Music Studio

Welcome, and thank you for visiting my Music Studio page.  As a student in my studio, you will have access to many resources that will aid in the learning process for parents and students alike.  Parents will be well-informed about everything that is being taught in the lessons as you will receive notes as well as your child. All of our time is valuable, so communication is made quickly and easily through this site.

Art and music are vital to a child's development.  They cultivate academic achievement as well as social and emotional well-being. It has been proven to promote success in all scholastic disciplines such as reading, math, cognitive ability and critical thinking. It is my goal to help my students develop and hone their ability to create, solve problems, communicate and collaborate.  All of this is achievable through music education.  Please see theTEDed video on my Blog page titled "How playing an instrument benefits your brain."

I believe in teaching students to become their own teacher.  I show my students very clearly how to practice and have them demonstrate to me in their lesson how they will approach practicing on their own.  With typically only one lesson each week, the student must be able to make progress the other six days on their own.  I will build their technique from the ground up and create a solid foundation that will last a lifetime with proper maintenance.

Studio Policies

PRACTICE! Yes, this is the most important aspect. The more you practice, the more you will grow into a fantastic violinist/violist. It is recommended that you practice at least 45 minutes to 3 hours each day depending on your level. If this cannot be done in one sitting, break it up into smaller segments.

Parents: Your involvement is crucial!  The more you know about what your child is doing, the more you can guide them during the six days they are not with me. I only have them for an hour each week—the rest of the week YOU are their most important coach.

Orientation for New Students

New students with their parents will meet with me prior to beginning lessons to discuss the goals of the student, my teaching philosophy, what I expect of the student and to discuss my studio policies.

Required Materials for Lessons

Violin and bow

Rosin and cleaning cloth

Music books assigned

Additional Materials Needed

 Music Stand

 Metronome/ Tuner

 Extra set of Strings

Tuition

Lesson tuition is $70 per hour and $55 for 45min.  30 minute lessons may be given to young beginners for $40.

Tuition is due the first week of each month for the following month.  If your payment is not received by the 10th day of the month, a late fee of $10 will be assessed if it is not received by this time.  

There will be a recital fee of $10 assessed during the month of the recital.

Attendance Policy

The lesson begins at the agreed upon time, not when you arrive.  Please be punctual.  If you must cancel a lesson, please notify me 24 hours before the lesson, however I will not be able to make it up and it will not be refunded. Your lesson fee reserves your lesson time. The only exceptions will be holidays, school orchestra concerts, solo/ensemble performances, anything related to graduation ceremonies, long term injuries, and family emergencies.  After-school extracurricular activities, i.e. sports, clubs, etc. will not be excused. If this is a long term issue, please contact me to set up a different lesson time for those months. I will follow the school calendar for vacations and give you the option of having a lesson that week.  I may or may not be teaching during that week, in which case I will let you know in advance.  If you decide not to continue lessons, please give me at least 2 weeks notice.  I may have students on a waiting list that I could schedule in your time slot.  If you discontinue before the end of the month, you will not be refunded any lesson tuition. 

Summer Attendance Policy 

I will still teach during the summer with more flexibility in attendance requirement.  If you are away on vacations or camps, you will not be charged for missing those weeks.  However, if you cancel a lesson that is scheduled less than 24 hours before the lesson, it will not be refunded. If you decide to take off the entire summer, be aware that I cannot guarantee your time slot for the fall. 

Recitals/ Performance Class

I plan 1 recital each year in March for the students to have an opportunity to perform.  Three to four weeks prior to each performance, there will be a performance class, (if possible) where every student will perform their pieces for each other and receive critique and instruction for improving performance skills.  These recitals are required unless you have asked permission from me to be excused.  They are vital for musical growth, they motivate students to practice, and teach them what is required to present a piece of music at a high performance level.  There is also a feeling of accomplishment from all of the hard work throughout the year.   

There will be a required rehearsal/lesson with piano set up at least two weeks before the recital.  Playing with a pianist is very important as there is much to learn about this collaboration.  The length of this rehearsal will be determined by me.  There will be a separate fee that will be paid directly to the pianist at the rehearsal that will include the rehearsal and the recital.  More difficult pieces will require more than one rehearsal.  

A failure to meet these requirements will result in dismissal from the studio unless I have given permission for the student to be excused. 

Music Festivals/ Competitions/ Auditions 

All festivals and competitions are encouraged with my approval. All pieces performed for auditions and competitions must be approved by me.  

Questions

If there are any questions regarding these policies, please do not hesitate to contact me via email or text.   

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to teach the gift of violin playing to your child!  I look forward to helping them grow!