upcoming performances

LAURA TAIT CHANG, VIOLIN AND VIOLA

2013-2014 Academic Year Tuition Fees:

TBA. Please check back soon for tuition rates.

Practice: Daily practice brings results. Playing the violin is more like a sport than many people realize. As with athletics, it is impossible to make the same progress with one "cram" session as it is with smaller daily sessions. Fitting practice into your child's daily routine may be difficult, but seeing their excitement at graduating to the next piece is worth the effort. Each week, parents and students will complete a practice record , which will allow both you and me to see exactly what is practiced, and how often practice occurs. The practice record helps chart progress, as well as giving me a good idea of what to work on in lessons.

Group Classes: Group classes are an integral part of the Suzuki experience, and that's why they are mandatory for ALL students. They allow each child to feel a sense of belonging within the studio, and they also foster leadership skills. Group classes offer the perfect setting for reviewing pieces and learning leadership and ensemble skills. Since parents are required to attend (for the younger students), group classes also offer a great opportunity for parents to meet each other and compare notes about day-to-day practice and the challenges it often creates. Group classes are held on the third Saturday of each month, unless specifically stated in the studio calendar. Classes are at Harvest Christian Fellowship . Pre-Twinklers arrive at 9:00, Beginners at 9:20, and the intermediate/advanced class meets at 9:45.

Summer Study: It is in the best interest of your child's musical development to continue lessons through the summer. Students are required to attend at least 4 lessons in the summer session to hold their spot for the following semester. If you are unable to attend 4 lessons, a deposit for the equivalent amount may be made at my discretion. I understand how unpredictable scheduling during the summer can be. For this reason, lesson fees during this time are paid weekly at a per-lesson rate.

Tuition Policy: Tuition payments are due no later than the 1st of the month. There are no exceptions. If your child does not have a lesson the week before tuition is due, please send your check to 11227 Silentwood Lane, Reston, VA 20191. If tuition is received after the 1st, a $20 late fee will be assessed, with an additional $5 for every day payment is not received. If you choose to discontinue lessons, at least two weeks notice must be given. Please be aware that no refunds will be given for lessons that have already been prepaid (tuition covers following month). Also, if less than two weeks notice is given before the next calendar month, you will be billed for the next month as well. Tuition may be paid by check, cash, or via Paypal (including an additional fee of $3.20) to restonsuzukiviolin@gmail.com.

Makeup Policy: Like school, regular attendance is critical for your child's successful musical development. At least 48 hour advance notice must be given that a lesson will be missed. If less notice than that is given, no makeup will be offered. Extenuating circumstances for cancellation, such as sudden illness, will be given special consideration at my discretion. Should I need to cancel for any reason, a makeup will always be offered. I am quite active as a performer in the DC area, and at time, my rehearsal schedule may conflict with lessons. I ask for your flexibility in rescheduling lessons, and in turn, I will try to accomodate you should a lesson conflict arise. All make-ups are to be completed by the end of the semester in which the missed lessons occurred. If a student misses a makeup for any reason, it will not be rescheduled. Because of the nature of our group classes, no makeups will be offered for student cancellations. There will be no refunds for missed lessons or group classes.

In Case of Illness: During our lessons, we work in very close proximity, and quite a few children come through the studio each day. If your child has been ill, please refrain from attending lessons until the child has been fever-free for at least 24 hours . My policy is the same for any stomach flu symptoms.