Karen Caldwell Music

Student Expectations

• Students are responsible for bringing ALL music and lesson assignment books to each lesson.
• Students are expected to be respectful.
• Drinks with lids or caps are allowed in the studio as long as they are placed away from the piano and do not distract from the lesson. Finish snacks before you arrive and wash your hands if they are sticky.
• Each student is responsible for practicing at least 3-4 days a week.
• Students are expected to use their assignment book when practicing.
• Practice time should focus on achieving goals set forth for the week and covering assignments for the week. Practice is not mindless repetition! You should use as much or as little time as needed to work on and master tasks that were discussed during the weekly lesson.
• It is best for a student to practice within 18-24 hrs after the lesson.
• Slow practice is GOOD! Metronomes are your friend!
• The study of music is rewarding and enjoyable, but it is also requires work!
• Each Student is a unique individual. I strive to adapt my teaching to each student's individual needs and I wish to develop each student's individual interests. Methods of teaching, repertoire, and technical exercises will vary for each student.
• Students will move along as quickly as the assigned material is sufficiently mastered.

Parent Expectations

• Parents are expected to take an active role in the child's music education. Show interest and supervise practice. I love for parents to sit in on lessons as well!
• Be positive! After your child has played a piece, say "Oh I liked that one, play it again!" It's also good to know when your child might need a practice break.
• Help your child find a scheduled practice time that is consistent (i.e. in the morning before school, just before/after dinner or homework)
• Communicate with me about your child's lessons and at home practice. We are a team!

Prices/Payment Information

Monthly tuition is as follows:

Make up lessons

Due to my full teaching schedule, I do not have a lot of room for make-ups and rescheduling of lessons. Please use your best judgement and do not ask to reschedule a lesson unless absolutely necessary.

**Please let me know as far ahead of time as possible if you have to miss your regularly scheduled lesson.**

Make-ups/Rescheduling will be allowed for the following:

• Sickness
• Family Emergency/Death
• Out of town trips
• Conflicting school/organization activities

• No call/ No Show
• Missing a scheduled make-up lesson
• Contacting me after the start time of your lesson to report your absence
• Forgetting your lesson

Weather Policy

In the event of snow, a decision will be made by 1:00pm whether or not we will have lessons that day. Do not assume that just because the schools are closed, that you will not have lessons. Often the snow that causes a school closing is completely melted by the afternoon. However, you will never be expected to attend lessons by driving in hazardous conditions. The main deciding factor will be if the roads are clear and the hill coming into our neighborhood is passable. Please watch for contact from me if we have snow on your lesson day.

Bonus Week

This week at the end of May is not included in the monthly tuition. Its main purpose is for catching up make-up lessons before summer begins. If you do not require any make-ups, you may come for an extra lesson that week and have "one-in-the-bag" to go towards a summer lesson or an absence in the fall semester. You also have the option of taking that week off with no penalty.

House Rules

• Please enter no more than 5 minutes before your lesson time.
• If I am with a student, you may just knock and then enter the house.
• You may wait in the dining room (right off of the entry) or the living room.
  • Remember that this is a home and my family is present. Please be respectful of their space.
  • The living room/kitchen is the "family zone". It is okay to wait there while your child has a lesson, but please understand it may not be tidy or quiet. The boys enjoy their playmates and visitors.
• Please remove shoes at the door on rain or snow days.

Recital

There will be a Spring and Fall recital each semester with extra performance opportunities available on an optional basis. Recitals are an integral part of learning an instrument as well as a celebration of each students' accomplishments and participation in these events is expected.

Federation Festival/KMTA Auditions

These optional events offer the opportunity to polish 2-3 pieces to a high-performance level and then receive feedback from another teaching professional. Participants will receive comments on their playing as well as a rating. Requirements for each event vary and I am happy to offer more information on each. Generally, younger students begin with festival as it is the most accessible and then move into KMTA as they advance. Once a student has reached the appropriate level to participate, I will offer these events each year. Both occur in the Spring.

Summer Lessons

Students are required to take 4 lessons during the month of June and July in order to retain their fall time slot. Learning an instrument is an ongoing process and taking off for the entire summer brings the risk of regression. This can lead to a lot of frustration and discouragement for a student who returns in August and has to review/relearn concepts that were covered in the Spring. Even if students are playing at their lesson and not getting a lot of time to practice at home, they are at the very least maintaining their knowledge. On the flip side of that, some students are able to practice even more during the summer months and have much progression in their playing. This plan allows us to keep lessons going during the summer months, but still give both myself and the students a break.

Dismissal and Probation

Students may be dismissed for any of the following reasons:

• Repeated failure to attend lessons
• Repeated failure to prepare for lessons.
• Behavior or attitude problems.