NEWS: students are encouraged to wear masks to their lessons. Following any illness or in cases of persistent cough, masks are required. Lessons will be moved online in case of active illness.
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Teachers Commitment: To rigorously improve my practice by attending annual Suzuki teacher training and conferences; to stay up to date with current research; to assess my work with students frequently; communicate with you readily and openly, and to teach from the heart.
Parent/Student Commitment: to follow instructions; to create a culture in the household of daily music listening; to be punctual in lesson attendance; to practice daily, purposefully and consistently, in a space and at a time where everyone can give their full attention.
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1. Student/Parent Responsibilities
For predictable success, learning to play an instrument should be treated the same as learning a new language – this requires daily listening and daily practice of the chosen “language,” at a minimum of 4 times per week.
In the lesson, the active lesson partner must be fully present, taking notes in order to re-create the lesson at home. It is common for families to bring additional children to lessons (siblings having lessons back to back, etc). However, the lesson partner must be there to take the role of observer/note-taker, and not in a childcare capacity. The child having lessons deserves your undivided attention – they need to be sent the message that you’re ready to learn, just as they are expected to be.
2. What to expect as a new student
Students are expected to observe at least one group class before beginning lessons. This is done during an active class. Parents are welcome to bring quiet activities (colouring, reading) for young ones, but ipads and other electronics are not permitted.
The first private lesson will be an orientation session, on the expectations for the student/family, and what you can expect from your teacher. For very young students, this session will be for the parent and teacher only.
The first few lessons will be slow as we master each basic step before moving on. Students and their families are instructed to go only as far as has been covered in lessons. As Suzuki said, “Without stopping, without haste, carefully taking a step at a time forward will surely get you there.” There are many tools at our disposal for making these basic tasks game-like.
3. Equipment
Students will need: a violin and bow in the correct size (please wait until your first lesson to be sized correctly before renting/purchasing an instrument), rosin, music books, a notebook, a music stand, and an easily accessible method for daily listening.
4. Lesson Format and length
All beginners start with 30 min lessons and increase to 45mins at the discretion of the teacher. Book 2+ students take 45 min lessons.
Until it is deemed appropriate by the teacher, all beginners and all students under 13 must have a parent present and taking notes at all private lessons, group lessons, and home practice sessions.
The studio is located between Puntledge Park and Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary School. Upon completion of registration, you will receive the exact address.
5. Absences
Students who are late to a lesson by 15mins (or 25mins for siblings having lessons back-to-back) without prior warning are considered absent and their remaining lesson time is forfeit.
If a snow day or any other unforeseen act of nature precludes you from attending your lesson in person, an online lesson will be held. Please inform your teacher as soon as possible.
6. Group Classes
All Suzuki students are expected to take group lessons in addition to their weekly private lessons, as they are crucial for the development of musicality in the student.
Group classes are held at St Georges church in Courtenay on Wednesday afternoons.
4:15-4:55 Beginners (ages 3-8)
5-6pm Community group (ages 9-16)
7. Tuition 2023/2024
Your tuition, charged September through June, guarantees 38 private lessons per year, and weekly group classes are free with your studio subscription. This also includes string changes, recorded resources, and sheet music.
Invoices are sent at the beginning of each month and can be paid by e-transfer to sproutingstrings@gmail.com
30min lesson program: $183.92
45min lesson program: $227.72
There is a yearly registration fee of $15 per family to cover incidentals (online teaching & practice resources, recitals, certificates, printed music, and a bursary fund for low-income families) that will appear on your first or September invoice.
Prices raise annually to match cost-of-living increases.
There will be a $20 fee added for every week that tuition is late. If tuition has not been paid in full by the end of June, summer lessons and priority scheduling for the following school year will be withheld until payment is received.
8. Festivals
Students are expected to participate in music festivals when available. It is an extension of the Suzuki philosophy of learning life skills through music. Students have an opportunity to polish and present a piece, and will have the experience of learning from a guest teacher.
Festival scheduling is unpredictable and can be during school hours or in the evening, rarely on weekends. Every attempt will be made to maintain your normal lesson time during that week. However, Sprouting Strings reserves the right to attend festival performances in place of that week’s regularly scheduled lesson, to set up and support the student.
Festival fees vary, often in the realm of $15-30 per submission, and are covered by the student. Students playing at a Minuet 1 level or higher are additionally expected to hire an accompanist.
9. Make-up Lessons
Make-up lessons are only applicable in cases where the lesson can not be fulfilled by the teacher. Any lessons missed by your teacher will be made up at a later date. Once a makeup lesson is scheduled, it is subject to the same policies as regular lessons.
Lessons missed by the student for any reason will not be made up. The student may in advance organize with another student to switch lesson times with 24hrs notice. If given enough advance notice of absence from a lesson it may be rescheduled for earlier/later that same week. However, this can not be guaranteed, as it depends on other students giving advanced notice of an absence.
If a short-term injury precludes you from participating in lessons as normal, they will be altered to accommodate the injury. If a student wishes to stop lessons temporarily as a result of a short-term injury, tuition will still be charged to maintain the spot in the studio.
10. Scheduling Changes
Once the schedule has been set (in July or at the time of registration) it is expected that the lesson time will not move. Please prepare in advance for seasonal activities such as sports and dance/theatre when scheduling your lessons.
11. Summer Lessons
Your tuition includes 38 private lessons. In an average school year, a student will have 34 lessons, leaving a few available for summer use. This is to avoid a lapse in motivation and regression of skills. Maintaining hard-earned skills is a year-round necessity for the enjoyment of the child and their family.
Summer scheduling is flexible and does not need to follow your normal schedule. Lessons cancelled within 48hrs of the scheduled lesson time will not be made up.
Students may have a maximum of 2 lessons per week and are not permitted to schedule lessons 2 or more days in a row. Special requests may be considered based on the needs of the family and the ability/stamina of the student.
Summer lessons are only available until the final week of August and do not roll over into the following school year.
12. Transfer Students (students previously studying with another teacher)
Before beginning lessons, potential transfer students will observe a number of lessons, both private and group. It’s vital that you understand the expectations of this studio before committing to lessons. Please do your current teacher the courtesy of including them in the decision to switch teachers.
13. Holidays
This studio follows the calendar of the local public school district (SD71). There will be no lessons during the Christmas holidays or any other national and provincial holidays EXCEPT Labour Day Monday in September.
*2024 – there will be NO lessons on Labour Day Monday.
There is an opt-out policy when it comes to lessons during the first week of spring break. You may choose whether or not to continue lessons during this period, providing written notice up to 1 week prior to the break (you will be prompted to provide this information in early March).
There are multiple mid-term breaks during the weeks of Thanksgiving (Oct. 11), Family Day (Feb. 21) and Victoria Day (May 23). Your tuition takes these breaks into account.
14. Cancellation/Dismissal
If a student repeatedly does not meet expectations (repeated no-shows, little to no practice for several weeks unrelated to injury/mental health/life changes/etc.) the student may be dismissed from the studio. If this is the case, you will receive a written warning and an assignment to record all practices in detail for 2 weeks. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the studio, and any no-show’s during the 2-week probationary period will immediately forfeit the student’s spot in the studio.
It is expected that students continue lessons from September to June, therefore written notice of termination of lessons must be given at least two weeks prior to the start of a new term (terms are determined by school breaks: September-December, January-March, April-June). Failure to give adequate notice will result in a cancellation fee of 1/2 once month’s tuition.
Once a term has begun, termination of lessons is subject to a cancellation fee, as well as forfeit of any additional lessons accumulated through monthly tuition payments. If lessons are terminated mid-month, the remaining month’s tuition is forfeit and will count towards the half-month cancellation fee.
Sprouting Strings 