Tuition & fees

• There will be a $30 registration fee per student. THIS IS DUE AUGUST 2ND. This will cover recital fees, supplies, and incentives. This does not include any pianist fees.

• The fall/winter schedule will consist of 38 lessons. Tuition is based on an average of 36 lessons from August to May, so students will be provided with a minimum of 36 lessons for their tuition. Up to two lessons may be canceled by the instructor.

• Tuition can be paid by the month or by the semester (August-December, January-May).

• Tuition can be paid by cash, check, or Venmo

• Payment is due by the 1st Friday of every month. The instructor will send a reminder on the Thursday before to those who may have forgotten to pay.

• A late fee of $25 will be charged per lesson when payments aren't made within seven days of the lesson.

• Students are responsible for buying music books and materials.

Pricing:

• Listed below is the current pricing for Sarah’s violin studio. Prices are subject to change. In the event that they are adjusted, students will be notified one month in advance.

  • Fall/Winter Rates:

  • 30 min lessons: $100/month

  • 45 min lessons: $150/month

  • 60 min lessons: $200/month

Scheduling Lessons

• Lessons are given on a weekly basis, and will be 30, 45, or 60 minutes long, depending on the needs of the student.

• All lessons will be at Sarah’s home. If students wish to have lessons in their own home, there will be a travel fee based on distance and time spent traveling.

• I am an active performer and sometimes my performance commitments will require alteration of the schedule. Please be flexible when I need to move your student’s lesson because of professional commitments. If I need to reschedule, I will try to let you know at least three days in advance.

• Please let me know if you expect to be late for a scheduled lesson. If the student arrives after their time, their lesson time will not be extended into the next hour to make up for lost time. If for some reason Sarah is late, the lesson will be held for its entire length, or a complimentary lesson will be scheduled later at no charge to the client.

24-hour cancelation policy

• Your lesson time is reserved exclusively for you. I have put all other professional engagements and work opportunities aside to be present at your student's lesson. My time as well as yours is valuable, please respect these boundaries.

• Lessons that I cancel will be rescheduled or refunded.

• If you aren’t able to attend your lesson, please notify me by email or phone at least 24 hours before their lesson time. Lessons that are missed or canceled by the student with less than 24 hours’ notice will not be refunded. Adding an additional lesson to make up for the lost time may not always be possible.

• Emergencies or other situations may arise. If this happens, please let me know.

• If your child is sick, please notify me as soon as possible.

lesson length

• Beginner: 30 minutes

• Intermediate: 45 minutes

• Advanced: 60 minutes

Please note that these times are generalized. Students who practice regularly and are making great progress may consider lengthening their lesson time. This will enable us to cover more material and reach the highest level of playing possible.

Termination of lessons

• I reserve the right to terminate lessons if the student…

  • Is not practicing and is unprepared for lessons consistently.

  • Comes with a bad attitude or lack of interest.

  • Is missing lessons regularly.

  • Has missed a significant number of payments.

• If you wish to discontinue lessons with me, please notify me at least one month in advance so I can plan accordingly.

what to bring

• Violin/Viola + Bow

• Shoulder Rest/Pad

• Rosin

• Any music that we are working on (scales, Suzuki, etudes, shifting book, orchestra music, etc.)

• Notebook + pencil to take notes on practicing tips, expectations, and weekly practice goals

• A positive attitude + willingness to participate

• Please have your student keep their nails trimmed short. Long nails make it impossible to have good violin technique.

Practicing at home

• A good rule to follow: only practice on the days that you eat.

• Students should plan to practice 5-6 days per week. Families should schedule time each day to allow for consistent practice. This will ensure that the student is prepared for lessons and will have greater confidence in their playing.

• Students will progress to the next piece when the teacher sees fit. Specific technical and musical improvements must be made in order to pass off each piece. While every teacher is different, I expect my students to have their pieces memorized and be fully comfortable with the notes and techniques before moving on.

• Students who practice slowly and consistently will naturally progress faster through their music. Please respect my decision to continue working on a piece if I feel it is not ready to pass off. When the student puts in the effort required to master the skills of the piece, we will move on.

• Consistent practice makes a difference in how a student progresses. Without practice, the student won’t be able to learn new concepts, lessons will become highly repetitive and the student may lose interest.

• Make sure you are practicing everything assigned for the week (scales, arpeggios, interval study, etudes, shifting books, and pieces).

• Practicing for a little bit every day is better than not practicing at all.

parent involvement

• One of the most important factors in a young child’s musical growth and development is the involvement of the parent. If the student is under 10 years old, it is expected that a parent or guardian will attend each lesson and assist in their child’s personal practice. This is critical in helping the student remember what was covered in each lesson and what should be addressed during practice time. Of course, this isn’t always possible, but it is highly recommended and encouraged.

• Taking your student to live classical music performances can help to inspire them and keep them excited about playing the violin.

• If your student has questions during the week, contact me. I am always happy to answer any questions that they have.

• If you are considering purchasing a new violin or moving up a size, please consult me before doing so. This will help to make sure your student is ready for a new size and I can give recommendations on where to go and what to look for.

Group Lessons, recitals, & Other

group lessons

• Group lessons will be once a month. This will always be on the first Saturday of the month unless there is a scheduling conflict.

• Students who attend group lessons build friendships with other students, develop and improve their music skills, and have performance opportunities. It is expected that students attend group lessons if they are able.

recitals

There are four recitals a year:

• Fall Recital: TBD

• Christmas Recital: TBD

• Spring Recital: TBD

• Fun Recital: TBD

• Students are expected to provide an accompanist for the Fall and Spring Recitals. The instructor can recommend pianists if needed.

• Participation in orchestra helps students to find friends who also enjoy music. Musical friendships and friendly competition will motivate them to practice and give them greater incentive to excel. I strongly encourage my students to play in their school orchestras as well as any honor, ambassador or youth orchestras in their communities.