Tuition
- Tuition is to be paid in full at or by the first lesson of each month. Please let me know if you'd prefer to pay by quarter or semester.
- Accounts that are not paid in full will be subject to removal of student from the lesson schedule.
- If paying by check, make payable to Rachel McGuire (not Brighton Music Center)
Attendance
- If a student must cancel a lesson, please try to contact Rachel McGuire or Brighton Music Center at least 24 hours in advance.
- Your lesson time is reserved exclusively for you!
- Make-up lessons are at the discretion of Rachel McGuire based on availability and there will be no credit given for student-cancelled lessons.
- Lessons missed without at least 24 hours advanced notice will not be made-up or credited.
- In the event of a teacher cancellation the student will receive a make-up or credit.
- Lessons will be prorated should a new student begin instruction later in the month.
- To discontinue lessons, please notify Rachel McGuire directly.
- You will be notified of any closings due to the weather. I’ll make every effort to make-up weather-related cancellations. Unless you hear from me, please assume that the studio will be open on school-declared snow days.
General Info
- Plan to arrive a few minutes before your lesson. Lesson times will not be extended for students who arrive late.
- Parents are welcome at lessons but not required.
- Nails should be cut short so that the nails do not encourage bad hand and finger positions or cut into the string. "Manicure and nail polish" is not an excuse for long fingernails.
- Students should arrive with the willingness to participate, learn, and be positive. We all have our bad days, however, a consistently bad attitude will hinder lessons and progress.
Practice
At home, it is normal for a child to not want to practice regularly. I encourage students to practice at least 5 times a week. How long to practice is harder to pin down, but advanced students should aim for an hour or more while younger students should aim for at least 30 minutes. Consistent and mindful practice is the most important factor and makes a huge difference in how a student progresses. Without practice though, it is impossible to teach new concepts and the student will lose interest. Set a specific time in the day to practice in a quiet place in the home and adhere to it as much as possible.
Required Materials
- Please bring the following to every lesson:
- Instrument
- Shoulder Rest
- Rosin
- Cleaning Cloth
- All assigned music
- Pencil
- In addition, every students should have a music stand for at-home practice
Instruments, accessories, and music may be rented or purchased from Brighton Music Center. Some great online resources include Shar Music, Johnson String Instruments, Southwest Strings, Quinn Violins, and Sheet Music Plus. Please do not purchase an instrument without consulting me first!