Welcome to Ivy Strings Academy! Please read these policies and sign below. The purpose of these expectations is to make our studio a place of learning, success, and fun.

 

Getting Started

Welcome to the studio! You are embarking on a very rewarding journey, but also one that gets challenging at times. There will be moments when you will want to quit, when practicing isn't fun and is even frustrating - and this is normal! For this reason, I ask all new families to make a minimum 3-month commitment to lessons when they join the studio. At the end of this time, we can re-assess and decide if this is something you still want to do. Often by this time, we have made it over the hardest part, and you will be able to enjoy the benefits of having stuck with it! 

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Preparedness for the lesson

Please come five minutes early to your lesson and wait quietly while the previous lesson is finishing. Come prepared, having practiced the assignments from last week and with all materials – instrument, rosin, metronome, sheet music for all repertoire and etudes currently studying, and violin notebook.

 

The parent who regularly practices with the child at home is expected to also attend the lesson, taking notes and observing quietly. As students grow older, they will gradually take ownership of their own lessons and practice, and the parent will no longer need to attend every lesson. When we are ready to begin this transition, I will discuss this with you.

 

Preparation for Zoom lessons

Lessons will be held in person, except in rare situations. In the event of an online lesson, please prepare according to the checklist below to make our lesson as fun and productive as possible

1. Use a reliable device (preferably laptop or computer)

2. Choose a location close to the internet router, free of distractions, ideally which has doors that can be closed so that it is quiet and conducive to focusing

3. Make sure Original Sound is on (this is very important) – this allows me to hear you without the computer microphone cutting out the sound. To view the option to turn on Original Sound in the meeting requires setting this up beforehand. View step-by-step instructions here.

4. Come to the lesson tuned, warmed up, and ready to learn!

 

Tuition

Tuition includes weekly lessons, biweekly group classes, and two recitals per year. Parents will receive an invoice through PayPal at the beginning of each pay period. Tuition is due on the 10th of the month. Payments received after the 10th of the month will be subject to a $10 late fee.

 

60 minutes - $212/month

45 minutes - $164/month

30 minutes - $116/month

 

Daily practice

Students are expected to practice and listen every day. See the Practice Expectations page for more information.

Group classes

All students enrolled in private lessons are expected to attend group lessons. Group classes meet biweekly. Please see the studio schedule for days group class will meet this term.

 

Recitals

Two studio recitals will be held throughout the year. See the studio schedule for this year’s recital dates. These are fun times to celebrate your child’s music-making. Make sure that these dates are on your calendar, and feel free to invite family and friends.

 

Sickness

If you are feeling sick (cold symptoms, fever, etc.), please do not come to an in-person lesson. If this happens, let me know, and if your child is still feeling well enough, we can arrange an online lesson instead for this week.

 

Makeup Lessons

If you know you will have an unavoidable conflict with your lesson ahead of time, please use the studio contact sheet to check with another family about swapping lesson times that week. One week at the end of each term is dedicated to make-up lessons, in case you have to miss a week during the term. If I have to cancel a lesson, I will make it up to you.

 

Recordings

I will sometimes record lessons for my own growth as a teacher. If I want to share them with anyone else, I will ask your permission specifically. You are welcome to record lessons as well.

 

For promotion of the studio, I would like to post short videos/photos on social media and/or the studio website. If you give permission for me to use photos or videos of your student, I will not include the last name of the student in the post. Do I have your permission to post photos/videos of your student? Please check one:

 

• Yes, you may post photos/videos of my student on social media and the studio website without using his or her last name.

• No, please do not post photos/videos of my student on social media or the studio website.

 

Contact Info

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone or by email:

comfort.smith@hotmail.com

503-476-4144 (texting is better, unless we have previously arranged a time to call).

 

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understand, and agree to the above studio policy.

 

Signature of student:___________________________________________ Date:_____________

 

Signature of parent:____________________________________________ Date:_____________