Studio Policies

These policies are for traditional weekly lessons. To learn more about short-term package options, please inquire!

Lesson Days and Location

Weekly 45 minute one-on-one lessons take place in Puyallup near the Ted Brown (exact location will be disclosed upon enrollment).

Mrs. Droz’ teaching days are Monday through Thursday afternoons and early evenings. She does not offer Friday or weekend lessons.

Who Mrs. Droz Teaches

She teaches violin and viola students ages 10-80, adults are welcome, too. Beginning-advanced levels.

Tuition & Payment Plan

The tuition you pay reserves an exclusive weekly time in my schedule for the student, so choose a time you are confident you can reliably attend.

The payment covers the actual time spent with the student, as well as preparing an individualized plan for each student, developing teaching materials, printing costs, bookkeeping, scheduling, recital expenses, and space rental fees.

Monthly tuition is a flat rate of $170 per student for 45 minute WEEKLY lessons. The payment amount is the same no matter how many lessons are in a month since the total tuition for the school year (37 lessons) is divided into 10 equal payments. Students are expected to continue lessons in the summer (separate payment plan -see more here).

Payment is due by the first lesson of the month. Lessons will not be taught without payment.

Payment can be made via check (payable to Maria Droz), cash, or Zelle. Zelle or check are preferred.

Tuition is subject to increase slightly each school year.

Cancellations & Missed Lessons

Once your lesson time has been mutually decided, it is expected that students will make every effort to attend that weekly lesson appointment. Please prioritize your lesson time and let Mrs. Droz know ASAP if you will miss a week/are out of town.

Missed/make-up lessons: There will be no refunds or make-ups for missed lessons. If you need to miss a week, families have two options: 1) trade times with another student (Swap List) OR 2) make video recordings of assignments and send to Mrs. Droz for feedback (she will provide audio/video feedback and assign new material).

Teacher Lesson cancellations: if Mrs. Droz needs to cancel for sickness or personal reasons, the lesson will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time, or a refund will be issued.

Sickness: Virtual lessons are available if the student is ill or inclement weather (but not to be used for other reasons). Please do not attend in-person lessons if you/your family are even a little bit sick as Mrs. Droz is immunocompromised! Please contact Mrs. Droz before your lesson time if you are switching to a virtual lesson format that week.

Stopping lessons: Please give a minimum of 3 weeks written notice if you will be pausing or stopping lessons. A month allows us time to say goodbye, have positive closure, and find a new student to replace the open spot. This also ensures the studio can maintain financial stability. Students who discontinue lessons without advanced notice will not be refunded that month's tuition.

Studio Calendar for 2026-2027 school year

There will be NO lessons on:

November 25th-27th Thanksgiving Vacation

December 21st-January 1st Winter Break

April 5th-9th Spring Break

May 31st Memorial Day Vacation

The tuition plan starts on September 14th and ends June 24th (summer schedule will start June 28th). Each student will have 37 planned lessons during the school year, regardless of lesson day. If a student starts mid-month, tuition will be prorated. Summer lesson specifics are listed here.

*Please note lessons WILL be held on Holidays except for the dates marked above.

Student and Family Responsibilities

During the Lesson

Parents and siblings are welcome to silently observe the lesson and Mrs. Droz encourages parental partnership for student's success. However, please resist interrupting, correcting, distracting, or giving comments to your student. Know it will take time for your child to understand new concepts. All electronic devices need to be on silent.

Students and parents are expected to be cooperative, respectful, and positive in their interactions with Mrs. Droz, instruments, music, and the rental space. The door will be locked and Mrs. Droz will let you in at your scheduled time.

Home Practice Expectations

Teacher and student spend one weekly session together, but the real progress happens at home with daily practice! Your brain learns best through repetition, so to make good progress, all students are expected to practice at least 5 days a week (5th-8th grade 20-40 minutes/day, 9-12th grade 40-60 minutes/day). Frequency and quality matter more than time. Students will be given specific, written practice assignments that are checked the following week.

***Please make sure you have time in your schedule for a 6 day-per-week commitment (1 day of lesson, 5 days of practice at home).

Developing consistent and focused practice leads to progress, which fuels motivation to practice and improve. It also helps avoid frustration for the student and the teacher. Students who do not practice regularly may be dismissed from the studio.

Student agrees to….

Before the lesson: take care of your physical needs (bathroom, snack, water, as needed)
Prevent distractions (silence cell phone/ipad, get rid of gum/food before the lesson)
Arrive a few minutes early with your instrument, music, and notebook ready to go
Trim fingernails before the lesson (if they touch the string in proper playing position, they are too long!)
Avoid wearing/using scented products such as lotion, perfume, cologne (Mrs. Droz has scent allergies)
Keep track of practice in notebook and review assignments regularly to check for understanding
Day after the lesson: practice within 24 hours to cement learning
Throughout the week: practice at least 5 days per week on your lesson music

Parent agrees to…..

Be punctual with monthly tuition payments and purchasing *materials
Prioritize student attending weekly lessons and help them arrive on time with all necessary supplies
Inform Mrs. Droz of illness/cancellations or lesson swaps ASAP (text preferred)
Try to observe at least 1 lesson a month, but refrain from instructing or interrupting
Support student to develop good practice habits by providing a quiet, non-distracting space and an encouraging attitude

*families are responsible for providing all music books, a quality instrument and bow (ask Mrs. Droz for her recommendations), shoulder rest, lined notebook, tuner/metronome (app), 1/2-1" 3 ring binder, and a folding music stand (for home practice).

Teacher will make specific music book recommendations for each student.

Studio Recitals

Music is meant to be shared and Mrs Droz strives to provide a supportive environment for students to practice performing each year!

There will be a Spring Recital (date and details will be announced closer to) where students perform with a pianist or Mrs. Droz. Participation from all students is expected.

Scheduling & Trial lessons

The first month will be paid trial lessons to make sure you are a good fit before officially enrolling longer-term (committing to the school-year). For the first month only, these 4 lessons can be paid individually or in one payment.

The first lesson will be a “meet and greet” with both student and parent. Mrs. Droz will go over expectations, listen to the student play, and explore possible learning goals with the family.

Throughout the year, if your schedule changes (due to sports, etc), please reach out to Mrs. Droz to discuss the possibility of switching to a new time.

Communicating with Mrs. Droz

In communicating with Mrs. Droz, please use in the following order:

1. email droz.violin@gmail.com (messages will be responded to within 24-48 hours on weekdays)

2. text 253-271-9570 (text your ETA if running late and for other time-sensitive matters)

3. phone/voicemail 253-271-9570

*Please do not call or text before 8:00 AM or after 8:00 PM.