Tuition costs can be found in the class descriptions on the individual class pages.

• Group classes charge a lump sum tuition for the duration of the course.
• Private music lesson tuition is charged by the number of lessons (weeks) that a student registers for. There are different rates depending on teacher credentials.  To inquire about private lesson teacher rates, please submit the SCAA Private Lesson Inquiry Form.

Fall/ Spring (Academic Year) Tuition

Starting with the Fall 2026-2027 session, tuition will be collected using our new registration platform- Sawyer. 

• With Sawyer, you will be able to make online payments!
• Sawyer can only collect payments by credit/debit card or ACH-checking.
• Great News! There will be NO credit/debit card fees!
• If you wish to pay by cash or check, you must sign up for a payment plan with your credit/debit card or ACH on Sawyer. Then, you can pay cash or a paper check to the office. These cash or paper check payments must be made  prior to the automatic payment date to void the automatic payment withdrawal for that month. 
• Payment dates will now be on the 1st of each month.
• Payments can be made 1) in full at time of registration, 2) deferred to pay in full by the beginning of the first month following the first class date, or 3) in monthly installments throughout the class term.
• The monthly installment payment plan (#3) will incur a 3.5% payment plan set-up fee.

Summer (June-August) Tuition

Tuition for Summer 2026 will continue to be collected by the SCAA Office in the following way: 

• Payment is due in full within two weeks (14 days) of registration, or the first day of class, whichever comes first.

• Tuition can be taken by:

  • Phone at 540-665-4602
  • Mail to 203 S. Cameron St, Winchester, VA 22601
  • In-person at SCAA Office during office hours or blue”Payments” box beside SCAA Office. 
  • We accept cash, check, & credit/debit cards. Checks are payable to “SCAA.” Include the student’s full name on your check. All credit/debit payments for Summer 2026 will be subject to a 1.5% university service charge for each purchase made.
• Summer Tuition is not refundable within two weeks (14 days) prior to class start date.
• If you need to discuss payment options, please contact the SCAA Office at 540-665-4602 or scaa@su.edu.

Registration/ Membership Fee

Each student is charged an annual non-refundable SCAA registration fee of $35. In our registration platform, Sawyer, this fee appears as an SCAA Membership. 

All SCAA students will need to purchase a membership to register for classes (Only people taking classes at SCAA, i.e. students, need to purchase the membership fee. Parents/ Guardians not taking classes do not need a membership fee for themselves.)

The membership fee will be valid from September-August each year, and will be applicable for renewal each September.

Summer Classes/ Camps: Registration fees are not charged to students taking summer classes.

Dance Performance Fee

Each recital participating dance class will have an additional $60 flat fee applied at registration. These fees go to costume and recital expenses, and are paid only once at registration.

Dance students who take 5 or more recital dance classes are eligible for a coupon code to discount their dance performance fees. If your student is to register for 5 or more recital dance classes, please email scaa@su.edu for a coupon code prior to checking out.

Non-recital dance classes such as ballet technique or adult classes will not have dance performance fees. 

Late Fee & Non-Payment

Tuition payments are due by the 1st of each month. Scheduled payments not received by the due date will incur a late fee of $20. The late fee will be added to the student account each month that a scheduled payment is received after the due date indicated on the monthly statement. If a late fee is not paid as billed, an additional late fee will be incurred the following month due to the delinquent balance of the prior unpaid fee.

Tuition payments that are more than 60 days late may cause suspension or discontinuation of classes or lessons. Accounts must be paid in full in order for students to participate in year-end recitals, concerts, and performances.

Vivian Christy Sansoni Award

This scholarship award is given to students when a financial need prohibits exploration of their talent and creativity. Those selected will receive full or partial tuition assistance for arts instruction at SCAA.

Funds are awarded to students attending Winchester City Public Schools in grades K-12 that show promise/ passion in the arts. The intent of this competitive award is to provide assistance to students with financial need who otherwise would not have the opportunity for extracurricular study in the arts.

Please visit the Vivian Christy Sansoni Award page for more information and to apply. 

Financial Support Application (FSA)

Limited funds are available for financial support to students who demonstrate need. Financial support does not pay for lessons or classes in full.

Please complete the Financial Support Application and return to the SCAA office by September 15. To be eligible for financial support the student/family must make their first regular payment in October as stated on the Deferred Payment Plan Promissory Note. Award notifications will be mailed to each applicant in early November.

SCAA reserves the right to discontinue or prorate financial awards due to frequent absences, tardiness or delinquent tuition payments. Typical award amounts are 15 to 50 percent of tuition. A new application must be submitted each year.