Term and Lessons
The term runs for the full year, with a one-week Winter Break and one to two weeks Summer Break in accordance with the typical academic calendar year. The studio may close for a one-week Spring Break.
Lessons are conducted on a weekly basis unless otherwise arranged.
Attendance
1)Make-up lessons are not available in last minute cases of excess homework, rescheduled sports practices, other school activities, medical appointment, or other personal matters.
2) Although it is not guaranteed always, switching lesson time is available through advance notice of minimum of 48 hours before your regular lesson time. This will be only offered if the teacher can find another available time or another student who is willing to switch.
Tuition
1) Tuition is paid on a monthly basis by the first week of each month.
2) A fee of $10.00 is charged for late payments received after the 2nd lesson of the month.
3) A fee of $25.00 is charged for returned checks.
Termination of the lessons
A minimum of one month notice will be deemed proper notice. All unpaid fees will need to be paid in full on the final lesson day.
Practice Guidelines
Practice is essential to obtain the maximum benefit from each lesson. Students are encouraged to establish a regular daily practice time, five days a week. Parental involvement is particularly critical for young students. Parents should help their children organize daily practice sessions, manage time, and keep practice times positive and free from disruption. For children ages under 6, the teacher will reserve 5 minutes at the end of each lesson to review the weekly assignment with the parent.
Conference
Should there be any questions or concerns to be discussed, parents are welcome to send emails. If not a serious matter, parent can have a mini conferance with the teacher during the last 5-10 minutes of the lesson time but need to be informed about it before the lesson time begins.
Enrichment programs
Certificate of Merit
Although it is not required or perferred by me, the CM program is offered to students by the MTAC. It provides the opportunity to be evaluated in the areas of performance, sight reading, memory, technique, theory, and ear training. Evaluation and testing day is held at a local College in early spring (usually March), with registration in the fall. Honor students will be recognized with an extra seal, and qualifying high school seniors receive medallions.
Recitals
Recital performance is an important goal that builds confidence and self-esteem as well as moves the student to advancement. The annual studio recital is held at a local performance center.
The recitals sponsored by MTAC (Music Teachers Association of California) are also offered 3 to 4 times throughout the school year.
Studio Classes / Group performances
In addition to regular lessons, the participating students for certain competition/festival will be gathered together to perform and offer constructive comments to each other. This is designed to be a so called “practice performance” to prepare each participants for the real performance.
Competitions/ Festivals
Students with more serious intension on their music study are recommended to participate in some of the competitions/festivals throughout the year. In the process of preparation for the competition, extra lessons may be scheduled in addition to the regular lessons. Following are some of the local/state competitions.
1. SCJBF (Southern California Jr. Bach festival) – both the branch and regional (March-May)
2. WLA MTAC branch : Concerto competition (January)
3. SYMF (Southwestern Youth Music Festival) – between July-August
4. CAPMT (California Association of Professional Music Teachers) — Contemporary festival (November), Sonatina/sonata festival (March), Romantic festival (May), Concerto Competition (Dec).
5. MTAC (Music Teachers Association of California) Solo/Concerto Competition (March – April)
6. Antelope Valley Symphony Orchestra and Master Choral Bach Competition, Concerto Competition (January)
7. Kathryn Gawartin Chopin Competition (April)