|
|
||
|
Neil Bakshi’s Violin Studio Policies September 2008 |
||
|
To my students and their parents,
I am keeping my policies the same as they were last year. This includes payment schedule, payment rate, and scheduling policies. I appreciate everyone upholding and following them as they are. What I try to do is match the relaxed attitude I like to have in the studio with a seriousness that’s necessary for any kind of lessons. I think that these policies have greatly improved the quality of playing in the studio, and I am very happy with everyone’s skills! I haven’t ever been this proud of my studio before! The payment schedule is by semester, rather than by the month. One reason for this is to keep book-keeping and scheduling simpler between us. But a more important reason is to make sure that attendance is consistent over a long period of time. If you come consistently to lessons for the whole year, you’ll find that your progress will reflect it, and you’ll be getting more than your money’s worth in improvement. Of course, the flip side is that I only teach in my home studio on Saturdays, which are sometimes filled with other activities. I’ll still try to be as accommodating as I can about changing lesson times, but since it’s one day a week, “make-ups” are impossible. Please consider carefully the time of your lesson. It is best if the lesson time is one that doesn’t need to be changed, not only for convenience, but also to help give the lessons a peaceful and secure feeling. This is very important for learning. We will have two studio recitals this year, just like last year. Because my schedules at the two music schools are not yet established, I can’t give you the dates right now; however, you will soon have dates, times, and locations for both the recitals. Everyone must perform! It’s fun, and it makes you better. In addition, because you are my students, many opportunities are available to you to perform in the surrounding community, including the Greater Philadelphia Suzuki Association, of which I am a board member, and other musical events. I will keep you well informed of these performing opportunities as they become available. I believe these policies are the best for us. What’s most important is consistency of effort over a long period of time. Learning music is like an investment in oneself; it gives you something you can enjoy.
Thanks!
Neil Bakshi
Click to jump to:
Payment and Scheduled Absences: Payment will be in advance for a three-month period. Students are expected to come to every lesson during this period. In order to accommodate conflicts in advance, each student will get up to three planned absences for each payment period. These planned absences will be discussed at the time of the advance payment and subtracted from the check. All other lessons must be attended. No other absences beside those subtracted from the check will be credited or made up. Once a payment is made in advance for a semester, it is final. We can work to change to a different time on the same day, but we cannot move the lesson to a different day. Payments should be made before the first lesson of the semester, except for September’s payment, which may be brought to the first lesson or mailed. All payments should be by check. Payment will be calculated according to the length of the lessons and the number of lessons in the semester. These payments will include participation in two studio recitals during the year.
The payment periods: September 6 to December 20 January 3 to March 28 April 4 to June 13 (11 weeks)
Due Dates for payments: Fall = September 6; Winter = December 20; Spring = March 28
Sanctity of Lesson Times: All lessons are on Saturdays. Because Saturday is sometimes filled with activities, I will do my best to make sure that everyone gets a lesson time that is optimal for their personal schedules. This is usually earlier in the day, so I will try to offer people the earliest available time. Lesson times may be changed if it is necessary to ensure attendance. However, it is best if this is done as far in advance as possible. This is so that someone else might be able to use your old time if they’re having a similar situation. Also, I urge you to please request time changes in person or by phone. (E-mail is not reliable enough.) If you would like to switch lesson times with another student, you may work it out between yourselves and let me know of the change in person or by phone. I will post the lesson times on my web site, so that you can refer to it and judge whether there is an available time that you would like to switch to. Changed times are first-come, first-serve. Please don’t assume that I’m aware of a proposed change unless you hear confirmation from me. Although I am willing to work with you regarding conflicts with lesson times, I strongly urge you to choose a time that will stay the same throughout the year. As I mentioned on the first page, it’s very important to give the lessons a peaceful and secure feeling. The more sanctity we have in our environment, the more we will learn. Another reason not to change lesson times too often is to keep your teacher from making mistakes! If I become confused and forgetful, scheduling problems may develop.
Priorities for Scheduling: Priorities will be very simple: current students who wish to keep their current time will be first priority, and will not have to worry about their time being given away. Anyone who wishes to change their time, and new students entering the schedule, will be considered on a first-come basis along with everyone else. The priorities are:
1) Current students who wish to keep their lesson time. 2) Brand-new students, and anyone wishing to make a change.
Again, please do not assume that your request is final until you hear confirmation from me.
Student’s Responsibilities:
• Behave well during lessons. Be respectful of the teacher and the parent! • Pay attention and try your best at what I ask you to do. • Ask me questions if there’s anything you don’t understand. • Practice at home every day. In general, your practice time should last as long as your lesson time. But you should really practice until you get everything right. • Listen to recordings of the piece you’re working on and other music to help yourself gain musical understanding and develop your ear. • Take good care of your instrument! • Bring all materials to the lesson. This is your responsibility, not Mom’s or Dad’s. • Let me know about any problems.
Parent’s Responsibilities:
• Until the student is old enough (we will discuss), attend every lesson to ensure consistency between the lesson and home practice. Taking notes is always a plus. • Until the student is old enough (we will discuss), practice with the student at home every day. • During lessons, demonstrate respectful behavior that the student can learn from. (Remember, though they’d never admit it, they do look up to you.) • Help me in teaching the student the importance of consistent and quality practice (a long-term process) by explaining it outside of the lesson. • Do what is necessary to arrive on time. • Do what is necessary to take proper care of the instrument. This includes changing strings and re-hairing the bow, and possibly other minor details. • Judge appropriately whether or not younger siblings are mature enough to come to the lesson, and do what is necessary to keep them quiet if they misbehave. • Let me know about any problems.
Teacher’s Responsibilities:
• Give every student the best lesson possible. This includes putting forth effort during the lesson, and preparing for each lesson to ensure the time is well spent. • Teach the student and parent about the proper ways to practice, and the importance of consistent practice. • Teach the student and parent about how to care for the instrument. • Notify the student and parent about musical events in the surrounding community. • Update the web site to keep people informed in a way that is easily accessible. • Maintain a positive and comfortable environment.
BACK TO HOME BACK TO HOME STUDENTS PAGE
© 2008 Neil Bakshi |