Expectations

Improvement is the most basic and most important expectation a teacher, student, or parent should have of private lessons. Improvement comes at different rates for different students at different times. Children will go through periods of rapid advancement and slowed progress multiple times over the course of their study. To improve simply means that positive changes are being made in reasonable increments of time. With that said, the list below is meant to offer more specific guidance about what it takes for successful study.

The most basic expectations of studio members include:

         * Steady improvement
         * Regular practice
         * Regular attendance at lessons and other studio functions
         * Prompt payment

Parents of young children (11 or below) are expected to:

1.) Attend every lesson, ovbserving carefully in order to guide practice at home. Taking notes is strongly encouraged. (Only one parent is required to attend lessons.)

2.) Practice with your child at home to ensure the development of correct habits.

3.) Be creative in practicing techniques, especially when faced with inevitable resistance to challenging skills or passages. Create reward systems, involve games, and break up practice into smaller blocks of time to help children retain their focus.

4.) Reschedule lessons whenever possible instead of cancelling due to illness or schedule conflicts.

5.) Set a good example of music appreciation in the home. Start by listening to the Suzuki recordings often.

Parents of older children (12 and above) are expected to:

1.) Gradually increase student's responsibility for assignments as guided by the instructor.

2.) Monitor practicing at home to ensure consistency and efficiency.

3.) Reschedule lessons whenever possible instead of cancelling due to illness or schedule conflicts.

4.) Encourage your child to use his or her skills in an ensemble or summer program.

5.) Set a good example of music appreciation in the home. Take your child to live performances. Purchase recordings of pieces in which your child has expressed an interest or pieces which your child is learning to play.

6.) Stay in communication with the instructor about your child's progress and goals.

Young students are expected to:

1.) Practice regularly.

2.) Be attentive in lessons.

3.) Minimize behavior disruptions (very young children).

4.) Participate in group classes, recitals, and other studio activities.

Older students are expected to:

1.) Practice regularly, working to improve efficiency and self-analysis. Students are expected to engage in some measure of independent problem solving instead of relying heavily on parental guidance.

2.) Assume responsibility for assignments as guided by the instructor.

3.) Be attentive in lessons.

4.) Participate in group classes, recitals, and other studio activites.

5.) Participate in auditions, ensembles, festivals, or summer opportunities, as recommended by the instructor.

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