Violin & Viola Lessons
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Lesson Time
A 30-minute lesson is appropriate for most elementary-7th grade students. A 45-minute lesson is appropriate for most 7th-12th grade students. A 60-minute lesson is appropriate for most advanced students. |
Weekly Private Lessons
Lessons take place in-person once a week in my home studio in Columbia, MD
Lessons are scheduled by semester, with an average of 4 lessons per month:
Monthly Lesson Tuition Rates
30 minutes - $160 per month
45 minutes - $220 per month
60 minutes - $280 per month
Monthly tuition payments remain the same every month, are due by the 1st of every month, and can be made via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. Payments made by personal check are due at the first lesson of the month
Make-up lessons can be scheduled at the request of the student/parent and must take place within 30 days of the canceled lesson.
Music & Resources
To start, we can work on whatever music your child has from school or previous lessons and playing experience. After I get to know them and their playing level, I will recommend some books that I would like them to have. I will also create a Google Drive folder where I will put other scanned music or recordings that we can use in lessons and they can refer to when practicing.
Lesson Notes
All students should have a notebook devoted to lesson notes.
For students taking 30 minute lessons, I will take notes about what we worked on during the lesson and what they should practice that week.
For students taking 45 or 60 minute lessons, they will write their own notes for practicing that week.
Practicing
Consistent practice is vital to students' success. Students are expected to practice regularly throughout the week before their next lesson. A good rule of thumb is that students should aim for practicing the length of their lesson every day of the week. However, I believe that quality practice is more important than meeting a time requirement. Students should focus on practicing using the techniques that are taught during their lessons rather than just "playing" until the practice time is up. Careful, focused repetition and consistency are key!
Lessons take place in-person once a week in my home studio in Columbia, MD
Lessons are scheduled by semester, with an average of 4 lessons per month:
- Fall Semester: September - December (16 lessons)
- Spring Semester: January - May (20 lessons)
- Summer Semester: June - August (minimum of 4 lessons)
Monthly Lesson Tuition Rates
30 minutes - $160 per month
45 minutes - $220 per month
60 minutes - $280 per month
Monthly tuition payments remain the same every month, are due by the 1st of every month, and can be made via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. Payments made by personal check are due at the first lesson of the month
Make-up lessons can be scheduled at the request of the student/parent and must take place within 30 days of the canceled lesson.
Music & Resources
To start, we can work on whatever music your child has from school or previous lessons and playing experience. After I get to know them and their playing level, I will recommend some books that I would like them to have. I will also create a Google Drive folder where I will put other scanned music or recordings that we can use in lessons and they can refer to when practicing.
Lesson Notes
All students should have a notebook devoted to lesson notes.
For students taking 30 minute lessons, I will take notes about what we worked on during the lesson and what they should practice that week.
For students taking 45 or 60 minute lessons, they will write their own notes for practicing that week.
Practicing
Consistent practice is vital to students' success. Students are expected to practice regularly throughout the week before their next lesson. A good rule of thumb is that students should aim for practicing the length of their lesson every day of the week. However, I believe that quality practice is more important than meeting a time requirement. Students should focus on practicing using the techniques that are taught during their lessons rather than just "playing" until the practice time is up. Careful, focused repetition and consistency are key!
LESSON CANCELLATION & MAKE-UP POLICY
If a student wishes to take more than two weeks off from lessons (travel, school activities, etc.), you may choose from these two options:
HEALTH POLICY
If your child is not feeling well on the day of their lesson, please do not come to your lesson. Contact Mrs. McKay ASAP to discuss options.
STUDIO RULES
- If Mrs. McKay cancels a lesson for any reason, she will offer available times for rescheduling the lesson.
- If the student/parent cancels a lesson for any reason, they may request a make-up lesson and Mrs. McKay will offer available times during normal teaching hours (i.e. taking the time slot of another student who canceled).
- Make-up lessons must be scheduled within 30 days of the canceled lesson or they will be forfeited.
- If you know of conflicts ahead of time, please contact me about available make-up times for that month.
- If a student misses their lesson without notice, no make-up lessons will be offered.
- If a student wishes to have a make-up lesson that creates two lessons in one week, the student must also commit to extra practicing to make the extra lesson worthwhile.
If a student wishes to take more than two weeks off from lessons (travel, school activities, etc.), you may choose from these two options:
- Pay 50% of your monthly tuition to reserve your time slot until the student returns to their regular lesson schedule.
- Pay nothing but risk losing the time slot.
HEALTH POLICY
If your child is not feeling well on the day of their lesson, please do not come to your lesson. Contact Mrs. McKay ASAP to discuss options.
STUDIO RULES
- Shoes are not to be worn inside the studio. You may remove your shoes once you come inside the front door.
- Parents may sit in lessons but those with young siblings are asked to wait outside or in your vehicle during your child’s lesson.
