Historical & Modern Flutist
About the Studio
Policies
Scheduling
Schedules/ Invoices for each month will be sent out in advance via email. Students and /or parents of students will have 72 hours to agree or respond with any alterations to the schedule. If no response is received, an affirmative confirmation will be assumed.
The emailed schedule/invoice will have the teachers planned holiday time, and/or unavailability.
Any changes the student/parent requests before or within the 72-hour window will be accommodated as best as possible with either a rescheduled lesson or lesson cancelled with no tuition charged. *Please see 2 week notice policy for more than one lesson cancelled in a month.
Any planned unavailability or schedule changes told to the teacher after the 72 hour window are subject to the missed lesson policy.
24-Hour Cancelation Policy: lessons cancelled within 24 hours of the lesson time do not qualify for a rescheduled lesson, a lesson credit, or a tuition refund.
Missed Lesson Policy: any missed lessons will be left to the teacher's discretion if it will be accommodated with a rescheduled lesson. If a missed lesson is not able to be rescheduled, it is up to the teacher's discretion if a lesson credit will be applied. No missed lessons will receive a tuition refund.
Rescheduled Lessons: Any rescheduled lessons will attempt to be rescheduled as soon as possible. Alternate lesson times are offered at the teacher's discretion and will take place at mutually convenient times agreed on by both the teacher a student/parent.
Lesson Credit: the student will receive one credit equal to one lesson in the next billing term. Maximum of one available each month.
2 Week Notice: should the student wish to change lesson slots, lesson duration, remove themselves from the studio or will miss more than 50% of their lessons in a month, notice must be given 2 weeks in advance. Any changes made with lesson notice are not eligible for rescheduling, or lesson credits.
Sick Policy
Students will not risk the teacher’s health and well-being, and vice versa. Students are REQUIRED to cancel lessons should they feel ill with something transmissible.*
It is the student’s responsibility to inform the teacher and cancel the lesson as soon as possible if the student should fall ill on the day of a lesson.
If the student has any illness in the 7 days preceding the lesson, the student will inform the teacher of the illness at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson. The teacher reserves the right to reschedule the lesson due to any illness of the student.
Both student and teacher will inform the other as soon as possible should either fall ill within 72 hours following the lesson.
If the teacher is ill, the lesson will be canceled with as much warning as possible, and a makeup lesson will be scheduled.
* Transmissible illness DO NOT include: allergies (including hay fever,) headaches/ migraines, period pain, pain or discomfort from orthodontia, dental or vision adjustments, bad traffic, ect. Any lessons cancelled or missed for ailments that are non-transmissible will be subject to the missed lesson and 24-hour cancelation policies.
Tuition
Tuition is due at the first lesson of the month.
A $25.00 late fee will be assessed if tuition is not paid by the 10th of the month.
A $25 late fee will be added for each month for any delinquent non-payment of instrument rental fees, travel frees, or attempted tuition dodging from missed lessons.
Tuition may be paid by any of the following methods:
Cash
Check: made out to Melinda Abendroth
Paypal
Venmo
Live Concert Attendance
Students must attend one live professional concert per fall and spring semester. There are plenty of local organizations that offer a plethora of programing: Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Sound Salon, Pacific Music Works, Gallery Concerts, Seattle Chamber Music Society, Concerts at Epiphany, Emerald City Concerts, and North Corner Chamber Orchestra, to name a few. I will also accept attendance at a high level volunteer orchestra/symphony /choir, although this is less preferable. Attendance of student concerts (your own or your siblings) does not count toward this. A short summary of the concert, no more than a paragraph should be written up and handed in following concert attendance and before the end of the semester.
Equipment Requirements
Students will arrive to lessons on time, with all necessary materials.
I've included links to recommendations, many of these items are available at any music shop. The brand/ style/ type doesn't matter, I encourage you to shop local.
Quality, regularly maintenance instrument
Dedicated 3-ring binder for sheet music and practice logs
Pencil with a working eraser
Pneumo pro fans (for flute students only)
may be purchased directly from me
or Amazon
Method Book - assigned after first lesson
Music stand*
Amazon: Vekkia half fold perforated - more sturdy
Amazon: Gleam folding stand - easier transport, more budget friendly
Metronome and tuner*
App: Cleartune
App: Pro Metronome
*Students do not need to bring music stands or the metronome and tuner to their lessons with them. Students will need to have them for home practice to ensure accuracy and to prevent injury.
Instrument Rental
LOCAL MUSIC SHOPS:
FluteWorks Seattle (best for intermediate upgrades)
I have multiple instruments including beginner and intermediate-level flutes, as well as professional-level models, piccolos, and a variety of historical flutes that are available to rent directly from me. Please speak with me for more information if you are interested in renting instruments.
Student Requirements
Students will attend lessons prepared to learn and ready to demonstrate what they have worked on individually since their last lesson. Students will aim to master any content given between lessons to ensure progress.
The student’s responsibility is to work at maintaining an open dialogue. If something is overwhelming, or uninteresting, or if the student is unsure of what the purpose of an exercise is, or confused as to what they should be doing, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the teacher. Music is a demanding discipline that requires not only mental and emotional flexibility but also physical coordination, left brain/ right brain cross interaction and layered concepts that build upon one another. Even with the best teachers learning a new set of skills can be frustrating, and ingraining skills to become second nature may be dull at times. I ask each of my students to keep an open mind and refrain from being “picky eaters,” please try something for a duration of time before deciding that a method or technique is not working for you, but please be open and honest with the instructor throughout the process about it.
It is my responsibility as the instructor to create an atmosphere of openness in which the student can safely make mistakes and learn confidently. I will endeavor to communicate weekly practice expectations clearly, while respecting each student’s individual learning needs and pacing.
I will keep students informed of opportunities to perform throughout the year. I will communicate regularly with students (and parents) about events, policies, and any updates through email and in person communication.
Family can support the student by providing a quality instrument and a focused, stable environment as well as a consistent schedule for the work of practicing. Family can encourage the student to perform for them on occasion and can check that assignments are completed prior to the lessons.
Teaching Philosophy
I am a lifelong student who loves learning and has developed a passion for quality teaching. Research shows students who take ownership of their own development tend to learn more information, with greater efficiency and better retention. I encourage each of my students to explore as they are unique individuals with different perspectives, learning methods and passions. Maintaining an open dialog and finding what is engaging, interesting and entertaining makes the learning environment more enjoyable for both the teacher and student.
I strive to encompass a wide variety of teaching methods to assist each student not only in their passion for music but to improve general brain training. I aim to build musical literacy and develop core foundations that will facilitate and support artistic playing. I model practice strategies and provide broad concepts as well as detailed instruction. I encourage my students to study repertoire from a variety of composers and musical eras. In addition to teaching the technical aspects of flute, piccolo and historical flute playing, I aim to lay a solid foundation in music theory. I also work on developing central skills in sight-reading, memorization, ear training, rhythm and strong performance practices. I aim to teach students how to practice, developing skills like self-evaluation, problem solving, and self-direction, including strategies for keeping resolutions and meeting goals.
All of my music degrees have been performance-based, making me uniquely qualified to explore the physical and mental challenges involved in performance. These skills are not only beneficial to music performance, but will assist students in high pressure situations that arise throughout daily life, from test taking and public speaking, to interviewing and delivering reports. I can assist students on dealing with stage fright and learning how to recover from mistakes as well as help develop skills to communicate clearly and articulately, and portray a calm and confident presence.
I am committed to the continual practice of my discipline through my own training and performing, and will remain current on best teaching practices and curriculum offerings through regular attendance of professional development opportunities, thus presenting a dynamic, current, and genuinely artistic lesson to my students every lesson.
Contact
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