Studio Policies

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, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons and early evenings. If you need a Wednesday time, that can be arranged. She does not offer weekend lessons.

Mrs. Droz currently teaches violin and viola students ages 10+.

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 tuition covers the actual time spent with the student, as well as all preparation for lessons, printing costs, bookkeeping, scheduling, and space rental fees.

Monthly tuition is a flat rate of $160 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 is divided into 9 equal payments.

Payment is due between the first of the month and 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. Electronic payment is preferred, and reminders will be sent at the beginning of each month.

Tuition is subject to increase slightly each school year.

Cancellations & Missed Lessons

Once your appointment time has been mutually decided, it is expected that students will make every effort to attend that weekly lesson appointment. Makeup lessons are never guaranteed.

Missed lessons: there are no refunds for missed lessons. Makeups for ANY reason will only be given with: limit of two per school year, if 24+ hours notice is given AND the makeup is requested by the parent. The lesson must be made up during the month in which it was missed - no credits forward. If you know you need to miss a week, families are highly encouraged to reschedule a lesson by swapping times with another student.

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 the lesson will be credited to next month’s tuition.

Sickness: Virtual lessons are available if the student is ill. 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 (advanced notice appreciated) if you are switching to a virtual lesson format that week.

Stopping lessons: if it becomes necessary to discontinue lessons entirely, please give a minimum of one month's written notice.

Studio Calendar

There will be NO lessons on:

November 27th-29th Thanksgiving Vacation

December 23rd- January 3rd Winter Break

April 7-11 Spring Break

May 26 & 27th Memorial Day

The tuition plan starts on October 7 and ends June 12th. Each student will have 32 planned lessons during the school year, regardless of lesson day. If a student starts mid-month, tuition will be prorated.

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

Student and Family Responsibilities

During the Lesson

Parents and siblings are welcome to sit in on the lesson, but Mrs. Droz kindly requests that they resist the temptation to interrupt, critique, or instruct the student during the lesson. Know it will take time for your child to understand new concepts. Additionally, younger siblings should not be disruptive and 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 church 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 receive the full benefit from lessons, all students are expected to practice at least 5 days a week. Students will be given specific, written practice assignments at each lesson that are checked the following week. Developing consistent, focused, and quality practice will support good progress and avoid frustration for the student and the teacher.

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 (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)
Evening of the lesson: read or play through lesson assignments 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 (treat your lesson assignments like homework)

Parent agrees to…..

Be punctual with lesson monthly payments and purchasing *materials
Help student arrive to lesson 5 minutes early with all necessary supplies
Communicate clearly and early about scheduling needs/conflicts (24+ hours in advance)
Help student 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, 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.

Scheduling

The first month will be paid trial lessons to make sure you are a good fit before officially enrolling longer-term. The first lesson will be a “meet and greet” with both student and parent where Mrs. Droz will go over expectations and explore possible learning goals with the family. You will list your availability for lesson times on the enrollment form.

Communicating with Mrs. Droz

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

1. email droz.violin@gmail.com

2. phone/voicemail 253-271-9570

3. text 253-271-9570

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

Mrs. Droz does not usually check or respond to emails on weekends.