STUDIO GUIDELINES
Julie Knapp, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, Flute
MuzicToMyEars.net
FlutifulJulie@gmail.com
TUITION: Tuition is a flat-rate monthly amount September-May (summer lessons are pro-rated). Tuition is payable through the 7th of each month. A $20 late fee will be added if paid after the 8th of the month. Payment: cash; checks payable to Julie Knapp. Contact Mrs. Knapp for current tuition pricing.
TUITON DISCOUNTS
10% tuition discount if paid by the year (September-May)
5% tuition discount if paid by the semester (September-December; January-May)
No refunds or credits; same attendance policy for students; same teacher commitments
May pay by credit card for additional fee (about 3%)--request invoice or link
In-person lessons take place at Musical Innovations, 150-G Tanner Rd, Greenville. Lessons follow the Greenville County school calendar: No lessons on holidays, Spring break, or during the two-week school break during Christmas and New Years; no make-up lessons for these closures.
30 days notice must be given if a student wishes to discontinue lessons.
Otherwise, the next month's tuition will be due whether the lessons are attended or not. (Not applicable for tuition paid by the semester or year).
Absence/Make-ups: Please give 24 hours' notice for absences, or the lesson will be lost due to no-show. In lieu of a make-up lesson for student absences with notice, the teacher will send an at-home lesson to be completed by student if there is no opening for a rescheduled lesson within 2 weeks. Teacher absences will either be rescheduled OR taught by a qualified substitute teacher (with advance notice to the student).
Image release: Photos of students with first names, last initial only may be posted on my website or studio Facebook page. Unless a parent stipulates otherwise, it is assumed that permission is granted.
INSTRUMENTS, ACCESSORIES AND MATERIALS
INSTRUMENTS should be of sufficient quality so as not to hinder the student. I can help you select a flute that's right for you!
FLUTE: If you need a flute, I can recommend a reliable one (or source for one) or can help you choose one in your price range.
FLUTE TUNE-UPS: Flutes must be serviced regularly (like a tune-up on your car) once or twice per year by a qualified repair specialist. If a flute is not serviced, the following things occur:
* the pads on the keys leak, causing the flute not to "speak" certain notes
* the student begins to squeeze too hard on the keys, causing more damage
and poor technique
* the keys get out of alignment, causing the fingers to have to travel different
distances to close keys, resulting in poor technique
* the cork dries out, causing leaks
All of these malfunctions can be avoided by keeping the flute in good shape. Only a flute specialist should work on your flute.
REQUIRED ACCESSORIES: the following accessories are required for the student to complete assignments properly:
* sturdy music stand for practice at home
* metronome
* tuner (or combination metronome/tuner)
* instrument cleaning supplies
* spiral notebook for teacher's notes at lessons
WHAT TO EXPECT
WHEN THE "NEW" WEARS OFF: Sometimes students try an instrument for a short time to see if they'll like it, and parents want to know if they'll stick with it. It takes a minimum of 3 months to have a solid introduction in musical study, and 9 months to explore it enough to determine whether it will be rewarding for you! Allow enough time (and practice) to encounter not only the difficulties but the progress and rewards as well. No discipline (even music) is easy and no one is "born with it". Everyone who studies flute must work to build skill, which is why band and lessons are not enough. Set aside practice time each day to develop your ability properly.
PRACTICE: Music practice is mostly brain-work. We train our minds to operate our finger patterns, posture and air flow. Mindless repetition is useless. Expect your practice time to take energy, stamina and work just as sports practice. If you are not making progress, it is because you are not practicing properly or engaging your mind to concentrate on your practice goals. The teacher's job is to teach practice techniques; it is the student's job to learn to play the flute!
MUSICAL GOALS: Whether you are a person who takes music lessons for a well-rounded education OR to prepare for a career in music, you should determine what you are willing to invest to meet your goals. In either case, it is important to plan to share your music with others through recitals and impromptu performances. It is also important to plan what you wish to accomplish, let the teacher know your goals, and work out a practice plan to meet your deadlines.