STUDIO POLICIES

Policies and Expectations

Updated: 2/18/2024

 

Lessons:

Lessons are 30, 45, or 60 minutes once weekly. Lesson lengths will be determined by Ms. Terra. If you feel your lesson is an inappropriate length, please schedule a phone call. Students ages 4 and up are accepted, but younger will be considered on a case by case basis. Children who are not potty trained will not be accepted. If you are would like your child start their education earlier, check out our Suzuki Early Child Education program! 

 

Group Class:

Group class is a vital part of the student’s development. It is required for all students and the parent/grownup. Active participation (taking notes, watching) on the part of the parent/grownup is just as important as the child’s attention during group class. Please limit cell phone use to emergencies or recordings for home practice purposes only.

 

The Home Teacher (Parents/Grownups):
Success in Suzuki study depends upon active and enthusiastic participation of the grownup, and better yet, the entire family! The grownup attends every lesson with the child and functions at home as a surrogate teacher (I call them the home teacher), supervising the child's daily practice. The child's accomplishment rest upon a cooperative pyramid formed by the teacher, the child, the parent, and the peers. The home teacher is solely responsible for daily listening and practice.

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Grown Up Growth:

Just as Ms. Terra continually expands her education to be the best teacher she can be, so should the home teacher continue their education of the Suzuki Method so that they can be the best home teachers they can be. I ask that you read Nurtured by Love, by Dr. Suzuki, but also highly encourage you to read the other books listed. A parent education course is offered every fall semester in which these and other materials are covered.

 

-Nurtured by Love by Dr. Suzuki

-Teaching from the Balance Point by Edward Kreitman

-To Learn with Love by William and Constance Starr

-They're Rarely Too Young...and Never Too Old to Twinkle by Kay Collier Slone

-A Suzuki Parent's Diary or How I Survived My First 10,000 Twinkles by Carroll Morris

-Helping Parents Practice, Ideas for Making it Easier by Edmund Sprunger

-Beyond the Music Lesson: Habits of Successful Suzuki Families by Christine Goodner

-Positive Practice: 5 Steps to Help Your Child Develop a Love of Music by Christine Goodner 

 

Alternative/Additional classes:

These classes are 45 minute electives for all and an alternative for the advanced or older students. Some are online, some are in person, but all are designed and individualized to create a well-rounded musician from all who take them. Current classes offered:

-Music Theory 

-Violin Ensemble

-Etudes (Suzuki Bk. 3 and up)

-Sight reading (Allegro and up)

Tuition for the Alternative/Additional classes is due on the same schedule as lessons. Please discuss which classes might be appropriate with Ms. Terra. Class schedule will depend on the classes and enrollment.

 

Recitals:

There will be at least one studio recital per year, and all students are highly encouraged to perform. For additional recitals/events fees will be included on the tuition statement on the month of the recital. Specifics will be provided closer to the recital date.

 

Tuition:

When a student registers, tuition pays for their spot on the schedule, not their attendance. The student's name will appear on the Lesson Schedule page (online and printed in the studio) when tuition is paid. Tuition payments are due by your first lesson or the 5th of the month, whichever comes first, though many parents opt to set up autopay for the 1st of the month. If more than 5 days late, a $10 late fee will be assessed for each week payment is not made. If this amount is more than $30, I reserve the right to discontinue lessons. A $25 insufficient funds fee will be charged for returned checks. Since your lesson time will be reserved for the semester I offer no refunds.

 

Make Ups/Cancellations:

Your lesson time is reserved for you for the whole semester by your registration fee and regular attendance (after 3 no-shows with no contact, you are removed from the schedule). Please make every effort to be at your lessons. Time for make-up lessons is limited, and make-ups for missed lessons cannot be guaranteed. Schedules permitting, each student will be allowed a maximum of three make-up lessons during the year. After three make-up lessons, further canceled lessons will be considered forfeit. This policy is out of consideration to the studio as a whole, to allow all students an opportunity to make up lessons when needed.

Make-up lessons (or rescheduled lessons) will be scheduled during regular teaching hours as openings become available. Lessons missed without prior notice (24 hrs) will not be made up. Scheduled make-up lessons will not be rescheduled for any reason (i.e. no make-ups for make-up lessons). *If you know you will be unable to attend a regularly scheduled lesson, please switch with another studio member via email and Cc Ms. Terra. Online lessons are reserved for illness or inclement weather.

 

If Ms. Terra has to cancel, and both parties have made every effort to make up the lesson, a credit to summer session or refund at the end of the semester will be issued. If the student withdraws from lessons before the end of the semester, no refund will be issued. Limit one. This policy does not apply to scheduled make up lessons, as make up lessons are not to be rescheduled for any reason other than inclement weather.

 

Inclement Weather:

In the event of inclement weather, lessons will be offered via zoom. If students or teacher are experiencing power outages, further make ups will be arranged. Inclement weather includes when travel advisories are in effect for your county, school districts have cancelled school due to weather conditions, if the AQI is over 301, or blizzard-like conditions occur.

 

COVID-19/Illness: *Updated 2/18/24

If you are ill (coughing, headache, itchy/sore throat, fever, aches/chills, productive cough, stomachache), have come in close contact with an individual positive for Covid-19, the flu, or RSV, or you yourself have one of these aforementioned illnesses, DO NOT ATTEND your lesson. Contact Ms. Terra as soon as you know so your lesson can be moved online.

 

Expectations:

*Updated 1/13/2022

 

The Studio Space:

Be on time & be prepared. Ensure that hands are clean and fingernails are trimmed prior to lesson. Be well fed and well rested. Tired, hungry students (and home teachers!) do not function 100%. Take off shoes, apply hand sanitizer, and be respectful of Ms. Terra’s home. Masks are optional, though encouraged November-March. The restroom needs to be kept tidy (Parents please accompany young children if this is done at home or while out and about). Have all materials (music books, notebook, pencil and pen, shoulder rest, bow, violin, rosin, nail clippers, and any other materials requested by Ms. Terra) organized and readily accessible at each lesson.

 

Expectations of Teacher:

Individualize lesson materials and teaching style to suit each student’s needs.

Provide an understanding and nurturing environment for learning.

Continually praise and challenge each student to fulfill their potential.

Provide performance opportunities.

Continue Professional Education.

 

Expectations of Student:

Develop sense of personal responsibility for self.

Attend all classes, events, and private instruction.

Share a love of music.

Listen DAILY.

Practice! Even when you don’t feel like it.

Work to achieve your own maximum potential.

Be cooperative and do your best.

Be respectful to others including parent, teacher and other students.

Try every day, even when it’s hard.

 

Expectations of Grownups:

Become a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas ($30/year per family).

Accept the Suzuki Method as a way of life and have a “no quitting” policy.

Attend all lessons, group classes, and recitals (except 15 and older).

Bring notebook to all lessons and group classes and take effective notes for home practice.

Notes should include date, scales and techniques to use with them, Etude (if applicable), Repertoire, Current piece, New Piece.

Include specific measure numbers or sections assigned for practice.

Include reminders about posture (straight wrist, bent thumb, feet position) and bow arm (mtns and valleys, right elbow).

Include any other info that is necessary to ensure effective and accurate practice sessions at home.

Practice with or guide the students home practice.  You are the Home Teacher and use the notes taken at lessons. 

Find a time each and every day that you can spend (around 30 minutes total) with your child for practicing. 

Encourage students to push past frustrating moments and overcome struggles.

Ensure the student is listening to their Suzuki album and other classical music 3-5 hours per week.

Continue their own Suzuki Parent Education

Remember that practice must be consistent to be effective. Five or ten minutes is better than none. 

Remember what a great gift it is to share time, effort, and accomplishment with our children.

 

 

Suzuki Teacher’s Pledge

• We realize the unlimited possibilities of early education.

• We also realize that every child can be educated.

• Our purpose is to develop this ability, and present this fact to the world.

• We are delighted to be teachers of the Suzuki Method and fully comprehend the responsibilities we have as teachers.

 

*These policies may be modified and redistributed at any time by Ms. Terra.