
In accordance with Matthew 18, please go directly to the person if you have a concern or issue. The next step will be to bring the Worship Arts Academy Director with you as the second person. A culture of Matthew 18 is desired. Please refrain from all gossip. Additional information on these procedures is provided in the Bethel Baptist Church Personnel Manual.
Each instructor should strive to have a continued sense of mastery in their area of teaching. Faithfulness, organization, demonstration, encouragement, care, and expectation/goal setting should be part of every studio’s practice.
FINANCIAL PROCEDURES
The Worship Arts Academy is under the nonprofit tax-exempt status of Bethel Baptist Church.
Online registration through events registration via the bbcyorktown.org website is considered acknowledgement and agreement of the semester cost.
Registration Fee: An administration fee is due each semester. It is $75 per student.
Lesson Costs: 30 minute lessons cost $30; 60 minute lessons cost $60
Internship Cost: One time $75 registration fee
Instructors are paid every 2 weeks through the payroll system of Bethel Baptist Church. Direct deposit is the standard method for payment.
Lesson (30 min)- Instructor: $25, Academy: $5
Lesson (1 hour)- Instructor: $50, Academy: $10
Personnel: The Worship Arts Academy Assistant will receive an hourly wage that is funded by $5 weekly received from each student’s lessons and classes. The Worship Arts Academy Director does not receive any compensation from the Academy unless instructing a lesson.
Expenditures: There are a number of expenditures that the Academy incurs. Such expenses are the following: My Music Staff monthly subscription, payroll taxes, recital expenses, professional development, instructor resources, promotion/advertising, and additional things as they arise.
Annual Audit: The Worship Arts Academy will have an annual audit by the Bethel Baptist Church Finance Committee for accountability.
Payments: Payments may be made in person during the day at the church office, mailed to Worship Arts Academy, Bethel Baptist Church, paid electronically via the online payment option on the church website, bbcyorktown.org or a check placed in the “black box” at the WAA entrance under WAA sign. Please make checks payable to Bethel Baptist Church with the memo Worship Arts Academy and Student Name.
Monthly Invoices: A monthly invoice will be sent out the 1st of every month by the ministry assistant.
Entire Semester: Payments may be made at one time for an entire semester. Lesson fees are non-refundable. One attempt will be made for a make-up lesson based on the instructor’s availability. Please give the instructor 24-hour notice when scheduling a make-up lesson.
Literature: Each student is expected to pay for their literature as assigned by the instructor. Please know that we strive to keep this cost low but due to copyright we are responsible to honor the law of copying. Students will be expected to cover the cost of their scores and textbooks.
An account is considered past due after the 10th of the month. Past due accounts will be assessed a $10 late fee after the 10th of the month. If an account is still past due after the 1st of the next month, lessons will be suspended until the account balance is paid in full for 2 months. Lessons missed due to past due accounts will not be rescheduled.
Please give the instructor 24-hour notice when cancelling. Without a 24-hour notice or emergency, student forfeits lesson costs. Makeup lessons are at the discretion of the instructor. If you begin to have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting this constitutes as an emergency within the 24-hour period.