Goals:

My goal as a teacher is to share my love and appreciation of music to students, in a fun, positive, and individualized learning environment. Students will become skilled at reading music in order to play independently in the future.

 

Fees & Payment:

Payment is due at the first lesson of each month. Monthly tuition is determined by the number of lessons in that month. There is a $10 late fee for payments not received by Friday of the week it is due. A $5 convenience fee will be added to each lesson if we have opted for me to travel to you for lessons. Payments are accepted in the form of cash (exact change only), check (made payable to Anna Featherston), or Venmo (@annelaine5). 

 

Fees per lesson, with the convenience fee added in parenthesis, are as follows:

• 30 minute lessons are $18 ($23) each

• 40 minute lessons are $24 ($29) each

• 50 minute lessons are $30 ($35) each

• 60 minute lessons are $36 ($41) each

 

Students will be required to purchase the majority of the music that is used. If I loan you music, I ask that it be handled with care. If you damage loaned music, you will be billed for a new copy.

 

Events outside of lessons come with their own fees and are always optional. 

 

Attendance:

Students are expected to attend all lessons. Parents are welcome to attend lessons. When choosing a lesson time, please try to make allowances for activities that may conflict. If the student needs to cancel their lesson last minute, there will be no refund or makeup lesson, except in the case of an emergency, weather, or illness. If I need to cancel a lesson, the lesson will be rescheduled or credited towards the next month; to be determined by my preference. 

 

Rescheduled lessons, except in the case of an emergency, weather, or illness, must be discussed and scheduled at least four days in advance and I will do my best to coordinate a new lesson time. Rescheduled lessons do not carry over into the next semester. 

 

A mid-semester departure from the studio requires two weeks notice. These two weeks must be paid for, regardless of attendance.

 

Materials:

Students are required to bring the following to every lesson:

• all music

• a pencil

• a spiral notebook for assignments

• instrument*

 

Students are required to have the following for practicing at home:

• instrument*

  • violin - nice quality instrument (either purchased or rented)

  • piano - High quality, regularly tuned instrument; or an electric keyboard with 88 weighted, full-size keys. The keyboard should be on its own stand with a piano bench or chair to sit upon. The keyboard should also have a damper pedal. Extra sound features are not necessary. Students should NOT regularly practice with headphones.

  • ukulele - nice quality instrument (either purchased or rented)

  • other instruments - nice quality instrument (either purchased or rented)

• metronome (standard device or phone application)

• sturdy, adjustable, music stand*

• full-length mirror*

• tuner* (cell phone application or physical object)

 

*may not be necessary, depending on the instrument

 

Practicing:

Students are expected to practice at least 20-40 minutes daily. I do not expect the student to practice on the day of their lesson, but I encourage it as a good warmup. Practice length will be determined by age, lesson length, and repertoire. Younger students may benefit from breaking up practice time and require parental assistance to stay on task. Practicing should include everything assigned by me. I try to give specific practice directions on most pieces, and I expect these directions will be followed. These directions are designed to provide the best results in the most efficient manner. Plan to consult the notebook with your child to make sure practicing is done properly. Mindless practicing leads to mindless playing and stunted progress.

 

Practicing is one of those things that students rarely do voluntarily. It is often helpful if students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) work out some sort of set time for practicing. This often alleviates a battle over when practicing will be done. It is the responsibility of students and their adults to ensure that practicing is done. Failure to practice regularly is grounds for dismissal from this studio.

 

Please feel free to contact me any day of the week if there are any difficulties with practicing, including questions over the assigned material.

 

Contact Information:

I am easiest reached by text messaging or calling. I often check my email, but not as often as my texts. If I am not available right when you contact me, I will get back to you as soon as possible. I encourage parents and students to have my contact information stored in their cell phones.

 

Lesson Pickup/Drop-off:

During the school year, lessons will occur at school, your home, or my apartment. Outside of the school year, lessons will occur at your home or my apartment. Lessons are expected to start and end on time. 

 

For lessons in my classroom or at my apartment, if the student arrives earlier than their lesson time, please wait to come inside. I request that you knock (and ring the doorbell at my apartment) at the time of arrival. Parents are expected to pick their children up on time. Parking is available in the parking lot outside of my apartment building. 

 

If I am at your home for lessons, you can expect me to show up a couple minutes before the lesson and end the lesson at the agreed upon time. 

 

Timeliness and schedules are very important to me. Lessons are expected to begin and end on time. This is true if you are late. If the student consistently fails to be on time to their lesson, it may lead to dismissal from my studio. Please plan accordingly for the time you need to get to your lesson. 

 

Other Information:

I strongly encourage parental participation. Parents are more than welcome to attend all lessons. Parents of students that cannot yet read should plan on helping them practice daily. Please feel free to contact me to discuss any concerns or thoughts you may have about lessons.