Studio Policies
Please attend all lessons and take detailed notes or listen intently so as to be an effective home teacher. The parent who will be practicing with the child that week should be the one attending lessons. It is the responsibility of the parent to understand the assignments to learn how to best guide home practice
Do not interfere with the lessons. However tempting it may be to remind your child of something you worked on at home but seems to be forgotten now, this can be humiliating for the child and can disrupt the flow of the lesson. I promise I have noticed the problem but am waiting for an appropriate time to address it.
Play the recordings daily. Make sure the CD is available at all opportunities that might arise (car, playtime, bedtime, during homework, etc.). This is a major responsibility for parents because students will not do it on their own.
Organize the home practice and set aside daily time for that purpose. Practice should be part of a regular routine, like brushing teeth. Practice can be broken up in intervals throughout the day. Remember, Dr. Suzuki said, “You only have to practice on the days that you eat.” I don’t know anyone who can’t squeeze in at least 15 minutes to practice per day. A general rule of thumb would be: Twinkles: 10 min./day, Book 1: 15 to 30 min., Books 2 and 3: 30 min., Books 4 and 5: 45 min., Books 6 and above: 1 hour or more.
Attend and participate in group lessons and recitals. Group lessons are a required part of the Suzuki Method.
Have a realistic expectation of progress and instill in the child that consistent effort, love for music, and attitude are more valuable than going quickly from piece to piece. Try to discourage your child from comparing themselves with the progress of other students.
Be positive, encouraging, and excited about small achievements, never sarcastic or humiliating. Try to make a positive attitude one of the skills to practice for you and your child.
Arrive 5 minutes before the lesson so that your child can go to the bathroom, etc., and so that the lesson may begin on time.
Attend lots of performances! Be exposed to great music! Seattle Symphony, for example, has a great website.
Maintain instrument so that it is in good condition at all times, and purchase/rent supplies promptly. (I highly recommend Hammond Ashley Violin Shop in Issaquah. Please note that it’s always less expensive to buy outright and trade up rather than to rent).
Keep nails trimmed.
Bring all necessary materials to all lessons. Lesson bags are great to keep everything organized (books, shoulder rests, etc.).
I need only to make up lessons I cancel. Under no circumstances am I obligated or expected to make up lessons missed by the student or parent. Please, no exceptions, except for absolute emergencies. With so many students it quickly becomes an unmanageable situation. I have a “Free Group Lessons, No Make-Up Lessons” Policy. (Please see detailed explanation sheet if you want further information). Only lessons missed by myself will be rescheduled. In the event that I have to cancel any lessons, I will make up those lessons at your earliest convenience.
Siblings are welcome to come to lessons if they can entertain themselves and be quiet. They must not be distracting to the parent, teacher, student, or others in the studio.
Parents are strongly encouraged to develop a better understanding of Talent Education. Dr. Suzuki’s books, “Nurtured by Love,” and “Ability Develop From Age Zero,” provide a good introduction, and there are many other books and resources available.
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend a Suzuki Institute during the summer. We have one of the best right here in Seattle! They are for all ages and levels, and are taught by some of the nation’s foremost teachers. They are also a wonderful motivation for your child.
Generally speaking, please no more than approximately 6 weeks vacation per year from lessons. I will take off 2 weeks for Christmas and 1 week for Spring Break. I also usually take off at least 1 or 2 weeks during the summer. Learning to play an instrument is a fine motor skill and much is lost if too much time is taken off. I do teach year-round, including some Monday holidays and winter breaks.
Do not interfere with the lessons. However tempting it may be to remind your child of something you worked on at home but seems to be forgotten now, this can be humiliating for the child and can disrupt the flow of the lesson. I promise I have noticed the problem but am waiting for an appropriate time to address it.
Play the recordings daily. Make sure the CD is available at all opportunities that might arise (car, playtime, bedtime, during homework, etc.). This is a major responsibility for parents because students will not do it on their own.
Organize the home practice and set aside daily time for that purpose. Practice should be part of a regular routine, like brushing teeth. Practice can be broken up in intervals throughout the day. Remember, Dr. Suzuki said, “You only have to practice on the days that you eat.” I don’t know anyone who can’t squeeze in at least 15 minutes to practice per day. A general rule of thumb would be: Twinkles: 10 min./day, Book 1: 15 to 30 min., Books 2 and 3: 30 min., Books 4 and 5: 45 min., Books 6 and above: 1 hour or more.
Attend and participate in group lessons and recitals. Group lessons are a required part of the Suzuki Method.
Have a realistic expectation of progress and instill in the child that consistent effort, love for music, and attitude are more valuable than going quickly from piece to piece. Try to discourage your child from comparing themselves with the progress of other students.
Be positive, encouraging, and excited about small achievements, never sarcastic or humiliating. Try to make a positive attitude one of the skills to practice for you and your child.
Arrive 5 minutes before the lesson so that your child can go to the bathroom, etc., and so that the lesson may begin on time.
Attend lots of performances! Be exposed to great music! Seattle Symphony, for example, has a great website.
Maintain instrument so that it is in good condition at all times, and purchase/rent supplies promptly. (I highly recommend Hammond Ashley Violin Shop in Issaquah. Please note that it’s always less expensive to buy outright and trade up rather than to rent).
Keep nails trimmed.
Bring all necessary materials to all lessons. Lesson bags are great to keep everything organized (books, shoulder rests, etc.).
I need only to make up lessons I cancel. Under no circumstances am I obligated or expected to make up lessons missed by the student or parent. Please, no exceptions, except for absolute emergencies. With so many students it quickly becomes an unmanageable situation. I have a “Free Group Lessons, No Make-Up Lessons” Policy. (Please see detailed explanation sheet if you want further information). Only lessons missed by myself will be rescheduled. In the event that I have to cancel any lessons, I will make up those lessons at your earliest convenience.
Siblings are welcome to come to lessons if they can entertain themselves and be quiet. They must not be distracting to the parent, teacher, student, or others in the studio.
Parents are strongly encouraged to develop a better understanding of Talent Education. Dr. Suzuki’s books, “Nurtured by Love,” and “Ability Develop From Age Zero,” provide a good introduction, and there are many other books and resources available.
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend a Suzuki Institute during the summer. We have one of the best right here in Seattle! They are for all ages and levels, and are taught by some of the nation’s foremost teachers. They are also a wonderful motivation for your child.
Generally speaking, please no more than approximately 6 weeks vacation per year from lessons. I will take off 2 weeks for Christmas and 1 week for Spring Break. I also usually take off at least 1 or 2 weeks during the summer. Learning to play an instrument is a fine motor skill and much is lost if too much time is taken off. I do teach year-round, including some Monday holidays and winter breaks.