The lessons are available at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Quincy Center  on weekends. This is a beautiful newly renovated studio with a nice waiting area for parents and no parking problems. The studio is right off Rt.93 (about half mile), it is very easy and convenient to get to from Boston or the South Shore.
It is also easily accessible by public transportation.

Some hours are available on weekdays at Yulia Berry's studio, conveniently located right near Quincy Center. Please, email or call for available days and hours.

3-6 Recitals per year, working with a professional accompanist.  (in 2010-2011 school year we had 6! recitals)
Any level, ages 6+

PHILOSOPHY

The dedication, enthusiasm, and experience I bring as a flute teacher allow my students to concentrate on more than just playing an instrument. Nurturing responsibility, encouraging patience and kindness, instilling musical sensitivity, and developing mind and listening skills are some of the special features of my teaching philosophy.

I focus on developing strong fundamental skills, like a diaphragm-based breathing, developing finger technique, ear training, working on tune, rich tone and vibrato. I have a lot of different exercises in my arsenal that will help to build these skills and draw on a variety of methods, depending on the individual interests and needs of the student.

* Parts of solfeggio, ear training, world music literature, music terminology and note literacy are included in the lessons.
* Music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic and Contemporary Periods is incorporated into the lesson.
* Emphasizes on the importance of musicianship. Duets, two flute performances, instrumental ensembles are implemented in my teaching sessions.
*  The other important parts of my lessons include:
- injury prevention (prevention of pain, tension, fatigue)
- overcoming performance anxiety  
- effective practice strategies to maximize productivity:
- aesthetic interpretation and musical organization
- effective use of the musical body
- guidance through the entire performance preparation process
performance feedback through audio and video analysis

STUDIO POLICIES

You will be given a complete printed version of Studio Policies at the first lesson.

PRINT OUT A REGISTRATION FORM, complete it and bring it with you to the first lesson.

SCHEDULE

Music Lessons are available year round:
Fall Semester: September 1st through January 31st
Spring Semester: February 1st through June 30th
Summer Session: July 1st through August 31st

TUITION AND PAYMENT

Current rates:
30 minute lesson - $35 (beginners)
45 minute lesson - $50 (intermediate)
60 minute lesson - $60 (advanced and adults)

INVOICES

You will receive an invoice for tuition before each month. You may also receive other invoices during the year for books, recitals, and other fees. The invoice will include any tuition due, and any extra charges (including past due, late fees, books, etc.).
Please, always check your statement for the correct amount and due date.

If the first lesson is missed for any reason, payment for that month should be mailed to Yulia Berry.

If the student does not have a payment with them upon arrival on the due date, a lesson will not be given, and a late fee will be added and applied on the following statement.

WHAT TUITION COVERS

Tuition covers not only the contact time spent with the student, but also the time spent in preparation for the student:

* An individualized plan for the student's course of study
* Development of teaching materials
* Teacher's training and experience
* Preparation of programs and refreshments for recitals
* Professional organization memberships to enhance teaching skills and provide students with opportunities for competitions, exams, and festivals
* Studio expenses of bookkeeping, copying and incentive programs
* Continuing education

FIRST LESSON

The first lesson will give us a chance to get to know each other. It will allow me to assess your current skill level, strengths and any areas that need work. It will also give you a chance to ask questions. If you have had previous lessons, bring all your books and a prepared piece to play for me. We will discuss what goals or plans you have in mind and I may recommend some books/music for you to purchase based on your skill level.

PRACTICE

Home practice is critical to students’ progress.  Lesson preparation should receive as much priority as homework for any other class.  A minimum of thirty minutes a day, six days a week is generally necessary for beginning-intermediate level students.  A minimum of sixty minutes daily practice is recommended for intermediate-advanced level students. We will discuss proper practice techniques and have a clear outline of what the student needs to focus on.
Students who consistently refuse to practice or make an effort to practice week after week may be dropped.

TO PARENTS

Remember to work with your child in setting up a daily practice schedule as soon as each new season approaches, whether it is the school year or summer vacation. A "set time" each day will help them remember without constantly having to be reminded and will also help insure that you are getting your money's worth out of music lessons. The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it is also work! It is probably the first serious commitment your child has ever made. As you know, your child will be only as committed as you are. Each student will move along as quickly as the assigned material is sufficiently mastered. It is my sincere desire that my teaching and your support at home (with encouragement, praise, and discipline when needed) will form an affective team. By working together we can make music one of the most enjoyable experiences your child will ever encounter. This is one of the few avenues of training that they will carry with them for an entire lifetime.

RECITALS

In addition to the weekly individual lessons, there are also three yearly recitals, one in December, one in April and one in July.

These events provide students with further incentive to practice and excel, and can have a positive effect on a student's sense of accomplishment. Recitals build confidence and reinforce the concept that good practice habits result in good flutists.

ACCOMPANIST

Students will additionally need to rehearse with an accompanist before a recital. The fees for the rehearsals should be paid directly to the accompanist. I currently work with a professional accompanist, a performer and a piano instructor Alla Vishnevetsky.

Additional fees for recitals will be applied to your statement.

Also, I expect students to seek out performance opportunities, such as through church or school, and also pursue competitions and auditions relevant to their age and skill level.

STUDIO  RULES

No food, drinks, gum, candy, etc. in the studios.
Please leave wet/muddy/snowy shoes or boots in the hall on a floor mat. In this case, bring a pair of shoes to change.
Please respect our waiting area, bathrooms, and the studio room. It is a privilege and a choice to be here.

MISSED LESSONS AND MAKE UP LESSONS

Although this is a private flute studio, and is not affiliated with any school district, it is no less an educational institution--and must be regarded as such. It is the position of this studio that flute/recorder lessons are to be treated with the same level of importance as any other subject your child may be studying in school. Please respect my curriculum and my commitment to your child's musical education by maintaining a priority level for attending the lessons -- regard it as a "private extension" of academics that would otherwise be unavailable to your child.

Please notify me at least 24 hours in advance, if a lesson must be missed. I will try my best to reschedule that lesson and offer you another day.  Student-canceled makeup lessons will not be rescheduled. and your payment will not be credited.

Last minute cancellations will not be eligible for makeups. If you notify me less than 24 hours before the lesson, you will not be given an option to reschedule your lesson and your payment will not be credited.

Emergencies such as sickness or funerals are the exception.

Makeup lessons will also be offered in the event of:
- Studio closing
 -Teacher cancellation

Makeup lessons are scheduled in addition to the regular weekly lesson time.

REFERRALS

While my schedule is quite full, I welcome new students. If you refer a new student to me, make sure he/she mentions your name and you will receive one free lesson.

YOUNG CHILDREN

Children as young as five years old are welcome, but the choice to play the flute/recorder should be their desire, not necessarily the parents’ or he/she will find no motivation to work or pay attention during lessons. They also should know alphabet and can count.

At this age, however, they are too small to hold and play a regular flute. We will begin instruction on the soprano recorder, learning musical concepts and developing skills that can transfer over to the flute when they are big enough.

The learning experience will be tailored to the child’s age and grasp of new concepts.

A parent is required to stay for the lesson so that behavior can be controlled and so that the parent can see what/how the child is learning and reinforce that at home. Please keep in mind that a child this young is not likely to progress as obviously as an older student on flute-specific skills. We will work a lot on basic musical concepts while interjecting flute-specific skills at a pace that won’t overwhelm the child. This will lay the groundwork for easy transition to, and quick progression on, a regular flute when the child is big enough.

I understand that on occasion a young child will be cranky or restless on any particular day and I will provide various hands-on activities to redirect their focus, but there are no refunds if a lesson has to be cut short because the child is no longer focusing. If this continues regularly, we may need to reassess whether the child is ready for lessons

SPORTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Although this is a private flute studio, and is not affiliated with any school district, it is no less an educational institution--and must be regarded as such. It is the position of this studio that flute/recorder lessons are to be treated with the same level of importance as any other subject your child may be studying in school. It is also the position of this flute studio that sporting events and other extracurricular activities are not considered valid excuses for not practicing during the week. Please respect my curriculum and my commitment to your child's musical education by maintaining a priority level for flute studies equal to that of other school subjects--regard it as a "private extension" of academics that would otherwise be unavailable to your child.

TERMINATION OF LESSONS

If a student and/or parent should decide to terminate lessons at any given time during the year, the studio requires a TWO WEEK WRITTEN NOTICE. Such notice must be delivered to me (Yulia Berry) personally or mailed to the studio address (152 Franklin Street, Quincy, MA 02169). The studio will not accept/recognize e-mails nor telephone messages as documentation for said notice. Regardless of when appropriate notice is given, such student/parent shall be financially responsible for the following two weeks/lessons, whether the student/parent chooses to attend or be absent.

The teacher may terminate lessons any time due to negative behavior, failure to practice, or failure to comply with studio etiquette.