Studio Policies

In my studio, I teach from a modified Suzuki method approach, and it can be broken down into a few key components: 

• Parent involvement
• Early beginning
• Listening to CD
• Repetition
• Encouragement
• Learning with other children
• Graded repertoire
• Delayed reading

For more information, feel free to ask questions, or visit www.suzukiassociation.org.

The three points on the Suzuki Triangle are the child, parent, and teacher. These three people will communicate constantly to nurture the development of the child. Unlike traditional methods, the Suzuki method views the parent as an integral part of the learning process. This combination of relationships helps to provide a healthy learning environment for the child. For parents of young children, you are the teacher at home. You will guide practice daily with your child, aided by the weekly lessons with me. In some cases, you may have a short lesson with me as well. It will seem at times difficult, especially with the busy home lives that many of us lead, but in the end, the time is worth the investment for your child’s development and self-confidence. 

It is best to start with a lesson time that is too short rather than too long. If I believe that a longer lesson would be beneficial, I will discuss this with the parent. If you would like to extend your child’s lesson time, feel free to talk to me about it. To maximize lesson time please arrive early and unpack your instrument before your lesson time officially begins. A lesson will sometimes be shorter than scheduled if it is in the best interest of the student to have a shortened lesson.

When: I am available to teach any time Monday to Saturday 

Where: at the University of Houston, or I can travel to you for a small fee. (Virtual lessons are also available if preferred)

Payment is arranged monthly, paid at the first lesson of each month. 

• Please keep in mind that if I do not receive payment at the first lesson of the month, it creates a financial hardship for me. A $5 fee will be charged if payment is not received 2 days after the due date. If payment is not paid promptly by the 2nd lesson of the month, an additional $20 late fee will be charged. 
• Payment must be received before the lesson in order to be guaranteed a lesson. You will not be guaranteed a lesson if payment is late since the payment secures the scheduled lesson time slot. 
• I understand the pandemic may have caused financial hardship. Please contact me directly for a different payment plan if payment cannot be made at the first lesson of each month. 

*Please note: Depending on which day of the week your lesson is scheduled, some months may have 5 weeks instead of 4. 

Your absence: Lessons missed by the student will NOT be refunded. There is a 24 Hour Cancellation Policy, so please let me know at least 24 hours before your lesson time if you need to cancel or reschedule your lesson in order for it to be made-up. If this is not communicated 24 hours before the scheduled lesson, the full lesson cost will be charged.  

Tardy: If a student arrives late, they will only receive instruction for the remainder of their time slot. Meaning, if you show up at 4:15 for a lesson scheduled from 4:00-4:30, you will only have a 15 minute lesson.

My absence: If I am sick or must miss a lesson, I will either schedule a make-up lesson with you or refund your money by the end of the month.

If you decide to no longer take lessons or to take a break from lessons, please notify me at least 2 weeks in advance so that I may plan ahead with my schedule. 

• As a teacher, I will keep the Suzuki philosophy in my heart and mind. I will be inspiring, nurturing, specific and persistent. 
• I am committed to life-long learning and am keenly interested in improving my abilities as a cellist and cello teacher. To this end, I will continue studying the cello and cello pedagogy, and I will attend professional development events such as conferences and workshops.

I will protect your lesson times by:

• Declining gigs which may interfere with regularly scheduled lessons.
• Scheduling business meetings and commitments around regularly scheduled lessons.

• Parents are responsible for providing a home environment that nurtures the student’s musical abilities (i.e. turning on the reference recordings, playing classical music, attending concerts and celebrating the musical accomplishments of their child). Please do not rely solely on the teacher to inspire your student. 
• The parent is responsible for the actions of the student’s siblings. I welcome siblings to be present in the lessons, but if they are a distraction or are destructive in the studio, please hire a sitter.
• In order to make the most of the musical experience, please see to it that your child or children are well rested, fed, and had the opportunity to use the restroom before each lesson.

• Students are expected to have a weekly lesson. If this does not work for your schedule, please contact me so we can discuss other options.

The student is expected to prepare for each lesson by:

• Showing up to lessons with their instrument and all materials/supplies. These supplies include but are not limited to: cello, bow, rosin, rock stop/strap, practice folder, current music books and assignments, music stand, and a stool at the appropriate height for the student.
• Practicing daily at home. Good preparation is more important than the number of minutes spent practicing. Please make the most of however many practice minutes you have each day.
• Listening to reference recordings one to three times daily. 
• The student is expected to listen to other related recordings and attend local concerts.
• The student is expected to respect his/her teacher, parent and classmate