Studio Policy | Rose Wodarcyk

STUDIO POLICY

MY RESPONSIBILITIES

I will teach students in a positive, encouraging environment with a teaching style that emphasizes independence and student-led learning. It is my goal to empower each student with input based on their interest and long-term goals. I will tailor the curriculum to match each student's specific learning needs, and I will always encourage students to place a high value on their musical education.

STUDENT & FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES

Students agree to arrive at each lesson punctually, well-prepared, and with their assignment books, music, and instrument. To make good progress, daily quality practice is necessary. Please ask questions about home assignments so that the student and parents can completely understand the assignments and goals.

Parents/Guardians: If something is happening at home or school that is affecting your child, please let me know. The more information I have, the more I can be sensitive to the needs of your child.

Parents/Guardians are always welcome to sit in on lessons, but are not required. Parents are welcome to leave the studio during the student’s lesson time to run errands, etc. However, please be aware of the time as I cannot be responsible for students after their lesson time. If you are dropping your student off for their lesson, please plan to drop by at the end for a short debrief on what we worked on.

All students are encouraged to play at the studio recitals and take auditions for local ensembles and competitions. If an opportunity arises, please bring information to the next lesson so that I can help your student prepare.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

INSTRUMENTS

Students must have their own instrument, in good working order, to practice at home and bring to lessons. If you have questions or would like input on the purchase of an instrument, please let me know. While cheap instruments can seem like a good deal, a quality instrument is important in making progress and eliminating unnecessary frustration. I am happy to set appointments to meet the student and their family for instrument trials and make specific recommendations.

For the most optimized experience, string instruments need a new set of strings and a bow rehair 1-3 times each year. Students are expected to keep up with this maintenance as part of having an instrument in good working order. I will provide recommendations if there are any questions.

CLEANLINESS AND INSTRUMENT CARE

Before touching your instrument, be sure to have clean hands. Having short nails is also a requirement, as we cannot play with proper technique with long nails.

Students will be expected to take good care of their instruments. This includes loosening the bow when not in use, wiping the instrument down after playing, keeping the instrument in the case when not in use, and never leaving the instrument unattended in a car.

MUSIC

Each student is responsible for purchasing the required music and materials for lessons. Materials will be assigned by me and the student will be expected to have them within a reasonable time frame after they have been assigned. Advance notice will be provided whenever possible.

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS (I am happy to make specific recommendations or answer any questions about these)

Notebook (to be used by me in writing lesson notes/assignments that you can review during the week)
Music stand for at-home practice
Tuner and Metronome (physical device or smartphone app)
Rosin
Shoulder rest, or shoulder sponge for beginners
Instrument cleaning cloth

TUITION AND SCHEDULE

MONTHLY TUITION AND PAYMENT

*Please note that tuition reserves a weekly time slot, but may not directly correlate with lessons received if the student does not attend the scheduled lesson times. All tuition is non-refundable.

Lessons will occur at the same day and time each week. Tuition is a flat monthly rate, which is based on the number of guaranteed lessons in the calendar year, divided into 12 equal installments. There will be a minimum of 44 lessons offered throughout the year, and the weeks where lessons are not held (due to holidays or personal performance opportunities) will be communicated in advance.

After the first payment, invoices will be sent and billed automatically on the 1st of each month from the card on file. Invoices will reflect the flat rate tuition. All automatic payments will be run through My Music Staff and Stripe.

In the event that a payment is returned or declined, a 48 hour window will be provided to adjust the payment method and resubmit payment. Any payments not received by the 3rd of the month will receive a $20 late fee. Recurring late payments may result in termination of the student’s enrollment.

EMERGENCY WEEKS

Two additional lessons will be built into the calendar, for a maximum of 46 lessons during the year. In the case of teacher illness or emergency, these two additional lessons can be canceled with short notice and will not need to be made up. In the case that no teacher illness/emergency cancellations occur, these lessons will be complimentary.

WITHDRAWING FROM LESSONS

In order to cancel tuition, written notification must be received via email 2 weeks prior to the 1st of the month. In the event that this deadline is not met, tuition will still be due, and any automatic payments will still run on the 1st of the month.

CANCELLATION/MAKEUP LESSON POLICY

Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours notice will not be guaranteed a makeup lesson. Lessons canceled with at least 24 hours notice will be credited a makeup lesson to be used within 30 days. Tuition is based on the number of lessons scheduled by the studio, and will not be altered. In the case of repeated student cancellations or no shows, the student may be dismissed from the studio.

ILLNESS/INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the case of mild student/teacher illness, inclement weather, or other conflicts, lessons may be held online. When virtual lessons are offered, in-person make-up lessons will not be offered. If the student opts out of the virtual lesson, that lesson and tuition will be forfeited. Tuition is non-refundable.

MAKEUP LESSON EXPIRATION

If the student is unable to use makeup credits within 30 days, the credits will be forfeited. Makeup lessons do not count as credit for the next month’s tuition.

TEACHER CANCELLATIONS

Lessons canceled by me will be given as much notice as possible. Teacher cancellations beyond the two emergency weeks will be rescheduled within 30 days.

PUNCTUALITY

Students are expected to arrive on time for their lessons. In the case that a student is more than 15 minutes late for a lesson and I have not heard from them, that lesson will be considered a “no show” and will be forfeited. If you are running late to a lesson, please make your best effort to notify me so I know to expect you. Please note that regardless of the time a student shows up, each lesson will end at its regularly scheduled time.

SCHEDULING CONCERNS

Lessons will occur at the same day and time each week. Changes to regular lesson times can be made on a case-by-case basis, according to the studio schedule.

The studio is open year-round. Please note that I am not able to “pause” lessons or reserve your time slot for you to rejoin the studio in the future, once you have withdrawn from lessons. This policy applies at all times during the year, including the summer months. A student’s time slot cannot be guaranteed in the fall if they were not enrolled in the summer.

COMMUNICATION

The studio’s administrative hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 1:00pm-8:30pm.
Please allow a 24 hour window for communication during the week.
Communication outside the hours of operation may have a longer response time, and messages sent over the weekend will not receive a response until the studio reopens on Monday.
Email is generally the preferred method of communication for the studio. Texts may be sent in the case of any last minute cancellations or other communication.
- Please note that I do not actively check my phone or email while I am teaching. Communication sent during teaching hours will be seen when I am transitioning between students or have a break in my schedule.
When providing contact information, please provide a good phone number and an email address you check regularly.

POLICY UPDATES

The studio policy is subject to change at any time. Changes to the policy will be communicated via email, at least 30 days before they go into effect. An updated copy of the policy will always be available on my website, rosewodarcyk.com.

PHOTO AND VIDEO RELEASE

From time to time I use photos and short videos of my students around the studio, on the studio website, or in social media posts. These videos and posts are encouraging to other students and helpful to other teachers. If you do not want your child's image(s) to be used, please let me know. The students are identified only by first name.

By enrolling and paying tuition for myself/my child in Rose Wodarcyk’s studio, I certify that I understand and agree to the studio policies for the 2023-2024 calendar year.