Tuition reserves the student's weekly time slot in the teacher's schedule throughout the year and is required regardless of attendance. 

I teach and bill on a term schedule (Fall, Spring, and Summer).

Payment is due in cash/check/PayPal at the first lesson of each month, or you may pay for the whole term up front. Late payments will incur a $25 late fee. 

Contact me for current pricing.

​Your lesson is an appointment. Tuition saves your slot in my schedule and I must be paid whether you attend a lesson or not.

There will be one built-in "missed lesson" per term. If you attend all of your lessons you will get one free!

 In addition to the above policy, students may request ONE makeup lesson during the term due to illness, emergency, or acts of God to be completed at my convenience during regular teaching hours. If you are contagious, please don't come to your lesson!

 If I miss a lesson, it will either be made up or you will be given a lesson credit for the next term. 

24-hour notice is expected for all absences. 

If you need to miss a lesson, you have the following options: Switch lessons with another student, (phone and e-mail directory will be available), call me or consult the google calendar (provided to enrolled students) to find out if I have any cancellations, forfeit the lesson, or make up the lesson (ONE) at my convenience. 

Extended absences will need to be discussed with the instructor. 

Lessons are on a weekly basis regardless of school holidays/inservice days unless otherwise stated. 

If the parent or student decides to discontinue lessons at any point, tuition is owed for 30 days following the date of notification and the remaining lessons will be finished out. 

Here is an article about lesson attendance from an economist/music parent's point of view that I recommend everyone read: https://ottawasuzukistrings.ca/makeuplessons/

The student will contact the teacher by phone if they expect to be late for a scheduled lesson.  

Arrive promptly for your lesson. The lesson will not start early or continue past your designated time.

If the teacher arrives after a scheduled lesson has begun, the teacher will give additional time past the time slot to compensate for their tardiness with mutual acceptance of the student's schedule.     

There will be two recitals per year (Fall and Spring). It is expected that students will perform in these recitals unless there are mitigating circumstances, which can be discussed on a case-by-case basis. You will be notified of the date and time of the recital once the current term in underway. These recitals should be a priority as they give the students the opportunity to show the skills they have been working on in a supportive environment. 

An accompanist will typically be required for recitals, and will be provided at a small additional fee. 

Lesson attendance is an important element in studying an instrument. The weekly contact is necessary for improvement and to receive new instructions and assignments.

Elementary students should be practicing 20-30 min per day, 30-45 min for junior high, and an hour or more for high school students (even if you don’t feel like it!). Parents will monitor practice time at home and help create a practice schedule to make consistent practice a habit. 

A parent must attend each lesson for students under the age of 12. Parents will take notes and act as the student's "home teacher." 

 Instrument must be in good working condition. Teacher instructions to purchase new strings or get a bow rehair are expected to be addressed promptly. 

Listening to music and attending live performances are highly encouraged and will help develop an appreciation for music as well as encourage students to aspire to new levels of performance.

Nails should be cut short so that the nails do not cut into the string and prematurely age the strings. This is very important as long nails encourage bad hand and finger positions. 

Student must keep a written journal of weekly assignments. 

Students must own a metronome and a tuner (free apps available).

Students will come prepared to each lesson with their instrument,  shoulder rest, rosin, cleaning cloth, assigned music, and lesson notebook.

Students will purchase any new materials assigned by the instructor by the next lesson.

Lessons are expected to continue during the summer as long as the teacher and student are both in town.  The summer months are a wonderful chance to make great strides on an instrument, as school is not imposing on a student's time and mental energy.  Regular practice is still expected, though conditions where an instrument is not available due to travel are understood.  Students are expected to take their instrument with them to practice on long trips if at all possible.    

Auditions, summer music programs, master classes, and competitions should be discussed with me to ensure that the best decisions are made for the student's education.     

Please don’t purchase a new violin or bow or get a larger size violin without my guidance. I will be happy to help you through the process in any way I can and don’t mind meeting you at a local shop to try violins and bows with you.

Consistent lack of commitment to practice, lessons, and performances will result in a serious discussion as to whether my studio is a good fit for your family.

Communication is KEY! I want to be as accommodating as possible, but I can’t do that if I don’t know what is going on in your family.