TUITION FOR PRIVATE LESSONS
BEGINNING TO ADVANCED VIOLIN LESSONS
30 MINUTES.....$150/month (Ages 5+)
45 MINUTES.....$200..00/month (Ages 10+)
New!!
BEGINNING CELLO LESSONS
30 MINUTES.....$150.00 (Ages 5+)
45 MINUTES.....$200.00 (Ages 10+)
BEGINNING TO ADVANCED VIOLIN LESSONS
30 MINUTES.....$150/month (Ages 5+)
45 MINUTES.....$200..00/month (Ages 10+)
New!!
BEGINNING CELLO LESSONS
30 MINUTES.....$150.00 (Ages 5+)
45 MINUTES.....$200.00 (Ages 10+)
Additional Discounts:
10% off 2nd student/sibling Family Discount*
15% off 3rd student/sibling Family Discount*
- Referral discount: Refer a friend who registers for the school year for violin lessons, and receive one lesson free of charge.
- Complimentary "Get Acquainted Session". This includes allowing a little person unofficial time to explore the fascinating instrument and includes a fun mini orientation game.
- No charge for tuning and installation of new strings.
- Is your child enrolled in South Sutter Charter? You can get free lessons during the school year, and lesson workbooks via Rainbow Resources.
GETTING STARTED
How Can I Enroll?
Family orientation, preceding full enrollment in the strings program is set up first, if possible at my studio. This helps you to determine if the program is the right fit for your child and family. There is no charge for the orientation which is 1/2 hr. Nor is there any obligation for participants in the orientation process to commit to full-fledged enrollment afterward. (*If you are a charter member family and you have spoken to me already, your first lesson will cover this ground.) During this time you will have the chance to:
1.) Read through studio policies. (see below.)
2.) Observe a private lesson between your child and the teacher.
3.) Discuss how willing and able you are to commit to attending weekly lessons.
4.) Discuss the likelihood of your being able to work diligently with your child at home on a daily basis using the lesson plans until they are mature/able to practice well on their own.
5.) Have the student measured for proper violin or cello size.
6.) Discuss with teacher how you would like to select and obtain an instrument, and what you think would work out best, whether to rent, rent to own, or purchase.
7.) Discuss with teacher what lesson times would work best for you.
8.) Discuss any other questions you might have.
9.) Determine after the orientation the level of interest your child has in starting to learn to play the instrument with the teacher.
Where to get an Instrument: Want to buy an instrument or are looking for a rental instrument with option to buy? Try your local music store. Watermelon Music in Davis is good. They have excellent instruments and are very reasonable. They may be able to ship instruments to you. It is advantageous to find a more local vendor who can adjust and maintain the violin for you while renting and you would then not have to pay to return the violin at the end of your rental period. Keep in mind that many stores will allow you to upgrade to another instrument and you may use a certain amount of rental fees to count as credit towards the purchase of a new instrument at their store.
I also recommend SHAR music, and Young Musicians for supplies at a great price. Be prepared to purchase these items in addition to your instrument with bow and case: *Books and CD accompaniment *CD Player *Extra set of Strings (optional) *Music Stand, portable *Rosin for your bow *Shoulder Rest, fitted (for violinists) *Tuning device, FREE iphone app "String Tuner" *VIOLINISTS: I highly suggest that you wait to get a shoulder rest that is properly fitted either by myself or an expert at your local music store, and one that is adjustable in size (ie: if current size is 1/2, it will adjust to 3/4). Everyone has a different neck height and comfort level. I prefer the economy brand, Everest. It is a comfortable, very durable middle of the road shoulder rest that will outperform other brands. It comes in a collapsible version, and has a remarkable holding grip to the violin. Make sure to keep your receipt. (If you make a mistake, who wants to be stuck with a shoulder rest that is always falling off when you are trying to concentrate on proper left hand hold, keeping a straight bow, proper intonation, etc.?) |
.
If you have chosen a used violin or cello, it must be in proper condition, having passed the checks made by a violin shop/repair professional (which is usually a free service) before lessons can begin.
Please note, observations and orientation meeting must be done by the parent who will be the practice partner, attending lessons and practicing with the child.
For more information,
you may contact Merrilee McCain at e-mail at angelicviolinstudios@gmail.com.
I look forward to meeting you and answering any remaining questions.
How Do I Choose an Instrument?
(Please see my page on this topic here.)
Basic Policies
The core of the program is individual lessons, which are conducted in a local area music studio or in private homes for a small travel fee, if available. It has been noted that homeschooled children asking for music lessons will excel at music programs but I cannot emphasize enough the role of the parent as the "at home" assistant teacher! This requires an ongoing commitment to complement my efforts. Keep in mind that in order to keep the excitement for learning alive, you will need to an active listener during lesson times so that you can reproduce much of the instruction in my absence on a daily basis for the remainder of the week (for up to a year or more, depending on age of the child). With the aid of an assignment book and motivational stickers and rewards, this should be fairly easy. By the time the child reaches a certain age and proficiency, practice time no longer requires the same parental involvement. You must be willing to commit to at least 30 minutes every day with your child for practice sessions. You will be coaching with violin set up, checking for violin bow tension and rosining, have the music lesson opened to the right pages, cd in the player set to the lesson song tracks, and then do the steps outlined. You will want to stimulate desire for another session by giving plenty of encouragement and praise along with gentle corrective feedback. A general guideline to follow is: a child younger than 7 years will usually start out with half hour lessons, children 7 years and up = 3/4 hour lessons, 12-13 and older= 1 hour home practice sessions. Are you ready and willing to accept the challenge? Then read on!
Summer Time:
Strings training is ongoing and does not exclude summer. You will need to consider this fact before making a commitment. Please agree to at least 6-lessons during the summer at the time of your initial registration. (This includes family members of charter schools). I will remind you to send me a confirmation letter in May with preferred lesson dates/times for summer enrollment. Charter members will be responsible for the cost during this time. Parents may need to consider a shift in lesson time for summer months. Requests for these changes in the routine need to be made a month before school lets out. I am happy to discuss with you what will work out best.
Lessons Missed:
I apologize, but due to the nature of the business and the hour drive from home I am unable to drop charges or guarantee absolutely to be able to schedule make up lessons due to cancellations made after the contract has started, and no refunds will be automatically awarded for lessons missed on account of the student/parent. Please understand that when students contract for a regular scheduled slot and cancels or doesn't show up, the lesson for all intents and purposes, is lost. I will accept the responsibility in case I am absent due to an emergency or illness, and you will not be charged if a make up lesson cannot be arranged. You may call me at my home phone first and then if no response text/call my cell to discuss and/or to cancel a lesson due to emergency or illness. Cancellation is expected in the event that participating family members are coming down with a sore throat, headache, fatigue, or sneezing, nasal discharge, cough, or unexplained body rash. If a student has had an elevated temperature within 24 hrs. preceding his/her lesson time, that lesson should not be taken. A courtesy 24 hour notice for any reason for cancellation is always appreciated by either party. :)
Payments :
After initial registration, as at any school, time contracted for teaching instruction during that school year is considered just as "tuition" is (non-refundable) and your flat-rate monthly installments by cash or check reserves your space for your child. Regular installments are to be paid on the first lesson of each month. The tuition does not fluctuate with minor and major holidays occurring throughout the year and my studio will remain open except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. A late fee of 5% will be charged after the 5th of the month and will appear in an email statement. Once you have enrolled your child into the program and a decision is made to discontinue the lessons, lessons may be resumed when any past dues are paid in full. Also please note that due to a busy schedule, it is not always possible to switch your lesson time to a different day or time once it has been set. Changes are made by parent/teacher due to shifting schedules a month before school lets out at the end of the school year on a first come, first served basis.
National Holidays: You may take a lesson on any holiday upon arrangement with the teacher. Please be aware that on the minor national holidays like Columbus Day, etc. I still expect to see you/your child, unless you choose to take a vacation on that holiday. I will not be available to teach on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day, and for one week in June and 1 week in July I will not be available due to my involvement in youth summer music workshops.
Student Conduct:
All students are expected to participate in a willing, cooperative, and respectful manner during lesson time. Parental supervision is required at all times for young family members in attendance that are not taking lessons. Quiet activities for little ones can be brought along, such as books, puzzles, or coloring pages. I also have a fun area with toys in the waiting area. If it becomes too difficult for student or teacher to concentrate, it may be necessary to ask that other arrangements be made for younger siblings to be watched elsewhere at the time of the lessons.
Music Events:
Student participation in at least 4 performances per year are encouraged and expected. These local events stimulate motivation to practice and serve to satisfy the students and their parents with increased confidence in their skills. Students are given rewarding opportunities to participate in music programs such as local youth orchestras as well as in small Zoom group lessons if appropriate in place of recitals. Solo, duet, and string ensemble parts are given to those who volunteer to play for these appreciative audiences. There are also opportunities to play in youth orchestras in local cities.
What Will it Be Like to Learn?
Music students are naturally inclined to practice when they have a goal in mind to reach. This affords them a chance to develop patience and perseverance. The question comes up, "How long should practice times be?" Ages 7 and up may start out at 30 minutes and work up to 1 hour. Some prefer to break up the practice time into 2 shorter periods, allowing for the rest of muscles and tendons. The time element itself is no magic bullet for success. What is important is to practice faithfully and in the right way the daily repetition of a given set of exercises for that week until these are mastered. Just as a plant that receives regular doses of water, sunshine, air, and fertilizer will naturally bloom and grow, likewise, the musician who practices daily and in the right way, will bloom also. Children learn quickly when learning is made into a fun adventure. Discovery games and anticipated rewards for their achievements are used to enhance the learning process. Students thrive on having a parent or teacher play with them during practice and lesson time!
How Can I Help My Younger Child Stay Focused?
After taking into consideration the overwhelmingly convicting research out there by specialists discouraging early academia before age 7 due to permanent cerebellum and eye damage (consistent with the counsel of homeschool founder, Raymond Moore) I discourage it, but Suzuki method works fine for younger students with it's violin-as-play approach without focus on note-reading. Suzuki believed that music was to be learned like the mother tongue by training the ear before any note-reading takes place. For all ages I require that the parents assist their children in getting set up for practice by the use of the accompanying music track cds and workbooks sections that have theory, including musical flash cards. We are striving together for the gold standard, perfect tone production, ahead of note reading.
How Soon Can I Play Songs?
Step by step preparation is made for note reading with bowing patterns that are played with song tracks. Early exercises consist of playing with the sound tracks used to get proper tone production, being careful to have the proper left and right hand holds. First the open A and E strings are introduced, then 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers and songs like "Twinkle Twinkle", "Mary had a Little Lamb", and "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" are some of the first family songs learned. Later the D and G strings follow with catchy songs as well as with old time gospel hymns such as "Amazing Grace" and "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee" and others. Music theory is incorporated right away in the workbook and carried through the entire curriculum. Students use their workbooks to practice drawing music symbols, notes, learning how to properly perform in an orchestra, concert, etc. Flashcards with notes and music symbols are used in daily drills that help with note recognition, timing, and other theory. I also start off every new student, no matter what the age, with a theory book. I will have students read the alphabetic names of notes the first time they sight read through any new music. Dyslexic students are approached with care.
How Soon Will I be Able to Read Notes?
The step by step preparation for note reading is accomplished with short songs and exercises using uncomplicated note names with finger numbers above during the first few months which dovetails into learning to read notes on ledger lines. A preparation for reading notes is usually completed within the first 4-5 months generally for age 7 and up. During the following 6-8 months, rote to note is competed, and all basic notes on the staff are identifiable and memorized. At this point, students are now able to sight read more easily and keep up with a steady tempo as they read. Pieces are memorized. Theory is ongoing. A good foundation has been laid for advanced ensemble playing within a year to a year and a half.
How Soon Can I Share my Talents with Others?
Youth orchestra, special performances in a local church or retirement home, these are all wonderful opportunities that are within reach of all students in any stage of learning strings. Organized monthly outings to nursing homes give up to 30 students at once a chance to play in a public setting. These events enhance sight reading skills and give even the youngest players a chance to perform in public. This opens the world up to musicians who want to learn to use their gifts in a purposeful, ministry oriented way. Emphasis is on working together as a group working to pull off a beautiful inspiring concert to those who really appreciate it the most in a structured, noncompetitive environment.
What About Summer Workshops?
Once a year, students are encouraged to participate in an engaging, structured summer music workshop offered locally. These workshops involves highly interactive group learning experiences, not limited to classes in theory, orchestra, and master classes from teachers in the area. For opportunities, please email me.
Interested? Have any questions? I would love to hear from you! My email address is listed below.
To see testimonials, click here.
Merrilee McCain,
Director of Angelic Violin Studios
Based in Colfax, CA (3 minutes from Weimar Institute)
