STUDIO POLICY

Click here for printable version

PRIVATE LESSONS

Lesson Scheduling: Lessons are offered in 30, 45, or 60 minute sessions and are scheduled once a week. Additional lessons may be arranged as availability allows. Lessons are taught year-round.

Observing Lessons: Lessons are an open experience, and parents and students are welcome—and encouraged—to observe other students’ sessions in the studio. Please provide advance notice before observing so that participating students and parents are prepared. Likewise, your own lesson may be observed by other students as part of the studio’s learning environment.

BE PREPARED (Parents are expected to practice daily with their child.)

  • Prioritize Listening and Review: Listening and reviewing are the cornerstones of the Suzuki approach and have the greatest impact on a child’s progress.

  • Quality Practice: Practice should take place in a quiet, well-lit, and comfortable environment, free from interruptions such as TV, phone calls, or computers. Ideally, practice occurs at a consistent time each day.

  • Bring Materials: Students should bring all lesson materials to each session, including the lesson notebook and any devices for recording practice videos.

  • Follow Assignments Fully: Your teacher’s assignments are not mere suggestions—they must be completed fully for your teacher to provide the guidance and support needed to help your child do their best.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITY

Practice Accountability: Both students and parents are responsible for maintaining consistent, high-quality practice. For families in separate households, it is important that the same standards are upheld equally in both homes. Parents should never hesitate to call or email with questions if a student does not understand a concept or assignment.

Parental Role in Lessons
Parents play an essential role in the learning process. During lessons, your primary responsibility is to observe attentively and take detailed notes. You are encouraged to use any tools that help you capture the lesson fully—such as notepads, audio recordings, or video recordings. All recordings are intended for personal reference only and should not be shared publicly or posted online.

At times, parents may also be invited to actively participate in the lesson or receive guidance on how to reinforce skills and concepts at home with their child. Your engagement is a key part of your child’s progress and success.

Parental Role at Home
At home, parents step into the role of teacher. Your child’s success depends largely on your ability to take thorough, detailed notes during lessons and use them to guide daily practice. Progress rarely comes from a single weekly lesson alone; students thrive when they are consistently immersed in music. Daily practice at home is a crucial part of your child’s learning—this is when you, as the parent, become the teacher and reinforce the skills and concepts introduced in lessons.

Parents are expected to practice daily with their child.
Once a student reaches an appropriate age and demonstrates individual ownership—often around 10–12 years old—this expectation may be adjusted, as students begin to take notes and practice independently.

Lesson Etiquette: Distractions are not permitted during any lesson, whether it is your child’s session or another student’s lesson being observed. If additional children are present, it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure their safety and appropriate behavior.

Electronic Devices: All devices should be turned off or silenced and put away during lessons. Phones may only be used as a recording tool to create practice videos at the appropriate time. Texting, social media, or phone calls during lessons disrupt learning and reduce the effectiveness of instruction.

Parental Supervision: All students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or an adult over 18 during private lessons.

REPERTOIRE

Students are always welcome to bring in music they would like to explore, including pieces outside of the approved method books. However, the teacher reserves the right to determine whether any music is appropriate for the student’s current skill level and readiness.

PAYMENT

  • Tuition rates are subject to annual increases.

  • Please pay tuition by the first of each month. Payments received after the 1st will incur a $25 late fee. Tuition and late fees are non-refundable.

  • If a scheduling conflict arises within the month, please notify the teacher as soon as possible. There are no make-up lessons for student absences or late cancellations. Requests for make-up lessons will not be accommodated.

  • Lessons may not be canceled for birthdays, sporting events, or other social activities. Participation in lessons and group classes requires consistent attendance to maintain steady progress.

  • Do not bring a sick child to a lesson or attend if ill yourself. If a child is too sick for school, they are too sick for their lesson.

  • Additional lessons outside of the regular weekly or group class schedule will be billed individually.

COMMUNICATION

Email or text messaging are the best ways to contact your teacher. Please email to set up a conference about any sensitive issues rather than discuss them in front of your child and waste valuable lesson time. These include questions regarding your child’s progress or insights into your child’s skill development. These issues are not appropriate to discuss in front of your child, and should be addressed in a private conversation with your teacher.

ATTENDANCE

Understanding Lesson Time: Signing up for lessons reserves a dedicated weekly time slot—not strictly a set number of minutes playing music. Lesson time may include activities such as tuning, setting up instruments, discussing practice goals, scheduling recitals, or addressing other lesson-related matters. All of these are valuable parts of the learning process and are considered part of the reserved lesson time. Punctuality and preparation help ensure each session is as productive as possible.

Lesson Attendance: There are no make-up lessons for absences or late cancellations. To request a schedule change for a specific week, notify the teacher by the start of that month. Changes may be accommodated at the teacher’s discretion. Time slots are reserved and cannot be transferred on short notice.

  1. Absences/Timeliness: Consistent attendance is essential to maintaining steady progress. Lessons may not be canceled for birthdays, social events, or sports. Please arrive on time, as lesson time will not be extended if you are late; the session will still end at the scheduled time. However, if I am running behind and lessons start late, your full lesson time will be honored.

  2. Illness: Do not attend lessons if sick. If a student is too ill for school, they should not attend their lesson.

  3. Virtual Lessons: Zoom lessons are available for students unable to attend in person. Notify the teacher in advance to arrange a virtual session.

  4. Scholarships / Financial Aid (Pasadena Conservatory of Music): Scholarships may be withdrawn if a student fails to attend lessons or classes regularly, practice consistently, or make musical progress. Instructors evaluate student progress throughout the year.

  5. Substitute Instruction (Pasadena Conservatory Students Only): As a professional performer and recording artist, there may be times when I am away from the studio due to performance engagements, tours, or recording sessions. During these periods, I may appoint a trusted and qualified colleague or faculty member to temporarily oversee lessons. In such cases, the lesson schedule will continue as normal, and all attendance and cancellation policies remain in full effect. Students are expected to attend lessons with the guest instructor as they would with me. This ensures continuity of instruction and maintains the progress we’ve worked hard to build.

  6. Rescheduling When a Substitute Is Unavailable: If a qualified faculty member is not available to teach during your teacher’s professional obligations, lessons may be rescheduled. Students will be notified in advance, and every effort will be made to preserve full lesson time. No lessons will ever be lost if a session needs to be rescheduled due to your teacher’s professional obligations.

GROUP LESSONS / RECITALS

Group Lessons: Group lessons are a cornerstone of the Suzuki approach and an essential part of a student’s musical development and curriculum. Regular attendance is required to ensure steady progress and skill growth.

Recitals: Students are expected to participate in end-of-year recitals, either as a performer or as an audience member. A student’s readiness to perform will be determined by the teacher on an individual basis, taking into account skill level and performance ability. Additional fees may apply for recitals and group lessons.

STUDIO TRANSFERS

Transitions and Studio Changes

An exit from one studio is simply the beginning of a new chapter. If a change becomes necessary, please discuss it with me by phone, email, or during a lesson. We will have four remaining lessons together to say goodbye and prepare for a smooth transition to a new teacher or studio. If you already have a teacher in mind, I am happy to help arrange a trial lesson—but it is considered impolite to contact another teacher before speaking with your current teacher first.

For students coming from another studio, I expect that the transition has been communicated respectfully with the previous teacher. If this has not yet been done, please take the necessary steps in a professional manner before beginning private lessons with me.