Welcome! Registering for lessons is an agreement to our policies, so please read through them carefully.
INSTRUMENT & MATERIALS
Prior to your first lesson, parents will receive information on procuring an appropriately sized instrument and a materials list. Please do not rent or purchase your child's instrument without first discussing it with the teacher. Rental outfits should come complete with a case, a bow that has been recently serviced, and rosin for the bow. Sponges, shoulder rests, chinrest covers and other accessories that may be needed are not part of an instrument rental package. These are personal items that you are expected to purchase separately at the direction of your teacher.
LESSON ETIQUETTE
Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled lesson time to allow adequate time to enter the studio, unpack your instrument, wash your hands, etc. Occasionally a student lesson may run longer than anticipated. Please use this as an opportunity to learn via observation! To ensure that each student's lesson time is productive and beneficial just prior to the start of your lesson, place your books/materials on the studio's music stand after entering into the studio teaching area.
Bring all your materials, especially your lesson notebook and technology to record practice videos, to every lesson.
Students need to plan on attending lessons regularly for maximum benefit. If a student arrives late for a lesson, the student will receive instruction for the remainder of the scheduled lesson only. 45-minute lessons receive 35 - 40 minutes of actual instruction. 60-minute lessons receive 50-55 minutes of instruction.
PARENT PARTICIPATION: A parent or another legal adult must be present at all lessons. Parents are an integral part of your child's study and home practice. During the lesson quietly observe the lesson and take notes for the upcoming week’s practice assignments. Please do not discuss sensitive topics regarding your child’s study during the lesson. Parents are invited and encouraged to video their child’s lesson, particularly when the teacher is demonstrating practice points and places in the student's current pieces.
Please set all electronic devices to silent and put them away during your lesson, with the exception of using phones to create practice videos at the appropriate time. Texting, using social media, or receiving phone calls during lessons are distracting and minimize the lesson’s impact.
Siblings are welcome to come to lessons as long as the lesson is not disturbed.
ATTENDANCE | NON-ATTENDANCE
Please attend all lessons and, when scheduled, group lessons and other studio events and recitals. When entering into the activity of musical education it is important to commit to regular lesson attendance. Please keep this in mind when you consider other scheduling other activities. Please understand that I have reserved your scheduled lesson time for you. If continued cancellations and non-payments are happening, then you risk forfeiting your reserved lesson time.
Missed lessons are inevitable and are considered in the membership rate. Please do not come to the studio if you are ill. If too sick to go to work or school - you are too sick to have a lesson. Please do not come to the studio until fever free without medication, for 24 hours. In some situations an online lesson may be scheduled as an option.
The teacher reserves the right to cancel lessons or adjust durations for any reason such as illness or professional commitments. Lessons missed by Ms. Havelka may be made up in person or virtual lesson time to be scheduled as soon as possible at a mutually agreeable time.
The calendar is subject to change. Mark your calendar accurately to include all our events and dates when there are no lessons. Mark recital dates and all other events appropriately.
At the end of each semester, one lesson may be made up during Makeup week. Students may swap times with each other, please inform Ms. Havelka, preferably 48 hours in advance.
Let your teacher know as soon as possible if you must miss a lesson via e-mail. Only one make-up lesson per session for student absences. Please do not ask for more than one make-up per session.
IF the studio is closed due to severe inclement weather, then we can look into options for rescheduling a lesson, depending on availability.
ENROLLMENT | TERMINATION OF LESSONS
New students, or students returning after a break, must commit to a minimum of 6 months of lessons. 30 days of advanced written notice to completely discontinue lessons is required. If a student withdraws, lesson spots will be forfeited, and the student must re-enroll to continue lessons. Non-payment may be considered an early withdrawal and lessons may be suspended. The teacher reserves the right to dismiss a student for any reason at any time. No refunds or membership adjustments will be made for early withdrawals or dismissals.
COMMUNICATION
E-mail or text messaging are the best ways to contact your teacher. E-mail is used by the teacher to communicate all information regarding studio events, lessons, etc.
STUDIO MEMBERSHIP
Continued payment of monthly membership ensures the student’s membership in the studio. There are no adjustments or discounts for seasonal lessons. The teacher reserves the right to raise the cost of membership. Membership fees and other studio fees (recital/event costs, accessories, etc.) is charged automatically on the 26th of each month through my studio management app. This will involve planning ahead. There are no refunds for missed lessons or group classes.
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY
I love celebrating students’ smiles and stories of success. By agreeing to these policies, you permit Carol Havelka to use photographs/videos of you or your child's lesson and performance activities for marketing or on the studio’s website and social media sites. No last names or identifying information of your child will be shared.
WORK HARD
Your teacher's assignments are not mere suggestions; they need to be carried out fully for your teacher to help you do your best.
Enrollment in this studio signifies acceptance of the above policies.
Updated 2/8/2024
THE MUSICAL PYRAMID
THE FOUR HORSEMEN
BEWARE THE "F" WORD (fun)
Credit - Helping parents raise joyful, musical kids - www.BarbieWong.com
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