Studio Policies

 

Payment

Tuition holds your slot in the teaching schedule throughout the year. Students are required to pay for all lessons, including those which they cannot attend. Suzuki group class tuition for the year is due in October. Tuition for private lessons is payable monthly due at the first lesson of the month or may be mailed to the studio. Please check the tuition calendar posted in the studio each month. There will be no adjustment in tuition for lessons missed by the student for any reason (see Student Cancellation regarding make-up lessons). You are responsible for any bank charges incurred because of returned checks. [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 unpack your violin in the waiting room. 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. Canceled lessons will not be refunded for any reason including illness and prearranged vacation. While I cannot guarantee the opportunity for make-up lessons, if you must miss a lesson, you may:

a) Call me to find out if an open slot is available for a make-up.

b) Switch lessons with another student using the schedule and phone list. Please inform me of any changes.

c) If you are unable to switch lessons with another student, please call me as soon as possible and at least one hour before your scheduled lesson. When another student misses a subsequent appointment, you may receive a call offering the lesson time.

In order for make-up lessons to be available, students must notify me 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 make-up. 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 me 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. You will be able to indicate on a Summer Registration form the dates you will be available for lessons. In order to hold your fall lesson slot, you 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]