FAQs
You may register on our website, www.southfloridamusic.org, by selecting the Register Now option from our schedule page or by visiting the classes section. Payments can be made online securely via PayPal. If you have questions or problems registering, please email info@southfloridamusic.org or call (305) 930-2755.
We offer no obligation trials during our semester in any section with space available. Please visit the Contact Us page to arrange for your trial class! Current availability can always be found on our Schedule page.
We offer three semesters a year. Our fall and spring semesters are 13-16 weeks long. Our summer semester is 5-7 weeks long. Fall classes generally begin in early September and run through early December. Spring classes generally begin in mid January and run through April or May. Summer classes begin in early June and run through mid July. For exact dates of the upcoming semester, please visit our schedule page.
Please contact our office at (305) 930-2755 or info@southfloridamusic.org. We can work with you to set up a payment plan to divide the total cost of the class into smaller segments. You are also welcome to visit the Friends of South Florida Music website to obtain a scholarship application through our non-profit affiliate.
No, we only register children one semester at a time. Registration for each new semester begins approximately 4-6 weeks prior to the first class.
We currently offer classes at a variety of locations in the greater Miami area. Visit our Locations page for addresses and class offerings at each site.
Parking is complimentary at all of our sites except for St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Coconut Grove. Municipal paid parking is available for this site.
With the exception of our bilingual “Tu Y Yo” toddler classes, all other classes utilize the Musikgarten curriculum, an international curriculum specially designed to be age and developmentally appropriate for children from birth through the age of 8. For more information, visit www.musikgarten.org.
Refunds must be requested in writing (email to info@southfloridamusic.org) and will be granted on the following schedule:
- Prior to the first class: Full refund minus a $10 processing fee.
- After one to three classes (shortened summer semester, one to two classes only): Refund of classes that have not yet occurred minus the cost of take home materials and the processing fee.
- After the third class (shortened summer semester, second class): No refunds will be granted. A credit for the remaining classes in the semester (minus take home materials and the processing fee) may be granted for future semesters of South Florida Music. A credit may only be granted for the weeks following communication with the SFM office. Credits will not be granted during the final three weeks of the semester.
If you need to change sections within a level, please contact our office at (305) 930-2755 or info@southfloridamusic.org. A $15 section change fee will be charged if it is after the third week of our semester (shortened summer session, after the second week). We only allow changes to sections with space still available.
Registered children may make up a total of 4 classes during the fall/spring session (2 classes during the shortened summer semester) by attending any other section of the same level during the semester of enrollment. We do not encourage makeups during the first or last week of the semester. Make up credits do not transfer between semesters. Please speak to us if you know you will have an absence later in the semester so that we can explore your options!
No, you do not have to call ahead to schedule a make up. Simply attend the section of your choice and give the teacher your name and your child’s name, as well as the day and time of your regular class.
The safety of our families and security of our sites is South Florida Music’s number one priority. Severe inclement weather conditions are the most common and potentially most dangerous reason for the cancellation of our classes. If such an event is forecasted, South Florida Music follows the Miami-Dade County Public School Policy. In addition, if such an event occurs requiring the cancellation of our classes, please monitor your email and South Florida Music’s social media for the latest updates. If a class is cancelled due to inclement weather an extra make-up for any missed class will be provided. Please note, no refunds can be given for class cancellations due to inclement weather. We encourage you to contact our office for any further policy details, questions or concerns.
By enrolling in a South Florida Music class, you automatically become a member of the SFM Loyalty Program, and remain a member through recurring enrollment. Benefits of the SFM Loyalty Program include:
- Early registration for subsequent semesters.
- The ability to earn thank you gifts/discounts from our referral program (see below).
- Access to other special discounts or perks that may be offered on occasion by South Florida Music.
Each semester you are registered, you may earn thank you gifts for up to three referrals to the South Florida Music program. Read below for full details:
- Referral must be a new family to our program. They must register and stay enrolled through the midpoint of the semester. Please visit our Schedule page for the current availability.
- If you refer one family, you will receive a $5 off coupon valid for a future SFM registration.
- If you refer two families, you will receive a $10 off coupon valid for a future SFM registration.
- If you refer three families, you will receive a $10 off coupon and a South Florida Music t-shirt for your child.
- Please make sure the family you refer lists your name under “How Did You Hear About Us” when completing registration so that we are able to match you to your referral.
Our curriculum offers developmentally appropriate activities for each age group, and therefore, we ask the you register each child in the appropriate level for his or her age.
While we do not offer classes solely in Spanish, we do offer a bilingual option for toddlers. Please visit our classes page for additional information on this offering.
No, at the current time South Florida Music offers general music classes with glockenspiel in our 4-5 year old classes and piano starting at age 6.
While each child is unique, we believe children need readiness in many areas in order to make their piano experience successful. Motor skills, reading skills, ability to focus, symbolic thought, knowledge of right hand and left hand, etc are all necessary to meet both the playing and music literacy goals of our curriculum. As a general rule, we have found the age of 6 to be the appropriate time to begin this experience, though exceptions may be made upon approval of the instructor.
Yes, a parent or other adult caregiver must attend and stay in class with the registered child. Families are an integral part of our program!