Download Studio Policy - Piano by Melody

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Piano by Melody
Studio Policy & Procedures
January 2016 - June 2016
I. Schedule Overview (PLEASE SEE ONLINE SCHEDULE FOR MORE DETAIL AND UPDATES)
There are 20 lessons running Week of Jan. 3, 2016 – Week of June 19 EXCEPT for the following dates:
No Classes Scheduled on the following dates:
Feb - 11-15
March – 4, 8-9
May – 26-31
June 1
Flex Lessons - I have 2 unscheduled days off to use during the term for any reason including, but not
limited to, illness, doctor appointments, emergencies or continuing education. If these 2 flex days are
not used by the end of the term, they will become vacation days.
II. Tuition (January-June)
30 minute lessons $600 = $100/month
45 minute lessons $900 = $ 150/month
60 minute lessons $1,200 = $200/month
(Music books and other materials are purchased separately.)
-Tuition is prorated for students enrolled after the start of the term.
-Tuition should be received by the 1st of the month. (Jan-June)
-A $5 fee will be added to any late payments postmarked or received [paid online] after the 10th.
-Monthly tuition payments are not dependent upon the number of lessons per month, but the number
of lessons per term (20). Flex days are used for teacher cancellations.
-Returned Checks: $25
Forms of payment:
Check, cashier’s check, online payment (cash not preferred)
Please make checks out to Melody Garber
1) In studio payment
2) Mailed to studio
3) Online banking - your bank's bill pay service (recommended, preferred)
4) Online payment through my website (suggested fee/donation of 3% to help offset the cost of card
payment)
III. Practice, Instrument
Daily listening and practice are essential to the growth of the piano student. Only practice on the days
you eat. Please make sure your acoustic piano is tuned and in good shape.
IV. Missed Lessons
-There will be no refund for missed lessons.
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-Make-up lessons are not guaranteed and cannot be carried over to the next semester.
-If you know of a conflict in advance please let your teacher know so that an attempt to alter the
schedule can be made.
-Lessons may be made up with at least a 24-hour notice online, by phone, email, or text.
-Same day cancellations due to illness or accident may be made up.
-Please call or text for same day cancellations.
-There is no make-up lesson if the lesson was not cancelled.
-It is not necessary to cancel lessons due to lack of practice. There is always something to be learned
during our sessions.
-If the teacher needs to cancel a lesson a flex day will be used.
V. Discontinuation of Lessons
-Students are expected to be committed to the entire term.
-I understand lessons need to end for a variety of reasons.
-It is ideal that parent, student and teacher can discuss the termination before decisions are made.
-Lessons can then end with a positive sense of closure for the student.
-A written two (2) week notice is required and a cancellation fee of $100 will be billed.
I have read and understand the studio policy. I agree to the terms set forth in the contract.
Student name _______________________________________________________________________
Print name of responsible party_________________________________________________________
Signature of responsible party __________________________________________________________
Date______________________
Teacher's name: MELODY GARBER
Signature of Teacher______________________________________________________________
Date______________________
Office Use Only
Lesson Length
Total Amount Due
Payment Plan
Notes
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Information for new students
Before lessons can begin:
Learning the piano takes time and commitment. The following must be completed before enrolling in
the Suzuki program.
1) Observe a lesson
Schedule one or more observations of a Suzuki piano lesson. See the interaction between teacher,
student and parent. This is a time to learn from other students. Observation continues when lessons
begin. The child does not need to be focused, but quiet. Information is absorbed just being in the room.
2) Listen to music of Book 1 for at least a month. Purchase the CD: Suzuki Piano School Volume 1,
performed by Haruko Kataoka. You can purchase the following book now or once lessons begin: Suzuki
Piano School Volume 1, International Edition (Book Only)
Listening to this music is an integral part of the Suzuki Method. Students will learn music by ear in the
beginning. The more a student listens, the more progress that student will see. The music does not have
to be blaring. Play it softly during dinnertime, playtime, in the car, or while getting ready for the day.
Find what works for you and your family, as long as you play as much as possible. 5 to 6 hours of
listening will help the student learn the pieces fast! Unfortunately, the Suzuki Piano recordings that I use
are not available digitally just yet. Please let me know if you will have trouble acquiring the CD.
How to listen:
Environmental experience, softly in the background
Active/participatory listening:
-listening for specific things in the music
-singing with the music
-making a drawing of the sound
-moving with the music
-later -following the score
3) Read important materials
Nurtured by Love and Ability Development from Age Zero by Schinichi Suzuki
Helping Parents Practice by Edmund Sprunger
Sensibility and Education by Haruko Kataoka
4) Acquire a quality acoustic piano
Purchase the best piano you can afford. Learning on an electronic keyboard is counterproductive.
Students are taught how to manipulate the piano using their body and the mechanics of the piano. This
cannot be done with an electric keyboard, as the sound is produced by the computer. Pianos of poor
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quality can also damper progress. A child is most likely not going to enjoy practicing on something that
just sounds plain bad.
MY STORY
When I began piano lessons I lived in southeast Los Angeles in a small back house that shared a lot with
two other homes. One was another small back house and the other was the main house, my Greatgrandmother's house. Our dwelling, though appearing spacious to my 3-5 year old perspective, was
small. There was a kitchen, a main room with a space for a small dining room table, and a small
bedroom I shared with one of my sisters, my parents' room and a bathroom. To get to the bathroom or
my parents' room you had to walk through my room. My other sister had a room in my greatgrandmother's house, which was also quite small. So, if you can’t even fit all of your siblings in your
house, where is there room for a piano? Here was our solution to that puzzle: It sat squeezed behind our
dining table against the wall right next to my dad's "chair" (does every dad have "The Chair"?)
5) Acquire an adjustable bench and footstool.
Proper posture is extremely important to produce the best possible tone while avoiding injury and
fatigue. Adjustable footstools and benches are an excellent investment. As the child grows, their body
position will be constantly updated. It is much more efficient than using books or common household
stepping stools. Consider the best possible equipment as a long term investment.
What days?
I am currently available Monday thru Thursday
How long?
Lessons for beginners are 30 minutes. Part of this time may be spent with the parent, depending on the
family.
PRACTICE:
Need time to practice
You must be able to take time to develop a practice routine. Sometimes over-scheduled students learn
at a slower rate.
Suzuki Method
Further detail of The Suzuki Method will be revealed with further correspondence.
Dr. Suzuki's observations:
All Japanese children learn to speak Japanese.
Learning one's own native language has a 100% success rate.
The process for language learning can be applied to music and other subjects
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