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 3 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.
Three 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 3 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: paypal.me/melindroth27 or search: melinda.abendroth@gmail.com
Venmo: @melindroth27 or search: melinda.abendroth@gmail.com
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.
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 me 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 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. I have found as a student that I learn best when I take ownership of my own development, so I encourage each of my students to do the same.
I strive to encompass a wide verity 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 aim to teach students how to practice, developing skills like self-evaluation, and 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. I can assist students on learning how to recover from mistakes as well as help develop skills to communicate clearly and portray a calm, confident presence.
Contact
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