Violin/Piano Studio Policies

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Student

  • Be ready to learn
  • Take an active role in the learning process
  • Attend all lessons, group classes, recitals, and studio events
  • Listen to and follow the directions of the teacher and parent
  • Do your best
  • Have fun
  • Practice daily
  • Be respectful to others including parent, teacher, and other students
  • Learn to focus
  • “Only practice on the days you eat”

I expect students to wash their hands as they arrive at lessons.

All students are expected to keep their fingernails clipped.

Every student can only be as good as their instrument allows them to be. It is important to take care of your instrument! Loosen your bow after each practice. Wipe the strings and wood clean of rosin dust after each use or it will strip the varnish off your violin! Change strings at least once a year to maintain a big beautiful sound.

Students must ALWAYS bring all music books and a notebook for every lesson.

Daily practice is vital to musical progress. Practicing means working on the material assigned at the previous lesson as written in their notebooks. If a student does not do their part by practicing during the week, I have nothing new to teach at their next lesson. Schedule your practice time.

Students who are consistently unable to meet practice requirements will not be able to continue with their lessons.

Parents

  • Take an active role in the learning process but remember "Tiger Mothers leave lifelong scars"
  • Attend all lessons (if young student), parent educations sessions, group classes, recitals, and studio events
  • Be the home teacher and assist in home practice (mostly for young student)
  • Establish a daily routine of practice and listening
  • Create a positive practice environment
  • Have a “no quitting” policy
  • Take effective and detailed notes (if young student)            
    • include date, scales, techniques, etude, review, current piece, and a new piece
    • reminders about technique, posture, and sound production
    • number of repetitions and other practice ideas

Lesson Length  
Recommended lesson time (older students may consider a longer lesson time):

  • Pre-Twinkle through Book One and beginning students – 30-minute lesson
  • Book Two through Book Four and intermediate students – 45-minute lesson
  • Book Five and up and advancing students –  60-minute lesson

Recitals  
Recitals are an important and exciting way to share all that has been accomplished on your instrument. Students will be expected to perform a well-polished piece for solo concert or group concert. Attendance is strongly recommended for each student and their families whether they choose to perform or not.

At the end of each book, students are encouraged to have a graduation recital. This will encourage the polishing of the entire book and will celebrate the accomplishment of moving on to a new level. Recitals can be scheduled at the student’s home or another appropriate venue. The studio, other friends, family, and classmates should be invited to the recital by the student’s family.

Make-Up Lessons 

When a student registers, tuition pays for their spot in class, not their attendance. This time has been set aside for you regardless of whether you attend or not. If you must miss a lesson due to a schedule conflict, you may contact another student to arrange a trade or donate your lesson to another family. This is the best way to handle the lessons you need to miss.
Out of courtesy for the teacher, a 24-hour notice is requested for all missed lessons. Please note that you may request a video chat lesson if you are unable to physically attend your lesson time. Please note that make-ups are not guaranteed. In the event of instructor cancellation, a make-up lesson will be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.  I don't do any refunds of payments!

Observations 

There may be times when other senior student or teachers will come to watch a lesson. The student is not being judged and should proceed with the lesson as if no visitors were present.

Workshops

I offer various workshops that work on a variety of topics 3 times a year: * sight-reading, *orchestral or *chamber music (weekly), *music theory, *music history, and *ear training. I provide all the materials for the class. The class ends with a pizza which is included in the fee. The fee for workshops is $25/class. The first class starts on October 2nd (Sunday) from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm, Group 1 and  2:30 pm - 6.30 pm, Group 2. Registration starts on October 1st. I do individual lessons on note reading as well.


Membership and  Annual Registration fee


Membership ($30) is not mandatory. All students enrolled in the PACOMA MEMBERSHIP can complete an end of the school year examination. Ask your teacher for more information. 

There is a $30 non-mandatory Annual Registration fee. This fee could cover photocopying costs throughout the year, or costs of our Annual Ice Cream, or Christmas Parties.

Donations

Any donations to the school or individual studio is appreciated and thank all those who support us.