Studio Policies
Thank you for taking an important step in providing a means for your child to musically fulfill their lives. Our goal is to instill in your child the deep appreciation, admiration, and ecstatic joy that I feel everyday from the process of music making, so that they may call upon it whenever necessary and never cease to be amazed and contentful. To achieve such a goal, some rules must be put in place in order to facilitate orderly and efficient learning; said policies are elaborated below. If there are any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me with the information listed above.
Scheduling, Absences, Tuition & Cancellation
Scheduling
Lessons are scheduled on a monthly basis.
Lessons must be once a week at minimum. Any less negatively contributes to the learning process of your child.
Lessons may be no more than twice a week, as a booster or make up and never as a regular occurence.
Once a lesson time is chosen for the month, that time is yours and cannot be changed without prior notice.
As it is already scheduled, the difficulties involved in rescheduling one child for the month is an excessive burden and, though it may be changed for emergencies or make-ups, it will not be done. If this is necessary, please follow the procedure for absences listed below.
Tardiness & Lesson Time
The amount of time scheduled for your lesson is your lesson time. Lessons cannot and will not start either early or end late. The choice of unpacking and packing up during the lesson time is yours and extra time will not be given to the process; as it would be a disservice to other students and the studio.
Continued tardiness will be addressed by the Instructor and can lead to dismissal.
Absences & Makeups
Absences must be declared 24 hours before the assigned lesson time. If it is declared later than that, it will not be assigned a make-up and tuition will still be due for said missed lesson.
Make-Ups will only be given for the following reasons:
Illness/Injury of student or parent/guardian
Holiday or Religious Observation
Family Emergency (on a case by case basis)
Declared Absence (on a case by case basis)
Any absence due to the above reasons will only be given a make-up if I am contacted BEFORE the lesson is to begin. Any time after or during the assigned time will result in the make-up being non-obligatory.
Make-Ups will be scheduled to the convenience of you and I during the week that the assigned time was missed. Only under extenuating circumstances can it be scheduled for later.
Tuition
I understand that financial situations can often fluctuate quickly and without notice. If lessons pose a financial strain at the time, I’d greatly prefer that we sit down and discuss a way to continue with a revised method of compensation than if lessons were to stop abruptly. Often, during hard times, music can provide solace and comfort and I’m always willing to work with you as long as we communicate.
Tuition will be paid in advance on a MONTHLY basis.
Under circumstances of financial hardship, simply talk to me!
By paying in advance, that ensures that your time is already paid for and obligatory for the studio. That obligation will be honored.
Cash is preferred, but electronic means such as PayPal, Venmo, & Zelle are accepted as well. Checks are also accepted.
Cancellation
While the studio would greatly prefer if you didn’t, cancellation of lessons will be on a case by case basis following the below provisions:
PLEASE sit with me and discuss the reason for the cancellation. I’m always happy to work with you. If things are to end; I’d prefer they end on good terms.
If given in advance of a week, remaining tuition will be refunded. Tuition will NOT be refunded if given directly before a scheduled lesson time. See Absences & Make-Ups.
PLEASE do sit with me to discuss any issues you have with the lessons when you have them.
Curriculum, Behaviour, and Other Responsibilities
Curriculum
The curriculum for instruction must be decided by the instructor. This is necessary to ensure productive learning and to maintain an efficient rate of progress. Suggestions are happily accepted, but are not obligatory. If there are any concerns about the content, please feel free to contact me.
Books and materials pertaining to the instruction must be purchased by the parent. They will not be provided by the instructor, due to copyright restrictions. HOWEVER, I can source the material for you, but those materials will be yours and payment must be provided before the next lesson that they will be used.
In the Suzuki method, the parent is referred to as the Home Teacher. I deeply value and respect your input, as your commitment and dedication is integral to making progress in the home environment. However, for the instruction to be productive, a healthy and respectful line of communication must exist between us. I am happy and eager to discuss many topics relating to the instruction, and I rely on your questions and comments to devise plans of study.
Responsibilities
Maintenance
It is the responsibility of the student to maintain a clean instrument.
I am happy to perform basic maintenance such as:
String Repair and Replacement
The replacements must be purchased by student
Bridge Adjustment
However, these services are to be done during lesson time and will not be conducted outside of said time, save for extreme circumstances. If done, compensation will be required.
There are no loaner instruments or bows.
Parent Teacher
It is the responsibility of the parent as Home Teacher to promote and facilitate progress and practice at the home. Lessons are not productive if progress is only made during lessons with me. It takes the combined commitment of the Instructor, Home Teacher, and Student to truly reap the benefits of this instruction.
Behaviour & Dismissal
Disruptive behaviour is not a reason for lesson cancellation. Often, such behaviour is the result of the mystery of the child psyche and should be engaged rather than dismissed. However, any behaviour that could result in the harm of the student or any other persons or property present will not be tolerated. Such behaviour will result in a lesson dismissal, in which tuition will be non-refundable.
Permanent Dismissal by the Instructor
This process is similar to the above cancellation procedure. It will only be used if progress is not being made due to continued negligence of the student. It is the obligation of the Instructor to discuss dismissal with parent and student before dismissal is reached.
Communication
Please communicate with me. A healthy relationship between Instructor, Student, and Home Teacher is only possible with proper communication; and such a relationship always leads to meaningful progress and development. I am always receptive to respectful critique and questions and can be reached quickest through email. Thank you.