Alameda String Academy policies
Table of contents
Studio Classes
Studio Recitals
Faculty Absences
How to Schedule Make-ups
- Alameda String Academy & Resident Teaching Artists' Commitment
- Expectations of the Student
- Expectations of the Parent
- Programs Overview
- Tuition Policy Overview
- Attendance Policy Overview
Studio Classes
Studio Recitals
Faculty Absences
How to Schedule Make-ups
- Intermittent Lessons
- Summer Sessions 2018
- Withdrawal
- Privacy Notice
- Liability Waiver
1. Ms. Erica's Commitment
2. Expectations of the Student
3. Expectations of the Parent
Common resources:
www.swstrings.com
www.sheetmusicplus.com
www.sharmusic.com
www.amazon.com
Recommended shops:
Bay Fine Strings 1622 S De Anza Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129
(415) 203-4534 www.bayfinestrings.com
Ifshin Violins: 6420 Fairmount Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 843-5466 www.ifshinviolins.com
Rolland Feller: 551 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 567-3708
Kamimoto Strings: 609 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 298-8168 www.kamimotostrings.com
Dolce Violins 115 Irwin St #100, San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 658-9341 https://dolceviolins.net/
4. PROGRAMS OVERVIEW
Lessons
Please arrive a few minutes early to wash hands, unpack, and catch your breath. Lessons are the best time to work out any individual challenges and to pursue particular musical interests. Come prepared -- and prepare to be challenged!
Studio Classes
Several times per semester, we hold studio classes for students to attend. This is an informal setting where students have the opportunity to hear their peers, perform for them, and exchange encouragement and critique. There is occasionally a potluck for students and their families. Studio Classes are an invaluable part of the learning and preparation process, and while there is no additional fee, these Studio Classes are an attendance requirement. Parents may also be required to attend, depending on the subject matter.
More about Studio Class attendance…
Studio Recitals
Student Recitals, usually given in mid-December and early June, are wonderful opportunities for young musicians to present their joy and hard work to their families and the community in a more formal setting. These recital opportunities are an important part of the curriculum at ASA and often require months of preparation on the part of the student. They can be rewarding, stimulating, and inspiring. They culminate in a potluck reception. There is no additional fee for the recital. Studio Recitals are an attendance requirement. Any performer must attend the Studio Class just prior to the recital in order to participate.
*Cellists will have their winter recital in January 2019 instead of December 2018.* Please take note of the dates listed in the Academic Calendar.
Chamber Music/Chamber Orchestra
Chamber music and ensemble playing is a great opportunity to learn beautiful and challenging repertoire, to communicate respectfully, listen, and hone time management skills. Best of all, players make lasting friendships -- and parents often do as well. Students can learn in leaps and bounds by playing with and learning from their peers. Students enrolled in private lessons are strongly encouraged to participate in an ensemble, inside or outside of ASA. If you are unsure if your musician is ready, speak to your teacher.
Additionally, students may be paired in an ensemble with others from the ASA studio. Rehearsals and additional coaching time may be needed. Rehearsals should be held outside of lesson times. Students have the option to use their lesson as a coaching session, or the ensemble can share an extra lesson for an additional fee.
5. TUITION POLICY OVERVIEW
Academic Year: Late August - Early June / Summer Session: Early June- Late August.
Tuition for all private students includes:
The monthly tuition is set out in the following table:
- Give the best of my knowledge and counsel to students and their parents.
- Hold a high standard of achievement for each student.
- Proceed with the best interest of the student at heart, knowing that each individual is distinctively gifted and unique.
- Provide a happy, healthy and productive environment in which students may learn, be encouraged, and grow personally.
2. Expectations of the Student
- Come to your lessons, studio classes, ensemble rehearsals and performances prepared and eager to learn!
- Practice all assigned music daily as prescribed by the teacher.
- Attend ALL lessons, studio classes, rehearsals, and studio recitals. Even if you are not signed up to perform, learning to show up, celebrate the successes and progress of your peers, and being ready to learn from others are all important life skills.
3. Expectations of the Parent
- You are your student's first teacher. Please encourage him/her by letting them know that you appreciate hearing them play. Motivate your student and reinforce concepts learned in lessons in a positive way. Make the enjoyment of music and music-making part of the culture of your household.
- Your teacher may require that you sit in on lessons and/or practice sessions. Take their lead in establishing the best possible rapport and learning environment with your budding musician. It is recommended that you take notes and videos to help with home practice.
- Promptly acquire books and materials as requested by teacher.
- Ensure that your child’s instrument is always in working order... You may not know, but your child probably will. Please contact your teacher as soon as the problem is known and also make the proper arrangements to repair the instrument in a timely manner.
- Set aside a productive practice environment for your student. It should be in a quiet, warm, and well-lit space, away from the hustle of public areas in your home. Even when there is a house full of guests, it is ultimately your responsibility to work with your student to find the best time and place for them to practice. Students learn how much you value goals and commitments when you help them to keep theirs.
- Promptly respond to all communications from ASA.
Common resources:
www.swstrings.com
www.sheetmusicplus.com
www.sharmusic.com
www.amazon.com
Recommended shops:
Bay Fine Strings 1622 S De Anza Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129
(415) 203-4534 www.bayfinestrings.com
Ifshin Violins: 6420 Fairmount Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 843-5466 www.ifshinviolins.com
Rolland Feller: 551 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 567-3708
Kamimoto Strings: 609 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 298-8168 www.kamimotostrings.com
Dolce Violins 115 Irwin St #100, San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 658-9341 https://dolceviolins.net/
4. PROGRAMS OVERVIEW
Lessons
Please arrive a few minutes early to wash hands, unpack, and catch your breath. Lessons are the best time to work out any individual challenges and to pursue particular musical interests. Come prepared -- and prepare to be challenged!
Studio Classes
Several times per semester, we hold studio classes for students to attend. This is an informal setting where students have the opportunity to hear their peers, perform for them, and exchange encouragement and critique. There is occasionally a potluck for students and their families. Studio Classes are an invaluable part of the learning and preparation process, and while there is no additional fee, these Studio Classes are an attendance requirement. Parents may also be required to attend, depending on the subject matter.
More about Studio Class attendance…
- Students may miss a maximum of one studio class in the academic year.
- Studio Classes which are just before a Studio Recital are absolutely required, for performers. These times serve as dress rehearsals, wherein the ASA Student Ensemble rehearses, and individuals have the opportunity to rehearse with the pianist for the recital if they will perform with one.
Studio Recitals
Student Recitals, usually given in mid-December and early June, are wonderful opportunities for young musicians to present their joy and hard work to their families and the community in a more formal setting. These recital opportunities are an important part of the curriculum at ASA and often require months of preparation on the part of the student. They can be rewarding, stimulating, and inspiring. They culminate in a potluck reception. There is no additional fee for the recital. Studio Recitals are an attendance requirement. Any performer must attend the Studio Class just prior to the recital in order to participate.
*Cellists will have their winter recital in January 2019 instead of December 2018.* Please take note of the dates listed in the Academic Calendar.
Chamber Music/Chamber Orchestra
Chamber music and ensemble playing is a great opportunity to learn beautiful and challenging repertoire, to communicate respectfully, listen, and hone time management skills. Best of all, players make lasting friendships -- and parents often do as well. Students can learn in leaps and bounds by playing with and learning from their peers. Students enrolled in private lessons are strongly encouraged to participate in an ensemble, inside or outside of ASA. If you are unsure if your musician is ready, speak to your teacher.
Additionally, students may be paired in an ensemble with others from the ASA studio. Rehearsals and additional coaching time may be needed. Rehearsals should be held outside of lesson times. Students have the option to use their lesson as a coaching session, or the ensemble can share an extra lesson for an additional fee.
5. TUITION POLICY OVERVIEW
Academic Year: Late August - Early June / Summer Session: Early June- Late August.
- The full school calendar is posted in the student portal.
- Information regarding summer lessons is provided below under the heading Summer Session.
Tuition for all private students includes:
- weekly private lessons
(according to the school calendar listing holidays and closures) - all studio classes
- all studio recitals
The monthly tuition is set out in the following table:
Lesson Length | Monthly Tuition |
30-minute weekly private lessons | $210 |
45-minute weekly private lessons | $290 |
60-minute weekly private lessons | $370 |
Additional ensemble coaching | $95 each 60 mins |
Payment
Tuition is payable by automatic withdrawal via PaySimple, and is billed as a flat monthly fee during the entire year. Payments are due on the 28th of the preceding month. School year payments are made August 28, 2019-April 28, 2020. Summer payments are made May 28, 2020-June 28, 2020. There is no payment in August 2020.
Late payments may incur a $10 fee. Any NSF check or other payment may incur a $25 fee.
Lessons will not be given unless your account is paid and up-to-date.
You can always access your account online through the Login page of the ASA website.
What if I have 5 lessons in a month? Or 4 lessons? Or 3?
The yearly cost of your lessons and other ASA events are spread equally over the school year. Therefore your monthly tuition is not tied to the number of lessons you have in a month.
In general, lessons are weekly -- but you’re paying to be enrolled in the school and to enjoy all the benefits of the school (studio classes, recitals, and other learning opportunities), not specifically for the particular number of lessons scheduled within a given month. When you enroll with ASA for the year you are committing to partake in all of these benefits and to pay the same monthly fee every month through the end of the academic year (a total of 9 payments for the academic year + 2 summer payments).
6. ATTENDANCE POLICY OVERVIEW
Missed Lessons (Student Absences)
It is your responsibility to attend your lesson at your assigned weekly time. We understand that scheduling for a family can be complex and sometimes requires superhuman powers. Likewise, your teacher wades through a veritable matrix of details in order to manage intense travel schedules, performances, their own family obligations, and of course, being present and reliable for you. Your teacher sets your weekly time aside just for you and makes it a priority to be there for you every week. They will notify you as early as possible of any schedule changes, and also appreciate the courtesy of advance notice of changes from you. Of course, life is not perfect and things do happen, therefore we depend on each other to be reliable and flexible.
If a student must be absent:
Studio Class Attendance
Several times per semester, we hold studio classes for students to attend.
Studio Recital Attendance
There are usually two Studio Recitals per year: mid-December and early June. These recitals are pillars of the curriculum at ASA and an important part of the instruction process for our students. Therefore, attendance is mandatory. Additionally, all performers MUST attend the Studio Class just before the recital in order to participate.
Faculty Absences
Given that one of the hallmarks of our school is that our faculty are active and prominent performers, whose high level of experience and training benefits the quality of the teaching you receive, we ask for flexibility in support of our Teaching Artists’ overall careers. Their success is our success!
We carefully balance teacher absences to minimize the effect their fluid schedules have on their students. However, if and when your teacher needs to miss, they will either:
There are several main reasons why this option is part of our policy.
How to Schedule Make-ups
If Mondays are your lesson days…
There are a number of public holidays which traditionally fall on Mondays - more than other days of the week (Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Presidents’ Day and Memorial Day). Instead of Monday students missing out on lessons for all of those weeks, most Mondays will have lessons. Please take note of specific closures in the Academic Calendar. All Monday students will receive one extra makeup credit in the fall to ensure that any student on any day gets the same number of lessons.
7. INTERMITTENT LESSONS
ASA does not offer intermittent lessons. All lessons are weekly.
8. SUMMER SESSIONS
We usually separate our Summer Session out from the rest of the year to provide a bit more flexibility all around. The schedule will be posted in mid-spring 2020, and students can cancel and schedule unlimited makeups as they fit their summer plans. This help us to provide you with maximum continuity in lessons, and to make summer scheduling and billing easy and straightforward for you.
9. WITHDRAWAL
Please notify ASA as soon as possible if you need to withdraw from lessons or classes. Notification of a hold on lessons or un-enrollment must be done by the 15th of the preceding month, or you will be billed for the next month. Discontinued lessons from the middle of the month will not be refunded or prorated.
10. PRIVACY NOTICE
ASA will not publish your contact information (mailing address, email address, or phone number) however we do reserve the right to share your contact information (email address, phone number) with other ASA families on an as-needed basis to coordinate rehearsals, lessons, classes or other ASA events.
11. LIABILITY WAIVER
It is your responsibility as the parent or guardian of the student (and not the responsibility of the Alameda String Academy) to ensure that the student is never left unsupervised on the premises. Parents or guardians should deliver the student directly to the classroom and ensure that the instructor is present and expecting them and also pick up the student from the classroom at the completion of the lesson. Parents are often strongly encouraged to watch the lesson. The Alameda String Academy is not responsible for the students, their siblings, friends or any other family members left unsupervised on our premises. Your observation of this policy will largely eliminate the possibility of accident or injury.
As participants in the Alameda String Academy programs, you WAIVE any and all claims, now existing or that may in the future arise against, the Alameda String Academy, their owners, servants, agents, landlords, and employees (“Alameda String Academy”) and further RELEASE and FOREVER DISCHARGE the Alameda String Academy from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by your or the student, or to any property belonging to you or the student, whether now or in the future, whether caused by the acts, errors, omissions, or negligence of the Alameda String Academy or otherwise, while participating in the activity or instruction, or while in, on or upon the premises where the activity or instruction is being conducted.
Tuition is payable by automatic withdrawal via PaySimple, and is billed as a flat monthly fee during the entire year. Payments are due on the 28th of the preceding month. School year payments are made August 28, 2019-April 28, 2020. Summer payments are made May 28, 2020-June 28, 2020. There is no payment in August 2020.
Late payments may incur a $10 fee. Any NSF check or other payment may incur a $25 fee.
Lessons will not be given unless your account is paid and up-to-date.
You can always access your account online through the Login page of the ASA website.
What if I have 5 lessons in a month? Or 4 lessons? Or 3?
The yearly cost of your lessons and other ASA events are spread equally over the school year. Therefore your monthly tuition is not tied to the number of lessons you have in a month.
In general, lessons are weekly -- but you’re paying to be enrolled in the school and to enjoy all the benefits of the school (studio classes, recitals, and other learning opportunities), not specifically for the particular number of lessons scheduled within a given month. When you enroll with ASA for the year you are committing to partake in all of these benefits and to pay the same monthly fee every month through the end of the academic year (a total of 9 payments for the academic year + 2 summer payments).
6. ATTENDANCE POLICY OVERVIEW
Missed Lessons (Student Absences)
It is your responsibility to attend your lesson at your assigned weekly time. We understand that scheduling for a family can be complex and sometimes requires superhuman powers. Likewise, your teacher wades through a veritable matrix of details in order to manage intense travel schedules, performances, their own family obligations, and of course, being present and reliable for you. Your teacher sets your weekly time aside just for you and makes it a priority to be there for you every week. They will notify you as early as possible of any schedule changes, and also appreciate the courtesy of advance notice of changes from you. Of course, life is not perfect and things do happen, therefore we depend on each other to be reliable and flexible.
If a student must be absent:
- DAY-OF CANCELLATION: please phone or text your teacher directly to notify them of your absence. You should receive your teacher’s contact details in your welcome email. ASA's direct line ((510) 214-6689) cannot receive text messages.
- Any day-of cancellation for reasons other than illness will not be given a make-up credit.
- Missed lessons with AT LEAST 24 hours notice (or 2 hours for illness) will be given a make-up credit up to a maximum of 2 make-up credits in the Fall Semester, and 3 make-up credits in the Spring Semester.
- Any lessons missed due to student schedule conflicts above these limits will not be eligible for a make-up lesson.
- A missed make-up lesson or missed lesson with a guest artist will not be rescheduled or credited.
- Students who have more than two absences without notice in a semester will be subject to review and possible dismissal.
Studio Class Attendance
Several times per semester, we hold studio classes for students to attend.
- Students may miss a maximum of one studio class in the academic year.
- Missed Studio Classes do not qualify for a make-up credit.
- Studio Classes which are just prior to a Studio Recital are absolutely required for those performing in the recital. These times serve as dress rehearsals, wherein the ASA Student Ensemble rehearses, and individuals have the opportunity to rehearse with the pianist for the recital if they will perform with one.
Studio Recital Attendance
There are usually two Studio Recitals per year: mid-December and early June. These recitals are pillars of the curriculum at ASA and an important part of the instruction process for our students. Therefore, attendance is mandatory. Additionally, all performers MUST attend the Studio Class just before the recital in order to participate.
Faculty Absences
Given that one of the hallmarks of our school is that our faculty are active and prominent performers, whose high level of experience and training benefits the quality of the teaching you receive, we ask for flexibility in support of our Teaching Artists’ overall careers. Their success is our success!
We carefully balance teacher absences to minimize the effect their fluid schedules have on their students. However, if and when your teacher needs to miss, they will either:
- offer makeup slots throughout the semester which you may view/register for through the student portal,
- work with you to establish a make-up time, or
- arrange for an ASA Guest Artist to take their place for the lesson. Circumstances surrounding each absence may vary, but we will do our best to make sure that ample and fair notice is given to families, and that any pre-planned absence on the part of the student is accounted for as we establish our guest's lesson schedule. However, once your schedule is confirmed for the period when the Guest Artist will be visiting, we are unable to accommodate makeup requests for any reason other than illness.
There are several main reasons why this option is part of our policy.
- To ensure that students' learning arcs and family schedules are not disrupted unnecessarily when a faculty member needs to be absent.
- To accommodate the family, workload, and personal needs of our faculty with flexibility, and in support of their overall health and well-being.
- To broaden our perspectives -- students and teacher. Working with a different instructor provides an invaluable opportunity for students to learn from another teacher and to hear things in a new way. It is not only an opportunity to hear another perspective, but it helps build flexibility, humility, and adaptability, all important life skills. It is a natural, healthy part of life to be able to accept and adapt well to change. It is also hugely important to the teacher's professional development to hear the feedback they receive from Guest Artists. Guest Artists help to reaffirm professional teaching goals and to highlight areas that need attention or improvement.
How to Schedule Make-ups
- First, please make sure that you mark your planned absence by cancelling your lesson through the online student portal.
- Absences must be reported before the 24hr cancellation window in order for students to receive a makeup credit.
- Once you have cancelled your lesson, you will automatically receive a makeup credit which you may use to register for an open make-up slot.
- If you don’t see any slots that work for you, please reach out to your teacher to explore any additional scheduling options.
- Please respond to all communications from ASA regarding scheduling promptly, as there may be others waiting on you to confirm their plans and availability changes quickly. Your lesson will not make it into the schedule unless it is confirmed by you.
- It is your responsibility to keep track of make-up credits and make-up opportunities, and to schedule your make-up lessons in a timely manner before the end of each term. Make-up credits expire at the end of each term (mid-December, mid-June, and mid-August).
If Mondays are your lesson days…
There are a number of public holidays which traditionally fall on Mondays - more than other days of the week (Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Presidents’ Day and Memorial Day). Instead of Monday students missing out on lessons for all of those weeks, most Mondays will have lessons. Please take note of specific closures in the Academic Calendar. All Monday students will receive one extra makeup credit in the fall to ensure that any student on any day gets the same number of lessons.
7. INTERMITTENT LESSONS
ASA does not offer intermittent lessons. All lessons are weekly.
8. SUMMER SESSIONS
We usually separate our Summer Session out from the rest of the year to provide a bit more flexibility all around. The schedule will be posted in mid-spring 2020, and students can cancel and schedule unlimited makeups as they fit their summer plans. This help us to provide you with maximum continuity in lessons, and to make summer scheduling and billing easy and straightforward for you.
9. WITHDRAWAL
Please notify ASA as soon as possible if you need to withdraw from lessons or classes. Notification of a hold on lessons or un-enrollment must be done by the 15th of the preceding month, or you will be billed for the next month. Discontinued lessons from the middle of the month will not be refunded or prorated.
10. PRIVACY NOTICE
ASA will not publish your contact information (mailing address, email address, or phone number) however we do reserve the right to share your contact information (email address, phone number) with other ASA families on an as-needed basis to coordinate rehearsals, lessons, classes or other ASA events.
11. LIABILITY WAIVER
It is your responsibility as the parent or guardian of the student (and not the responsibility of the Alameda String Academy) to ensure that the student is never left unsupervised on the premises. Parents or guardians should deliver the student directly to the classroom and ensure that the instructor is present and expecting them and also pick up the student from the classroom at the completion of the lesson. Parents are often strongly encouraged to watch the lesson. The Alameda String Academy is not responsible for the students, their siblings, friends or any other family members left unsupervised on our premises. Your observation of this policy will largely eliminate the possibility of accident or injury.
As participants in the Alameda String Academy programs, you WAIVE any and all claims, now existing or that may in the future arise against, the Alameda String Academy, their owners, servants, agents, landlords, and employees (“Alameda String Academy”) and further RELEASE and FOREVER DISCHARGE the Alameda String Academy from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by your or the student, or to any property belonging to you or the student, whether now or in the future, whether caused by the acts, errors, omissions, or negligence of the Alameda String Academy or otherwise, while participating in the activity or instruction, or while in, on or upon the premises where the activity or instruction is being conducted.