Tuition

Tuition is to be paid monthly, by the first of the month.  I accept Venmo, Paypal, checks, and cash.

Much like if a student missed a day of a dance/art/etc class they were registered for, there will be no refunds for missed lessons, however if you know in advance of the first of the month that you or your child will be absent on a particular day due to a conflict, tuition will only be due for the number of lessons planned that month. I ask for 24 hours notice for absences and I will do my best to schedule a make-up lesson. In the case of emergencies I will sometimes offer a make-up lesson when a lesson is canceled with fewer than 24 hours notice, but only two such emergency makeups are allowed in any 6 month period. A missed make-up lesson will not result in another make-up.

If I need to miss a lesson due to illness or other conflict, a make-up lesson will always be scheduled. If a time cannot be agreed upon for a make-up lesson, the lesson fee will be credited to the following month.

Practice

Regular practice is vitally important! I ask that all students practice daily, with everyone practicing 30 minutes per day at first, 45 minutes by the time we reach book 2 (of either of the two method books I use), an hour by book 3, and so on. With young children (under age 8), I ask that parents attend the lessons as well, and help the child practice at home.

Supplies

Each student will need a properly-sized cello (I recommend Brobst, or Potter’s Violin shops), a music stand, a metronome, a digital tuner (these are available as apps on smartphones, as well, but most metronome apps are not loud enough to be useful, I’ve found. The tuner apps should be sufficient), rosin, a cleaning cloth (an old t-shirt or a microfiber towel works fine), and the accompanying CD to whichever of the two method books I choose for the particular student (The ABC’s of Cello, or Suzuki). Please have the child listen to the piece on which they are currently working daily. In addition, the student will need a chair which allows the his/her thighs to be parallel to the floor when seated in it. This is very important to the ability to hold the cello properly. For younger children, an adjustable cello stool is helpful as it can grow with them.