SCHEDULE

Music Lessons are available year round:

• Fall Semester: September 1^st through January 31^st

• Spring Semester: February 1^st through June 30^th

• Summer Session: July 1^st through August 31^st

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.