Private Lessons Policy
Welcome to the Donnell Flute Studio! I am thrilled to offer private lessons to help you along your journey of self-discovery, growth, and love for music! Below you will find my flute lessons policy.
Rates:
$40/60 - minute lesson
$30/30 - minute lesson
Payment Methods: Payments are due before each lesson, and can be sent via Venmo, Paypal, cash, or check. Parents are encouraged to pay for lessons in advance.
Frequency of Lessons: It is easy to forget what happened in a lesson, especially if a lot of time has gone by. Because students need regular reinforcement and continuity, weekly lessons are highly recommended.
Number of Lessons: During the Fall and Spring, there will be a total of 14 lessons. During the Summer, there will be a total of 10 lessons.
Pianist: If the student is performing a piece that is accompanied, the Parent/Guardian is responsible for paying all pianist fees. At the beginning of each semester, I will provide a list of pianists that you can contact. When contacting the pianist, send them a scan of the piano part and ask for their rates, sometimes, they do not charge as much if the level of the piece is easy. Please make sure they are also available during our scheduled flute lesson. The student is required to rehearse with their pianist at least two times before the end-of-semester performance.
2. Cancellation: Please contact me as soon as you find out that you cannot attend a lesson via email, text message, or call.
More than 24 hours' notice: I will offer you a make-up lesson later in the semester.
Less than 24 hours notice: Payment will still be due for that lesson. However, if there is an emergency, payment will not be required; this includes the following reasons: Bad weather, illness, or family emergency. In this case, I will offer you a make-up lesson later in the semester.
Running late: If you are more than 10 minutes late to our scheduled lesson, the lesson will be canceled and payment for that lesson will still be due.
No show: If the student does not contact me and does not arrive for our scheduled lesson, payment will still be due for that lesson and will not be rescheduled for another time.
Canceling permanently: If the student or guardian wishes to permanently cancel flute lessons at any time, I request a 1-week notice so that I may have time to adjust my schedule accordingly.
When canceling lessons, please do not feel guilty or apologetic! There are multiple reasons to cancel permanently; I will never be offended!
3. Expectations for Students:
Required Materials:
Flute/Cleaning cloth/Rod
Tuner/Metronome (TonalEnergy is recommended)
1-inch binder/5 tabs
Assigned repertoire/warm-ups/etudes/etc.
Refer every day to your practice log for specific goals and assignments.
Keep all music and practice logs organized in your binder, this keeps you organized!
Parents of younger children (K-6) are encouraged to attend all lessons, as well as take notes to assist students when practicing at home.
Practice every day and log your progress in the practice log. Times will vary for each student.
4. Practicing Requirements:
Learning an instrument is very different from other types of activities; it is self-directed. There is no scheduled practice time, like in sports or drama. To truly see progress, students must plan practice in their schedules.
Lessons are a time to work with me on what the student has been doing throughout the week. If they do not spend that time practicing, we will make slow progress. If it becomes too difficult for a student to schedule practice time, we can discuss if lessons are a right fit at this time.
5. Expectations for Parents/Guardians:
Please purchase all music in a timely manner.
Arrive to lessons on time.
Communicate with me if any questions or concerns arise in you or your child at any step in the learning process.
Most importantly, please encourage your child to practice at home. Allow them the time and space needed to progress, and give them positive reinforcement on their progress.
I am always available to discuss something that is going on in your child’s life and will always remain sympathetic and supportive.
6. During Lessons:
Please put cell phones in airplane mode.
If you arrive during another student’s lesson, please come in quietly with your music and flute already assembled.
If you are sick or feeling symptoms, please do not arrive to lessons. This is an excused absence, so please contact me and we will reschedule.
If there are any questions regarding my studio policy, please do not hesitate to contact me!