Teaching Policy
Attendance
There are 35 weeks of lessons scheduled from Sept. 12 to June 8. If you are unable to come to your scheduled lesson let me know as soon as possible and I will try to reschedule it within the week. A lesson missed without notifying me (a ‘no show’) will not be rescheduled. Saturdays are available for make-ups and any other times I can fit into my schedule. Fridays are not available but I may occasionally reschedule lessons on that day because of a professional engagement. Lessons that are not rescheduled within a week cannot be made up.
Practicing
Students are expected to commit to daily practicing. The length of time will be different for each student and discussed at the first lesson. Young children and beginners should check off each task that they have completed each day in the practice planner and older students should record their daily practice time. I reserve the right to terminate lessons with students who demonstrate a consistent lack of practice.
Parent Responsibilities
Experience has shown that the speed at which a child learns a skill such as playing a stringed instrument is directly associated with the amount of parent involvement. Parents of young and beginner students are required to attend all lessons and supervise all home practice. As the student approaches adolescence the parent does not need to attend lessons but can remain actively interested by asking their child how the lessons are going and monitoring daily practice. Parents are welcome to call me to discuss their child’s progress.
Recitals
There will be a fall and spring recital. Tentative dates are November 19 and May 19 in the afternoon. Most of my recitals are presented in a nursing home where the students can share their music with others. A professional pianist will be hired to accompany the students and a rehearsal arranged. Students will be expected to pay a fee to the accompanist.
Group Lessons
Currently I am teaching two group classes on Saturday morning; Suzuki Book 1 and Suzuki Book 2. In the group class the students play songs together and perform solos for each other. Skills that are taught in the private lesson are reinforced and I also teach theory, solfeggio (singing music with syllables, do, re, mi, etc.), ear training (recognizing intervals and singing them), rhythm, and music history. Group lessons are not required but enhance the children’s musical experience and enable them to develop a well-rounded understanding of music.
Cost and payment
Rates for lessons are as follows:
$24 per ½ hour, $79.20/month, (including group, $106.20/month)
$36 per 45 minutes, $118.80/month, (including group, $118.80/month)
$48 per hour, $158.40/month
Group fee is $15 per one hour class, $27/month
The year will be divided into 10 equal payments, starting in September and ending in June, which will be due at the beginning of the month. They can be brought to the first lesson of the month or mailed to me. There will be a late fee of $5 for payments not received by the end of the first week of the month. If you forget to bring the payment to the lesson, please drop it in the mail the next day to avoid the late fee.
I have scheduled 35 lessons and will charge for 33. That allows for 2 absences. If you have perfect attendance, then you will get 2 free lessons. After the 2 absences are used, missed lessons are forfeited. Private or group lessons that I cancel will be made up or refunded and the adjustment will be made in the last payment of the year. I have scheduled 20 group lessons. I will charge for 18 which also allows for 2 absences.