Studio Information

 Policy for beginners and new students

All new students whether beginners or not, need to listen to the Suzuki Piano Vol. 1 recordings as often as possible for 2 weeks before lessons start.  This way the music is in their ear before we start playing it on the piano. Suzuki Piano volumes 1-7 can be bought from iTunes. They are also on the cds that come with the books.  I suggest getting all 7 volumes so that there’s listening variety and the students can have an ideal to aim for.

The Suzuki Triangle of Parent, Child and Teacher is very important for the success of the child.

This is what shocks parents most! “What?  I have to be at the lesson and take notes?”  Yes!! By being at the lesson, you are  being trained on being the home practice coach. During lessons and practice, by stopping and listening, you are showing your child that piano is important to you, making it important for them.

Don’t worry, I’ll help you!

I’ll teach you how to set up for success in home practice

• What to practice and how often
• How to set up the environment:
  • At the piano, posture, seat height, hand and feet placement
  • Away from the piano, listening to the recordings
• Communication during practice
• On-going parent education

All lessons start and end with a bow.  This is the way we show respect for each other.

“One point” lesson.  Each piece has one point to work at for the week, building up on previous points.

Practice

“Review, review, review!” Just as babies learn to say “Mama” and “No!” by repeating, so do our young musicians grow. Always review earlier pieces/books. One can always improve… tone production, articulation of playing, expression, etc.

Practice Mindset

1. You don’t have to practice long hours in order to make significant results in your playing. Incremental progress over time, working on the correct things in the most efficient way is best.
2. Perfection is the enemy of Progress Don’t get stuck in the perfectionist mindset.
3. The Simple stuff is the BIG stuff. If you learn one practice box in one practice session, that’s great day’s work!

Recitals

It is important for the children to share their talents, practicing love in action.

There are 3 recitals in the year:

Fall/Winter

Valentine’s/Spring

End of Year, Formal

There’s also Guild Auditions for those who are interested.

Studio Policy, Terms and Agreement

Lessons

STudio@MariePark is a year-round music school that caters towards aspiring musicians of all skill levels through private piano lessons and supporting group lessons. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our students through music and in turn enrich the lives of those with whom they come in contact throughout their lives. This is done through using the Suzuki Method as defined by the Suzuki Association of the Americas. All teachers at STudio@MariePark are certified by the Suzuki Association of the Americas (or other Suzuki approved organizations) to teach using the Suzuki Method.

Throughout this agreement,

1. the student receiving lessons is referred to as “student”
2. the parent or guardian of the student is referred to as “parent”
3. The STudio@MariePark is referred to as “Studio”

For the success of the student:

The Student agrees to

1. Be respectful and attentive to the teacher at lessons and other activities related to the Studio.
2. Be prepared for lessons by regularly listening to the recordings and by fulfilling the practice assignment
3. Be respectful to their parents and other students in the class

 The Parent agrees to

1. Attend all classes if the child is under 13
2. Take notes during class of what needs to be practiced, if the child is under 13 and/or cannot take notes for themselves.
3. Be respectful of the teacher’s role as teacher during class and respect her methodology
4. Arrange for and ensure times of regular practice before the next lesson, this includes listening to the required audio recordings.

The teacher agrees to

1. Teach for student’s success, making every effort to help the student understand and execute concepts, and thus make practice assignments achievable.
2. Be respectful to student and parent during lessons
3. Receive ongoing professional development to ensure excellence in teaching.

Payment

Payment is due in advance, at the beginning of the month. This agreement is for 15 lessons per semester, paid by equal monthly installments, or per semester or per two semesters. If the student starts lessons after the semester has begun, fees are prorated accordingly.

Fees (2022-223)

There are a total of 27 lessons from September to May, 30 minutes per lesson. Fees are prorated depending on when a child starts lessons

Per lesson                        $37 + 7.8% tax

Monthly Installments      $110/month + 7.8% tax

One semester                    5% discount

Two semesters                  10% discount

Summer                          $198 + 7.8% tax (6 lessons) (10% discount)

Group                             $20 per month (This is extra theory, depending on availability

Recital                            $20 per recital per family

*Monthly fees are considered installment payments.

**Please feel free to discuss other payment arrangements as needed.

Cancellation Policy

24 hour notice of cancellation, except in the case of illness when less than 24 hour notice is acceptable.

Make-Up Policy

 Make-up is dependent on availability.  Days have also been allotted for make-ups on the calendar.  (Refer to Calendar in Studio Information)

Same Day Cancellations and No Call, No Show

The fee for a no-call-no-show or cancellation within 24 hours of scheduled time slot (except in the case of illness) will be the full amount of the lesson and will not be eligible for a make-up lesson.

Disenrollment

Temporary – Within Billing Cycle

If you must cancel or postpone your enrollment within the semester, kindly give us 2 weeks’ notice before your last session.  With this notice, each session remaining in the current billing period after your last session will be marked for a make-up session to be scheduled.  Your time slot will not be guaranteed, however, we will do our best to find an ideal time as soon as you are ready to start back up.  These make-up sessions will remain on file for future use and will not expire for a full year.  Refunds for canceled sessions will not be issued.

Permanent Disenrollment

If you must cancel or postpone your enrollment in its entirety, kindly give us two weeks’ notice before your last session.  With this notice, each session remaining in the current billing period after your two weeks’ notice will be deleted and credit for prepaid sessions will be put on file for future use or refunded.

Non-recurring Sessions

 Require 48 hours; notice to cancel.  With 48 hours’ notice we will gladly reschedule your session at a later date for no additional fee.  Anything less than 48 hours’ notice will result in that session being forfeited.  Refunds for canceled sessions will not be issued.

Learning Materials

Suzuki Piano Method, International Version and the supporting recordings are the required lessons material.  The appropriate level book should be brought to every class. 

Recommended:  Music Mind Games Puppy Packet https://www.musicmindgames.com/store/sets/puppy-packet-0

Music Equipment

An acoustic piano, regularly tuned.   Footrest and booster seat as appropriate.  88 Keys has a rent to own program where families can purchase a new or used piano at very reasonable rates. Please mention Angelica Plass as referral.

Practice Expectations

Students will be given a homework assignment at the end of a lesson. Each student will be expected to complete their assignment prior to their next lesson.  We are available by email or telephone in the event a student or parent should require help/clarification. Specific practicing requirements will be provided as a means to develop each student’s skill level.  However, each student is encouraged to practice for a minimum of one hour and forty-five minutes each week (15 min/day, or three 5-minute practices per day.) Given the Suzuki Method’s emphasis on listening, equivalent time in actively listening is considered a practice session.

Waiver and Liability Indemnification

PARENT AND STUDENT HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, DISCHARGES AND COVENANTS NOT TO SUE STUDIO@MARIEPARK, ITS OWNERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES (“RELEASEES”) FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATED TO, STUDENT’S PARTICIPATION IN STUDIO ON-SITE, OFF-SITE OR ON-LINE LESSONS, EVENTS, OR ACTIVITIES, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT OR TORT.

PARENT AND STUDENT AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD HARMLESS THE RELEASEES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, ATTORNEY’S FEES COSTS, AND PARTICIPATION IN STUDIO@MARIEPARK ARISING OUT OF STUDENT’S PARTICIPATION IN STUDIO@MARIEPARK PROGRAMS.

“To make a resolution and act accordingly is to live with hope. There may be difficulties and hardships, but not disappointment or despair if you follow the path steadily. Do not hurry. This is a fundamental rule. If you hurry and collapse or tumble down, nothing is achieved. DO not rest in your efforts; this is another fundamental rule. Without stopping, without haste, carefully taking a step at a time forward will surely get you there.” 
― Shinichi Suzuki, Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education