Studio Policies

 

Payment

Tuition holds your slot in my teaching schedule throughout the year. Students are required to pay for all lesson, including those which they cannot attend. Tuition is payable monthly due at the first lesson of the month or may be mailed to the studio. Payment is to include all upcoming private and group lessons for the month. Keep in mind that the number of lessons in each month fluctuates; most months have four lessons, but some have five and some only three. Check the online studio calendar for group lesson dates and vacation dates. You are responsible for any bank charges incurred because of returned checks. There will be no adjustment in tuition for lessons missed by the student for any reason (see Student Cancellation regarding makeup lessons). [Top]

 

Arrival

Plan to arrive a couple minutes before your lesson. When you arrive, please leave your shoes on the landing inside the front door. There is no need to ring the doorbell. Please go downstairs and wait in the waiting room. At your scheduled lesson time, you may knock on the studio door. Students who are late cannot be guaranteed a full lesson. [Top]

 

Student Cancellation

Please keep in mind that tuition pays for your reserved time in the studio schedule and not the actual lesson itself. Lessons missed by the student will not be refunded for any reason. If you must miss a lesson, you may:

a) Switch lessons with another student using the schedule and phone list. Please call about any changes.

b) If you are unable to switch lessons with another student, please call the studio as soon as possible and at least one hour before your scheduled lesson. Your name will be added to a list of students who have missed lessons. When another student misses a subsequent appointment, you may receive a call offering the lesson time. There is no guarantee of a makeup opportunity.

In order for makeup lessons to be available, students must notify the studio of cancellations as far in advance as possible. If you do not call at least one hour before your scheduled lesson, you forfeit your chance for a makeup lesson. Group lessons will neither be refunded nor made up. [Top]

 

Teacher Cancellation and Snow Days

Lessons cancelled by the teacher for any reason will be rescheduled or credit will be given towards the next month’s tuition. In the case of inclement weather and school-declared snow days, most students are still able to attend their lessons. If, however, you feel it is too dangerous to drive, please call the studio to arrange another time. [Top]

 

Summer Study Policies

Study during the summer is crucial for students to continue their progress. The summer term is flexible. Students will be able to indicate on a Summer Registration form the dates they will be available for lessons. In order to hold their fall lesson slot, students are required to take a minimum of 4 lessons over the summer. If you wish to discontinue lessons over the summer and resume in the fall, you will have the option of paying a fee equal to 4 lessons to hold your fall slot. Otherwise, students who discontinue lessons during the summer cannot be guaranteed a lesson time in the fall. [Top]

 

Recitals

There will be at least one studio recital per year, and all students are highly encouraged to perform. A fee of no more than $30 will be collected before the recital to pay the accompanist for his/her time and to rent the recital space. Specifics will be provided closer to the recital date. [Top]

 

Required Materials

Please bring to each lesson your violin, shoulder pad, all assigned music, and two notebooks (one for the teacher and one for the parent). Music and other materials can be purchased locally at Stamell Stringed Instruments (11 Kellogg Avenue, Amherst) or Amherst Music House and Guitar Workshop (233 North Pleasant Street, Amherst). Online resources include Shar Music and Johnson String Instrument. [Top]

 

Parental Involvement

For students under 10 years old, a parent or guardian is expected to attend every lesson and supervise daily practice. I welcome discussion about your child’s progress at the beginning of your child’s lesson or by phone. [Top]