2024-25 Studio Policy

Please review the 2024-25 Studio Policy. Families will be expected to sign documents agreeing to the policy by the start of the first group lesson on September 8th, 2024.

Jump To:

Expectations
Scheduling, Cancelations & Breaks
Billing and Tuition
Wellness Policy
Community: Group Lessons, Observations & Performances
Parent Support
Lesson Necessities & Etiquette
If we say “goodbye”…
Practice Commitment
Suggested Reading & Resources
Sign Policy

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Expectations

Learning to play the violin beautifully is the result of a long-term commitment that prioritizes daily practice within a loving and nurturing environment. Our program views the teacher, parent, and child as three equal parts necessary for the development of the whole child. When this team works together, children grow into adults with unique abilities and good character–they develop kindness, patience, grit, intelligence, and become a devoted member of a greater artistic community.

By signing this policy, families commit to the following expectations:

Growing a nurturing home environment that prioritizes daily practice and listening.
Attendance to all lessons, both group and private, and all required community events.
A commitment that the same parent will attend all lessons attentively to bring the lesson home. Please bring a notebook and put away electronic devices for the duration of the lesson unless asked otherwise.
Come prepared to lessons. Namely, bring all your materials and trim nails. Please review Lesson Necessities & Etiquette below for more expectations.
Our program teaches violin at the highest degree of excellence, as demonstrated through this policy, continued professional development, and dedication to each student. We ask each family reciprocate respect for the degree of professionalism provided by this violin studio.

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Scheduling, Cancelations & Breaks

There are 32 private lessons and 28 group lessons during the school year (Labor Day to Memorial Day) that have fixed meeting dates and cannot be rescheduled. No lessons are scheduled over the week of Thanksgiving (1 week), Winter Break (2 weeks), and Spring Break (1 week). Monday lessons that fall on school holidays will still meet for lessons. Students are also expected to participate in two group performances and perform in at least two out of three solo recitals per year. See Calendar for exact dates.

During the school year students are expected to attend each of their 32 private lessons on the same day and time every week. Your lesson time is reserved for you on a weekly basis during my planned teaching days and hours and cannot be moved. There are no makeups, credits, or refunds. Lessons do not roll over to the following semester. Please notify me if you must miss one of our scheduled lessons, then read this article. You may visit the Missed Lessons page to view your options.

During the summer session students are expected to have a minimum of 8 lessons that may be used as a punch card to accommodate family and teacher vacation/travel plans. Students who have more than 8 lessons in the summer will be billed for additional lessons in the Fall invoice. Group lessons do not meet in the summer, but students are encouraged to attend Suzuki Institutes across the country over the summer, including the Los Angeles Suzuki Institute which is held annually at Pitzer College.

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Billing and Tuition

All invoices will be for the full session (16 lessons/14 group classes in Fall, 16 lessons/14 group classes in Spring, 8 lessons minimum in Summer with flexible scheduling). Invoices are sent via email through QuickBooks Online. You will either have 15 days to pay or pay by the first lesson, whichever comes first. Check, Zelle (jandmstrings@gmail.com), or cash are accepted. Invoices may also include additional lessons, additional piano accompaniment rehearsals, books and other materials, if applicable. If the invoice is unpaid by the due date a $10 late fee will be added every 7 days. A $20 fee will be added to the invoice if the bank transfer/check bounces. There are no refunds or credits for tuition already paid. Please be aware that tuition may increase annually. There will be at least 30 days notice of any tuition changes, typically rate increases will happen before the Fall semester begins. Families should expect tuition to rise on a yearly basis due to a variety of factors.

2024-25 Price List

30-minute Fall/Spring Tuition …. $1315

45-minute Fall/Spring Tuition …. $1795

60-minute Fall/Spring Tuition …. $2275

30-minute Summer Session …. $480

45-minute Summer Session …. $720

60-minute Summer Session …. $960

Additional 30-minute Lesson …. $60

Additional 45-minute Lesson …. $90

Additional 60-minute Lesson …. $120

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Wellness Policy

Please stay home if you or your child has had a fever or vomiting in the last 24 hours. See Scheduling, Cancelations & Breaks for cancelation policy and what to do if you need to miss a lesson. If I am sick all lessons will be moved online or rescheduled, but as the teacher I have sole discretion on choosing these options. To keep everyone healthy, parents and students must adhere to the following requests:

If you or your child are recovering from illness, please notify me so that we may wear masks to keep everyone healthy.
Notify me in advance if you or child are unwell and need to stay home. I will also exhibit the same courtesy, so please be prepared that some lessons may be online.
Please stay home from group classes or recitals if you are unwell.
Wash hands before and after lessons.
If you or your child fever if you answer yes to one of the following questions: Have you or your child been sick in the last 48 hours? Is anyone in your family sick? Have you been around anyone that you know has been sick? If you are sick please stay home.
I am happy to continue wearing a mask in lessons for families who prefer this.

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Community: Group Lessons, Observations & Performances

Community is an essential part our Suzuki violin program. Our program builds community through group lessons, community events, solo recitals, workshops, evaluations, Suzuki institutes, and agreement to lesson observations for new families.

Group Lessons: In addition to private lessons students attend weekly group lessons. Group lessons are included in program tuition. Group lessons only meet during the school year (see Calendar for all dates) and include a handful of performances and social events throughout the year. Group lessons are an essential part of the Suzuki Method–students will learn new concepts while building community with their peers. Attendance to group lessons is critical.
Community Events: All students are expected to participate in community events ranging from Fall Festival to Spring Famers’ Market performances.
Solo Recitals: There are three solo recitals scheduled throughout the school year. Students are expected to attend at least two of these solo recitals but may attend all three.
Workshops: Students may be asked to attend workshops during the school year. At this time, workshops are optional and will be scheduled over 3-day weekends. Workshop fees will be added to the Spring invoice.
Evaluations: Students must participate in Suzuki Graduations and other evaluations when recommended. These opportunities provide an excellent goal for students to work toward and result in a graded assessment of their performance and musicianship.
Suzuki Institutes: Attendance at the Los Angeles Suzuki Institute is highly recommended. This is an annual event held in mid-June at Pitzer College where students, parents and teachers gather to strengthen their skills. It is, to say the least, the most fulfilling experience a Suzuki family can have.
Observations: By being a part of this program families must agree to having current and new students in lessons for observations from time to time. Current students are welcome to observe, but this is also a requirement for new families to observe in-person lessons.

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Parent Support

A key aspect of Suzuki method is parent involvement throughout a child’s entire musical upbringing. Parents are vital in establishing the home practice environment, and as the child grows up, you will need to continue helping with follow-through, setting up practice schedules, and being your child’s biggest fan! Below are some ways I am continually supporting parents within the studio:

Back-To-School Parent Talks: At the start of the school year we will have a parent talk at the first group lesson. Often times I will invite a guest speaker mid-year to inspire the studio. If you cannot attend any of these talks we will spend the following lesson discussing what was covered instead of covering key practice points. These talks are designed to help parents develop the best learning environment for their children and attendance is critical.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: Families can have up to two 30-minute Parent-Teacher conferences per year, to be completed before the next school year starts. These PTCs are scheduled a time that works for both parent and teacher. Families requiring more time may be billed at the current hourly lesson rate or may opt to swap lesson time for Parent-Teacher time.

Respect of Teacher’s Personal Time: Any issues that cannot be resolved during lesson time or need more time than the complimentary PTCs will be billed at the current hourly lesson rate. This includes text messages, emails, and phone calls that go beyond the scope of scheduling, billing, and other basic administrative duties. Any emails or text messages that I receive that do not pertain to these basic administrative tasks will not be answered via email but will be discussed at the next lesson or saved for a PTC.

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Lesson Necessities & Etiquette

It is essential to come to private lessons prepared with the following:

Parents must keep phones and computers away except for taking videos at the end of the lesson.
A notebook
Instrument, bow, case
Foot Chart
Shoulder pad
Assigned books/materials. Students will have an assortment of practice aids that should return to each lesson.
A music stand by the start of Book 1
A weekly Practice Chart will be shared over Google Drive, as well as other materials.

Private lessons are held at my home studio–be reminded that you are guests at my home and I am not a child care provider. It is the parents’ responsibility for their child’s safety. Please follow these house rules:

Keep your child(ren) under your watchful eye at all times.
If there is another lesson before you, please wait outside for the prior lesson to end. Once the lesson is over I will open the door. Do not knock, it is disruptive. Please wait to unpack until in the studio.
Please wash hands prior to the start of the lesson.
Families may use our bathroom, but I kindly ask that you use the bathroom prior to leaving your home for lessons.
Expect a 5 minute turn-over time between lessons. If you are having a 30 minute lesson, expect 25 minutes of instruction, and so on.

Online Lesson Considerations

Online lessons are a good substitute for in person lessons. Music lessons need a lot of bandwidth to sync audio and video, so I recommend having our lesson on a computer and scheduling lessons when no one else will be streaming content. Please be sure that you meet all of the following requirements to make online lessons worthwhile. Internet connection failure on the student’s end will not be made up, please see Scheduling, Cancelations & Breaks for more information.

Reliable internet connection
Download the most recent update of Zoom
Check System & Bandwidth Requirements for Zoom
Spend a moment before our lesson configuring your settings to accommodate music. Follow the instructions on this article on Zoom’s website.
Have access to Google Drive
A second device if you need to use a metronome from your phone.
External Mic (recommended)
Use lighting from the front, not the back. (i.e. do not stand in front of a window)

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If we say goodbye…

Please schedule a PTC before making the decision to quit lessons. Often times if you or your child want to quit we can discuss why and see if there is a better alternative. If you decide to quit I request we have a final lesson to say goodbye. Inevitably, teachers develop a close connection with each family and would appreciate a moment to say goodbye. If you want to continue lessons elsewhere I recognize I may not be the right fit for everyone and I may have recommendations for another teacher, so please ask first. The music world is small and we are bound to run into each other again! There are no refunds for tuition if students decide to leave before the end of the semester or session.

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Practice Commitment

“Practice every day you brush your teeth!”

It is essential to practice daily between lessons. I ask all of my students and parents to pledge a practice commitment that adheres to the guidelines below. It is obvious when a student is not practicing and we will use lesson time to discuss how to improve the routine rather than moving on to new concepts or pieces. Parents are expected to attend all lessons until a child is 12 years old. For older beginners, parents should plan on attending until they are past Book 2. After that, it is up to the teacher, child and parent to decide whether or not the parent continues to attend. I recommend all students follow this format for practice, as recommended in their Practice Charts:

Listening —> Technique —> Current Repertoire —> Previews & Review —> Reading

Pre-Twinkle & Twinkle Phase

Lesson Length: 30-minutes
Suggested Practice Length: 30 minutes
The same parent must attend all lessons and participate along with their child.
Practice is with the parent who attends lessons.

Suzuki Book 1

Lesson Length: 30-minutes, 45 minutes may be recommended later in Book 1
Suggested Practice Length: 30-45 minutes.
The same parent must attend all lessons and participate along with their child.
Practice is with the parent who attends lessons

Suzuki Book 2-3

Lesson Length: 45-minutes mandatory, 60 minutes recommended
Suggested Practice Length: 45 minutes or more
Parents may still be involved with home practice depending on age.

Suzuki Book 4-5

Lesson Length: 60-minutes mandatory
Suggested Practice Length: 60 minutes
Depending on age, parents may not be involved in details of practice but should expect to set daily practice habits.

Suzuki Book 6-8

Lesson Length: 60-minutes mandatory
Suggested Practice Length: 60 minutes or more
Depending on age, parents may not be involved in details of practice but should expect to set daily practice habits.
Students will be learning supplemental repertoire alongside the Suzuki materials.

Suzuki Book 9-10 / Post-Suzuki Literature

Lesson Length: 60-minutes mandatory
Suggested Practice Length: 60 minutes or more
May be taking an additional lesson with a college level teacher.

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Policy Agreement 2024-25

Please read this article before signing.

Parent Name

First Name

Last Name

Child(ren)'s Name(s)

Parent Email

Media Release

During lessons (private and group), recitals, and events, your child may be included in candid photographs or videos. Pictures or video of your child may be used in informational or promotional materials, including our website. No names or other personal information will ever be used unless explicit permission has been granted. For valuable consideration I hereby opt to give J and M Strings LLC permission with respect to the photographs or videos that have been given to J&M Strings or taken by J&M Strings’s representatives of my minor child in which she/he may be included with others. To use, re-use, publish and re-publish the same in whole or in part, separately or in conjunction with other photographs, in any medium now or hereafter known, and for the purpose of marketing, training, observation, and professional development. I hereby release and discharge J&M Strings from all and any claims and demands ensuing from or in connection with the use of the photographs or videos, including any and all claims for libel and invasion of privacy. This authorization and release shall insure to the benefit of the legal representatives, licensees and assigns of J&M Strings as well as the person(s) for whom J&M Strings took the photographs or provided them. It shall stay in effect until J&M Strings receives written notice that permission has been withdrawn.

Opt In

Opt Out (By opting out, your child may be blurred or obscured in group event videos).

Consent & Release Agreement

By initialing below, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this Term and Condition. By initialing and signing below, you acknowledge you are the parent or legal guardian of the child participant indicated below (“Minor”). I hereby unconditionally release and discharge J and M Strings, LLC. (J&M Strings), J&M Strings agencies, departments, directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, J&M Strings host or collaborating partners, and all other persons and entities involved with J&M Strings from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, and all other expenses that may arise in connection with the Minor’s participation in J&M Strings. I understand that J&M Strings have a physical element to it. I agree and understand that by signing this Waiver, the Minor is physically fit enough to participate as a volunteer or participant in J&M Strings. I hereby certify that the Minor is in good physical condition and that the Minor is able to participate in J&M Strings without harm to the Minor or others. I agree to voluntarily assume all risks, known or unknown, of injuries, however caused to the Minor, even if caused in whole or in part by the action, inaction or negligence of the host or collaborating partners, sponsor, individual and groups involved in J&M Strings, and to hold J&M Strings host or collaborating partners, sponsor, individual and groups involved in J&M Strings free and harmless from any liability or damages for any injuries that the Minor may sustain.

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

By initialing below, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this Term and Condition. By initialing and signing below, you acknowledge you are the parent or legal guardian of the child participant indicated below (“Minor(s)”). The Minor’s information is only used in connection with J and M Strings, LLC. (J&M Strings) and is limited to the information requested below. It is our practice to only obtain information regarding children under the age of 18 from the child’s parent or guardian and not from the child directly. The Minor’s parent or legal guardian must consent for the collection, use or disclosure of the information requested below. J&M Strings will not share identifiable information of a child with any third party. J&M Strings will only send our promotional communications or newsletters to the parent or the legal guardian who provided the child’s information to us, and J&M Strings will not link, sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties’ personally identifiable information for any child under the age of 18. If the parent or guardian does not give their consent within a reasonable time, J&M Strings will delete the parent or guardian’s online contact information from our records. At any time you can review, change or delete your child's personal information, or revoke your parental consent by sending us an e-mail at jandmstrings@gmail.com. To protect your privacy and security, we may require you to speak with a representative or take additional steps or provide additional information to verify your identity before we provide any information, make corrections, or disable your child’s registration.

Hazardous Activities Release

I am aware that a number of COVID pandemic and other government related orders, directives and guidelines have been issued. I am aware that these activities are occurring in a public location and can be considered hazardous activities. I am aware that my child and I risk infection, serious injury, or even die due to COVID or other transmittable diseases. I am voluntarily participating in these activities with knowledge of the danger involved and agree to assume any and all risks of bodily injury, death or property damage, whether those risks are known or unknown.

Policy Agreement

Parents and students are expected to abide by this 2023-24 Studio Policy. By signing all parties agree to the above terms.

Date

YYYY

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2024-25 Studio Policy

Expectations

Scheduling, Cancelations & Breaks

Billing and Tuition

2024-25 Price List

Wellness Policy

Community: Group Lessons, Observations & Performances

Parent Support

Lesson Necessities & Etiquette

Online Lesson Considerations

If we say goodbye…

Practice Commitment

Pre-Twinkle & Twinkle Phase

Suzuki Book 1

Suzuki Book 2-3

Suzuki Book 4-5

Suzuki Book 6-8

Suzuki Book 9-10 / Post-Suzuki Literature

Suggested Reading & Resources

Policy Agreement 2024-25

Location

Contact

Site Map