Policies and Fees

Studio Policies: The Bite-Sized Version

Here are the important points of my studio policies in a nutshell. Scroll down for the full version, which covers all the information and details about violin and viola lessons.

Payment for the month is due at the first lesson of the month.
Lesson fees cover the time that I have scheduled for each student, regardless of whether or not the student shows up for a lesson. If a student is sick or if there is a family emergency, I cannot provide a make-up lesson. If I must cancel a lesson, I will schedule a make-up lesson at a mutually convenient time.
PLEASE do not bring sick children to their lesson.
Parents of children under 11 must attend lessons, take notes, and provide guidance to the student's practice time at home.
Students must keep their fingernails short at all times, as well as wash their hands before each lesson.
In addition to 3 private lessons each month, I provide a masterclass once a month that involves several students. During masterclass, students perform for each other, learn broader musical concepts, and develop relationships with other musicians.
Students are expected to listen to their required recordings every day.
Lesson Fees: per month

45 minute lessons – $105 (as of Nov 2023)

60 minute lesson – $160

The lesson fee includes a 3 private lessons and 1 masterclass.

In addition, students (or their parents) are responsible to purchase music books, music supplies, and end-of book recital trophies.

Yearly Calendar Schedule:

This calendar shows the weeks of lessons and masterclasses. Click here to download:

Studio Policies: The Seven Course Meal

LESSON FEE: The lesson fee includes: a weekly private lesson (a time is reserved for you, even if you’re absent), and a monthly masterclass.

ATTENDANCE: Lesson fees cover the time that I have scheduled for the student. I cannot offer make-up lessons for missed lessons, regardless of the reason. If you know in advance that you must miss a lesson for vacation, school event, religious observance, or any other reason, please let me know as soon as possible. If you must cancel a lesson for any reason, please send me a text message or call me directly (435-592-2109). Please do not assume that my lesson schedule will be in sync with government holidays or school vacations, since not all schools follow the same calendars. Finally, if you have not practiced, or if your violin is being repaired, please don’t cancel your lesson–we can still make some musical progress! I have theory lessons on hand in the event that your child’s violin is in the violin shop.

ILLNESS: If you or your child are not well, please do not come to the violin lesson. If they are not well enough to go to school, they are not well enough to go to lessons. If one student passes something along to me, I will likely have to cancel lessons, which affects other students and their families. Zoom lessons may be an option on that day if the child feels well enough.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

– A piano or keyboard for beginning students.
– A violin and bow (in good working condition), rosin, a shoulder rest, and a cleaning cloth.
– A binder, in which to keep all practice charts, lesson notes, exercises, and handouts.
– For home practice, students need a music stand, a metronome, and a tuner.
– Sheet music, other books, and CDs, as I determine necessary. Photocopied books in place of a purchased printed book is not acceptable.

LESSON CONTENT: In each lesson, we will work on tone production, technical studies, musicianship, and violin repertoire. We may also work on orchestral music as needed, and any solos students wish to play for contests, school, church, etc. Students are responsible for providing their own music. Photocopied materials are not permitted in lessons as a permanent substitute for purchasing printed works. Students are responsible to bring their lesson binder to every lesson. Parents of young children (11 and under) are required to observe and take notes in lessons. The lessons should be times of great joy and discovery! The time spent in lessons may focus primarily on technical growth and bodily awareness, but home practice time will focus more time on learning the songs. Questions are welcome in lessons.

LESSON ETIQUETTE: In some cases siblings may accompany a parent, but must respect the lesson environment by being quiet. Please bring a quiet activity for young siblings to do. Cell phone must be turned off, and making phone calls during lessons is discouraged. Students are required to have short, clipped fingernails at every lesson. Students must also wash their hands before their lesson.

MASTERCLASSES: All students are invited to take part in masterclasses. We cover technique, theory, sight-reading, performance skills, ensemble skills, and some music history. The musical, social, and inspirational benefits of group classes are endless and are often the highlight of learning the violin and viola.

ENSEMBLES: All students should be involved in an ensemble experience, such as their school's orchestra, Suzuki Strings Cedar City group classes and orchestra, a private ensemble, or Orchestra of Southern Utah. These experiences prepare students to contribute meaningfully to the arts and music community by giving rich learning environments that cannot be achieved in lessons or home practicing.

SOLO RECITALS: After a student has successfully mastered the songs and techniques in a book of repertoire, they are invited to play those pieces at a solo recital hosted by their family. They typically receive a trophy engraved with their name, the book learned, and the date of the recital. The teacher orders the trophy from Gem Awards by the teacher and the family reimburses the cost (between $12-25).

MUSIC FESTIVAL: Students 18 and younger are encouraged to participate in the annual Southern Utah String Music Festival, held each March at Canyon View Middle School. Registration is due by the end of December previous to the event. Students must play two memorized pieces with a piano accompanist before three judges. They will be awarded a rating and given written feedback about their performance. After several years of participation, the student will earn a gold cup trophy according to their cumulative ratings. Although this event is not required, the festival gives students the opportunity to prepare with depth for a performance and can provide a well-earned sense of accomplishment.

PRACTICE AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT: Lessons are an exercise in teamwork. The team includes the student, the teacher, and the parent. Parents are expected to encourage their children, help them practice daily, and make sure they obtain needed materials. When parents take an active role in encouraging students to practice, students experience more success. Again, parents are required to attend and take notes in all lessons for students younger than 11. Students should practice 5-7 times per week in order to master the material given at lessons. Progress is the greatest motivation! When students sense growth through practice, they discover even more motivation to practice well at home.

LISTENING: Students are expected to listen to their required recordings every day. This is the best way to further develop their musical ear, and their musical sensitivity. For young students, daily listening is best facilitated by the parent who finds dedicated listening time in the family schedule. More mature students need personal access to listening devices they can use independently. This can be a CD player, MP3 player, iPod, Yoto player, phone, or other device. Intentional listening is absolutely key to students' musical growth and I've seen that it does not happen by chance.

COMMUNICATION PROCEDURE: I hope that violin lessons will be a very positive experience for you and your child! If you have any concerns, or wish to discuss your student’s progress, please contact me. I may contact parents and students to discuss the student’s progress. I believe that open, honest communication is always the best way to resolve problems. Please reach out!

DISCONTINUATION OF LESSONS: If you wish to discontinue lessons, you will be refunded 50% of any remaining pre-paid lessons.

INSPIRATIONAL MUSICAL EVENTS: Live musical performances can be a source of great fulfillment and inspiration to music students. You can buy season tickets to the Orchestra of Southern Utah or Cedar City Music Arts. You can attend concerts at SUU and Utah Tech, Final Fridays hosted by the Cedar City Arts Council, and concerts organized by the Iron County Acoustic Music Association. You can travel to Salt Lake City or Las Vegas for exciting music events as well. Making it a priority to attend concerts tells your family that music matters to you.

Studio Calendar 2023, revised.pdf