Studio Policies

Andrea Coyle’s Violin & Viola Studio, LLC

Andrea Coyle
239.770.4016
3897 W. Grand Ave, Denver, Colorado, 80123
andreabrookcoyle@gmail.com

To nurture the potential of every student and to build a healthy community, Andrea Coyle’s Violin & Viola Studio does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, or national or ethnic origin. Families of every background are welcome. Families in the studio are held to these same standards of inclusion.

Smoking and firearms are prohibited on the studio property.

Payment Information
Due Date: 1st of each month
Covers: private lessons, group classes, access to pre-recorded content, studio resources, monthly newsletter, lending library, administration time, lesson preparation, professional development for the teacher, benefits for the teacher (health insurance and retirement) and recitals
There are no make ups or refunds. Please take advantage of group classes and ‘extra lessons’ as offered.
Payment Methods:
Online through emailed My Music Staff Invoice (Paypal)

Tuition Rates Effect January 1, 2023
1/2 hour lessons: $135/month
45 min. lessons: $190/month
1 hour lessons: $240/month
Late Payment Fees, assessed the 5th of the month: $25
Limited need based scholarships are available through MusicLink Foundation.
You must participate in summer lessons to hold your spot for the fall. There are no refunds.
** Students may freeze their tuition for 1 month per calendar year. No payment will be due for that month and no services will be rendered during that time.

Health Policy
Masks are recommended

Siblings may attend with prior notice. Please make sure they bring a quiet activity that they can work on independently during the lesson.

Health Check
Do not attend in person activities if you or any one in your household is sick, quarantined, or testing. This applies to all contagious diseases including colds, flu, COVID and more.
You should not attend in person if your household(s) has any of these symptoms:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

Lending Library
We have a studio lending library that includes parent resources, sheet music, practice resources and instruments. I have a limited number of instruments to lend to families that are in need of an instrument. Students must be enrolled in the studio to utilize the studio lending library.

Sliding Scale Instrument Lending Library Options:
– $0 – I cannot contribute at this time.
– $15/month – Siblings not in lessons
– $30 – I am able to contribute half the yearly estimated maintenance cost.
– $60 – I am able to contribute the yearly estimated maintenance cost.
– $5/month – I am able to contribute the yearly estimated maintenance cost, but please break it up into a monthly payment.
– $120 – I am able to contribute the yearly estimated maintenance cost and would like to cover the cost of maintaining another instrument in the library for a family that may not be able to contribute.

Instruments borrowed from the library must be kept in good condition and follow all care instructions.
Guide for Violin Care & Maintenance

Attendance
– Check your MMS calendar regularly
– Attend all studio events (lessons, recitals, workshops, parent nights, and group classes)
– Arrive on time
– A parent is required to attend all lessons and take notes
– Students that can drive themselves to lessons may attend by themselves
– Wash your hands before entering your lesson
– Ring the door bell upon entering my home and remove your shoes if it is wet outside
– Park in front of the studio to help us be good neighbors
– Do not let the cat out. She is social, but prefers not to be petted.
– Enter the studio quietly (a minute or two before your lesson) and observe, get settled, and use the restroom
– Please do not enter other rooms unless invited. My home is shared with my partner Nicki and our cat Eowyn. Please be respectful of their space.
– Unpack in the space provided
– Bring all of your materials, especially your lesson notebook and recording device, to every lesson
– Keep our studio a “cell phone free zone.”  Please set all electronic devices to silent. Feel free to use your phone to record important aspects of the lesson.
– Please limit drinks (except water), food and candy in the studio. Gum is not allowed in the studio and should not be chewed at any studio events, orchestra rehearsals or home practices.
– Do not attend lessons if you or your child are sick. If your child is too sick for school, they are too sick to have a lesson.
– Request a Skype, FaceTime, Zoom or asynchronous video lesson if you do not wish to skip a lesson due to illness or inclement weather.
– Participate in your school and community music programs
– Attend music camps, festivals, and workshops regularly
– Attend concerts several times a year. 

Make-Up Lessons
Out of courtesy for the teacher, a 24 hour notice is requested for all missed lessons.  Please note that you may request an online lesson via Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime if you are unable to physically attend your lesson. You may also request an asynchronous lesson via Marco Polo. No make up lessons will be given and are built into our schedule and tuition. “Extra” lessons are occasionally offered. I recommend that you take advantage of these opportunities. If you need to miss several lessons (more than 3 in a row) due to medical reasons or a family emergency, please let me know and we can discuss putting your tuition on hold.

Expectations
Teacher

  • Communicate with the family about practice techniques and the Suzuki Method
  • Be the studio teacher
  • Schedule and lead lessons, recitals, group classes, and other studio events
  • Instruct the parent on how to practice with the child at home
  • Committed to lifelong learning
  • Proved quality instruction, guidance, and expertise at each stage of development
  • Adapt lessons to each unique student
  • Create a positive learning environment
  • Has a comprehensive understanding of the Suzuki Philosophy
  • Ability with their instrument
  • Be respectful to others including the parent and the students

Parents

  • Take an active role in the learning process
  • Attend all lessons, parent educations sessions, group classes, recitals, and studio events
  • Be the home teacher and assist in home practice
  • Establish a daily routine of practice and listening
  • Create a positive practice environment
  • Have a long-term commitment to the Suzuki Method and working together
  • Have a “no quitting” policy
  • Continue to learn about the Suzuki Method through reading, blogs, and parent sessions
  • Be respectful to others including other parents, teacher, and other students
  • Take effective and detailed notes
    • include date, scales, techniques, etude, review, current piece, and new piece
    • reminders about technique, posture, and sound production
    • number of repetitions and other practice ideas
    • record what and how to practice

Student

  • Be ready to learn
  • Take an active role in the learning process
  • Attend all lessons, group classes, recitals, and studio events
  • Listen to and follow the directions from the teacher and parent
  • Do your best
  • Have fun
  • Practice and listen daily
  • Be respectful to others including parent, teacher, and other students
  • Learn to focus

Prerequisites

  • Both the parent and child must have a desire to learn
  • Both must have the ability to focus to learn
  • Physical skills must be mastered
  • Musical skills must be learned
  • Respect in each area of the Suzuki triangle – Parent – Child – Teacher
  • Parent must be willing to learn necessary skills – parent education

Practicing
Parents and students are expected to practice and listen daily. Complete all assignments and prioritize LISTENING and REVIEW. Each student is required to practice and listen for approximately the length of their lesson. Parents and students are required to take notes during lessons and classes. Successful students practice 5-7 days per week.

“Only practice on the days you eat.” – Shinichi Suzuki

Communication
Please check the announcements and reminders posted on the studio board, in studio emails, and on your My Music Staff account. All scheduling, invoicing and logistical issues will be communicated over email. Always EMAIL me about scheduling concerns.

Email, Marco Polo or texting are the best ways to contact me. I am unavailable by phone after 8 p.m. Please communicate with me if there is something going on that I need to know about. Please feel free to call to discuss sensitive issues that should not be discussed in the lesson or in front of the child.

Lesson Length
Recommended lesson time:

  • Pre-Twinkle through Book One and beginning students – 30 minute lesson
  • Book Two through Book Four and intermediate students –   45 minute lesson
  • Book Five and up and advancing students –  60 min. lesson

Recitals
Recitals are an important and exciting way to share all that has been accomplished on your instrument. Students will be expected to perform a well-polished piece or pieces (usually 2-3 pieces back from the current piece) that are decided on in lessons. Attendance is strongly recommended for each student and their family whether they choose to perform or not.

At the end of each book students are encouraged to have a graduation recital. This will encourage polishing of the entire book and will celebrate the accomplishment of moving on to a new level. Recitals can be scheduled at the student’s home or another appropriate venue. The studio, other friends, family, and classmates should be invited to the recital by the student’s family.

Observations
There may be times when other students or teachers will come to watch a lesson. The student is not being judged and should proceed with the lesson as if no visitors were present.

Dress Code
Please wear modest, comfortable attire to lessons and group classes. Clothing coverage should be attire appropriate for school. Consider showering before lessons if you are coming from a sweaty activity (such as soccer practice or dance lessons). Scented perfumes should be kept to a minimum to help with perfume allergies in the studio. Plan on wearing nice concert clothes such as a white or colorful shirt, recital dress, skirt, black bottoms, tie, etc. for most recitals. Please check the information for each recital as some performances may require less formal dress, or even a costume. I do not recommend heels for practice, lessons, or performances.

Media Release
Andrea Coyle’s Violin & Viola Studio is on the Internet. Sites include, but aren’t limited to littletonviolinlessons.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, Pinterest, and Vimeo. The purpose of these pages is to inform people about my music studio and to share work created by students.

By agreeing to my studio policies, parents give me permission to put student photos, writing, video, or art work from the music studio on my internet pages and in print brochures and materials. For security reasons, only first initials will be used.

Supply List

Violin/Viola Lessons Materials
Materials should be brought to each lesson and be available for each practice session. Required:

  • A quality violin or viola (please ask for instrument sizing)
  • Suzuki Book 1 and CD (or digital recording) and other sheet music
  • I can read music volume 1
  • Notebook for keeping lesson notes and practice logs
  • Folder or binder for keeping practice logs, handouts, programs, loose sheet music, and other materials
  • Pencil
  • Rosin
  • Shoulder pad or rest (we will discuss this in the lesson)
  • Cleaning cloth (a small piece of T-shirt works very well)
  • Bag for carrying lesson materials

Links to these materials can be found here: https://littletonviolinlessons.com/supplies/

Recommended:

  • Recording Device such as an iPhone to record parts of the lesson
  • Suzuki CDs Vol 2-4
    Music stand
  • Metronome
  • String Swing Violin Hanger

Group Classes
Group class is an important aspect of the Suzuki method and your musical training. Group class provides each child with an opportunity to learn from a peer and become a leader themselves. It helps to grow their confidence and self-esteem. Group classes also provide a supportive environment to practice performing, develop ensemble skills, and develop social skills. Review in group classes greatly supports the review efforts at home. Older students get extra review practice, while younger students have the opportunity to be active listeners of pieces they will soon play. Playing with others is one of the most joyful musical experiences! Please make every effort to attend group class.