Studio Policies

STUDIO POLICIES 2018-2019 (updated August 1, 2019)

GOALS FOR THE STUDENT

Goal-setting will be an important part of our first lessons together and will be revisited frequently as goals are met or need to change.

  1. Develop a life-long love of music and playing the flute.
  2. Become a great communicator, both with the flute and without it.
  3. Be a problem-solver, both in music and away from it.
  4. Develop a beautiful flute sound that will be the foundation for every other aspect of flute playing.
  5. Develop good technique and fundamentals of flute playing (including breathing, posture and position, phrasing, musicality, fingers, articulation, rhythm, and accuracy)
  6. Become a confident performer both as a soloist and an ensemble member.

EXPECTATIONS

Perfection is NOT expected, but I do want you to come to each lesson ready to learn, try new things, and accept suggestions.

  1. Please arrive at your lesson ready to learn and ALREADY WARMED UP. This will save us a lot of time!
  2. I expect you to practice most days of the week (one or two “days off” at the most, and band class or after-school rehearsals do not count!) using the following formula: 5 minutes of practice x your grade in school (i.e. 30 minutes a day for 6th graders, 60 minutes a day for 12th graders). While practicing your band music does count, please also practice any material I have assigned.
  3. PARENTS, you are a part of our flute team! Please encourage your child, help him remember to practice, remind her to gather all lesson materials prior to a lesson, and purchase music or other items I suggest in a timely fashion. Your involvement goes a long way in helping your student be successful on the flute! You and your child will be receiving regular updates on how successful lesson preparation is from week to week.
  4. STUDENTS, please communicate with me whenever you are having difficulty with anything I assign you or music given to you in band class. Flute lessons are a safe place, and I am open to helping you with anything you need. You just have to ask me!
  5. PARENTS, you can also communicate with about anything your student is having difficulty with.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

  1. FOR EACH LESSON:
    1. all music I have assigned. Some music purchases will be required, but I will try to keep the cost as low as possible.
    2. the binder provided at your first lesson.
    3. an instrument that is in good working order (if your flute needs some flute love, ask me for repair-person recommendation.
  2. FOR AT HOME PRACTICE
    1. everything listed above
    2. a music stand (folding is OK)
    3. a metronome (one downloaded as an app is OK, but a separate one such as the Korg 50TMBK is even better, and this one includes a tuner!)
    4. a pencil
    5. your cleaning rod and cleaning cloth

TUITION

  1. Total monthly tuition includes both the time I spend with you in our lessons, as well as time and effort I spend outside of lessons on your development. Total semester tuition (16-18 lessons) has been divided in to 5 equal payments. (For students starting later than August, monthly tuition will be divided over the number of months remaining in the semester.)
  2. Tuition is expected at the first lesson of each month. You may pay by cash, check, or using a credit card through my website.
  3. Tuition not paid by the third lesson of the month will include a $20 late fee.
  4. SUMMER PROGRAMS: Special 6-week programs for the summer such as the Summer Audition Intensive and Summer Flute Fun will be paid for in one lump sum prior to the first lesson.
  5. Tuition is due whether or not the student attends the lesson. You have reserved a specific time on my schedule, and I cannot refund tuition for missed lessons.
  6. Once tuition is paid, lessons must be completed or forfeited. Refunds will not be given.
  7. A $20 fee will be charged for any ensemble rehearsals.

RESCHEDULING LESSONS

Attending lessons on a regular basis is the only way to ensure your development as a musician, as well as learning how to practice. Please make every effort to attend your lessons and be on time. Avoid scheduling conflicts such as doctors’ appointments. If you have an after-school band rehearsal, most band directors are happy to excuse you from a portion of rehearsal to attend your lesson. ALL MAKE-UP LESSONS MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE SEMESTER OR PAYMENT WILL BE FORFEITED.

  1. Rescheduling options:
    1. SWAP LESSONS WITH ANOTHER STUDENT: Login to my website and select a time that will work. Contact that student and ask if a swap is possible.
    2. MOVE TO AN EMPTY SPOT IN MY SCHEDULE: I expect my schedule to be full, but until it is, you may visit https://mariettaflutestudio.as.me/ to see if there is a slot that will work for you.
    3. MAKE-UP LESSONS: You are allowed 2 make-up lessons per semester (August-December and January-May). To use these, you must let me know at least 24 hours in advance that you will not be at your regular lesson, and we will work together to find a make-up time that works for both of us.

OTHER EVENTS

Several other events will be scheduled throughout the year including but not limited to:

  1. ALL-STATE MASTERCLASS and JUDGING WORKSHOP, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2019, 2:00 pm, Hillgrove High School. Work with an elite flute teacher (last year’s artist was Professor Angela Jones-Reus, UGA) on your audition scales or etude, as well as participate in a mock audition where you will get to both play and judge the etudes. Cost per student is approximately $30.
  2. REQUIRED Recital, SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2020, mid-afternoon or early evening, location TBA. All students are required to attend and are responsible for paying any fees associated with playing with the pianist.
  3. Flute Fun Day, SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2020, 3:00-8:00 pm, my house: A great opportunity to have some fun with your flute while you learn with the rest of the studio. While optional, attendance is strongly recommended, and we’ll swim at the end.
  4. Any student who successfully qualifies for the 2nd round GMEA All-State Audition will receive a free lesson prior to the audition.

TEACHER ABSENCES

If I need to reschedule a lesson due to illness or my performance schedule, I will notify you as soon as possible. We will schedule a make-up lesson in a timely fashion.

STUDENT ILLNESS

If you are sick, please do not come to your lesson. There is no need to give me 24-hours notice; please let me know as soon as possible, and we will schedule a make-up lesson.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

  1. In respect of everyone’s lesson time, please do not arrive for your lesson more than 10 minutes early. You may wait in my living room for your lesson to begin. Parents, you are welcome to wait here during your child’s lesson. I am happy to provide my wi-fi password and give you a few minutes of R&R!
  2. Should you be running late, please let me know. I likely will not be able to teach you past your scheduled end time due to the arrival of my next student.
  3. Please be picked up promptly following your lesson.
  4. For middle-school aged students at Pope High School, please let me know what your drop-off and pick-up plans are. High school students are old enough to be on their own.

COMMUNICATION

You or your parent may contact me by phone, email, or text to discuss anything anytime! I will not answer phone calls or texts while I am teaching, but I will get back to you as soon as possible. Students, please feel free to ask me questions about lesson assignments (don’t wait the entire week if you are confused about what I ask you to do!), share a funny story, or just want to say hi.

anne@mariettaflutestudio.com, 770.361.4855