Policies

Updated August 2025

• Tuition is due the first lesson of the month.  Venmo is preferred, but I will also accept Zelle, cash, and checks.  A $10 late fee will be added to late payments.  The cost of lessons is a flat rate per student, with a reconciliation every June and December if the minimum amount of lessons is not met. 

• Make-up lessons:  Lessons may be canceled or rescheduled up to 1 day in advance.  While I understand that unforeseen circumstances arise, please note that lessons canceled or missed on the day of the lesson will not be eligible for a makeup lesson or refund. If I need to reschedule or cancel a lesson or group class, I will give as much notice as possible.  Lessons canceled by me will always be made up or refunded.

• Communication: I will communicate all calendaring items through email. I also have a calendar in the studio and Google calendar. I will also send reminders and nonurgent announcements through text.  It is okay to text me if you have a question about your lessons, but you may not get an immediate response, especially if I’m teaching. Text is best if you are running late or need to cancel a lesson.

• Social Media: I occasionally photo or film my students and post on social media.  If you do NOT want me to post any pictures of your student, please let me know in writing through an email.

• Online lessons:  I offer online lessons for people who live far away, but I am also available for online lessons if you are unable to come to your lesson in person due to illness, parent unavailability, etc.  Please refer to the online lesson guidelines.

• Practice expectation:  Students who practice and listen every day progress considerably faster than those who don’t. I expect a minimum of 5 days of practice per week, 6 or 7 days is marvelous!

• Concert Attendance: Please arrive 20-30 minutes before every performance unless otherwise noted.  Make a note of the concert attire for performers.  It will be different for each concert. Please have your instrument, shoulder rest, extra strings (in case one breaks), music and music stand.

• Concert Etiquette: To show respect for the performers, it is expected that you stay for the whole recital. Unless your teacher allows you to leave early, it is impolite to exit before the performance is over.

• SAU Membership: All Suzuki student families will be members of the Suzuki Association of Utah (SAU). SAU sponsors the Suzuki graduation and parent convention in January each year.  www.suzukimusicutah.org

• Federation Festival: In the Spring, students can take part in the UFMC String Festival (Federation) by preparing a polished and memorized performance. There is an extra fee to participate (usually about $20) and you will need to pay your accompanist. 

• Intermountain Suzuki String Institute (ISSI):  ISSI is one of the largest Suzuki institutes in the Americas, and it is located right here in Utah at Juan Diego High School. This summer music “camp” is designed for parents and children to attend together (responsible children over 12 can attend without a parent.) During the week, attendees can expect to participate in master classes, group classes, and concerts featuring top Suzuki teachers from around the world. I highly recommend making plans in advance to attend this remarkable Suzuki institute.www.issisuzuki.org.  Scholarships are available.

The Violin Lesson

• Please keep your lesson time accurate.  Lessons will start and stop on time.

• Always be prepared for your lesson by arriving 5 minutes early and bringing all your music and accessories for your violin.  Enter the studio quietly if the lesson before is still underway and get your violin out and quietly sit on the bench or couch.  When it is your turn for lessons, please put your music on the stand and be ready to tune.

• Parents should plan to attend the lessons for children under 12.  Please be a quiet observer so the child only needs to focus on one adult.  Please take notes so that you know how to practice with your child at home.

• Siblings can attend a student’s lesson. Please make sure they play quietly and do not let them roam the house.  Please don’t bring food and clean up all toys and messes made by your children.

• All students are required to study for the entire year, including summer. 

• Music: I prefer that each student has their own Suzuki books.  If you have more than one child studying with me please purchase a Suzuki books for each student.  I strongly recommend spiral binding your Suzuki books (1-4 and 5-8).  Other technique, scale, and music books may be shared.  I will often loan books to students.  I will add the cost to the book on your account with a refund cost if you return the book in good condition.   

• Theory Books: I will give each student a theory book in the fall of each year.  Encourage your child to work in the book enough to finish by the goal date.  Please replace lost theory books (you can buy them on Amazon.)

• No gum chewing is allowed during lessons. 

• Please make sure that your child’s fingernails are trimmed.  Acrylic nails are not allowed.

• It is helpful if long hair is pulled back so it doesn’t get in the way of the violin on the shoulder.  Dangly earrings and necklaces, hoodies and jackets can sometimes cause the violin to buzz so you may need to remove them.

• Please take off your shoes in the studio.

The Suzuki Method

• Parent (Caregiver) Participation: The Suzuki method is successful when the student has a practice partner which is usually a parent or caregiver. Young children require a practice partner to attend lessons and take notes, ensure practice happens and make practice fun.  Older children still need a practice partner to ensure practice happens, give guidance on what to practice and create a positive musical experience. Teens need a parent/caregiver to give encouragement and praise and to be a main contact to the teacher for scheduling, payment, and to be and advocate for the child.   Practice partners do not need prior musical experience.

• Early Beginning: Suzuki students can start as young as 3 years old, although I enjoy teaching individuals of all ages and am able to adapt the Suzuki method to suit any age group.

• Step By Step Learning: The Suzuki repertoire is designed to teach skills.  Pieces and techniques are taught in small steps that are meant to be repeated over and over.  Use games and practice tools to help guide practices and make small repetitions fun.  I have lots of practice ideas on my blog www.practicemakesiteasy.blogspot.com and I also have lots of games and ideas at www.thepracticeshoppe.com

• Daily Listening: In order to improve your progress and make learning easier, it is recommended that you listen to the Suzuki recordings every day. For beginners, I suggest that you purchase the recordings up until book 4 and listen to them frequently. It's important to not wait until you reach a certain book to start listening, but rather to listen ahead of what you are currently learning. Remember, you can never listen too much!

• Create a Positive Environment: Find a quiet and clean place in your home to practice. Create games and incentives for practicing. Make it fun!  Performances are to be celebrated, not critiqued. 

• Note Reading: This is a very important skill to learn on the violin.  I will teach note reading after I feel the student has a sufficient level of technique on the violin.  When I start note reading, it should be practiced daily.

• Review: To improve their skills, students should practice all of their Suzuki pieces throughout the week. This will create a strong foundation, build confidence, expand their repertoire, and enhance their musicality. Additionally, book recitals provide great motivation for both students and parents to carefully practice review pieces.

• Group Lessons:  Please plan to attend. If you are unable to attend for an extenuating circumstance please let me know.  Please arrive 5 minutes early. 

• Common, Set Repertoire: Suzuki students learning all instruments and around the entire world learn the same pieces.  I will follow all the pieces in the Suzuki books, but I supplement learning with fiddle music, Christmas music and other pieces.