Studio Policy
Our purpose in engaging in the study of flute is to better ourselves - through a better understanding of music theory and history, and through performance and practice techniques and solutions. We believe in music for life - whether as an integral part of one's profession, or as a fulfilling activity in one's daily life. Each student practices and will be taught according to their own abilities, life goals, and learning style. Each lesson is a building block for the following lesson. Each class, recital, or event is an important part of the learning process. For this reason, the following studio policy is in place.
The Student's Responsibilities:
The student will:
- Arrive at each scheduled lesson on time, prepared, with a flute/piccolo in good working condition, all books and music currently being used in the lesson, and their lesson notebook.
- Inform the teacher and/or a parent if their flute/piccolo is not in good working condition, and make arrangements for repair, if needed.
- Remain engaged, attentive, and respectful at all times during the lesson.
- Keep the teacher informed of their school work load, and extracurricular workload. This is an important consideration when agreeing upon weekly assignments and participation in competitions, master classes, and other special events.
- Inform the teacher at the BEGINNING of the lesson, and preferably before the lesson, if there is seating audition or other music that needs special attention in the lesson.
- Maintain a state of good health and adequate rest.
- Contact the teacher (or have a parent contact the teacher) to cancel the lesson if they are ill. Students will not attend studio events if they are aware they are contagious, as a courtesy to the rest of our "flute family".
- Practice the agreed-upon material on their "Daily Workout" sheet, for the agreed-upon number of days each week.
- Attend all or most of their regularly scheduled lessons and studio classes. The teacher has the right to dismiss a student who regularly misses lessons and classes. The teacher cannot "hold" a slot for a student who wishes to take several weeks off in a row, due to sports or another commitment.
- Notify (or have a parent notify) the teacher at least 24 hours in advance if they cannot attend a scheduled lesson. The teacher prefers to be notified at least one week in advance, if possible.
- Conduct themselves both in and out of the studio, including but not limited to their school band functions, competitions, auditions and other ensembles, and on social media, as individuals of the highest personal caliber. Students will interact respectfully with their teachers, conductors, and ensemble peers.
- Students participating in auditions and competitions will accept the decisions of judges without complaint, and will refrain from complaining, in any format, about these decisions. Students who feel they have been unfairly adjudicated are asked to please consult with the teacher before taking this complaint elsewhere. The teacher will help determine if this is warranted or necessary, and will guide the student and parent as to how to raise their concerns in an appropriate manner.
- Have fun!
The Parents' Responsibilities:
I am MOST grateful to you, parents, for your support of your children in their flute adventure. The adventure will move along more smoothly if you will:
- Remind your child, if necessary, to practice. (The most popular method in my studio is to consider the Daily Flute Workout homework on school nights).
- Contact me if there seems to be a problem with your child's instrument.
- Seriously consider my recommendation, if any, for a better instrument. (It's expensive, but there are payment options.)
- Ensure that your child arrives at their lesson (or studio class or other special event) on time with all her supplies.
- Make payments promptly, either by check or cash at a lesson, or via the studio website.
- Contact me in advance, (at least 24 hours but preferably one week), if your child will need to miss a lesson.
- Remind your child that it is to everyone's benefit if they stay home when they are sick. If they feel well enough to have a lesson, they can ask to have a virtual lesson instead.
- Contact me if your child is having trouble completing their weekly assignments, or having a dilemma about fitting flute practice and lessons into their schedule. Please feel free to contact me if you have ANY concerns about your child. Students and private teachers get to know each other pretty well in that hour each week; I may have valuable insight, and I am happy to help.
- Feel free to attend lessons, but respect that your child (especially older children) may feel more comfortable NOT being observed. Fred Lifsitz, of the Alexander String Quartet, once told me that he NEVER had problems with stage fright. The rest of the quartet retorted, in unison, "Except when his MOM comes to the concert!"
- Purchase any sheet music, downloads, or books requested in a timely manner.
- Alert me to any financial struggle inhibiting your ability to pay for lessons, books, instruments, repairs, or other materials. I will be as flexible as possible, and may be able to guide you to appropriate resources for assistance.
The Teacher's Responsibilities:
I will:
- Provide a safe, clean, comfortable learning environment in my home. (Please let me know if you are allergic to cats!)
- Maintain an adequate state of readiness as a performer, so as to demonstrate adequately and "practice what I preach".
- Teach each student according to their individual abilities, goals, and ways of learning, while still adhering to a somewhat flexible curriculum path.
- Inspect student instruments regularly and make recommendations for repairs or maintenance.
- Make recommendations for an instrument upgrade and assist the student and parent in purchasing the right flute for the student and the parents' (or student's) budget.
- Remain positive and honest in my critiques of a student's playing, and offer tools for improvement.
- Assist students who want to have a career in music in choosing their schools, preparing for their auditions, and preparing for life at a conservatory or school of music.
- Provide weekly lessons, occasional incentives, an annual musicale, an annual recital, and occasional guest artists.
- Maintain the studio website.
- Keep the lines of communication with students and parents open.
- Send a weekly email with updates, reminders, and tips.
- Make students and parents aware of upcoming musical events - such as concerts, master classes, workshops and conventions.
- Notify students in advance if I need to cancel a lesson.
- Respect my students' health and my own by not teaching, or teaching virtually, when I am ill.
- Respect the safety of my flute family by offering lessons virtually in the event of inclement weather.
- Provide students and parents with a calendar detailing time and location of studio classes, musicales, and other special events.
- Encourage and motivate my students to reach their full potential, and to continue playing and listening to music for the rest of their lives.
Fees and Attendance:
Fees for the Fall 2024 Session are as follows:
15 weekly hour lessons: $910 in full by August 15th OR 5 monthly payments of $195, beginning August 15th.
15 weekly 45 minute lesson: $770 in full by August 15th OR 5 monthly payments of $165, beginning August 15th.
15 weekly 30 minute lessons: $630 in full by August 15th OR 5 monthly payments of $135, beginning August 15th.
Students who begin lessons after the semester has begun will have their tuition prorated.
- There will be several weeks at the end of each semester for make-ups.
- The teacher cannot guarantee make-ups due to student cancellations.
- The teacher WILL make up lessons she cancels.
- There are no musicale or recital fees, but students are responsible for paying the accompanist for their rehearsal time and performance.
- There is no studio class fee.
- Ensemble fees will vary, based upon the number of students and how often the ensemble meets.
- Occasional fees for optional events such as guest artist master classes and competition recordings may be charged.
Summer Lessons:
Summer lessons are scheduled and billed individually. Summer lesson rates are $65 for one hour, $55 for 45 minutes, or $45 for 30 minutes. Individual lesson payments are due at the time of the lesson, or at any time during the week of the lesson via the studio website.
Student Age Range:
Students should be at least 6 years old to join the studio. Students under the age of 8 may be asked to gain proficiency on a NuvoToot before progressing to a standard transverse flute.
Happy Fluting, Everyone!