2024-2025 STUDIO Policies
Updated Oct. 28, 2024
Practicing:
Daily listening and practice is required of all students. It is the parent's responsibility to play the child's daily listening assignments as well as to practice with him/her until the teacher and parent determine together that they are ready to practice independently. Parents are expected to keep the violin in proper maintenance and good condition and to make sure that the student's fingernails are trimmed short enough to properly play. BVS is an intensive program, so please be aware of practice expectations and the studio schedule when evaluating other activities.
Lessons:
Students and parents should arrive at the lesson early, observe the last few minutes of the previous student’s lesson, and quietly get themselves and their violin ready before the starting time. Students are to bring a studio-approved instrument and materials to each lesson. Unless otherwise arranged, it is the parent’s responsibility to take notes in the lesson for at-home practice. For at least the first year of study (beginners 9 and younger) the same parent must come each lesson (not a spouse, grandparent, etc.).
Phones are to be used by the parent for taking notes and videos only. Video recordings are encouraged. Parents are not to instruct during the lesson. Siblings are welcome to attend as long as they do not distract. Regular attendance of your lesson and group class is required to hold your place in the program. I love when students arrive early. If you are running late to either a lesson or a group class please let me know so I can plan accordingly.
Missed lessons & cancellations:
Missed lessons are not refundable, but I am happy to provide a make-up lesson upon request if I have scheduling availability. I do not often teach online, but on occasion, online lessons may be substituted for in-person lessons if I have sickness or am traveling, or for some other unforeseen circumstance. Online substitutions are rare but do not occasion a refund. In the case of sickness, please do not come to your lesson - request an online lesson instead or reschedule. In the case that I need to cancel a lesson, it will be either rescheduled or credited toward the summer. This does not apply to group classes and in the rare case of having to cancel a group class it will generally not be rescheduled or made up.
Contact:
I can be reached by phone, text, or email during teaching hours. Texting is usually the best way to reach me. I do not answer my phone during lessons but I love to hear from you during the week and encourage you to reach out often with questions that come up during practice or to get feedback without having to wait until the next lesson. Marco Polo is a great app for sending videos or practice questions!
Shawna.dose@gmail.com or 712.369.8349
Tuition:
BVS operates on a tuition-based payment schedule and commitment is for the year. Tuition can be paid by the year, semester or month. Monthly payments are due in advance on the 1st of each month and mathematically divided over the year as a standard amount. Tuition includes private lessons, group classes, studio events, formal and informal recitals and performances, well as ongoing professional development and other teaching expenses. Tuition is non-refundable. If paying by month, please note that it is not possible to skip payments once you are enrolled while still holding your place in the studio.
In the case of withdrawal from Bluebird Violin Studio, 30 days notice is required in order to give me time to fill the lesson space. I encourage open dialogue with students and parents and want to hear from you if you have any concerns. Please feel free to request a parent/teacher conference at any time (and I greatly appreciate this before discontinuing, as well). All tuition is non-refundable. I hold the right to terminate lessons at any time if I determine that we are no longer a good fit for each other.
2024-2025 Academic Year (August-May):
30 minute lessons: $165/month | $800/semester, $1600/year (discount for semester/annual payments)
45 minute lessons: $220/month | $1075/semester, $2150/year (discount for semester/annual payments)
60 minute lessons: $300/month | $1475/semester, $2950/year (discount for semester/annual payments)
*Fall semester: August-December - Spring semester: January-May.
*See the BVS calendar for details regarding schedule.
*Tuition is standard each month August-May and increases each fall.
*There are 4 summer lessons included in tuition. Regular summer lessons are strongly encouraged but paid for individually in order to accommodate teacher and student travel and activity schedules.
Methods of Payment:
Cash or Checks: Please make payable to Shawna Dose.
PayPal: Shawna.Dose@gmail.com. You will have to add a ~3% transaction fee (about $5)
Venmo: @shawnaraemusic
Mailing address for payments: P.O. Box 2103 Cleveland, TN 37320
$20 late fee for tuition received after the 1st of the month.
Media:
By enrolling with Bluebird Violin Studio, you acknowledge that pictures and video of your child will be used on our website or studio pages & marketing materials. First names only will be used, and will be omitted upon request of parent. If you are not comfortable with media usage, please let me know before joining.