Studio Policy
Teaching Calendar
The studio teaching calendar consists of teaching weeks, public holidays and teaching holidays. There will be 44 individual lessons and 12 monthly group lessons in a year. There will be no lessons on public holidays and stipulated teaching holidays. Monthly fees would be the same regardless of the number of lessons in a month. Please contact us should you have queries regarding the teaching calendar.
Money Matters
Private Lessons
Each child and parent will receive one private 35 minutes lesson per week.
Group Classes
From time to time, the teacher will organize group classes on either Saturdays or Sundays to expose students to group dynamics and ensemble playing. Group classes are important for reinforcing the private lesson material and introduce musical concepts such as rhythm, singing, listening skills and movement.
Recitals and Concerts
There will be one concert per year in December. Student participation is REQUIRED at these recitals. We encourage students to perform at any possible and appropriate events or venues such as libraries or studios at The Little Arts Academy and NUS. All students are encouraged to participate as fully as possible.
Parents Participation
Parents are an integral part of the success of the Suzuki method. Parents will attend lessons before their child’s lessons begin. During the parent orientation lessons, parents will learn about Suzuki philosophy and enough about the guitar to be effective home coaches for their children.
Students under the age of 12 must have a parent (or adult caregiver) present at all lessons in order to take notes. These notes are an invaluable aid for home practice. Parents are also encouraged to attend the Parent Group Classes offered several times per year.
Ongoing Suzuki Teachers’ Training
Continuous training is necessary for a Suzuki guitar teacher. The teacher’s training schedule will be made known to students and parents in advance. The days of training may coincide with our studio holidays.
Instruments (Important)
Students are expected to acquire a correct size Classical Guitar of their own. Students are not advised to purchase guitar before the first consultation with the teacher. A student wishing to begin studying the guitar must be properly measured by his/her teacher to determine the size of instrument needed.
Preparation for Lessons
Students must bring their instrument, instruction materials and any other required material to all lessons. Parents must bring notebook and writing materials to each lesson.
Daily practice is essential to playing a musical instrument and is expected of all students. Consistently unprepared students will be dismissed from the studio.
Students must keep their fingernails properly groomed at all times (clipped short on both hands for beginners; correctly shaped and buffed nails on the right hand for students who have been taught fingernail shaping).
Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before your scheduled lesson time in order to unpack your instrument and help your child to mentally prepare for the lesson. You are always welcome to quietly observe lessons. Full attention at lessons is necessary from the student AND parent. For example: No texting during lessons!
These policies may be modified and redistributed at any time