About The Studio
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.
TESTIMONIALS
-
I am a new student with Yulia and she is simply fantastic. I have many years of saxophone experience and I know music. It is clear to me that she is an exceptional teacher and it will be anyone's good fortune to study with her. For anyone at any level she is a rare gem of a teacher with both the passion and the skill for what she does.
-Jim W, Quincy, MA
-
Yulia is truly the best flute teacher that I have ever had the pleasure to study with. She knows an incredible amount about flute instruction and technique. Her explanations of flute playing are detailed and easy to comprehend. I have grown more in the two years she has been my teacher than the five other years I have played.
-Sylvia B, Needham, MA
MORE TESTIMONIALS...




