STUDIO POLICIES

Participating

These are some policies which help my studio run smoothly:
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Lessons
Arrive early enough to unpack and be ready on time, and bring a RECORDING DEVICE/ iPhone, your lesson plan, shoulder rest, binder and all music to every lesson.

COVID Safety Measures* (See "Lesson Options")

Parents should at least stop in at the end of a lesson to hear about it and other information, such as upcoming performances and new music to order.  For children under 10 years old, parents should attend the entire lesson to understand how to work together in practicing.

Snow days:
During inclement weather, I'm here holding lessons. If you don't feel you can drive here safely, please call me at 585-0663 to arrange for another time.
 
Summer term:
Summer study is important for continuity. Scheduling is flexible, and students may register for the weeks / times they'd like. Summer students will get priority in my fall schedule.

Practicing
Practice is the only way to improve one's violin playing! Setting aside a regular time each day  is the best strategy for fitting this in our busy schedules.  Follow the weekly Lesson Plan, listen and practice carefully, and play your favorite review pieces for fun.

For school-age children, having the support and encouragement of a parent is both essential and wonderful.

Parents of older children can be involved by listening to practicing, asking to hear favorite pieces, or making time for family "performances." Parents of children under 10 should work with the child in teamwork during daily practice.

All students experience ups and downs (particularly in regard to practicing). If problems arise, please call me to discuss them. We can usually find a way to perk up musical interest.

Other
Studio classes, held the first Monday evening of each month, are important, fun, and required for school-age students.

We give at three major programs during the school year, which generally involve extra rehearsals and accompanist fees.

All students are encouraged to play in outside music groups &/or school music programs, which greatly accelerate progress and enjoyment.

Tuition

Tuition, payable monthly, is posted in the waiting room and due on the first lesson of each month. A grace period of one week is given, but late payments (after the second week) should add $10 for each week's arrears.
 
Tuition holds one's weekly time slot in my teaching schedule throughout the year. Students are required to pay for their reserved time whether or not they attend the lesson. There's no adjustment in tuition for lessons missed by the student for any reason, but I try to be accommodating in these ways:

• With foreseeable scheduling conflicts, email me in advance. I'll try to suggest another student to switch with or offer you an open slot, but this is not a guarantee. If we can't find an alternate workable time, the lesson is forfeited.
• For last-minute sickness or emergency, CALL ME (don’t just email) at 585-0663 and I'll put your name on an email list to send "make-up" times as they become available. (This isn't a guarantee that I'll be able to make up the lesson.)

 
If I have to cancel a lesson, I'll reschedule it or give a credit toward the next month's tuition.