The building blocks of our violin program lay in the student & family's commitment to weekly violin lessons, regular home practice, a home environment that encourages and supports the study and appreciation of music and the arts. This commitment lays the foundation that best allows for the development of proficiency and acquirement of new skills, strong biomechanically correct fundamental technique, and a pathway towards enhanced musical expression and creativity. Please keep this in mind when you consider scheduling other activities.
The studio monthly membership runs from October 2023 – May 2024 and entails a Fall and Spring Semester period with 32 private lessons and 16 group classes scheduled. Summer Membership in the Studio will continue from June - August. Students 14 and under are obliged to participate in the Lesson/Group Monthly Membership Program.
STUDIO MEMBERSHIP
- Please pay your monthly membership fees by the 1st of each month. This will involve planning ahead. There are no refunds for missed lessons. All studio membership & fees must be paid each month regardless of attendance.
- Studio monthly membership runs from September 12, 2023 – May 25,2024 and entails a Fall and Spring Semester period with 32 private lessons scheduled and at least two group classes scheduled per month (October 2023 – May 2024) for a total of 16 group classes.
- The monthly Membership is structured and billed at a flat rate regardless of the number of weeks in a month or the number of lessons/groups scheduled in a month so that your teacher has a guaranteed monthly income. Membership fees are structured to address calendar holidays and other scheduled closures.
- Fees for recitals and other events billed separately and added to your monthly invoice. Occasionally, books, materials, accessories supplied by the teacher may be added to your monthly invoice and these are charged the Maryland tax rate of 6%.
- Please make every effort to make your regularly scheduled lesson time.
- Missed lessons are inevitable and are considered in the membership rate. Therefore, the exact number of lessons you will receive each year is not guaranteed by the teacher. No refunds or tuition adjustments will be issued for non-attendance. Students need to maintain an 85% attendance throughout the course of the year's scheduled lesson weeks, including any scheduled group events.
- The teacher allows for one makeup at the end of each semester's makeup week. More than one makeup per semester is not provided. No refunds provided for missed lessons.
- Notify the teacher ASAP if you need to cancel a lesson AND/OR if you will be late to a lesson. If the teacher is given at least a 48-hour notice of a cancellation via email, then the lesson may possibly be rescheduled. Rescheduling is dependent on the teacher’s availability and is not guaranteed. Students may have the option to switch lesson times with another student, though switching with another student is not guaranteed. In this case, please advise the teacher 48 hours in advance.
- Lessons missed by the teacher will be made up at a mutually convenient time/method or refunded.
- If you are ill, please do not come to the studio. If well enough – the teacher may provide an online lesson.
MEMBERSHIP & FEES
- Parents of minor students and/or adult students acknowledge financial responsibility for all fees, tuition, materials, and items that may be associated with participation in lessons with the violin studio of Carol Havelka.
- Membership fees are charged monthly and are structured so that your teacher has a guaranteed monthly income regardless of whether your child receives four, five (or less when breaks are scheduled) per month.
- Monthly studio membership options are offered and advance payment for the month is required on the 1st of each month. Payments may be made by auto pay via your supplied credit card (processed via MyMusicStaff/Stripe) or by consecutively dated monthly checks and I will deposit on the 1st of the month. Late payments received after the 5th will incur an additional late fee of $15.00.
- Membership invoices are sent automatically on the 25th of each month through MyMusicStaff.
- Continued payment of monthly membership ensures the student’s membership in the studio. Except for teacher absences, only one makeup per semester is provided. Switching with other students or a virtual online lesson may be alternative though not guaranteed options. Please email the teacher 48 hours in advance if a lesson time switch with another student is requested or made.
- The teacher reserves the right to raise the cost of membership.
- In certain circumstances, individual weekly lesson times may be arranged and billed/paid in advance.
- Students are required to maintain an 85% attendance throughout the course of the year's scheduled lesson weeks, including scheduled group events. Students are expected to participate in all scheduled recitals (up to twice a year) and other performance related events and activities with associated fees billed separately (accompanist, location rental, etc.).
- Yearly Admin/Registration Fee - $50.00 (Charged 1st month of Fall Semester or upon enrollment)
- Monthly Studio (45-minute lessons and groups) Membership - $290.00
- Monthly Studio (60-minute lessons and groups) Membership - $370.00
- Monthly Studio Membership (45-minute lessons) - $240.00
- Monthly Studio Lesson Membership (60-minute) - $320.00
- Recital/Accompanist Fee - $60 per event
- Single Studio Lesson (45-minute) - $70.00
- Single Studio Lesson (60 minute) - $90.00
- Occasionally, books, materials, accessories supplied by the teacher may be added to your monthly invoice. These items will be charged the Maryland tax rate of 6%.
ENROLLMENT | TERMINATION OF LESSONS
- Withdrawal from monthly membership payments continues until a written notice of withdrawal, 30 days in advance, has been given to the teacher.
- If a student withdraws, upcoming 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 tuition adjustments will be made for early withdrawals or dismissals. Please note that lessons and tuition payments continue until a written notice of withdrawal, 30 days in advance, has been given to the teacher.
INSTRUMENT & MATERIALS
- Prior to our first lesson, you will receive information on procuring an appropriately sized instrument and a materials list. Please do not rent or purchase an 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.
PARENT PARTICIPATION
- Parents are an integral part of your child’s musical instruction; therefore, parents quietly observe the lesson and take notes for the upcoming week’s practice. 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.
LESSON PREPARATION & YOUR PRACTICE ROUTINE
- Daily practice is the only way to become proficient as a musician and have more fun learning.
- Students are expected to prioritize their violin study.
- Home practice assignments are not suggestions. They are the key to continuing your child's happiness, growth, and success with the instrument. Please ask for clarification if an assignment has not been clearly communicated.
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 the studio teaching area.
ILLNESS POLICY
- In the case of real illness, please refrain from coming to the lesson, stay home to rest until healthy again. Take it easy: work ethics and dedication are much appreciated, but not at the expense of listening to the body’s needs. Your instructor teaches in close proximity and with their hands, so germs spread easily. Please consider the health and well-being of your instructor and other students. If the teacher gets sick all her students miss their lessons.
- If the child or parent arrives at the studio ill, I reserve the right to send the parent and the child home. If a student is too ill for school, he/she is too ill for his/her music lesson.
- 24-Hour Fever Free – Students/family members should be 24-hour fever free (without fever reducing medication) to attend in person lessons.
- Lessons canceled due to illness may be rescheduled during a makeup week, though only one rescheduled lesson is guaranteed.
- If a child is contagious but feels well enough to play (or the parent wishes to use the time for a parent/teacher discussion) we may meet for the lesson online.
STUDENT ABSENCE & ATTENDANCE
- Each student is scheduled for the same lesson time each week. This lesson time is reserved exclusively for each student. Changing a student's weekly lesson time is dependent on the teacher schedule and requires 30 days advance notice for consideration.
- Late/absent or no-show lessons are your responsibility; no refunds will be made for these. Your agreed upon lesson time has been reserved exclusively for you and there are no make-up lessons for missing your agreed upon weekly lesson time. Please respect both your and the teacher’s commitment to this time and do not ask for a makeup lesson.
- As a courtesy, if you plan to miss your reserved lesson time, please notify Ms. Havelka with at least 48 hours of advance notice via email. If I know someone will be absent ahead of time, this enables me to plan for that open spot including using it as a make-up lesson for another student.
TEACHER ABSENCES
The teacher reserves the right to cancel lessons or adjust durations for any reason. Lessons missed by the teacher will be made up at a mutually convenient time either in person or virtually or refunded.
WEATHER CANCELLATION
My studio may not necessarily follow public school cancellation announcements. When weather conditions are questionable, I will notify you directly and/or post on website. If schools are canceled due to weather, we will have a virtual lesson in lieu of an in-person lesson.
ADDITIONAL LESSONS
If at any point in the year the student would like an additional lesson or a lengthened lesson, please discuss this with the teacher. The additional lessons or increased lesson length to be paid for in advance or they will be added to next month’s bill.
PARENT - TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-teacher conferences may be requested in lieu of individual lessons at any time for the parent and teacher to chat without the student present. Parent-teacher conferences count as one lesson.
CALENDAR
The calendar is subject to change.
RECITALS
Performance in recitals is an essential part of music study and students will have an at least two opportunities per year to perform in a recital. Attendance at concerts/events is expected. Parents and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend.
FESTIVALS AND EXAMS
The American String Teachers Association holds Exams each Spring and I encourage students who are ready to participate in these events.
STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHS/VIDEO
Photographs and video footage of students engaged in class, lessons, or performance activities may be used for the sutudio's publicity purposes including website, social media, flyers, documents, etc.
Enrollment in this studio signifies acceptance of the above policies.