Gabriela Potter Studio Policies – 2016-2017
Hello, and welcome to my violin/viola studio! I am very excited to share lessons with you during the 2016-2017 school year! I hope to provide a fun-filled learning environment in which your son or daughter, along with all the other families in our studio, can thrive!
Please find below my studio policies. If anything is unclear, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Basic Philosophy of the Suzuki Approach
Violinist and teacher Shinichi Suzuki developed what is known today as the “Suzuki Method” after he realized that children all over world learn to speak their native tongues effortlessly. Through my training with Mrs. Joanne Bath at ECU, and the hands-on teaching I have done in the past few years, I have adopted the Suzuki philosophy that “every child can learn to play a musical instrument”. Some key components to the success of this approach include:
Therefore, parents should attend lessons, take notes on what to practice, and serve as their child’s at-home teacher. The parent should understand the basics of the instrument in order to do so with confidence. Email me with questions and concerns about this, as I am more than happy to offer advice and suggestions!
Group Classes
The Greenville Suzuki Association will host a number of Suzuki Saturdays, Workshops, Festivals, and Concerts throughout the year. It looks as though there will be an event each month, starting in September! You are encouraged to attend these as often as possible. If my schedule permits, I will arrange for additional studio group classes throughout the year. This is likely to be a change for some families who have previously attended monthly group classes with another teacher. I do recognize the importance of having young violinists play together whenever possible, so I will send out possible dates for additional classes throughout the year.
Materials
Each family should arrive at their lessons on time (preferably five minutes early to unpack, get settled, etc.) with all necessary materials (violin, bow, shoulder rest, books/music, notebook). The parent or student should use a practice notebook to write down questions, as well as at-home practice assignments.
Tuition/Payments
Tuition is due at the first lesson of each month, and the pricing is as follows: $100/month for 30 minute lessons, $150/month for 45 minute lessons. This covers approximately 4 private lessons per month, expenses/supplies, and membership in the Greenville Suzuki Association (GSA). If your lessons take place at Peace in Greenville, checks can be made out to Peace Presbyterian. If your lessons are in Kinston or at APA, checks can be made out to me.
Your membership in the Greenville Suzuki Association is all-inclusive and provides you with wonderful discounts & opportunities for our larger events/activities. Membership allows you to participate in GSA events such as Suzuki Saturdays, concerts, festivals, etc. Workshops have an added cost, but are HIGHLY recommended.
Conflicts/Make-ups
I will alert you in the event of any conflicts with the semester schedule. The monthly tuition will be adjusted to reflect any lessons I am unable to teach. For example, if I will be away for two weeks in December, the tuition for that month would be $50 for 30 minute lessons, $75 for 45 minute lessons, etc. If, due to unexpected circumstances, I need to cancel a lesson, the money will be credited towards the following month’s tuition payment.
There are no refunds or make-ups for lessons you miss. If you let me know in advance about an absence, I will do my best to reschedule your lesson. While I will do my best to work with each family in such instances, my philosophy is that you are paying to reserve my time, not necessarily for a specific number of “services”.
Concert Attendance
We in Eastern North Carolina are very fortunate to have access to local, professional-level concerts! Concert attendance is very inspiring for young musicians, and I will make everyone aware of as many concerts as possible. The Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival, in residence at ECU, offers year-round concerts, as well as the chance for students to attend, free of charge, when they sign up for tickets through their private teacher!
Please refer to the Calendar page on my website: [email protected] for updated concert dates and attendance opportunities!
Recitals/Performances
I am very grateful to have use of the beautiful acoustics of Peace Presbyterian for studio recitals and performances. I plan on hosting two studio recitals: one in the Fall/Winter, and one in the Spring/Summer! Book recitals may be scheduled on an individual basis, and may take place wherever the student is most comfortable. Ms. Jon Shaw and Mr. John Holter have both offered their piano accompaniment services for such occasions.
As a member of my studio, you also have an open invitation to perform during Peace Presbyterian’s 11 am service on Sunday mornings. If, throughout the semester, you would like to perform a polished piece during the Prelude or Postlude of the service, do let me know! These selections need only be a minute or two in duration, and may be performed either solo or with accompaniment.
Resources
Please refer to the following websites for Suzuki events in our community, and local concerts/calendars!
http://www.suzukigreenvillenc.org/
http://www.ncsuzuki.org/home.html
https://suzukiassociation.org/
Violin Shops
The Violin Exchange
Rob Kelly (910-892-8900)
1008 W. Broad Street
Dunn, NC 28334
Triangle Strings
Jerry Pasewicz (919-233-4991)
4911 Waters Edge Dr #200a
Raleigh, NC 27606
Potter Violins
Dalton Potter (301-652-7070)
7711 Eastern Ave
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 757-289-1735
Website: gabrielapotter.weebly.com
I look forward to spending quality time with each of you throughout the year! Please contact me with any questions you may have!
Best,
Miss Gabby
Hello, and welcome to my violin/viola studio! I am very excited to share lessons with you during the 2016-2017 school year! I hope to provide a fun-filled learning environment in which your son or daughter, along with all the other families in our studio, can thrive!
Please find below my studio policies. If anything is unclear, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Basic Philosophy of the Suzuki Approach
Violinist and teacher Shinichi Suzuki developed what is known today as the “Suzuki Method” after he realized that children all over world learn to speak their native tongues effortlessly. Through my training with Mrs. Joanne Bath at ECU, and the hands-on teaching I have done in the past few years, I have adopted the Suzuki philosophy that “every child can learn to play a musical instrument”. Some key components to the success of this approach include:
- An Early Beginning
- Parent Involvement
Therefore, parents should attend lessons, take notes on what to practice, and serve as their child’s at-home teacher. The parent should understand the basics of the instrument in order to do so with confidence. Email me with questions and concerns about this, as I am more than happy to offer advice and suggestions!
- Listening and Repetition
- Positive Environment
Group Classes
The Greenville Suzuki Association will host a number of Suzuki Saturdays, Workshops, Festivals, and Concerts throughout the year. It looks as though there will be an event each month, starting in September! You are encouraged to attend these as often as possible. If my schedule permits, I will arrange for additional studio group classes throughout the year. This is likely to be a change for some families who have previously attended monthly group classes with another teacher. I do recognize the importance of having young violinists play together whenever possible, so I will send out possible dates for additional classes throughout the year.
Materials
Each family should arrive at their lessons on time (preferably five minutes early to unpack, get settled, etc.) with all necessary materials (violin, bow, shoulder rest, books/music, notebook). The parent or student should use a practice notebook to write down questions, as well as at-home practice assignments.
Tuition/Payments
Tuition is due at the first lesson of each month, and the pricing is as follows: $100/month for 30 minute lessons, $150/month for 45 minute lessons. This covers approximately 4 private lessons per month, expenses/supplies, and membership in the Greenville Suzuki Association (GSA). If your lessons take place at Peace in Greenville, checks can be made out to Peace Presbyterian. If your lessons are in Kinston or at APA, checks can be made out to me.
Your membership in the Greenville Suzuki Association is all-inclusive and provides you with wonderful discounts & opportunities for our larger events/activities. Membership allows you to participate in GSA events such as Suzuki Saturdays, concerts, festivals, etc. Workshops have an added cost, but are HIGHLY recommended.
Conflicts/Make-ups
I will alert you in the event of any conflicts with the semester schedule. The monthly tuition will be adjusted to reflect any lessons I am unable to teach. For example, if I will be away for two weeks in December, the tuition for that month would be $50 for 30 minute lessons, $75 for 45 minute lessons, etc. If, due to unexpected circumstances, I need to cancel a lesson, the money will be credited towards the following month’s tuition payment.
There are no refunds or make-ups for lessons you miss. If you let me know in advance about an absence, I will do my best to reschedule your lesson. While I will do my best to work with each family in such instances, my philosophy is that you are paying to reserve my time, not necessarily for a specific number of “services”.
Concert Attendance
We in Eastern North Carolina are very fortunate to have access to local, professional-level concerts! Concert attendance is very inspiring for young musicians, and I will make everyone aware of as many concerts as possible. The Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival, in residence at ECU, offers year-round concerts, as well as the chance for students to attend, free of charge, when they sign up for tickets through their private teacher!
Please refer to the Calendar page on my website: [email protected] for updated concert dates and attendance opportunities!
Recitals/Performances
I am very grateful to have use of the beautiful acoustics of Peace Presbyterian for studio recitals and performances. I plan on hosting two studio recitals: one in the Fall/Winter, and one in the Spring/Summer! Book recitals may be scheduled on an individual basis, and may take place wherever the student is most comfortable. Ms. Jon Shaw and Mr. John Holter have both offered their piano accompaniment services for such occasions.
As a member of my studio, you also have an open invitation to perform during Peace Presbyterian’s 11 am service on Sunday mornings. If, throughout the semester, you would like to perform a polished piece during the Prelude or Postlude of the service, do let me know! These selections need only be a minute or two in duration, and may be performed either solo or with accompaniment.
Resources
Please refer to the following websites for Suzuki events in our community, and local concerts/calendars!
http://www.suzukigreenvillenc.org/
http://www.ncsuzuki.org/home.html
https://suzukiassociation.org/
Violin Shops
The Violin Exchange
Rob Kelly (910-892-8900)
1008 W. Broad Street
Dunn, NC 28334
Triangle Strings
Jerry Pasewicz (919-233-4991)
4911 Waters Edge Dr #200a
Raleigh, NC 27606
Potter Violins
Dalton Potter (301-652-7070)
7711 Eastern Ave
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 757-289-1735
Website: gabrielapotter.weebly.com
I look forward to spending quality time with each of you throughout the year! Please contact me with any questions you may have!
Best,
Miss Gabby