2020-2021 Studio Policies

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Click section heading below to quickly scroll to that section of the policies.

• Lesson Expectations
• What To Bring
• Communication
• Attendance
• Lesson Packages
• Lesson Cancellation and Make-ups
• Discontinuing Lessons
• Tuition and Fees
• Recitals

 

LESSON & GROUP CLASS EXPECTATIONS:
Each student progresses differently, and it is my goal to support and help each student on her or her journey towards becoming a more developed flutist and musician through creative interaction and positive reinforcement.  It is necessary however, for each student to show commitment and a willingness to learn.  Practice when studying musical instrument is essential, and consistent focused work is needed in order progress. 

In my studio the expectation is to have five days a week of practice with 15-25 min/day for beginning students, 30-45min/day for intermediate students, and 45-60 min. or more/day for more advanced students.  In lessons you will notice I emphasize repetitions rather than minutes - this is very important in the process of learning how to practice.  I help students learn to break things down into "chunks" in their practice time through games & charts, and I help them (and parents) organize repetitions, practice days, and practice times.  Material assigned in lessons needs to be well prepared in order to continue to move forward the next week. 

With this said, I understand that our lives can be quite hectic!  If a busy week is coming up with school or family obligations, we will plan our assignments out accordingly!  I encourage students to come to lessons even if they do not feel as prepared as they would like; there are always many exercises we can explore for ear training, tone development, and sight-reading outside of the assigned lesson material.  Students are expected to fill out their assignment sheet and practice log each week.  It is best to do this during the practice session (and not wait until the end of the week!) in order to facilitate the most efficient use of lesson time. 

We have group classes 1-2 times per month.  Not only are these included in the cost of tuition, but they are a time to be inspired by our peers, but we also have guest artists who will come in and give us masterclasses throughout the year.  I also try to split up instrument type and adult vs. school aged students.  While I know that there will be times families and students cannot attend these classes, students are required to come whenever possible. As learning from each other is one of our most important aspects of our growth, students who do not attend group classes risk not being accepted back into the studio during our next school year.

 

WHAT TO BRING:
1. If a flute/recorder/penny whistle student, bring your instrument, which should be well maintained with a cleaning rod and cleaning cloth.  It is difficult and frustrating to play and progress on a flute with leaks or mechanical problems. If you are a piano, voice, or musicianship student, bring yourself – and a bottle of water is always a good idea!
2. All current music, preferably in a folder or binder.  Organized materials make for a more efficient use of the lesson time.  
3. A pencil for marking your music. 
4. A notebook, practice-log or folder for assignments and lesson comments (we can discuss the best choice in your lesson).
5. A recording device, such as an iphone, ipad, ipod etc.  This will allow me to record important examples for students, allow for us to record portions of the lesson and facilitate good practice habits.  If you do not have a recording device, just let me know, we will work something out.

 

COMMUNICATION:
Email is my preferred form of communication and I check it regularly.  I will always make my best effort to return your email within 24 hours.  I will use this method to keep you updated with tuition bills, lesson dates and recital information.  However, if you need to contact me immediately, or you are more comfortable contacting me via telephone, please feel free to call/text my cell phone at 585-704-5751.  Communication between student and teacher is essential.  If you find yourself frustrated with the material assigned to you during the week, feel free to contact me and we will find a solution!

 

ATTENDANCE:
Private Lessons:
Generally, I expect to schedule lessons on a weekly basis, although some students opt for more frequent lessons.  All packages must be used within their billing period, unless mutually agreed upon in writing.

Group Class:
We have group classes 1-2 times per month.  Not only are these included in the cost of tuition, but they are a time to be inspired by our peers, but we also have guest artists who will come in and give us masterclasses throughout the year. I make an effort to schedule these bi-weekly on alternating Fridays and Sundays. I also try to split up instrument type and adult vs. school aged students.  While, I know that there will be times families and students cannot attend these classes, students are required to come whenever possible. As learning from each other is one of our most important aspects of our growth, students who do not attend group classes risk not being accepted back into the studio during our next school year.

 

LESSON PACKAGES:
Academic Year Discounted Package: 
I follow the academic school year August-May, observing Boulder Valley School District calendar week-long holidays. Additional lessons may be added at the same per lesson rate as originally purchased.  Choosing the School Year Discount package means that the lessons are intended for academic year, are to be taken weekly, and are for committed students who are participating in the full studio year. This  is my least expensive option because it is expected that students will attend weekly lessons during the school-year and a minimum of 6-lessons during the summer time, or risk losing their spot in the studio for the following school year. 

Semester Payment Option:
This option is for year round students that need to split payment into two parts.  The first payment is due Sept 1 (or the first lesson of the semester), the second payment is due Nov. 1.  There is a slight increase in rates for this option, but it is intended for students who need a split payment option.

Monthly Payment Option:
This is a special option for my year round students that would like to be billed monthly versus paying for 28 lessons at once. This option is slightly less expensive than my packaged lesson options because it is expected that students will attend weekly lessons during the school-year and a minimum of 6-lessons during the summer time, or risk losing their spot in the studio for the following school year. My summer schedule is variable due to my teaching schedule across the country, so lessons will be given both in person and via virtual platforms.

Summer Lessons:
For all students in my year round curriculum, I require students to register for a minimum of 6-lessons during the summer time, or risk losing their spot in the studio for the following school year.  My summer schedule is variable due to my teaching schedule across the country, so lessons will be given both in person and via virtual platforms. Lessons not used after this time period will be forfeited.

 

LESSON CANCELLATION AND MAKE-UPS:
Illness:
• Tuition includes 28 private lessons, but we schedule 30 in case of illness or a need to cancel.
• To be eligible for a make-up lesson for illness, you must inform me that you will be absent by phone no later than 10:00 am on the day of your lesson.
• If you are unexpectedly ill, please notify me as soon as possible - you may sign up for a make-up class (details below) to make-up your missed lesson time.
 
Make-ups for Inclement Weather:
• In most cases when possible, we will hold these lessons virtually.  Otherwise, these lessons will be made up.

Teacher Absences & Weeks that I am out of town in tour:
• Since I am an active performer and travel to give workshops and concerts, if your lesson falls on a day that I am out of town, we will have those lessons via Skype, FaceTime, or Google Hangouts, or find an alternate time to make up that lesson when I am in town (in addition to your normal weekly lesson slot).

• There are many benefits to having an active performing musician for a teacher.  However, this means I occasionally have to reschedule lessons.  In this circumstance, we will reschedule your lesson.  In the rare event that we are not able to schedule a make-up lesson by the end of the semester, we will credit this lesson to your next semester or package of lessons.  

Conflicts due to prior scheduling:
• Please do not to schedule appointments during your regular lesson time.  If this is unavoidable (i.e. special doctor's visits, dental work, school conferences etc.), please notify me one week before your absence to be eligible for a make-up lesson or class.   I will do my best to accommodate up to three of these per semester, after that it will be up to my discretion and availability. In the summer, the schedule is more flexible - you can change your booking by logging into the scheduling system and rescheduling yourself up to 3 days before your lesson.

Electronic Communication Disasters (Skype/FaceTime/Google Hangout Lessons)
• We have all been there: The connection doesn't work, our phones die, the program crashes etc.  Be sure to check your connections, test call a friend, etc. to make sure all is working well.  I am available on Skype, FaceTime, & Google Hangouts, and will have all three programs available at each virtual lesson.  I strongly suggest you have 2 out of 3 of these options available as well!  If something really does go terribly wrong and if I can make the time missed (within reason), I will.  However, I do treat these as standard lesson times and if they are forgotten or missed, they cannot be made up.

Make-up Classes
• At the beginning of each semester I will send out a list of group classes. Anyone is welcome to come to these classes. These are our group classes and I always schedule extra in order to have make-up lesson options for my students. These classes are a special opportunity for you to play in a masterclass style lesson for your peers and allow you to makeup a lesson if you had an unexpected illness, late cancel, or needed to move more lessons than my 3-lesson reschedule policy allows. With group classes (2 per month), plus makeup classes, there are many opportunities to get extra time in and to makeup a lesson in case of an unexpected late cancel.

 

DISCONTINUING LESSONS:
Lessons should be considered a year-long commitment. Should you need to discontinue lessons prior to the end of a school year, package, or for an ongoing monthly lesson package, will need to provide at least one month’s notice in writing AND cancel your online subscription.  If you are renting an instrument, give your 30-days notice, and cancel your subscription after your last lesson and instrument return and before the next monthly charge. This way I am assured of a retuned instrument, and you are not charged an extra month of lessons. Also, remember that this is a relationship that has been developed over time - I care very much for my student's continued growth and development - if I can help transition in any way, I would be more than happy to! Need recommendations for a superb teacher that will be a great fit? Absolutely! Need to transfer long-range plans, development goals, and plans? I would be happy to do so.  

 

TUITION AND FEES:
Tuition: 
Tuition includes 28 private lessons (30 are scheduled in case of illness),12 additional opportunities which includes group classes, guest artist classes and a recitals throughout the end of academic year.  Tuition is due at the beginning of the school year, at the beginning of each semester, or in special cases on a monthly basis. Visit my Tuition & Registration page for more info on the costs of lessons.

Recital Fee: 
One lesson credit will be used towards our spring recital (this will come out of your lesson package, or in the case of monthly billing, you will be billed one extra lesson per month).

Late Fees:
While I never want to assess late fees, after more than one reminder for a bill that is overdue, I will charge $20/day for late monthly payments. 

 

RECITALS:
Book & Graduation Recital:
When students complete a book, they give their "Book Recital" or "Book Party" - this is a special event that we tailor to teach student! They play their book from memory, and graduate on to the next book in the Suzuki Repertoire. Some of my students who are not working in a Suzuki track, will instead shape a graduation recital that will mark their rise into the next level of their training. Seniors will also usually give a graduation recital as part of their celebration during their senior year! There is a $100 fee for book recitals - note that space rental (depending on location) and piano accompaniment are not included in this fee. But, I record the concert, come warm up and prepare each of my brave students, and will happily make programs and help plan the festivities!

Studio & Book Recital Accompaniment: 
Although the fee for a pianist at the recital is covered in full year tuition, the cost of rehearsals are to be covered by the student. I will help set these up during our spring sessions. For Book recitals, you are responsible for scheduling your own rehearsals and paying accompanist fees.

Sheet Music: Per copyright laws, students may not perform from copied music.  Sheet music is a necessary expense when taking lessons, and tends to increase as students become more advanced, so please factor this into your budget for lessons.  If the required music is in the public domain, I will make it available for download on my website.

Important Dates: