Lesson Time - Parents are expected to attend each lesson to carefully & quietly observe and take accurate notes that will lead to correct and orderly practice. Our aim is for goal-oriented practice, which leads to success. Success breeds more success, motivation, self-esteem, and a positive feeling for both parent and child. Please allow your child to interact with the teacher without interruption, criticism or correction. The teacher will handle behavior and discipline in the lesson.
Parents: please hand me your practice sheet when your lesson begins.
Parents: cell phones must be on silent (you owe me a quarter if it rings!) Please save texting, emailing etc. for after your lesson. Feel free to use technology to your advantage – taking video can be a great tool to help with practicing! Siblings are welcome to quietly observe a lesson, or engage in a quiet activity in the studio, but it is important that your focus remain on the child in the lesson. The lesson time is the student’s special time with the parent and teacher. The famous Suzuki student-parent-teacher triangle needs your full attention.
Practicing - Parents and students are to agree upon a daily practice time. The practicing parent needs to cheerfully enforce the practice routine by accompanying the child to the instrument at the pre-determined time. Remember, your attitude toward practice will be directly reflected to the child. If you are not prepared, unhappy, or rushed, your child will feel that way about practicing too. It is the parent’s job to prepare the practice environment and practice attitude to be positive. Make practice a privilege, not torture! It is a wonderful chance to share and grow together, if done well. Have fun!
Listening - Parents and students should establish a daily listening time. Parents, it is your responsibility to be sure the recording is played every day, seven days a week. This can happen in the car, while eating meals, or during a bedtime routine. Listening is one of the huge advantages of studying the Suzuki method. To deny this part of piano study is to greatly limit your child’s potential.
Group Lessons – Group lessons are once a month in addition to weekly private lessons. This is an important time in my studio and students are required to attend. It is a time to perform and share music together. There are multiple groups, so I will let you know which day and time each month your child will have group.
Tuition Fees – I will email you a bill based on the number of weeks in each trimester. Payment is due at the beginning of each trimester. Checks can be made out to Kate Kent. You may also pay through Venmo or Paypal.
Registration: $40 due once per year, per family (non-refundable).
Group Lesson and Recital Fee: TBD based on rental fees due once per year.
30 minute lesson: $48 each.
45 minute lesson: $72 each.
60 minute lesson: $96 each.
Trimester 1 will include September-Thanksgiving, semester 2 is December-March break, and semester 3 is March-spring recital (early June). The last week of each trimester will be designated for one make-up lesson in case you had to cancel throughout the semester. If you need to break payment into chunks, please let me know. When lessons are missed because I am gone, no charge will be made for the missed lessons. Summer lessons are not generally offered.
Make-Up Lessons: Regular attendance at your assigned lesson time is expected. Please note that there are no refunds or credits for more than one missed lesson. You are allowed one miss throughout the semester, whether it's for vacation, sickness, or family emergency. My students are at different schools with different vacation weeks, so I generally teach during school vacation. I will send you an email at the start of the semester with the dates when there will be no lessons. One week at the end of each semester will be designated for one make-up lesson for those who have had to cancel. If you know of a conflict ahead of time, please use the calendar to exchange your lesson slot with another student. Please note that exchanging lesson times is your responsibility. There are no refunds for missed group classes. All lessons cancelled by me due to professional obligations, illness, or emergencies will be made up, or credit will be given. In the case of snow, parents should communicate directly with me by phone: (603) 303-6511.
Materials – I may ask you to order books, or I may order you music and cover the cost of these orders until music is distributed. Payment is due for the cost of music books when you receive them. I do not make a profit on any of this material, and I am only charging what I have already paid to the manufacturer. You can expect to spend between $30-$50 in a given year on music books and CDs.
Please bring the following materials to every lesson:
1. A 3 ring binder to hold practice sheets in.
2. A notebook to take lesson notes in.
3. A pen or pencil.
4. Any props (discussed in lessons).
5. All music books used for practice that week.