Studio Policies

Payment

Tuition holds your weekly time slot in my teaching schedule throughout the year and is required regardless of attendance. Tuition is payable monthly due the first lesson of the month. Monthly tuition fluctuates based on the number of lesson days each month; check your tuition calendar for amount owed. Please let me know if you’d prefer equal monthly payments or to pay by quarter or semester. Payment may be made by check (payable to Kaila Graef), cash, or person-to-person payment via Venmo (@kgviolin) or Zelle (kaila@kgviolin.com).

Arrival

Please remove your shoes and leave them on the landing inside the front door. Allow enough time before your lesson to unpack your violin in the waiting room and wash your hands. Lesson times will not be extended for students who arrive late.

Illness

Please do not come to the studio if you are sick (cough, fever, sore throat, etc.). If you feel well enough for a lesson, we can arrange to do an online lesson via FaceTime or Zoom. If you’re getting over an illness but still sniffly, please wear a mask to your lesson.

Student Cancellation

Your lesson time is reserved exclusively for you. Canceled lessons will not be refunded for any reason. Time for make-up lessons is limited. Schedules permitting, each student will be allowed a maximum of three make-up lessons during the school year. While I will make every effort to reschedule, make ups for missed lessons cannot be guaranteed.

After three make-up lessons, further canceled lessons will be considered forfeit. This policy is out of consideration to the studio as a whole, ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to make up lessons.

Make-up lessons will be scheduled during regular teaching hours as openings become available. Please notify me of absences as far in advance as possible; this will help you and others receive a make-up lesson. Lessons missed without prior notice are not eligible for a make up. Scheduled make-up lessons will not be rescheduled for any reason (i.e. no make-ups for make-up lessons).

Teacher Cancellation

Lessons that I cancel for any reason will be rescheduled or refunded.

Snow Days

Unless you hear from me, please assume that lessons will be held on school-declared snow days. Often roads are cleared by early afternoon, but if driving conditions are hazardous, we’ll arrange to do an online lesson via FaceTime or Zoom. If an online lesson isn’t possible (power outage, etc.), we’ll reschedule, and this will not count towards your three make-up lessons for the year.

Summer Term Policies

Year-round study is imperative for continued progress. In order to reserve a lesson slot in the fall, students are required to take a minimum of four lessons over the summer or pay a space-holding fee equal to four lessons. Payment for four summer lessons will be due with June tuition. Additional lessons (beyond the minimum four) are payable per lesson.

By June 1 you will receive a summer registration form. The summer term is flexible. Lessons don't need to be on the same day or time each week, and you may reschedule with 24 hours' notice. Lessons that are missed or canceled with less than 24 hours' notice will not be rescheduled, and you will be charged for your reserved time.

Parental Involvement

For students under 10 years old, a parent or guardian is expected to attend lessons and help guide daily practice. I like to gradually phase out parental lesson attendance by age 13 to foster students’ ownership of their learning.

Practice

In order to get the most out of lessons and enjoy the feeling of progress, you must commit to daily practice (5 days per week minimum). Please read your practice assignments every week, and don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.

Recitals

There will be at least one studio recital per year, and all students are encouraged to perform. A fee of no more than $50 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.

Required Materials

Bring your violin, shoulder rest, and all assigned music to every lesson. Music and other materials may be purchased locally at Stamell Stringed Instruments. Online resources include Johnson String Instrument, Shar Music, and Sheet Music Plus. If you are considering purchasing a violin or moving up a size, please consult with me first.