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
The studio offers 30-minute, 45-minute and
60-minute lesson lengths. Lesson
length may vary depending on student goals/needs and must be approved
by Yulia Berry.
The student agrees to
arrive at each lesson punctually, well-prepared, and with all
necessary materials. If you arrive five minutes late, your lesson is
five minutes shorter. You
reserve the time slot, not the number of
minutes.
TUITION
AND PAYMENT
REGISTRATION
FEE
Each
year, there is a $25 Studio
Fee for each student, which is due with your registration form. This
holds your selected time slot and guarantees that it will remain
reserved for you for the entire school year. Lessons will not be
scheduled until a complete Registration Form and Studio Fee are
received.
-
Family
(same household) registration rates are $25 for the first member, $15
for each additional person.
-
For
students continuing their enrollment from the past year, fee is $15 per
student.
-
For
summer only, fee is $10 per student. If you are already a registered
student, the summer is included in your annual registration.
PRINT
OUT A REGISTRATION FORM, complete it and bring it with you to
the first lesson.
TUITION
PAYMENTS
Tuition payments are
expected in advance, on the first lesson day of each month. If the
first lesson is missed for any reason, payment for that month should
be mailed to Yulia Berry.
Tuition payment received after the
10th day of the month is subject to a $15 late payment fee.
If payment has not yet
been received by the 15th, additional late charges at the rate of $2
per day shall be added to the original fees. If this process
continues through the end of the month, such student shall be
terminated by the studio and the matter shall be turned over to a
collection agency for resolution.
The returned check fee
is $25.
INVOICES
You
will receive an invoice for tuition before each month. You may also
receive
other invoices during the year for books 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
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.
TUITION
FOR SIBLINGS
Yulia
Berry applies a 20% discount for families with multiple children
enrolled.
The discount applies to the tuition of the second and each subsequent
child.
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 two yearly recitals, one in
December and one in April.
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. I
currently work with a professional accompanist, a performer and a
piano instructor Alla
Vishnevetsky.
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.
PHOTO
POLICY
You may be
photographed or videotaped during lessons, classes or special events
for promotional purposes. Please, let Yulia Berry know if you do not
wish to be photographed.
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
Please
notify me at least 24 hours
in advance if a lesson must be missed. I will try my best to
reschedule at that point, or credit payment toward a future lesson. If
a lesson is missed without
notification or notification less than 24 hours in advance, the
lesson or payment will not be credited.
Emergencies
are the exception.
Makeup
lessons will only be offered
in the event of:
-
Studio
closing
-
Teacher
cancellation
-
Illness
-
Family
Emergency
Last
minute cancellations will not
be eligible for makeups. Makeup lessons are scheduled in addition to
the regular weekly lesson time. Student-canceled makeup lessons will
not be rescheduled.
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.
NEWSLETTER
My
monthly newsletter is provided to help keep parents
in the loop on upcoming studio events, recital information,
practice tips, and more. Please indicate on your registration form
whether you would like your monthly newsletter to be mailed, e-mailed
or sent home with your child.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
The
studio will be closed on
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, New Year Day, Easter and Independence
Day. On all other holidays lessons will continue as regularly
scheduled unless prior arrangements are made. This applies to any
holiday or day off of school. If you will be gone on a national
holiday, please let me know as soon as possible so that I may adjust
my teaching schedule to better accommodate those who will be here.
Again, please bear in mind that there are no "make-ups" nor
rate reduction for those choosing to be absent on national holidays.
SUMMER MONTHS
Flute
and recorder lessons continue
as usual during the summer months. This is a private flute studio,
and it does not follow any type of "academic school year".
The summer months offer more time for practice without the worry of
homework and other school activities. Therefore, I strongly encourage
you to continue lessons during the summer. If you and/or your family
will be out of town at any time during the summer, please let me know
well in advance so that I may adjust my teaching schedule.
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.
SNOW DAYS
In the
event of inclement weather, do NOT assume that the studio will be
closed. Call me to find out if lessons will be
offered that day.
PROBATION
If a
student is put on probation,
it will be for a period of one month. If the situation does not
improve within that time frame, the student will be dismissed. Any
pre-paid fees will not be reimbursed.
Situations where a student
may be put on probation include, but are not limited to:
-
Behavior
or language that is inappropriate or distracting during lesson time.
-
Not
meeting the practice requirements.
-
Mistreating
equipment or materials in the studio.
-
Being
disrespectful to teachers and/or other students.
-
Purposely
interfering with the normal activities of other tenants in the building.
-
Vandalism.
-
More
than two no-shows in a semester.
-
Paying
late two times in a semester.
-
No-showing
for a recital.
-
Not returning borrowed materials in a timely manner.
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.