Studio Policies

STUDIO POLICIES

Your role as a Learning Partner is essential to your child's musical success. I will do my best to ensure the strength and health of our Suzuki Triangle (partnership between the teacher, student and learning partner). You do not need to have any musical knowledge or ability yourself to be an effective Learning Partner.

An effective Learning Partner guides the practice sessions, ensures review of the learned repertoire, is responsible for daily listening of the recordings and provides as many opportunities to experience music concerts as possible.

Learning Partners are required to be present and take practice point notes in the lesson. Please have a dedicated notebook for this.

Never leave a lesson feeling unsure about what to practice. Do not hesitate to ask if anything is unclear - I am here to help! Additionally, there is a wealth of literature and resources written specifically for the Suzuki parent. Feel free to ask me for a list of recommended titles, or to loan one from my personal library.

Review: The importance of review is tantamount for the development of fine and sensitive playing. The nuances of truly expressive playing cannot be learned or worked on while in the "notes-and-bowings" learning stage of a piece. The Suzuki repertoire is designed to introduce and layer skills one on top of the other. Review pieces are always used for introducing new techniques and it is in the comfort and ease of a review piece where the true music making is learned. Including Review in daily practice will also ensure that your child can reap the full benefits of Group Class. It is tempting to consider the current working piece as the indicator of how well a child plays. I encourage you to abandon this idea, and consider instead that each child is continually striving to become a better musician with greater tone, sensitivity and heart regardless of where they are in the repertoire.

Listening: Daily listening of the reference recordings is essential. Parents must assume the responsibility of making this happen. The music can be played in the background or listened to actively. A child who listens to the recordings daily will learn new repertoire with ease and retain review pieces. It is also good to include recordings of more advanced books or beyond to provide a welcome break and refreshing change. Even better, hearing music live at a concert can be an exciting source of inspiration!

Practice:

Students are expected to practice daily with the goal of completing the assigned tasks and homework. For young children, this might mean starting at 3 minutes daily and working up to the length of the lesson as skills and ability develop. approximately the time of the lesson. Intermediate and Advanced students should be practicing 1-3 hours daily according to their assignments. The lesson does not count as practice.

Lessons:

-Lessons are scheduled from September through the end of June. Summer lessons are optional, but greatly encouraged.
-Siblings are allowed to attend lessons but are expected to not be a distraction to the parent, teacher, or student.

-Time lost due to a student’s lateness cannot be made up.

Parents/Learning Partners of Pre-Twinklers (beginners) are recommended to take observe lessons or meet alone with Desiree before lessons involving the child commence. New families are encouraged to take an Every Child Can! course before lessons begin.

Each learner and age is individual, and lesson length is determined by the teacher.

Generally:

Beginners through Book 1 are encouraged to take 30 minutes lessons.
Students in Books 2 - 4 are encouraged to take 45 minute lessons.
Students in Books 4 and beyond are encouraged to take 60 minute lessons.

One month advance notice (paid) must be given before a student may discontinue study.

Rates:

Bursaries are available

Please refer to the Program and Tuition page to see fees according to Lesson Length.

Payment:

Interac E-Transfer, cryptocurrency, cash or post-dated cheques made out to Desiree Abbey and received on or by the 1st of the month.

Failure to pay on time will result in a late fee of $10.

Summer Lesson Scheduling is scheduled and invoiced separately.

Tardiness:

Lessons that begin late due to a student’s tardiness will not be taught past the agreed upon end time.

Location:

Lessons are held in my private home in the Riverview Park neighbourhood:

Bloor Ave near the Trainyards, Ottawa K1G

Please respect my family's space and time. Please do not linger unnecessarily long after your lesson, or enter unannounced when no lesson is scheduled.

Attendance & Make-up Lesson Policy:

Weekly attendance of lessons is expected. Payment of the tuition fee reserves a weekly time slot for each student, whether they attend the lesson or not. Tuition will not be refunded for lessons cancelled or missed by the student, so please do not schedule appointments and/or other activities during your regular lesson time.

NO MAKE-UP LESSONS OR REFUNDS will be given if a family cannot attend their scheduled lesson time. Exceptions may be made at my discretion due to illness (Student is sick enough to stay home from school), or family emergency and are limited to 1 per year. If you need to cancel your lesson, 24-hour notice is a requested courtesy. Absences due to religious observances may be rescheduled as my schedule permits (please arrange these at the beginning of term).

Should I need to cancel due to illness or performance duties, every effort will be made to find a mutually convenient time for a make-up lesson. If one cannot be found that particular week, it will be made up in by June or in the summer.

What To Expect

Of me as your teacher:

Inspire a love of learning and a love of music making.
Provide a creative and nurturing teaching environment that motivates both the student and parent in a way that both encourages and challenges each child to fulfill their maximum potential.
Approach lessons with a positive, encouraging attitude, tailoring teaching style and approach to suit each individual child.
Provide clear instructions in a format that will promote successful completion at home.
Set the appropriate pace for the student.
Provide support and information to the parent.
Support the development of community amongst studio students and parents.

Of you as the learning partner:

Attend all lessons, take detailed notes, and ensure the student listens to the recordings daily.
Trust the teacher’s experience and knowledge and know that she is guiding your child at the appropriate pace best suited to his or her playing development.
Establish a practice routine of at least six days per week. Practice can be shaped and presented as play for very young children and need not be labeled as “Practice.” Remember, 5 or 10 minutes are better than none! Consistency is key.
Assist in practice, following through on what the teacher has assigned in private and group lessons - you are your child’s At-Home Teacher.
Encourage and support the efforts of your little cellist with a positive atmosphere. This includes trying to keep distractions to a minimum during practice (this applies to distractions for the adult too!), sticking to the practice routine and celebrating the progress being made.
Be creative in your approach to daily practicing and listening.
Ask questions for clarification.
Ensure your child is maintaining trimmed nails.

Of you as a cello student:

Be brave, try new ideas and you will learn many wonderful things.
Be kind to your teacher and parent partner, we are here to support and help you every step of the way!
Be kind to other students.
Ask questions to clarify anything that is unclear. Your teacher can try another way.
Practice daily.
Listen to the Suzuki recordings daily.
Keep your spirits up when faced with challenges. Small steps are a normal way to learn, and mistakes are a natural part and important part of learning. New skills are things you can’t execute well... YET!
Take ownership of your music learning: take care of your instrument, be creative in how you practice, perform and incorporate music into your daily life.
Your lesson time is for you, make the most of it and do your best to be fully present.
Keep your fingernails trimmed!

Private Lesson Etiquette

Arrive five minutes early to un-pack and help your child prepare mentally for the lesson to maximize your time with me.
Refrain from texting or answering phone calls during the lesson (except in case of emergency.)
Siblings are welcome to observe but please provide them with a means of quiet entertainment.
The Student must not enter examinations, competitions, auditions or performances without the prior knowledge and approval of the teacher.
Learning Partner, do not interfere with the lesson. It may be tempting to remind your child of something you worked on at home but seems to have forgotten at that moment, but this can be humiliating and distracting or confusing to your child. Trust that I have noticed the issue and will address it at an appropriate time. Your role is to observe, take notes, and support the student quietly and only as requested.
Lessons are held in my private home, please be considerate and respect the space. Outdoor footwear should be removed and please use street parking.

Group Class Etiquette

Arrive five minutes early to un-pack, tune, and help your child prepare mentally for class.
Bring your cello bench and rock stop, music stand for older cellists.
Learning Partner should be seated behind their cellist if their child is very young. Do not discipline your child in class - If a break is required, you may exit the room and regroup.
Refrain from texting or answering phone calls during the lesson (except in case of emergency.)
Siblings are welcome to observe but please provide them with a means of quiet entertainment.
Do not give unsolicited advice to other parents.
Avoid comparisons or commenting on repertoire! Every student is working on the same thing: BEAUTIFUL SINGING TONE AND HEART!

Materials for Beginners

Beginners do not need a cello right away. Please wait until I inform you that the student is ready for their cello before going to rent or buy.

Cello “Outfit” (cello, bow, soft case and rosin)

Always consult with the teacher for approval before renting, purchasing or changing sizes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVKOzXtRgQU

When changing from one size to another it is best to aim for the middle of the range erring on the side of too small rather than too large. Smaller is often better for the ease of playing and the comfort of the child.

[I have a limited number of bursary instruments available for rent if not being played free of charge by a Bursary student. Rental fees accrued from these instruments go directly to the Bursary fund.]

Cello Endpin Strap

Endpin holders come in two forms, one that is doughnut shaped and is placed on the floor in front of the chair, and the other which is attached to the chair leg. You need one or the other. The best for the beginning cellist is the strap, or something that attaches to the chair, as this helps stabilize the position of the cello on the chest (the endpin will not move).

Cello Chair (appropriately sized to child)

Chair sizing is based on the angle of the hip to the knee when seated. The chair needs to be flat or slightly lower on the front edge (NEVER slanted backwards – this will encourage slouching!). With feet directly under the knees, the knee should be slightly lower than the hip when sitting on the front edge of the chair. There should be no more than a 2-inch drop difference in the height of the hip to the knee.

Recommendation for children 6+: Adjustrite Junior Musician’s Stool

Recommendation for very young children: Portable Telescoping Stool or check IKEA!

Recommendation for older students: Adjustrite Musician's Chair