Policies 2022-2023
Please read the following studio policies carefully. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Contact information:
Bethany Watt, 768 Vermillion Peak Pass, Lexington, KY, 40515; (859) 272-8437 — Please expect to talk to the answering machine. I do not answer the phone while I am teaching; however, I do screen phone calls. Leave a detailed message. I will only call you back if it is necessary. (859) 492-2832; cell phone – texting is preferred. Bethany@wattviolin.com
Tuition:
Tuition may be paid on either a semester or a monthly basis as indicated by you on a contract each semester. There will be 32 weeks of lessons this year, divided into two semesters. The fall will be 15 weeks and the spring will be 17 weeks. If paying on a semester basis, tuition is due at the FIRST lesson of the semester. If paying on a monthly basis, tuition is due at the FIRST lesson of each month. If payment is not received by the second lesson of the month, a $5 late fee will be added to the total. If you are paying by the semester the year total has been figured and then divided in half. If you are paying monthly, tuition has been added up and then divided creating equal monthly installments. There is no monetary credit given for missed lessons. (Please see below for cancellation and reschedule policies). Tuition does not cover extra expenses such as music, accompanist fees, group class fees, or so forth.
30 minute lesson = $96/month; $480/semester
45 minute lesson = $135/month; $675/semester
60 minute lesson = $176/month; $880/semester
SIBLING DISCOUNT = For back to back lessons, you receive a discount per sibling.
30-30 lessons = $176/month, $880/semester
30-45 lessons = $215/month, $1075/semester
60-60 lessons = $336/month, $1680/semester
Tuition will be paid using Paypal. Paypal links are available on the studio website. Checks may be used but only to pay for the entire semester and must be received prior to the first lesson.
Group classes are $45 per semester. Group fees will be paid using PayPal. Please see below for group class requirements.
Summer session lessons are to be paid for at the beginning of each month. There are no makeup lessons in the summer; however, if you let me know in advance that you will be missing a lesson, you will not be billed for that lesson. If it is possible, you can switch a lesson to another available slot. Summer lessons are scheduled online using Acuity Scheduling. The summer session is 8 weeks long, running in June and July.
COVID-19/Online Lesson Policies:
Lessons are being taught in-person at this time. In-person lessons are at the discretion of the teacher as well as any local, state, or federal mandates. Lessons may be switched to online at any point during the semester based on current virus cases as well as local, state and federal mandates. Any group activities (classes, recitals, etc) must follow all local, state, and federal mandates. Online options will be available if in-person options are not possible.
1. Anyone who enters the studio will wear a mask.
2. All hands will be sanitized when entering the studio.
3. Distancing will be maintained in most circumstances. Occasionally a student or the teacher may approach for a specific purpose.
4. The studio will be sanitized regularly.
5. An air purifier will be run during all lessons. Windows will be open, weather permitting. Ms Watt’s home has also been updated to use hepa filters and an ultraviolet scrubber installed on the hvac unit.
6. IF ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSE IS ILL, YOU WILL CONTACT MS WATT AND SWITCH TO ZOOM. IF ANYONE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID YOU WILL CONTACT MS WATT. WE WILL SWITCH TO ZOOM IF NECESSARY BASED ON WHO WAS EXPOSED, VACCINATION STATUS, AND OTHER MITIGATING FACTORS.
IF YOU COME TO A LESSON AND ARE OBVIOUSLY ILL YOU WILL BE SENT HOME WITH NO MAKEUP. IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO SWITCH TO ZOOM. I expect families to monitor their own health and contact me when necessary.
7. The number of people inside my home and the studio will continue to be limited. There is no longer a waiting area inside my home. You may wait on my porch if weather permits or in your car. Middle school/high school students should plan to attend lessons alone. Elementary students may still have a parent present. Please text me when you arrive to confirm when it is time to enter for your lesson. A bathroom is still available for emergencies.
Online lessons will be utilized for illness and inclement weather as well as at the discretion of Mrs Watt as necessary due to current pandemic protocols.
Students utilizing the online option will use the Zoom platform. Having a secondary platform such as Facebook Live or Google Meets, in case of technical difficulties, is encouraged.
Students should have a stable internet connection that is as fast as possible (being close to the router or plugging directly into the router can help with speed issues).
Students need a device with both a camera and a microphone. (Internal mikes are fine though an external mike may improve sound quality.) The larger the screen, the better.
Laptops are encouraged though phones are acceptable, if necessary.
Please also make sure lighting makes the student easily visible. I need to be able to see a minimum of waist up with both hands visible.
Students should have a designated location for lessons that is quiet and has as few distractions as possible.
Please make sure your device is fully charged or plugged in.
Please have all materials ready and log into your lesson on-time. Necessary materials include your instrument (already tuned if possible), a tuner and metronome, all music, a music stand, and a pencil. A notebook to jot down notes is encouraged.
Rules and Policies:
1. Please arrive to your lesson on time. If you arrive late, it cuts into your lesson because I cannot run over. Also, if you drop your child off, please also pick him/her up on time. .
2. Please stay in your car until Mrs Watt comes to get you. Please text Mrs Watt when you arrive.
3. Parking Policy: You may park in my driveway (2 spaces) or in front of my home (1 space) only. Please do NOT park in front of my neighbors’ homes or go onto other people’s property for any reason.
4. For all activities at St. Luke, please come in at your scheduled activity time and unpack your instrument. Please be quiet if I am finishing with the previous student or group. Please also be respectful of St. Luke’s property. We are privileged to be able to use space there.
5. A minimum of 24 hours notice is requested for all cancelled lessons.
6. If I must cancel a lesson, it will be made up.
7. If a student cancels a lesson it will NOT be made up unless you choose to use your one make-up lesson. You will only have one make-up, once this is used, no more make-ups will be given. I MUST ENFORCE THIS POLICY. With a full studio, there is very little space available for makeup lessons. THE PLAN IS TO USE ZOOM IF AT ALL POSSIBLE IN LIEU OF MAKEUP LESSONS, ESPECIALLY FOR TRANSPORT ISSUES OR IF SOMEONE ELSE IN YOUR HOME IS SICK. Students may use their one makeup lesson if the student is ill or has a direct conflict.
8. INCLEMENT WEATHER: If Fayette Co. Public Schools are closed due to weather, lessons will move to Zoom for the day. There will be no makeup lessons for inclement weather. Group Lessons will move to Zoom at my discretion.
9. Email will be used almost exclusively for communication. All forms, payment reminders, etc. will be sent by email. Information is also posted to Facebook and the Watt Violin Studio website to keep you well informed.
Practice Requirements:
Students must maintain a consistent practice and listening schedule to succeed. Practice should include daily work on scales, exercises and passage work, technique, review, current piece, and music theory as assigned. Practice requirements are as follows:
Beginner (Twinkler): 10-15 minutes daily, minimum weekly goal = 60 minutes
Book 1: 15-20 minutes daily, minimum weekly goal = 75 minutes
Books 2 and 3: 30-45 minutes daily, minimum weekly goal = 150 minutes
Books 4 and 5: 45-60 minutes daily, minimum weekly goal = 225 minutes
Book 6 and above: 60-75+ minutes daily, minimum weekly goal = 300 minutes
As students advance, the minimum amount of practice time needed each week will continue to increase. Typically, advanced students will be practicing several hours each day. Students access an online weekly practice log with detailed homework assignments. Please make sure that daily practice is recorded on the log. At certain points during the year, a Practice Journal Space may be used as well. This space is used to set goals, practice plans, and chart progress in meeting practice goals. A Practice Reward Program is in place for all Watt Studio students. Each week that the student’s practice goal is met a star is earned. Five stars = a prize. Please use this and other incentives to help encourage daily practice. If you are having practice motivation problems at any point, please let me know. Students are required to listen to their Suzuki recordings EVERY DAY! Specific listening goals will be set in students’ lessons.
Required Activities:
Group classes, Play Throughs, Festival, and Recitals are all important aspects of a Suzuki Music Education. As such, they are ALL highly suggested activities in the Watt Studio for eligible students. More advanced students who are also in orchestra may request exemption from group class at my discretion. If there is a group class available for you it is REQUIRED. If you have a conflict with your scheduled group class, you MUST speak with me. ALL STUDENTS MUST PLAY ON AT LEAST ONE RECITAL EACH SEMESTER. – NO EXCEPTIONS!