PMAC Student Resources Page

Welcome to PMAC’s Student Resources Page! Whether you are an adult student or a parent of a youth student starting their artistic quest, this information is for you! Below are details on what to expect if you are studying in-person at PMAC OR how to set up your “Zoom Room” for an online lesson. We also have information about discounts, tuition aid and what to do in the event that you have to withdraw from the semester. Please read on and if you have any questions, please reach out to our PMAC Office at 603-431-4278 or email us at info@pmaconline.org.

Student Attendance, Performance & Exhibitions and Evaluations

LESSON STUDENTS – ATTENDANCE POLICIES: Students are responsible for attending all lessons during their scheduled lesson time (remotely or in-person). Students are charged for all lessons for which they register, including those missed through absence. There are no make-up lessons for student absences. All teacher absences or cancellations by PMAC, due to instructor professional obligations, teacher illness, weather or emergencies will be made up. All students are expected to arrive at their lesson or class on time, with the proper materials and prepared for their instruction.

CLASS STUDENTS – ATTENDANCE POLICIES: Students are responsible for attending all classes at their regularly scheduled time. We are unable to make up any missed classes due to student absence. All class cancellations by PMAC, due to instructor professional obligations, teacher illness, weather or emergencies will be made up.

REPORTING A STUDENT ABSENCE: If you must miss a class or lesson, please contact the PMAC office at 603-431-4278, email us at info@pmaconline.org or contact your instructor directly. We do not provide make up lessons or classes for student absences. If you are scheduled for a program onsite and cannot enter the building due to Covid or cold symptoms, but you are wanting to study, we can arrange a remote option for you instead.

STUDENT EVALUATIONS for LESSON STUDENTS: Student evaluations focus on the progress of the student, noting recent accomplishments and setting goals for continuing study. Lesson student evaluations take place at the end of the Fall and Spring Semesters. Evaluation copies will be provided to each student after the evaluation process is completed.

STUDENT PERFORMANCES & EXHIBITS: Every semester, PMAC will be providing performance and exhibition opportunities for students. We will be offering a mix of in-person and online opportunities. Please contact the PMAC office at 603-431-4278 or ask your instructor for details.

LESSON STUDENTS UNDER AGE 10: For students under the age of 10, we require that a parent or guardian stay onsite during their lesson program at PMAC. Parents or guardians may wait in the lobby, attend the lesson with their child or wait outside. This simply allows our teaching artists to easily connect with the parent / guardian during the lesson, if needed. For online lessons, we ask that a parent or guardian be present during the lesson.

SCHOOL VACATIONS & CLOSURES: PMAC does not follow vacation dates or school closures of any one school district. For PMAC’s holiday break schedule, please visit our https://www.pmaconline.org/academic-calendar/. During the Spring Semester, we honor February and April Vacation Breaks that differ from PMAC’s scheduled vacation 1 break weeks. In the event of inclement weather and PMAC’s building has to close, our instructors most likely will shift to an online lesson or class instead. If a lesson or class is canceled by the instructor, they will provide a make up program before the semester ends.

STUDENT PERFORMANCES & EXHIBITS: Every semester, PMAC will be providing performance and exhibition opportunities for students. Please contact the PMAC office at 603-431-4278 or ask your instructor for details.

Tuition Payments, Online Registration & Discounts

TUITION PAYMENTS: Registration obligates the student to pay tuition for the entire session or trial period. A non-refundable $75 deposit is required to hold a student’s space in a class or lesson time and is applied towards the student’s semester tuition. Trial students must pay for their trial lesson program in full at the first lesson. Semester tuition is payable in full upon registration or may be paid in up to four installments. Payment is accepted by personal check, money order, VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. No cash tuition payments will be accepted. Auto Payment Plans are available. Tuition not paid in a timely manner will be subject to late fees and possible suspension of programs. If a student is suspended due to nonpayment, the student will not be able to continue lessons or classes until payment is made in full.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: PMAC provides online registration for any student or new student inquiry options for our programs. Online registration is available through our website at www.pmaconline.org. Online registration does not guarantee a space in a class with limited instrumentation or a time within a lesson schedule. Our Admissions Team will respond to lesson inquiries or registration intent for a class with limited instrumentation within 3 – 5 business days. We use ASAP Connected for our registration software to manage student registrations and payments. Students or parents of students under age 18 may login to their account to manage their payments and request spaces in future programs.

ROLLING REGISTRATION: The PMAC Admissions Team will automatically register most students from the Fall Semester into the Spring Semester each November / December and in June for Spring Semester students into the Fall Semester. All semester lesson students and ensemble students are eligible for this automatic service and will be notified when this process will occur. Students may opt out of rolling registration before the semester begins without any penalty or fee. A $75 deposit is required to confirm the student’s Spring Semester lesson time or ensemble space. Students who are within their trial lesson program, enrolled in an art class or have an overdue balance from the current semester are not eligible for the rolling admission process.

DISCOUNTS: At PMAC, we offer discounts to students who enroll in multiple programs or families who register multiple people in their household. Discounts are applied by the PMAC Admissions Team at time of registration or within 3 – 5 business days of an online registration. Only one discount is applicable. Please call us at PMAC at 603-431-4278 if you have any questions.

10% MULTIPLE PROGRAM DISCOUNT is for any student who registers for two or more programs in any given semester. The second program (and so forth) is 10% off. Within the Multiple Program discount, the highest valued tuition program is full price. Additional programs within the same semester of the same or lesser value are discounted.
10% FAMILY DISCOUNT is for any student within the same household who registers in the same semester as another family member. Discount applied to the second member of their family. Discounts for additional family members will apply! Within the Family Discount, the highest valued tuition program is full price. Additional family members with the same or lesser tuition value will be discounted within the same semester.

FOUNDATION FOR SEACOAST HEALTH DISCOUNTS for ADULT ENSEMBLES: Due to the generous funding from the Foundation for Seacoast Health, PMAC is able to provide discounts for our students of a certain age who enroll in an adult ensemble. The discounts are as follows:

Age 65 – 69: 50% off an adult ensemble

Age 70 – 74: 75% off an adult ensemble

Age 75+: 100% off an adult ensemble

If you are a new student and eligible for this discount, please contact the PMAC Office at 603-431-4278 or via email at info@pmaconline.org. Available space in an ensemble and proof of birthdate is required.

Withdrawals

WITHDRAWAL FROM LESSONS: Intent to withdraw must be made directly to the Admissions Team and received two-weeks prior to the final lesson. When a student withdraws from lessons, a credit or refund will be applied to the student’s account for the remaining weeks in the semester. Lessons scheduled within the two-week notice will not be refunded or credited. Non-attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal and will not be considered for refund or credit. Students are responsible for any remaining balance due after their withdrawal has been processed. Please contact the PMAC office at info@pmaconline.org or call the PMAC Office at 603-431-4278 if you need to withdraw from your lesson program.

WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASSES: No refunds are given for tuition following the second class meeting. Failure to attend classes does not invalidate the student’s obligation to pay for the entire semester. Intent to withdraw must be made in writing prior to the second class to be eligible for a refund. Please contact the PMAC office at info@pmaconline.org or call the PMAC Office at 603-431-4278 if you need to withdraw from your class program.

TUITION AID: Tuition Aid is granted to students on the basis of family need and PMAC’s availability of funds. Information about the tuition aid program and how to apply is listed on our website at https://pmaconline.org/tuition-aid/. For any questions about the program, please call the PMAC office at 603-431-4278 or email Michelle Shoemaker, PMAC’s Director of Education at michelle@pmaconline.org.

PARKING AT PMAC: PMAC has 18 dedicated spaces onsite at our Islington Street location, directly in front of our building. Please DO NOT park in front of our direct neighbors – New Hampshire Theatre Project, Bill Truslow Photography, Port One Architects or 1001 Islington Street Apartments – you will be towed. If you have any questions about where to park onsite at PMAC, please ask the Front Desk. They can help!

Covid-19 Policies at PMAC for In-Person Instruction

We will continue to follow local, state and CDC guidelines and will reach out to all of our students in the event that our protocols change. For the current semester, the following rules are in place:

Face coverings are optional for all in-person programs*
Within a lesson setting, students can request that their instructor wear a mask during their program
If you or your child is not feeling well (regardless of vaccination status) please do not enter our building. Instead, the student may opt to participate in their program remotely.

*A few of our lesson and class instructors will be requiring masks in their lesson studios or classroom. For those instances, our PMAC Office will reach out to the students and families with information about specific protocols.

COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS: If you or your child have recently been diagnosed with Covid-19 and you study onsite at PMAC, please contact the PMAC Office with your news. We will follow CDC guidelines to determine your onsite return date. Students who study privately at PMAC will always have the option to switch to remote when requested. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Grazier, Chief Operating Officer at katie@pmaconline.org or by calling PMAC at 603-431-4278.

What Do I Bring To My Lesson? What Do I Need To Have At Home To Start My Lesson Program?

Below is information about what you need to have before your first music or visual arts lesson at PMAC – in person or online. If you have any questions, please contact the PMAC Office at 603-431-4278 or by emailing us at info@pmaconline.org

For Music Students: Please bring your instrument, a folder and pencil to your lessons. There are exceptions if you are a piano or drum student. See the below guide by instrument for details. ALL music students MUST have their instrument before their first lesson at PMAC. Why? Without an instrument at home to practice on daily, a student is unable to achieve their daily/weekly goals during their trial. At the first lesson, our music teaching artists will work with the student to set goals for their lesson program session. PLEASE NOTE – most instructors will ask students to purchase a lesson book for their program. They will share those details after the first lesson.

ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC GUITAR & ELECTRIC BASS STUDENTS:

What to Bring to Your Lessons: Your Guitar! All Guitar Students must have their instrument prior to starting lessons at PMAC. Also, please bring any guitar accessories that you need such as a tuner, patch cord, picks, strings, etc.
What to Leave at Home: Electric Guitar & Bass Students Only – Leave your amp at home. We have amps in all of our teaching studios for your use during your lesson.

PIANO STUDENTS:

What to Bring to Your Lessons: Just Yourself! All piano students will use PMAC owned pianos during their lessons.
What to Leave/Have at Home: Leave your Piano or Keyboard at home (you will take your lesson in a piano lesson studio at PMAC). Piano students MUST have a piano or keyboard at home prior to the start of lessons. This is essential – students must be able to practice at home in order to be ready for the next lesson.

DRUM STUDENTS:

What to Bring to Your Lessons: A Pair of Drumsticks & A Practice Pad
What to Leave/Have at Home: All drum students need a Practice Pad or Drum Set at home so that they are able to practice and prepare for their next lesson. For those of you who do not have a DRUM KIT yet – there is no need to purchase one during a student’s trial lesson program. A practice pad is just fine! Once a student advances, they will need this instrument at home. Please leave your drum kit at home – all drum students will use a PMAC kit during their lesson.

HAND PERCUSSION:

What to Bring to Your Lessons and Have at Home: Your Instrument!

AUXILIARY/MALLET PERCUSSION:

What to Bring to Your Lessons: Please bring your Practice Pad, Sticks and Mallets.
What to Leave/Have a Home: Your Timpani, Marimba, or any Large Percussion Instruments! All students will use PMAC owned percussion during their lesson.

STRINGS:

What to Bring to Your Lessons and Have at Home: Your Instrument

VOICE STUDENTS:

What to Bring to Your Lessons: Yourself!

BRASS & WOODWINDS:

What to Bring to Your Lessons: Your Instrument and any accessories that you may need to play

For Visual Art Students: Please bring samples of your work to your first lesson (portfolios and/or photos of your pieces are welcome!). At the first lesson, your visual arts teaching artist will form a plan for the rest of your session based on student goals.

Students need to bring their own basic supplies to the first lesson such as their own drawing utensils (pencils, colored pencils, crayons, markers, craypas, etc). Students who will be exploring painting, should purchase and bring their own watercolor palette, and provide a labeled empty paint palette for other paints. PMAC is able to provide paper and assorted supplies depending on the project. Students also need a carrying case to safely store their supplies and pieces to/from PMAC.

Please NOTE – instructors may recommend specific supplies for the student based on the goals set for the lesson program and/or ability level.

What a Student Needs for A Successful Online Lesson or Program

Below is a guide of things that you need before your first online program through PMAC! If you have any questions, please call us at PMAC at 603-431-4278 or email us at info@pmaconline.org.

TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL ONLINE PROGRAM:

Strong Internet Connection – we highly recommend high speed internet with the ability to plug into your wifi router for a dependable connection.
Good Lighting in your Space! Please bring in lighting into your space to allow our teaching artist to see you play or create your art
Zoom Account – we primarily use Zoom at the online platform for our online lessons or programs at PMAC. Please be sure to download Zoom prior to your session.
Set your Laptop or Computer in a way that the camera gives a full view of your instrument or workspace for your instructor.
If you are registered for a musicianship class, high quality headphones are recommended for optimal sound quality.
For students under age 10, we require that a parent or guardian be present during the lesson to take notes, assist their student with the online connection and computer placement and learn how they can support their student’s studies throughout the week (in between lessons).
For some general tips for online lessons, review this blog post written by PMAC Director of Education, Michelle Shoemaker.

ALL ONLINE STUDENTS need to have their instruments or art supplies at home or in their “Zoom room” before their first lesson. Please make sure that all of your additional supplies – paper for notes, picks, sticks, brushes, paints, etc. are easily accessible during the lesson. Students will receive a link to connect to their lesson program from their instructor via email a few days prior to their lesson. If you have any questions or have not received the link the day before your lesson, please contact the PMAC Office at 603-431-4278 or email us at info@pmaconline.org.

Contact Information

PMAC – Portsmouth Music and Arts Center
973 Islington Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-431-4278
info@pmaconline.org

Meet our Admissions Team

FRONT DESK TEAM
Nadia Maria
Mea Santulli

REGISTRATIONS
Katie Grazier – Chief Operating Officer (Ensemble and Class Registrations)
Michelle Shoemaker – Director of Education