Our Story

Small beginnings. Big Dreams

General

Where can I park?

There is parking available across the street from The Front Porch at the Water Street garage. The first hour is free. Past that, it is $2 per hour. There is also street parking all around downtown Charlottesville.

Are you ADA accessible?

Yes. If you require wheelchair access please let us know at the time of class registration, or at the time of concert ticket purchase by emailing info@frontporchcville.org.

I utilize a service dog. Can my service dog accompany me to programming?

Yes, service animals are permitted at The Front Porch. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.

Can I rent a room or space at The Front Porch?

Yes! Click HERE for more information.

Can I rent an instrument from The Front Porch?

Yes! Click HERE for more information.

Does The Front Porch repair instruments?

Unless you have a rental from us, we do not repair instruments.

School

Do you offer any lessons in-person within the C'ville area - or, are all lessons virtual now because of COVID-19?

We are not offering in person lessons due to COVID-19 at this time. Our teachers use Zoom and send students a weekly invite to join their lessons.

What is the frequency of your lessons? Are they typically once a week, every other week, etc.?

Group classes run weekly and you can set your own schedule for private lessons. You’ll get the most out of a weekly lesson. We highly recommend a group class for beginners. Once you start to nail down those basics it’s good to supplement in some private instruction to tackle any personal challenges/goals.

What style should I start with?

Whichever you’re most interested in would be the best choice, you’ll be more likely to practice that way!

Do you provide lesson books, CD/DVD etc?

Teachers provide online materials (that you can print at home) and/or videos to supplement the class. There are no physical lesson books/DVDs/CDs.

What are the typical hours? Evening, weekends?

Generally, Mon – Thurs, but there are a few teachers who also teach on the weekends.

What is the cost? How is payment handled?

Payment is due at the time of registration. Group classes for teens and adults are $27/lesson, and $24/lesson for kids. We offer 30 minute ($38), 45 minute ($56), and 60 minute ($72) private lessons. Students can purchase one trial private lesson before they register for a subscription of monthly lessons. A $25 student registration fee for new private students is due upon sign-up. Group class registration can be found HERE. Private lessons can be found HERE.

Do you offer financial assistance?

Yes! Please click HERE for more information.

What is your policy on refunds for group classes?

Classes must have a minimum of three students to run. In the event a class is cancelled due to low enrollment, the student has the option to receive a refund, school credit, transfer to another class, or apply the balance to private lessons.

Student initiated cancellations 72hrs before the start of a class are eligible for a refund. Once a class has begun, students are not eligible to receive a refund or school credit for misses. Placement issues should be immediately resolved with the Director of Operations after first day of class.

If an in-session class is canceled by The Front Porch for any reason, the student will be notified, and a substitute will be provided. If a sub is not available, a make-up class will be scheduled at the end of the session. Refunds or school credits will be issued to the purchaser’s account if a make-up date is not available

Are make-up lessons offered for private lessons?

Private Lesson Studio Policies

Our teachers reserve time on their schedules, plan for your lessons, and invest in the long-term development of each student. To provide regular, quality lessons, the following policies need to be observed.

Student Tuition:

A $25 non-refundable registration fee is due at initial sign-up after the trial lesson. Tuition is a flat monthly fee. Most months have four (4) or five (5) lessons, and on rare occasions, three (3) lessons when in observance of major national holidays. Tuition is due on the first of each month and is billed automatically to your credit or debit card via auto-pay.

Included in your student registration:

Regular weekly lesson time with your teacher, except when the studio is closed for holidays.
Two (2) yearly recital performance opportunities at no additional cost (Fall and Spring Student Showcases, on a first come first serve basis. Accompaniments are included in student registration).

*Educational materials, music books, instrument rental and other accessories are an additional cost.

Registration Cancellation:

Registrations may be canceled by emailing scheduling@frontporchcville.org. Cancellations must be received by the 15th of the month to take effect at the end of that month.

Example: Cancellation Form received on the 16th of May is billed for June and takes effect at the end of June.

There are no exceptions.

You may withdraw the cancellation at any time before it takes effect but your teacher and/or time slot cannot be guaranteed. A $25 returning student registration fee will be required to re-enroll once the withdrawal takes effect.
Active registration is mandatory to participate in our student showcase. All registration(s) will be withdrawn at the time of membership cancellation.
All Make-up Lesson Credit(s) on your account expire in 90 days from the cancellation effective date.
A $25 returning student registration fee will be required to re-enroll once the withdrawal takes effect
Student registrations are not transferable.
The Front Porch does not provide tuition refund under any circumstances.
The Front Porch reserves the right to terminate a registration, in which case prorated tuition will be refunded.

Attendance:

Students are expected to be punctual to their weekly lessons. Students who are late for a lesson cannot be guaranteed their lesson time.

Staff Canceled Lesson:

If a lesson is canceled by Front Porch staff a “Staff Cancellation” credit will show up in your account. You will have the choice between a make-up lesson (finding a time with your teacher outside of your normal slot) OR applying a monetary credit to your next billing cycle.

Missed Lesson:

No tuition credit or refund will be provided for missed lessons.
A Make-up Lesson Credit will be issued when a lesson is canceled with at least 24-hour advance notice (by emailing scheduling@frontporchcville.org and your instructor).
Cancellations made with less than 24-hour notice will not qualify for a Make-up Lesson Credit (this includes being sick the day of a scheduled lesson).
No more than three (3) Make-up Lesson Credits can be pending at a time per membership.
Your make-up lesson credit can be used to schedule a Make-up Lesson online or by email at any time with your teacher or another available teacher. Make-up lessons are scheduled outside of your normal lesson slot.
Make-up Lessons cannot be rescheduled.
Make-up Lesson Credit(s) expires 90 days after student registration ends.

Changing Teachers:

You may decide to change teacher or instrument with a minimum 14-day advance notice before the 1st of the month. We cannot guarantee your time slot if you choose to change teachers.

Summer (June, July, August):

You may put your private lessons on “Summer Hold” for up to two (2) months with a 14-day notice before the 1st of the month.

Your lesson time and teacher will be reserved only by pre-paying tuition for the returning month. (Latest resume date is September 1st). While on summer hold, students may purchase individual lessons by reaching out to the registrar.

Care of Students: The Front Porch is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students.

Injuries:

You assume all risk of injury or harm to the child(ren) or adult(s) associated with participation in musical activities at The Front Porch and agree to release, indemnify, defend and forever discharge The Front Porch and its officers and staff from all liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, and expenses in the unlikely event of injury sustained by your child(ren) or adult student during the course or as a result of their participation in Front Porch musical activities.

Photo/Video Release:

Unless requested in writing, The Front Porch is granted permission to take photographs/videos of the students to use in brochures, websites, posters, advertisements, and other promotional materials Front Porch creates. Permission is also hereby granted for The Front Porch to copyright such photographs in its name.

Disclaimer:

We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

Policy effective upon enrollment. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Policies & terms are subject to change

Are make-ups offered for group classes?

If a class is canceled by The Front Porch for any reason, the student will be notified and a make-up class will be scheduled at the end of the session. Refunds to the purchaser’s account will be issued if a make-up date is not available. Student-initiated cancellations are not subject to make-ups.

Where can I find out about school cancellations?

The Front Porch follows the Charlottesville City School system’s inclement weather plan for on site classes. Students will be notified of all closings and delays via email. Announcements will also be made on social media.

Who should I contact if I’m interested in teaching at The Front Porch?

Please email info@frontporchcville.org to inquire about job opportunities.

Photo Permission

By registering for this class, I grant The Front Porch permission to photograph or video my/my child’s participation in The Front Porch’s music education programs. I also grant The Front Porch permission to use my/child’s likeness in a promotional capacity including but not limited to print materials, web site, print, online or out of home media and other medium now or later developed; as well as permission to share photography and video including my/my child’s likeness for use by media publications and institutions that fund The Front Porch operations and programs.

Concerts

What time do concerts start?

Our concerts run from 8 – 10 PM with doors at 7:30 PM. Concerts that take place on Sundays run from 7 – 9 PM with doors at 6:30 PM. Doors always open half an hour before the concert begins.

Do you serve alcohol?

Yes! We serve a variety of wines and beer from Champion Brewing Company. We also serve non-alcoholic beverages.

What is your capacity?

100 people.

Are your concerts seated or standing?

Our concerts are mostly seated. We can guarantee seats for the first 80 people to arrive. Our seating is first come first served.

Do you serve food?

No.

Are restrooms available?

Yes. We have 3 restrooms in our venue, one with ADA accessibility.

Are your concerts for all ages?

Yes. Children 12 and under can attend for free.

How do I purchase tickets for a concert?

There are two ways to purchase tickets – online and in person at The Front Porch. We strongly encourage purchasing tickets online in advance of the show. To purchase tickets online, go to our concert page here.

I purchased tickets, now what? Do I need to print the receipt and bring it to the concert?

No, you do not need to print the receipt. We also do not issue paper tickets. Once you purchase tickets to a concert at The Front Porch, your name, email address and number of tickets you bought automatically gets uploaded into the guest list of the concert you purchased the ticket(s) for. All you have to do is come to the concert and give your name and the number of tickets bought to the staff working the door!

Are you handicapped accessible?

Yes.

Is your venue indoor or outdoor?

Indoor.

Is there assigned seating?

No. Our seating is first come, first served.

Do you have discounts for senior or military?

No.

Can I bring my own alcohol and food?

No.

What if I can’t make it to the show? Can I get a refund?

We do not offer ticket refunds. There are two options to make sure your tickets don’t go to waste. You can either give your ticket(s) to a friend by forwarding the confirmation email to them or by simply telling them what name your order is under OR you can notify us you won’t be attending and we’ll make sure your seats aren’t empty!

How do I find out if a show is canceled due to inclement weather?

If we have to cancel a show because of inclement weather or other reasons, we will post it on our Facebook Page as well as on the event itself on Facebook and on our website. If you are having trouble finding any of those, please call 434-806-7012 or email booking@frontporchcville.org.

Can I use my Front Porch gift certificate to purchase tickets to a concert?

Yes! Gift cards can be used to purchase group classes, private lessons, summer camps, event tickets and Front Porch merchandise! Please call 434-806-7012 or email info@frontporchcville.org to use your gift certificate for concert tickets, or stop by and use it in person!

Who do I contact if I want to perform at The Front Porch?

Please review our booking policies here.