Policies


Please read all Policies & Expectations before completing the Annual Enrollment Form.

“My primary goal with these policies and expectations is to help guarantee success for the family and student.”

Private Lesson Length

Private lessons are offered in 45, 60, and 75-minute increments. Please note the length of lessons may be increased as the student progresses and will be evaluated and discussed with the family as needed.

Allotted lesson time may also be utilized for parent/guardian instruction, which may include parent/guardian lessons to help facilitate daily home practice, as well as discussions related to the student’s musical progress.

Cello Group Classes

Cello Group Classes are an integral part of my Suzuki-inspired teaching. These classes are an important opportunity for students to reinforce and review lesson content, to socialize and build community between the studio, and to develop specific cello-related skills that are not found in other ensemble-oriented activities, such as orchestra.

Parent discussion groups may also be a part of these group classes, as part of continuing parent education and musical community development.

I do not offer the option to “opt-out”, and require all students (aged 17 and under) and their parent(s)/guardian(s) to attend regular Cello Group Classes.

There are no Cello Group Classes scheduled during the Summer Term.

Tuition Information

The lesson year is divided into Terms for the purposes of Tuition payments: Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer.

Tuition for each Term is all-inclusive of the following:

  1. the regularly-scheduled weekly private lesson time (45, 60, or 75 minutes per week),

  2. all group class fees,

  3. use of personalized practice aids and materials,

  4. access to website resources,

  5. Studio Recital fees (not Book Recital fees), such as venue reservation, “day-of” pianist fees, programs, etc.

Families of two or more students may receive a 5% discount on Term Tuition (excluding Cello Group Classes).

Tuition invoices are due 2 weeks prior to the start of a Term (or otherwise noted). Tuition is non-refundable and is viewed as a commitment for the duration of the Term.

Lessons will not be given until the Term Tuition has been paid. Late payments are subject to a late fee.

Acceptable forms of payment are:

  • Cash or personal check made payable to Ryan Fitzpatrick (no fee). There will be a $20.00 charge added to all returned checks.

  • Via the emailed www.MyMusicStaff.com invoice (via PayPal + 4% processing fee).

Receipts and payment history are available via the MyMusicStaff family/student portal. Tuition rates are determined by Ryan Fitzpatrick and are subject to change.

Annual Term Dates

*Term dates are subject to change at any time for any reason.

Fall Term - September until Thanksgiving

Winter Term - Thanksgiving until mid-February (with Winter Recital)

Spring Term - mid-February until May (with Spring Recital)

Summer Term - varies

Absences & Makeups

I am not obligated to make-up lessons when a student or family misses a lesson for any reason, including illness or prearranged vacation. I do not give credits or refunds when a student misses a lesson for any reason. Please read more about this policy here.

Should a student not be able to make a lesson, students are encouraged to attempt to trade lesson times with another student, rather than cancel. Families involved in a change of lesson time should notify me as soon as possible. This policy should only be utilized in case of emergency and not abused, as a courtesy to other families in the studio.

In the event that I must miss a lesson, it will be rescheduled at a time that is mutually convenient for the family/student and me. However, missed lessons in a given term cannot be applied to a subsequent term.

The scheduled lesson time must be as consistent as possible. Irregular attendance or patterns of absences may result in the loss of the student’s permanent time slot or termination from the studio.

As a courtesy to the family and student, lesson and studio event reminders are automatically emailed via the studio calendar from MyMusicStaff. Please do not expect additional lesson reminders beyond this. You can set up additional reminders in your MyMusicStaff portal.

I reserve the right to discontinue lessons at any time for any reason. Tuition is non-refundable.

Stay-At-Home Policy

In order to prevent the spread of contagious illnesses, I request that students who have a fever, or who have had a fever within 24 hours, do not attend in-person private lessons or group classes. Online lesson accommodations may be discussed, as needed.

The same guidelines are suggested for students with nausea. I reserve the right to not teach lessons for students who are ill or appear to be suffering symptoms of the flu, colds, etc.

In the event of illness, any in-person lessons may be moved online at my discretion for the health and wellbeing of all involved.

Reference Recordings

At the time of enrollment, families/students will acquire ALL 8 levels of the Suzuki Cello School recordings, not just the student’s current book level/repertoire. This is a “one-time purchase” and should be utilized as part of daily listening and practice. I have found that purchasing these recordings directly through Alfred as downloads works best, NOT iTunes.

Families/students are also responsible for acquiring other recommended recordings in a timely manner.

Recitals & Graduation

Public Studio Recitals will occur at least once per year. Students (aged 17 and under) are required to participate in these recitals.

Additionally, when students complete a book level with “polished pieces,” they are required to complete a Book Recital. Planning for these recitals may take up to a year in advance. More information is discussed with the parent and student at these points during regular lesson/meeting times.

Graduation preparation will be discussed with families on an as-needed basis.

More information can be found on the Book Recitals and Graduation pages.

Summer Suzuki Institutes

Students (aged 17 and under) are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED required to attend a summer Suzuki Institute.

A list of these Summer Institutes can be found here. These Institutes are located across the country and last approximately five days, where students participate in private lessons, group classes, masterclasses, and other elective courses taught by master Suzuki-based teachers. The nearest Summer Institutes are Stevens Point, WI, and Chicago, IL.

Students who attend these Institutes generally make months’ worth of progress in a very short amount of time, given the focus of classes and association with peers.

Collaborative Piano Rehearsals

By the Book 3 level (or otherwise discussed), families are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to set up a regular (one-on-one) rehearsal time with a pianist to play their repertoire, especially their polishing pieces. This is vital to learning to play in an ensemble, in addition to excellent Book Recital and Graduation preparation.

I can recommend collaborative pianists upon request.

*Please note that Term Tuition does not cover collaborative pianist rehearsals.

Open Communication

Open communication is a necessary part of any educational endeavor. I strongly encourage open communication between the student, parent, and teacher. If conflicts or struggles arise during the course of the year, please let me know.

I hold a regular office hour each week, during which I am available for discussion. The time may vary from Term to Term.

Additionally, once per year, I offer to hold parent-conferences, with or without the student, in lieu of a lesson. This conference gives the parent and me a chance to revisit each others' vision for the student, and discuss the progress towards a shared vision. Additional conference times may be scheduled if deemed necessary by either parent or me.

Photos, Videos, & Observations

I reserve the right to photograph and video students for training and promotional purposes. I also have an open-door policy, allowing local teachers, parents, and other current and prospective students to come to observe others’ lessons.

Non-discrimination Notice

I do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

Safety & Wellbeing

Students and families will be held responsible for any personal injuries, loss, or damages that occur while on the lesson premises or property. The family agrees that Ryan Fitzpatrick will not be held liable or responsible in any such instance.


Expectations


Punctuality and Attendance

  • It is very important for students and parents to arrive on time for their scheduled lessons. Lessons are scheduled back to back; therefore, we are unable to run into the next student’s lesson time.

  • Students must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Those in attendance will be held responsible for any damages, injuries, or disturbances of any kind. Parents will actively attend all private lessons and group lessons. Students’ siblings may be asked to not attend lessons if there are regular distractions and interruptions to the lesson.

  • Consistent attendance is vital to success and musical growth. With this in mind, please attend all scheduled lessons on a regular basis with lesson materials.

  • The following are required at lessons:

    • Instrument and bow in working condition

    • Rock stop/cello stop

    • Rosin

    • Pencil

    • Notebook

    • Practice logs, workbooks, and/or sheet music

  • Other materials that families will need to purchase are:

    • All official Suzuki recordings (books 1-8)

    • Suzuki Cello Method sheet music books AND their piano accompaniments

    • Other sheet music as deemed appropriate by Ryan Fitzpatrick

  • Lesson and event reminders are sent via automated email through www.MyMusicStaff.com.

Student Expectations

  • Students will:

    • practice the required materials 7 days per week - EVERY DAY.

    • listen daily to the Suzuki cello recordings 7 days per week - EVERY DAY.

    • attend group class regularly.

    • respect and care for their instrument and music materials.

    • bring the required lesson materials to each lesson.

    • not work ahead in their Suzuki books.

    • know the titles and composers of each studied piece and complete a research worksheet for each piece before beginning a piece.

    • review ALL prior pieces regularly. Review is a hallmark of the Suzuki Method.

    • perform a book recital at the completion of a book, from memory, with piano. Students should make a strong effort to attend other students’ recitals.

  • Pieces are categorized as review (“maintenance” practice), working (actively developing new skills, learning the piece), and polishing (nearly performance-ready). Students will only perform pieces that are at least three previous pieces earlier than their current working piece. A performance piece should be polished, memorized, and well-rehearsed. Polishing pieces are the three most recent pieces.

  • Recognize that lessons are a privilege. Show gratitude to parents and guardians on a regular basis.

Parent/Guardian Expectations

  • Parents/Guardians will:

    • attend lessons, group classes, and a Summer Suzuki Institute, while taking notes for their student. Taking an active part in the lesson time shows the student that this time is important, that they are supported, and helps maintain focus. Please try to keep distractions to a minimum during this time.

    • help facilitate DAILY home practice and daily listening for their student. While finding time to practice every day may be difficult, persistence in this area is critical to your child’s development.

    • assist the student in practicing the required materials 7 days per week - EVERY DAY.

    • play the Suzuki cello recordings for their student 7 days per week - EVERY DAY.

    • stay current on required readings found in the Parent/Guardian Corner.

    • help support the student’s musical and personal goals.

    • attend group class regularly.

    • be diligent to ensure the safety and maintenance of the students’ instruments, including the regular replacement of strings and bow rehairs (approximately every 6-12 months), and repairs deemed necessary by Ryan Fitzpatrick or a qualified luthier.

  • More information can be found in the Parent/Guardian Corner.