Studio Policies 2010

TUITION includes your exclusive use of my time and expertise for your scheduled lesson. Once a consult lesson has been taken a commitment of at least one semester (two school terms) is established by you, the student (or parent in the case of Under 18), and by me, the voice instructor. I turn down other students so I am available to teach you at that scheduled time. Additional fees may apply in cases where I have spent extra time outside lessons doing repertoire searches, accompaniments and obtaining music for you (see below for details regarding recording by a professional accompanist for advanced levels, a fee may apply).

PRACTICE Your commitment to a regular practice routine is expected whilst under my tutelage. Individual students will discuss with me length and content and methods for practising during the course of our lessons. Parents with children in the Suzuki Voice program are responsible for the practice routine at home. It is not acceptable to expect a child under the age of 10 to take full responsibility for the practice. Parents must supervise and in some cases practise with the child.

MATERIALS as well as in-studio expenses for accompaniments in lessons by me are included in the enrollment fee as well as studio certificates, awards etc. It does not include the cost of music, tapes, CD's, accompanists or fees associated with contests, Australian Music Examinations (AMEB), Suzuki Levels and Graduation, auditions, recitals etc. Students are expected to purchase their own personal library of music based upon my recommendations.

REQUIRED MATERIALS
- exercise book for notes
- supply of blank CD’s
- suitable portable recording device this is compulsory
- music which you are asked to purchase or borrow

At Home
(i) music stand (ii) CD or iPod or MP3 player
(iii) a keyboard is recommended
(iii) any other instruments
 
PLEASE BE ON TIME for your lesson. This means arriving 2-3 minutes early. I am unable to extend lesson times to make up for lateness. Enter the studio and be seated quietly while I finish with the previous student. If you are the first student of the day please wait quietly on the bench outside, please do not knock, I will open the door when it is time (children please stay away from front door and parents please make sure your child does not bang on the door). If you do not wish for another student to enter the room whilst you are finishing your lesson please inform me of this prior to commencing tuition.

WHEN LEAVING (classes and group lessons) Please be considerate to neighbours and leave quietly.

SHOES ALL children under age 12 please remove shoes at the door and leave outside the front door.

CLOTHING Wear comfortable clothing that you can breathe and move in. Some classes and lessons have quite a bit of movement involved.

PARENTS If your child is enrolled in the Suzuki program then you are required to be in the lessons every week. You are expected to take notes in lessons and are encouraged to discuss the student's progress at any time (with me separately). Parents of students not in the Suzuki Voice program are also welcome to be in the lessons from time to time in a supportive but non-intrusive role.

CONTACTING ME is done by email for any rescheduling of lessons (see below how it works). SMS-ing or calls to my mobile are not efficient. For letting me know you will be away that day you may leave a message on the answering machine or email me. Cancellations are strictly non-refundable.
If you wish to discuss issues pertaining to your or your child's progress please let me know and I will phone you.

AMEB EXAMINATIONS and SUZUKI LEVELS - I reserve the right to decide if and when a student is to present for an examination. Students who are not adequately prepared will not be permitted to present.

EISTEDDFODS I will inform you of eisteddfods and talent quests, auditions and any other relevant performance opportunities and guide you how to prepare for these.

ACCOMPANIMENTS In lessons I provide students with enough accompaniment for practice purposes. Should the work require something more intricate than these piano skills I hire a professional accompanist to do a recording for you to practise with or alternatively you may do so yourself. If I have provided you with the recording from a professional, my time has been spent sitting with the pianist for you especially. In this case you are responsible for payment of this accompaniment. If you have a good recording from a professional accompanist this cuts down a major portion of your rehearsal rates prior to the performance but should not act as a replacement for sufficient rehearsing. It is always best to spend as much time as you can afford with a pianist before the event.

RECITALS Book Recitals for Suzuki students are recommended and solo recitals for general students are recommended but not compulsory. Suzuki students shopuld follow the special instructions for the programme which you will be given when you enrol.

SUZUKI students can expect to listen in for a few minutes on the previous student's lesson and to have another listen in on theirs. This is part of the Suzuki philosphy. Students and parents who are waiting should be silent during the previous student's lesson.

Other students - Should a student or parent feel they prefer not to have another sit in for a few minutes please advise me and I will arrange for the lesson to be private for the entire duration.

SUZUKI students are strongly advised to be members of the Suzuki Talent Education Association of (WA). Membership entitles students to participate in special workshops, enrichment activities and graduation of Levels as well as the opportunity to perform at other Suzuki events. All students who learn with an accredited Suzuki teacher are expected to be members. STEAA(WA) membership fees are separate from my studio fees.

FEES are payable in advance by the term according to how many weeks are in a term (varies between 9-11). Preschool classes are run separately and are charged by the semester (2 terms). See Fees

EARLY BIRD To qualify for the Early Bird fee payment must be made on or before the first lesson. After that fees must be paid by the third week of term or the place in the studio will be forfeited. Fees are not refundable. I will try to accommodate other activities in which the student may be involved, but it must be understood that this is not always possible. If this commitment does not receive sufficient priority then this type of tuition is probably not suitable. Regular attendance at lessons is necessary to ensure continuous progress. If too many of the regular lesson times have to be missed due to clashes with other commitments then casual lessons may be an option.

MISSED LESSONS Cancellations are strictly non-refundable. Missed lessons for any reason will not automatically be made-up. Once you have registered, paid your tuition and scheduled your lesson time, it is held just for you. In a sense, you have contracted the exclusive use of my time for your scheduled lesson. In the case of illness, 24 hours notice must be given. You may then find an alternative time during that week (see below for rescheduling). If Ihave a vacancy then I will offer that to you in that same week only if there is a vacancy. If this new time is unsuitable then the lesson will have to be forfeited. If a new lesson time is made and you miss that lesson then the lesson will not be offered again. In some cases (due to serious illness or serious family difficulties) a lesson may be made-up during the holidays.

If you have the very beginnings of a sore throat you should not come to the lesson at all.

If you are able to go to school/uni/work, you should come to the lesson but inform me of your condition (ie no more sore throat maybe just some blocked nasal passage but otherwise throat fine). Other work can be done in the lesson and I will ensure you have something to go on with for when you recover that week.
 
RESCHEDULING PRIVATE LESSONS Group Lessons may not be swapped or rescheduled if you miss. You may reschedule your private lesson by swapping with another student. In this case you may email me and request phone numbers of other students in alternative times. Please do not sms me or ask me at the end of the lesson when it takes up the next person's lesson time.

In this case at least 7 days notice must be given. It is then up to you to make the swap. The more notice you give others to swap the better the chances are of getting your request. Most people are happy to oblige knowing that one day it may be them asking a favour. If you require the contact details of another to swap please email me listing the days and times you are available so that I can choose the appropriate people for you to contact.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY LESSONS are optional and sometimes recommended for students preparing for AMEB examinations, auditions, Suzuki Levels or other performances.
 
SCHOOL CAMPS a minimum of 7 days notice is required, one credit per year - the lesson will be credited to the following term's fees or made-up in the holidays. It is also possible to reschedule in the same week by swapping with another student (see above)

HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME "Term Tuition" payments means exactly that. As with many other extra curriculum activities this means that should you decide to go away on a holiday during term then this is your choice and fees are not refundable. If you know you are going to go away some time during the year but would like to keep your place for that lesson time when you come back then full fees apply. As there is always a waiting list I am not able to hold this time and must take on a new student who has been waiting for a place. Upon your return you may then be required to go on the waiting list for a new time if and when one becomes available. The missed lessons cannot be made up or credited to the following term’s fees. This arrangement secures a continued place in the studio. If this is not suitable then "Casual Rates" may be considered but you will not have a secured time slot. In the event that I am away you will not be charged for lessons.

CASUAL LESSONS for adults (age 18 and above) are scheduled as required if and when the vacancies arise. See Adults

TERMINATION OF TUITION 2 full weeks' notice (14 days) is required or fees apply. This also applies during the summer holiday period over December/January each year. See Fees