Lesson
Policies
Payment
Unless other arrangements have been made, payment for the entire month,
including any scheduled group lessons, is due at the first lesson of the month.
A late fee of $10 will be added to any tuition payments received after the 10th of the month.
In addition, checks postdated after the 10th of the month will be considered late.
All students will be expected to attend a lesson each week that lessons are offered.
If a private lesson cannot be attended and is cancelled by 8pm the day prior, a makeup
lesson will be offered but refunds will not be given.
Cancellations
To be eligible to make up a cancelled lesson, the student/parent must call
to cancel the lesson by 8pm the day before the scheduled lesson.
(Please call earlier, if possible, so I can schedule another student’s makeup
lesson during your canceled lesson.) If a student cancels the day of their
lesson due to sickness, I will offer a makeup lesson if I have a cancelation
occur that week that leaves an opening in my schedule.
Recitals
Recital opportunities will be made available about once every eight weeks.
Because I believe it is important to have the recital experience, every student is required
to participate in the formal recital each spring. All other recitals will be optional,
but to remain in my lesson program the student absolutely must play in a formal spring recital.
Group lesson Policy
As a supplement to private study, group classes are offered throughout the year. Attendance
is required and important to the young musician’s development.
If you know you cannot attend a particular group class, please let me know in advance. Group class is only offered once per
month, so no student may miss more than 2 group classes per year. You will be charged for a
missed group class.
High school and adult students are not required to participate in group
class, but are invited and encouraged to attend.
Theory Saturday
Twice per year the students will have a theory/ music history class instead of their
regularly scheduled private lesson. Students will be grouped according to level and
meet on a Saturday.
The length of the class is determined by the age and level of
the group, but class will last 60 minutes to 150 minutes.
The theory class is required so please mark it on your schedule. I will have
the exact schedule soon.
Theory Saturday's schedule is available on the Schedule page.
Guidelines on Practice
Students participating in my lesson program are required to practice a minimum of
five days per week. The duration of their daily practice time should be equal to
the length of their lesson, or longer. Young children (usually ages 3-6) have a
minimum of 6 days of weekly practice, but they may practice for shorter lengths of
time. This practice time is in addition to orchestra rehearsals the student may
participate in at school.
The practice requirement is important because it allows
the student to see progress! A child with poor practice habits often learns to hate
the instrument. For this reason I will be strictly enforcing the practice policy.
At the end of each month, we will take a few minutes to assess the month’s practice.
At one month of poor practice, the student will be put on probation. Two months of
poor practice will result in us needing to discuss the removal of the student from
the program.
Guidelines on Parents
Parents of elementary-aged students should take notes during the lesson. I’ve seen
that children of note-taking parents learn more and at a faster pace than children of
parents who don’t take notes. Naturally, I want all my students to play and learn at
their full potential.
Please try to get into the habit of bringing a notebook and
jotting down new ideas or anything that sticks out to you. Bring your notebook to
group class, too. You can then remind your child at home. Some parents choose to
videotape lessons, which is extremely helpful as well.
General Conduct Guidelines
No chewing gum. No food or beverages are allowed in my studio except bottled water. If
you bring food/beverages you’ll need to leave it outside on the porch.
Please leave your animals at home- sorry!
You are welcome to come into the studio while another lesson or
group class is in progress, but please do not talk. Even a few words can be very distracting
to a young child (and to me). Try to be invisible. You may get your instrument out to but do
not pluck the strings or make noise.
I strongly encourage you to watch the lesson in progress
as you may learn something new.
Young children should be accompanied to the restroom by their
parent/caregiver.
Please keep an eye on your young kids, so that my furnishings and home are
treated with respect. Problems I’ve encountered in the past have included spills of liquids
and inks, writing on furniture, jumping on furniture, throwing or breaking items, spraying
soap all over the bathroom, etc.
If your child is being dropped off for lessons (students
12 years and older only,) please arrive promptly to pick them up. If a student is left with
me more than five minutes past the end their lesson time without prior permission, the parent
will be billed $1 per each additional minute they are late. If your child is under 12 and you
can’t accompany them to a particular lesson, please call to reschedule or cancel the lesson.
HASSA
The Houston Area Suzuki Strings Association is a great local organization that is full of
opportunities for my students. Members have the chance to
participate in events sponsored by this group, including workshops, clinics, group concerts,
community concerts, and solo recitals. They also offer scholarship opportunities for summer
music institutes. Student membership is $10 per year. Some events have an additional cost,
while others are free to members.
I require membership of all students ages 12 and under. I will
charge you the membership fee with your September tuition.
SAA
The Suzuki Association of the Americas is
another wonderful organization to join. The cost is about $30 for a one-year associate
membership. You will receive a quarterly Suzuki journal that contains a wealth of information,
ideas, opportunities, scholarships, etc.
While membership is not required, this organization is a great way to keep you "plugged in"
to what is happening with 10,000 other students and teachers in the Americas and Canada. Also,
you may occasionally get to read an article I’ve written!