2008-2009

Encore Studio Policies

DEBRA  HEALD,

Nationally Certified Teacher of Music

www.encore-studio.com

Emphasis: Enjoyment — Ensemble — Excellence

At Encore Studio, my goal is to foster a lifelong love and enjoyment of music.  This is done by creating an atmosphere where students are excited to return each week. One of the strongest motivations for students to continue in music over time is the enthusiastic making of music with friends! Students of all ages are encouraged to get to know one another through the music games and exercises we do each week.

Students learn to play in ensembles from the beginning. This skill is needed for almost all musical experiences, whether later playing in band or in church or singing in a choir. Most of the music activities we enjoy participating in as adults involve making music with others.

Students should work hard and achieve goals. Participation in Recitals, Nebraska Music Teachers Association District and State Festivals, and locally sponsored events is encouraged. These activities are not reserved for the "gifted" students; instead every student works on developing their gift of music.

Special Note on Communication

Parents, student, and teacher are equal partners in this musical venture.  Let's establish good communication; please feel free to call or stop by and talk to me about your questions and ideas. I am not always available when you call, but please leave a message and I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible. E-mail is a great way to contact me! Parents are welcome to attend and observe classes and lessons!

Communication by email is strongly encouraged! Many of my main communications to parents and students will be via email. I may directly email you information, or direct you to check my website for an update. Please check your student's binder/assignment sheet. I sometimes put notes and newsletters there as well.

Schedule for 2008-2009:

The basic lesson structure for all students will be 25 minutes of individual instruction, 25 minutes of music technology/theory lab, and 25 minutes working with other students on ensemble music and Music Mind Games, for a total of 75 minutes instructional time. The instructional technology/theory time is scheduled directly before or after the lesson and ensemble time. Advanced students and students adding flute or voice instruction may add more individual instruction time.

Mini Lesson/ Music Mind Games*—ages 4 - 6

Designed for 4, 5, and 6 year old students who are not yet reading fluently. For the piano playing portion of the lesson there are two 36 week courses available: EZ Keys and Menehune. Not all students will require both courses before continuing with formal piano instruction. Each lesson meets as explained in the “New Schedule” above. Lessons may be scheduled in the afternoon, or after school. No outside practice is required, although students have music they are encouraged to play at home if they have a keyboard instrument available. Mini Lesson students are not required to participate in a large recital; instead parents will be invited to attend a small studio recital.

Piano Pals/ Music Mind Games*—ages 6 and up:

This is for first and second year piano students. Basic curriculum is Mayron Cole 1A-2B or Mayron Cole Older Beginner A-C. Piano Pals follows the “New Schedule” as outlined above. Lessons are available Monday through Friday, afternoon and evening.

Music Mastery Individual Lessons (Flute, Voice, & Piano):

The Music Mastery lesson follows the “New Schedule” as outlined above. The basic curriculum is a combination of Faber, Hal Leonard, and Noona lesson and supplemental books, as well as classical music at the appropriate level. After two years of successful Piano Pal lessons, students become eligible for either flute or voice lessons in addition to piano if they wish. Flute + Piano, Voice + Piano or Advanced Piano will need to extend the individual portion of their lessons to 50 minutes or more.

Technology/Theory Lab Time

The technology in the studio is intended to provide students with additional opportunities to build and reinforce various musicianship skills. Encore Studio provides an individualized program of music theory fundamentals, ear training, music appreciation/music history, and rhythm drills. This is based on the Nebraska Music Teachers Association levels of music theory. Students may play their assigned music with MIDI disks and a digital piano for accurate practice. Notation software is available for those who participate in composition activities. During this time, students may also be asked to work on theory worksheets or books, since they have the most success doing this in a monitored setting. Students will be scheduled to use the Lab tools before or after their lesson.  Students are expected to respect all studio property - to use equipment carefully, and only for instructional music purposes. Any damage or theft becomes your responsibility. If I find that students are creating problems, I reserve the right to discontinue their equipment use, or in extreme cases to dismiss them from the studio. 

Location

Encore Studio’s primary location is at my home which is 2 miles north and 1/2 mile east of Eagle. From Lincoln, you can drive east on “O” Street to the east edge of Eagle, which is 214th Street or 1st Avenue in Eagle. Go north 2 miles to Adams Street, turn east and go to the top of hill (south side.)

I may also teach at my parents’ home, Dick & Pat Bolte, which is located at 1210 North 78th Street in Lincoln.

Scheduling

Classes and lessons are generally scheduled during after school hours Monday - Friday. Mini Lessons/Classes may be scheduled earlier in the day, and there may be limited earlier times for home school students.

Calendar

The Encore Studio calendar begins August 20^th and continues through early June. The course is 36 lessons.  A calendar is sent home with students periodically to show holidays, “vacation” days, Festivals, and Recitals. In general, lessons will be held except for the following holidays when the studio will be closed: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas. Check the website for other updates.

Summer Lessons

Summer study is a required part of the program (through early June, which completes the regular 36 week session).  Optional sessions of lessons and classes will be offered in late June and early July, and participation is strongly encouraged. If none of the optional sessions are attended, parents need to be aware that there will be a loss of skills, and considerable review will be necessary in the fall. First priority on the fall schedule will be given to students who participate in summer sessions. Equal priority will be given to new students who start in the summer and returning students who do not participate in summer sessions, but return fall registrations in a timely manner. Last priority is given to students who do not participate in the summer sessions and do not return their registrations early. If I do not know you are returning, I may fill your spot!

Attendance

It is extremely important that students attend all lessons and group sessions.  Tuition is based on enrollment NOT attendance!  However, if you are sick, please stay home!  Ensemble time is not usually made up. Students (or parents) are encouraged to arrange their own trades with other students if they cannot attend at their regular lesson time. (A “trade” list will be distributed to parents at the beginning of the year.) Please contact me via email or a phone message if you make a trade. For those students who choose not to participate in a trade, or who cannot find a suitable exchange time for a lesson that will be missed, the following guidelines will be in effect:

1. Individual lessons missed because of illness may be made up. Other absences may be made up if a 24 hour notice is given.

2. Make up lessons during the regular academic week can only be given if the student can come on short notice when a time becomes open due to someone else’s absence.

3. There will be a few days set aside each semester for make up lessons only. It is up to the students and/or parent to request the make-up lesson. Available times will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you do not take advantage of these days, you forfeit your make up.

Please be courteous and call the studio by noon for ANY absence. (However, I understand if an illness suddenly happens! Inform me as soon as possible.)  If a student should cancel or skip lessons for 4 consecutive weeks (other than illness), that student's lesson time may be given to a student on the waiting list.

Bad Weather

Safety must come first! In the case of extremely bad weather, I will evaluate the situation and make the decision as to whether there will be lessons.  Since I live in the country, I am a little more careful about this issue, for both my safety and yours. Even if lessons are to be continued, please don’t feel you must attend if weather is an issue. It would be helpful if you could call me on those days to check the status of lessons, as I often have difficulty reaching parents on short notice. Lessons cancelled because of weather will extend the 36 week calendar into the summer. If an individual student misses because of weather, I will schedule a makeup lesson at my convenience, either on the make up day or when a time becomes available.

Attitude

Students need to be positive and courteous to the teacher and other students. Students are expected to make reasonable progress.  If a student cannot meet these minimum requirements, he or she will be asked to leave the program. Parents, please support a positive attitude towards music study. Don’t make practice a punishment; instead try to make it a reward.

Studio Courtesy

Please bring all your books. Food, drink, and gum are discouraged in the studio.  Clean hands are a must.  Please drop off and pick up on time.  Anything more than 5 minutes early or late is too much unless there is a special need, as it can be distracting for students whose lesson is in progress.  If you are a little early, please come in quietly and wait until your lesson time.  Do NOT interrupt someone else's lesson. Lesson time will not be extended due to lateness. Parents at the Eagle studio are welcome to wait during their student’s lesson in the small room just to the right of the front door. Wireless internet (bring your own laptop) and television are available. Siblings may wait as well, but must be supervised by a parent. Parents are also encouraged to quietly observe classes and lessons if they wish to. Watch the assignment book for announcements and/or newsletters. . . PLEASE - No strong perfume or aftershave - the teacher is highly sensitive!  Thank you!

Practice and Home Instrument

Assignments, practice, work with studio technology and participation in studio activities are expected to have the same priority as homework, sports, and other activities.  I make every effort to be as flexible as I can in scheduling activities, and appreciate the same consideration from you.  Plan practice sessions into a specific time each day to create and maintain a positive habit. At least five days of practice are expected and necessary for success each week (except Mini Lessons). During each practice, the student should play through all new assignments 3-4 times and all review assignments one time. The time this takes depends on the student’s level with a range from 15 minutes to an hour or more. 

Enjoying any activity is closely connected to the accomplishments and improvements noticed by self and others. How much you improve is closely connected to how much time you spend making music. Praise and encouragement are the parents’ greatest tools in helping students to progress. Try to make time to listen to your student’s practice session shortly after his or her lesson, then again shortly before the next lesson. Then comment on the improvement you hear! Students are responsible for tracking their practice on their assignment sheet, and checking their music for practice instructions. Parents may help by checking to see that they have done this.

Students enrolled in piano lessons should have a quality acoustic or digital piano. Digital pianos should have full-size “weighted” or “hammer action” keys with touch sensitivity. It is preferable that they have a full 88 keys. Acoustic pianos need to be tuned a minimum of once a year. Students need to have a metronome so that tempo and steady beat are practiced at home. (Many digital pianos have a metronome built in.) Mini Lesson students and first year Piano Pal students may use an inexpensive keyboard. The student's piano should be placed in an area of the home which is conducive to productive study and practice.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition for Mini Lessons, Piano Pals and Music Mastery is $63 per month (August 15 through May 15). Individual lessons extended by an additional 25 minutes (50 minutes total individual instruction) is $98. Tuition is based on the entire course of 36 lessons per year, held from late August through mid June. Tuition is based on enrollment NOT attendance. There will be no refunds or credit for missed lessons.

A registration and materials fee is due with your registration. This annual fee contributes to materials used in class such as: MIDI disks, learning games/software, rhythm instruments, miscellaneous duet and solo music added to the library and incentives. Registration fees are $30 per student or $45 per family. The registration fee is non-refundable. Teaching materials and music are supplied to students as needed.  Each level of study may include a lesson book, a theory book, a technique/scale book and a performance/repertoire book.  (Or an "all-in-one" book that includes those elements.)  A specific listing of the Encore Studio curriculum materials is available upon request.  Each level can cost up to $40.00. The cost of these materials, including tax, is added to the student's monthly tuition statement.  Some supplemental books/sheet music are available for checkout from the Encore Studio Music Library (no extra charge—this is what your registration fee helps to provide).  Festival registrations or other activity fees will be billed as needed.

To enroll, the parent and student must sign and return the contract with the registration fee. All tuition and fees are due in advance—on or before the due date or first lesson or class of the month.  You will be expected to pay your regular monthly amount without reminder. I prefer to spend more time on planning and preparation rather than printing and mailing out invoices, so a $5 fee will be added anytime a monthly tuition reminder is sent out. Normally, this would be immediately after a payment is forgotten on the lesson or class closest to the 15th of each month. However, during certain busier times of the year, it may be later in the month, so if you have not received a tuition statement, you may go ahead and pay the regular amount. This policy will be firmly enforced. Any invoices given for music or fees throughout the month may be added to the following month’s tuition. If you are paying by check, make it payable to Encore Studio. You may make payments with a credit card by using the internet service “Paypal”. Or, you may have a monthly amount automatically debited from a bank account. (The automatic withdrawal will insure you never have to pay the $5 fee!)

Discounts are as follows: Two students in family=5% discount. Three students in family=10%. (Discount applies to entire family tuition.)

As noted on the registration form, students register for the entire academic year.   On the rare occasion study is discontinued between September and May, I require a month's notice.  There is no refund of tuition unless families move away from the area.

Note on Policies

Please note that my policies are in accord with recommended professional policies of the Music Teachers National Association, the Nebraska Music Teachers Association, and the Lincoln Music Teachers Association.  My tuition fees take into consideration that I must provide all of my insurance, retirement, social security/self-employment tax, and continuing education costs, as well as bear the expense of equipping and maintaining my studios, instruments, library and other equipment and supplies.  They also consider that I spend as many hours in planning, study, scheduling, phone calls, bookkeeping, and organizing other studio related responsibilities, as I do in actual lesson time.  Teaching music is my profession, my business, and my talent; I wish to present and live up to policies which give me the time and financial security to devote most of my energy to the creative act of sharing music with people.  I acknowledge my students' and their parents' place in a three-way relationship, and promise to do my best to make music study a marvelous and rewarding experience for my students.

What You Can Expect from the Teacher

You can expect your teacher to maintain membership in professional organizations and to strive to keep up with the latest advances in teaching music. You can expect that with your support and the student's hard work, the teacher will facilitate the musical growth of your student through instruction that includes first-class repertoire, quality technique, music theory and music history.

Recitals and Performing

Music is meant to be shared!  Students participate in numerous performance opportunities each season.  Students are expected at a minimum to participate in the Spring Recital. From time to time, additional opportunities become available.  It is a privilege to participate in these events.  Some opportunities may have a fee.  (Not one cent of these fees goes to the teachers involved, although we spend many volunteer hours to make them happen. Fees generally cover either space rental or payment to adjudicators.)  Proper concert attire is expected for Festivals and performances – dress pants and nice shirt (tie and coat optional) for  young men; dress/skirt or very dressy pants for ladies; dress shoes (not tennis shoes) for all. 

Studio Recitals: Once or twice a year, studio recitals may be held in lieu of regular lessons for a particular week. In studio recitals, students perform pieces for each other in a mini recital.  The classes are important for both confidence and musicality—they provide positive peer pressure and performance experience. Students also learn how to be good audience members. Normally, the student would attend a studio recital on the day of his/her lesson for a longer time. Parents are not usually present, but may be invited if it will be the only opportunity to hear the student perform.

LMTA Recitals: Lincoln Music Teachers Association sponsors at least two recitals each year in the spring and fall. They are generally scheduled before State Festival and District Festival to provide extra performance practice for Festival participants. They are open to any student, however, and are a good solution for a performance in the unlikely event you cannot participate in the Encore Studio Spring Recital. The cost for these recitals is $2.50 each student. LMTA also may offer performance opportunities at service recitals at local rest homes or other community centers. These recitals are free and TBA.

Encore Studio Spring Recital: Encore Studio usually presents one or two “big” recitals in the spring—sometime between March and June. Students are expected to participate. If there is a genuine conflict, the student will be expected to perform in one of the alternatives available: LMTA Recital, service recital, or other performance opportunity which may become available. Generally, the spring recital is held at an area church. Mini Lessons students are not expected to participate.

Festivals: Nebraska Music Teachers Association sponsors a District Festival in the spring, which is open to all students, and a State Festival in the fall, which is open to students who qualified at District Festival. The Festivals include judging of memorized pieces, sight reading evaluation, scale evaluation, and a theory exam. Your teacher, Debra Heald, is the NMTA State Chairperson for the Theory portion of Festivals. Participation for second year students and above is encouraged.

*Music Mind Games:

I have been using the Music Mind Games (MMG) curriculum and materials for over 10 years, and in 2005 I began the path to MMG certification by taking a week long workshop with the creator, Michiko Yurko. Music Mind Games is a perfect fit for my teaching philosophy: combine the important framework of a solid base in music theory with games and activities that stimulate the brain in a fun, uplifting, and cooperative atmosphere. Music Mind Games have music theory activities for beginning levels through advanced levels.

Thank you for the privilege of teaching your child!

Debra Heald