Studio Policies

 Welcome to Fiddlesticks Stings!  Studio policies should cover any questions you may have regarding lessons.  Following these policies is important for each student's musical progression and success.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak with me or contact me via phone or email. 

Lessons are offered in 30, 45, and 60 minute increments based on age and/or playing ability.  General recommended lengths would be:

• 30 min = Beginners through Book 1-2
• 45 min = Book 2-3
• 60 min = Book 4+

Students receive lessons in 3 formats:

• Weekly private lessons with me (both the student and the parent are learners)
• Daily home lessons with the parent, who is the teacher
• Group classes with your child’s peers (bimonthly for beginning students)

Tuition includes private lessons, group classes, and performances throughout the academic year (September - May).  Payments are made on a monthly basis on the first lesson of the month.  Please be courteous and pay on time.  When you pay for lessons ahead of time, students are more committed to attend all lessons in the month.  Tuition is non-refundable.  There is a fee of $25 for returned checks.  If this payment schedule is difficult for you, please let me know and we can make other arrangements.  I would be happy to work with you. 

Monthly Tuition is as follows:

• 30 minute private instruction                      $100 monthly
• 45 minute private instruction                      $150 monthly
• 60 minutes private instruction                   $200 monthly

Generally, tuition includes 4 private lessons and 2 group lessons (for beginning students) each month.  Group lessons will depend on enrollment in order to arrange students according to similar age and ability.  I will try to make sure we have four lessons each month, however some months will have holidays or other conflicts that fall on a lesson.  In this case, I will either make up the lesson or prorate for lessons that we have.  Tuition is not prorated for missed group lessons.  Please note that tuition may increase every 2-3 years to adjust for inflation.

Arrive on Time

Please arrive on time for your lesson and be prepared with your instrument, music, and music binder/ journal.  A specific time is set-aside for each student’s lesson so when a student is late, valuable learning time is lost and cannot be made-up.  I teach students back to back so it would be unfair to take up the student’s lesson time following yours if you are late.  I appreciate all your efforts to arrive on time.

Make-up Lessons/ Rescheduling 

I designate certain days of my week for teaching.  If you are unable to attend your lesson, it is best to switch lesson times with another student on a different teaching day.  The teaching schedule is on the website and I am happy to provide you with students contact information to arrange a switch.   If you wish to reschedule a lesson it is your responsibility to contact me and the student you intend to switch lesson times with. Please be courteous and plan ahead.

Proper Notice, Canceled Lessons, No Shows

Please give 24 hours notice for canceled lessons. If you call a few hours or minutes before your lesson and wish to reschedule without 24 hours notice, that lesson will still be charged to you. It would be unfair to disregard the lesson time set aside for you and then ask me to find additional time to make up the lesson if you failed to plan ahead or give adequate notice to switch with another student.  I could easily spend many hours a week giving makeup lessons if I allowed make-ups on demand for whatever reason.  I am more than happy to help make arrangements when we can plan ahead. 

“No Show” lessons are not refunded.  If you miss a lesson without giving me notice (No Show) and then want to reschedule for a makeup lesson, be aware that you will be charged for the missed lesson and the rescheduled lesson, since my time was spent waiting and childcare arrangements were made. 

Emergencies

On very rare occasions there are emergency situations in which a student has to cancel a lesson with late notice, usually it is infrequent and I will make arrangements on an individual basis as needed. 

Rescheduling due to illness

If your child is sick and is unable to attend a lesson please notify me as soon as possible and we can arrange a makeup lesson when they are feeling better.  In the past I have had students routinely use sickness as an excuse.  Please be honest and do not use sickness as an excuse unless it is the case.  If I (or my children) are not well I will let you know and we can arrange a makeup lesson.  Hopefully we can all stay well! 

COVID-19

We are experiencing unique times with the COVID pandemic.  Please be transparent if you have been exposed to COVID or are sick yourself.  Masks are encouraged during lessons, but not required.  For now, I will wear a mask while teaching.  Let’s hope we can all stay well! 

Summer lessons are offered during June, July, and August and are arranged based on mutual availability.  I encourage students to take a minimum of 6 lessons to ensure that we retain all we have learned.  You are more than welcome to schedule more than 6 lessons if you desire.  Summer tuition is typically paid in full for all summer lessons.  Tuition rates based on 6 summer lessons are as follows: 30 min $150, 45 min $225, 60 min $300. 

Group lessons are taught on a bimonthly basis for beginning students.  One of the key factors of my Suzuki program is group lessons.  Attendance is VERY important.  Students learn very differently in a group setting of their peers where they are able to observe other students learning the same repertoire.  It provides a wonderful opportunity for students to collaborate in an informal and fun way with their friends.  In group class we polish our common pieces together, learn ensemble skills, listen/watch musicians perform, play music games and activities, and prepare for our recital and group performances.  This is a wonderful and supportive community of students and parents where we can help encourage, motivate, and learn from each other in an informal and fun setting.

Practicing is essential in order to improve at any skill.  When students practice they see improvement and are motivated to continue.  Students who do not practice often become disinterested and want to quit because it becomes boring and too difficult.  I love teaching students who practice because it is more enjoyable for both of us!  

Practicing is the equal responsibility of both the student and the parents; parents are partners with the teacher.  Parents, please help your child succeed by creating a consistent practice routine and stick to it.  Young children do not have the intrinsic ability for time management and organization, nor is it common for children to love to practice.  Students will eventually become independent and can guide their own practice, however this is generally after the child reaches Book 4.  Parents will receive coaching/guidance on how to practice with your child at home.  I provide each student a practice chart, stickers, and other helpful tools to encourage a routine.  Practice can, and should be, fun! 

Practice length will depend on the age and ability of the student.  Practice should typically be equivalent to the length of the lesson, and should be a minimum of 5 days a week.  Young children (3-6 years) may require shorter practice lengths (15-20 min) depending on attentiveness.  Practice for young children can also be broken up throughout the day.  

Listening a HUGE part of the learning process.  Suzuki’s “mother tongue” method shows that children learn to speak their native tongue through repetitive listening until they are able to replicate it.  This is why listening is so vital.  Students should listen to the Suzuki book recording daily as part of their practice.  This can be done anywhere!  In the car, background noise in the home, during meal time, bedtime, or even during homework time.  Students who listen regularly learn MUCH FASTER.  It is amazing how this helps students improve and is one of the easiest “shortcuts” for improving their playing.  It also helps cultivate a musical environment in the home, which is our goal!

Parents are required to attend lessons.  In my program, I work very closely with parents and teach them how to assist their child's home practice.  Parental involvement is vital to each student's success!  Beginning students (especially young students) do not have the natural ability to organize their home practice.  In the initial stages of learning, students will need hands-on guidance from parents, this will come from weekly attendance where I can help coach parents.  Parents also help create a “musical” home environment that helps their child succeed by: organizing a daily practice schedule, designated practice space, listening to Suzuki recordings, getting needed supplies, and communicating with me frequently so we can assure their child's musical progress.  This is a mutually supportive partnership and is a fun and delightful process when we all work in tandem.  As students get older and more self-sufficient, parents may choose not to attend lessons as frequently.  

We have two recitals each year, spring and fall.  Attendance is required for all students.  Recitals are a fantastic opportunity for students to share what they are learning with others.  Typically, each student performs 1-2 solo pieces and 1-2 group pieces.  Concert attire for students is Sunday best.  Performing and sharing your talents with an audience builds musical maturity and fosters progression.  When preparing for a recital, students have the opportunity to perfect a piece in great depth and grow tremendously as a performer.  It is normal to be nervous to perform for an audience!  However, the more you perform for others, the easier it becomes.  Recitals are also lots of fun for families to hear you perform!

 Recitals usually require a pianist to accompany students.  The pianist spends time with each student to help prepare their solo pieces for the recital as well as rehearse group pieces.  I compensate the pianist for their time and expertise and it is the largest expense of the recital.  There is a small $15 fee for each recital to help cover the cost of the accompanist.  This fee can be included in the tuition during the recital month, so if our recital is in May, plan to include the accompaniment fee.  

Playing a string instrument is very difficult AND very rewarding.  It takes a great amount of determination, commitment, and patience by both the parents and student in order to succeed.  Be patient with yourself and IT WILL COME!  I encourage parents/students to commit to a year of lessons before making a major decision to quit.  This shows you have given it a fair effort and dedicated your time through lessons and practice, though hopefully it will not come to quitting.  Music has the ability to build strong character, teach perseverance and discipline, foster creativity, boost self-esteem, relieve stress, promote achievement, and inspire joy.  I know you will succeed if you are committed and excited to learn.  I cannot wait to see what we can accomplish together! 

Updated April 2021