Studio Policies
Payment
Tuition reserves 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. 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 throughout the school year. Canceled lessons are not refundable for any reason.
Each student is allowed up to three make-up lessons per school year, offered as openings become available during my regular teaching hours. Because rescheduling depends on both your availability and mine, make-up lessons are not guaranteed.
Please provide as much advance notice as possible when canceling. Lessons missed without prior notice are not eligible for a make up. Once you've used your three make-ups, any additional missed lessons will be forfeited. This policy is designed to ensure fair access for all studio families.
Teacher Cancellation
Any lesson that I cancel 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 due to a power outage or other issue, we’ll reschedule, and this will not count towards your three make-up lessons for the year.
Summer Term Policies
Consistent, year-round study is imperative for continued progress. To remain enrolled in the studio, 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 these four lessons is due with June tuition. Additional lessons (beyond the minimum four) are payable per lesson.
A summer registration form will be sent by June 1. Summer scheduling is flexible — lessons do not need to be on the same day or time each week. You may reschedule with 24 hours' notice. Lessons that are missed or canceled with less than 24 hours' notice will not be rescheduled and will be charged for the 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
To get the most out of lessons and enjoy steady progress, students must commit to daily practice — ideally at least five days per week. Please read your practice assignments, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have 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 $75 will be collected before the recital to pay the accompanist for their time and to rent the recital space. Specifics will be provided closer to the recital date.
Required Materials
Please bring all of your 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.