A Philosophy on Studio Policies

A dedicated music studio thrives on mutual respect, consistency, and clear communication. These policies ensure that your reserved lesson time is protected, administrative processes remain smooth, and each student receives the highest quality of instruction.

Attendance, Cancellations & Make-Up Guidelines

  • Automated lesson reminders are sent via the MyMusicStaff portal. Please log into your portal to manage your schedule or sync it with your personal calendar.

  • Tuition reserves a recurring weekly time slot. Because that time is committed exclusively to your student, make-up lessons, refunds, or tuition credits are not provided for missed lessons (including illness, school conflicts, or travel).

  • If a student is unwell or contagious, please stay home. When possible, notify me in advance to convert your lesson to an online session or receive an asynchronous video check-in during your reserved time.

  • If the teacher cancels due to illness, professional performance obligations, or weather closures, a make-up lesson will be scheduled, an online lesson will be offered, or a tuition credit will be applied to the following month's invoice.

Daily Routine & Lesson Preparation

The 7-Day Standard

Consistent, daily reinforcement is the foundation of the Suzuki method.

  • Focus on assigned working pieces, active review pieces, and technique exercises.

  • Actively or passively listen to the official Suzuki recordings every single day.

  • Students do not move ahead in books without guidance; past repertoire is reviewed continuously to maintain technical polish.

  • The studio year is organized into three terms:

    • Fall Term: September - November

    • Winter Term: December - March

    • Spring Term: March - May

    • Summer Term: May - August (flexible/custom scheduling)

    Tuition is billed per term via the MyMusicStaff portal and is due in full prior to the first lesson of each term. Payments secure your weekly recurring slot and are non-refundable.

    Tuition is billed by term and must be paid in full prior to the first lesson of the term.

  • Invoices past the due date are subject to a standard late fee. Lessons will not begin until term tuition is received.

  • Tuition payments are strictly non-refundable.

Tuition & Billing Structure

Recitals, Group Classes & Collaborative Piano

  • Attendance at scheduled group classes is an essential part of the curriculum for ensemble skills, peer motivation, and musicianship.

    • Students participate in at least one studio recital per year, performing a polished piece from memory with piano accompaniment.

    • Upon completing each Suzuki book, students present a memorized solo Book Recital with a collaborative pianist.

    • Starting in Book 3 (and prior to all Book Recitals), families coordinate individual rehearsals with a collaborative pianist.

    • Note: Rehearsal and accompanist fees are arranged directly with the pianist and are not covered by term tuition.

  • Parents are active partners in the learning process. Please attend lessons, take detailed notes, and keep distractions to a minimum so you can effectively guide home practice.

  • Families ensure instruments stay in proper working condition, including regular string replacement, annual bow rehairs (every 6–12 months), and prompt repairs by a qualified luthier.

  • If questions or obstacles arise during practice, reach out promptly so we can adjust strategies together.

  • Required Parental/Guardian/Adult Readings by Level

    • Before Lessons Begin & Pre-Twinkle

      • Nurtured by Love (revised edition), by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki

      • Beyond the Music Lesson, by Christine Goodner

    • Book 1

      • To Learn with Love, by William and Constance Starr

    • Book 2

      • Mindset, by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

    • Book 3

      • Helping Parents Practice, by Edmund Sprunger

    • Book 4

      • The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle

    • Book 5+

      • Ongoing (choose from the following list)

    • Shinichi Suzuki Books

      • Nurtured by Love, by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki ————— (consider re-reading!)

      • Ability Development from Age Zero, by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki

    • Suzuki-Based Books

      • Beyond the Music Lesson: Habits of Successful Suzuki Families, by Christine Goodner

      • This Will Help You Grow: Advice and Encouragement for Suzuki Parents, by Brittany Gardner

      • Winning Ways, A collection of the best American Suzuki Journal articles for parents from the past 20+ years.  Sequel to First Class Tips for Suzuki Parents.

      • Helping Parents Practice, by Edmund Sprunger

      • To Learn with Love, by William and Constance Starr

    • Communication, Mindfulness, and Flow

      • Life Lens, by Michele Horner

      • Flow, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

      • Grit, by Angela Duckworth

      • How to Get Your Child to Practice…Without Resorting to Violence, by Cynthia Richards

      • Learned Optimism, by Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph.D.

      • Nonviolent Communication, by Marshall B. Rosenberg, Ph.D.

      • Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman

      • The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle

      • The Little Book of Talent, by Daniel Coyle

    • Cello & Musicianship

      • Casals and the Art of Interpretation, by David Blum

      • Intelligent Music Teaching, by Robert Duke

      • By Heart: The Art of Memorizing Music, by Paul Cienniwa

      • On Music, by Aaron Copland

      • Cello Technique, by Gerhard Mantel

Parent & Guardian Partnership

Safety & Media

  • To foster a collaborative learning environment, lessons may occasionally be observed by other studio families or visiting educators. Photos or short video recordings may be taken during lessons and studio events for educational and promotional use.

  • Families are expected to supervise siblings and maintain respectful care of the studio premises and property.

Student Expectations

  • Minimum 30–60 minutes of deliberate, focused practice daily (scaled according to age and repertoire level).

    Work collaboratively with your parent, guardian, or home practice partner, and your teacher.

  • Arrive 5 minutes prior to your lesson time. Bring your cello, bow, endpin anchor (rockstop), rosin, cleaning cloth, current music books, notebook/binder, and a pencil.

  • Ensure fingernails are kept trimmed short and hands are washed before playing.

Parent Expectations

  • Attend all weekly lessons quietly taking detailed notes, recording brief reference clips of new concepts when appropriate, especially for students 12 & under.

  • Guide and structure daily home practice using lesson notes, maintaining a calm, encouraging, and focused home environment.

  • Ensure daily listening to current and upcoming Suzuki/repertoire recordings.

  • Cello & bow in working order

  • Rock stop / endpin anchor

  • Rosin & cleaning cloth

  • Books & assigned sheet music

  • Lesson notebook & pencil

What to Bring to Every Lesson

MyMusicStaff Login

Use this portal to view your lesson calendar, lesson notes, past billing, and studio documents.