Policy

Policy Letter

Practice at home is essential for learning to play any instrument. Parents need to help, encourage, and remind daily. A good routine usually works best. Discuss with the student and the other family members as to the time that works best for all concerned. No one likes to practice all of the time. All of us, including myself, have difficulty getting into it. However, it is much more difficult if several days go by without anything done on it. A consistent daily session works best. Daily practice is ideal and should be the norm, however I understand that life doesn’t always allow that to happen. On tough weeks or in special circumstances, make a point to practice, even if it is only for 15 minutes. PLEASE record and listen to your practice, I really encourage all my students to become their own teacher I believe that we as musicians must be able to criticize our work and improve from our own mistakes.

Daily practice time:

Beginner 30 min.
Intermediate 60-90 min.
Advanced: 2 – 3 hours.

* Students may be asked to send a recorded of excerpt/piece they are working on.

A good musical environment is the best help you can give yourself. Listening to the repertoire will help put your mind in the context of the cello. Listening is especially good for the days when you’re super busy and can’t possibly practice. However, this doesn’t replace practicing; it makes practicing easier. Make sure your practice environment is clean, rid of distractions, and conducive to hard work. A messy bedroom, TV in the background, loud conversation in the other room, etc. will make practice frustrating. Try to attend as many classical music concerts as possible and listen to as many records as you can every day.

Payments.

A monthly invoice will be sent to remind you of your tuition payment. Lesson fees are payable monthly on the first lesson of the month. Skype, Facetime or video consultation are available when required (no extra fee). A $5 fee will be applied to late payments. Payments that have not been received within 5 calendar days of the due date may result in the student’s next lesson being cancelled and forfeited. In the event that a check does not clear, the student agrees to pay the amount owed, any bank fees that the teacher incurred as a result. Payments can be made by check, cash, or through electronic banking options (such as Chase QuickPay, Zelle, etc.).
There are no additional fees for recitals halls rent but the student is responsible to pay for the piano accompanist. There may be additional fees for festivals, competitions and other optional events. Event fees are nonrefundable. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure adequate preparation for each event. The teacher reserves the right to establish event criteria, performance readiness criteria and the ability to withdraw a student from an event.

Lessons, festivals, recitals, competitions, tests or any other events.

Weekly individual lessons are recommended and consistent preparation for lessons is expected. Please whenever is possible play by memory.
Equipment required for lessons:
Cello and bow
Rosin
Pencil
Notebook
Theory Book
Metronome
Tuner
Cello endpin anchor
Students and those attending lessons, recitals, competitions, or other events through The Cello Studio or other hosting organization, agree to hold harmless Laura Azuaje, the property owners of The Cello Studio and/or owners and operators of other related venues and functions from any and all liability pertaining to but not limited to physical, personal, emotional injury and/or property damage.
If a student, student’s sibling(s), or parents cause damage to The Cello Studio of Laura Azuaje property or to other venues/property during events, the parents agree to pay for the damage.

Missing lessons.

“No Shows” will not be made up or credited.
Unless illness or in emergency cases, lessons changes or cancellations shall be communicated at least 24 hours in advance; otherwise it will be considered a “No Show”.
First lesson missed during the school year, could be use it as a credit for next month or don’t pay it at all, after that if you know in advance that you will miss the lesson or you cancel the lesson 24 hours prior, you will have the following options:

A.- Make up during any day of the week if the teacher has an opening (please check Studio Calendar in My Music Staff for openings ).

B.- Student may Swap, lesson times (i.e. switch days/times with another student) instead of canceling. This will be coordinated and planned by the students, not the teacher. In the event of a swap with another student, the teacher must be notified prior to the start of the lesson.

C.- Make-up the lesson during the make up days that will be post it in the calendar.

Sibling share/swap: Families with multiple children taking lessons may “share or swap” lessons between siblings. For instance, one sibling may take an extra lesson from another sibling who is unable to attend; the sibling would take the lesson during the normally scheduled day and time. This does not count as a cancelled lesson.
Cases of extended illness or family emergency will be handled on a case by case basis.
If a student arrives late for a lesson, the student will receive instruction for the remainder of the scheduled lesson only. Your lesson may be “sandwiched” between other students’ lessons and flexibility to extend your lesson time may not be available. I suggest each student aim to arrive 5 minutes early and tune the cello to A = 440 Hz. Don’t hesitate to softly knock on the door to let me know you’re waiting.
Please do not come to your lesson sick. If you are too ill for school/work, you are too ill for a music lesson.
Any lesson that the teacher miss will be made up.
After scheduling a make up, if the student doesn’t show up to the lesson, they will loose the make up lesson credit.
Lessons credits for make up will expire two days after the school year end.
In the event that Katy ISD schools are closed or close early due to weather conditions, lessons for that day will be cancelled. If a student is a student of another school district and that district closes but KISD is open, that student’s lesson will be cancelled if the parent notifies the teacher and requests cancellation. The cancelled lessons will be made up.

Note: Please remember that your music education is important and regular attendance needs to be a priority.

5.- Holidays.

During holidays, parents will let the teacher know if they want to take or skip the lesson. If you decide to skip it, you won’t pay for it. If the student wants to take the lesson during a holiday, we can coordinate and may have to change lesson time. We will follow the holidays that are in the Katy ISD Calendar, please let me know about any other holiday that you celebrate.

Teacher brakes during the school year (no lessons will be taught).

Thanksgiving (Thursday)

December 24-26 and December 30 – January 1

Good Friday.

Although unlikely, this schedule may be changed by the teacher. Always reference the studio calendar online through My Music Staff for the most updated calendar.

Recitals.

Everyone is expected to play in at least one recital a year. Recital dates will be announced at the beginning of each the school year.

Conflicts/Problems.

Conflicts are a natural part of life and any educational endeavor. Open communication is strongly encouraged and appreciated between the student, parent and teacher. Any conflicts or problems that may arise in the course of the year should immediately be brought to my attention. I am easy to work with and always want to help and improve! Parent conferences or consultations with or without the student can be arranged in lieu of a lesson if the parent and/or I feel it is necessary for the education of their child.

Lesson Cancellation.

I work very hard for each student and when this amount of work is not reflected by a student’s commitment, it is very disappointing. Therefore, I must reserve the right to discontinue any student who does not exhibit sufficient interest to progress. This may reveal itself as irregular attendance, repeated failure to prepare assigned material, or inappropriate behavior during the lessons. A 30-day trial period following a student/parent/teacher conference will precede termination of lessons. If you elect to end lessons, a 30-day notice must be given and you will be financially responsible for that month’s tuition. Please understand that I grow much attached to my students and would like to have an opportunity to end well with them. In this way, I teach respect, responsibility, and follow-through to my students.

*Phone calls, text messages, and e-mails will not be accepted as a form of withdrawal, or break.

Instruments & Supplies.

It is important to have instruments that are in good playing condition. Bows should be rehaired and strings changed at least once a year. Those students who practice every day will need to do this more often. Every student should carry an extra set of new strings in case a string break. When you look for stores, you have to include in your research if the staff has qualified string musicians, they can help you to choose the right instrument. Please check carefully the rent policy before renting an instrument and the quality and price of the full size instruments.

Summer Vacation.

All students will pay in advance on or before June 1 for 4 summer lessons in order to maintain a spot in the studio throughout the summer and into the fall. Students may request additional summer lessons. Weekly lessons are highly encouraged. Students are expected to practice throughout the summer.

Rescheduling Summer Lessons: Students may cancel or request to change/reschedule one scheduled lesson in the summer with less than 48 hours notice. Students may reschedule or change additional summer lessons with 48 hours notice. Note: Whenever is possible assist to summer camps.