Soyka Violin Studio

Studio Policy Academic Year 2011-12...

Wow, another school year has passed, and it’s time to update all my students on several changes. As you know, last year Marilyn O’Boyle and I embarked upon a new project under the non-profit umbrella of the New Mexico Suzuki Institute - Talent Education of Albuquerque. We hoped to provide scholarship funds to our students who needed assistance, as well as exempt our students from the 7% gross receipts tax imposed by the State of New Mexico. As it turns out, we weren’t able to raise sufficient funds to offset operational costs and scholarship awards, and we thought it best to go back to the way things have been in previous years. While we will continue to work together as a team to provide group lessons for both our private studios, payments for lessons will be made to each of our private studios.

I intend to continue with my semester system schedule, and group lessons and will continue to be held at Del Norte Baptist Church Education Wing. Tuition cost will include group lessons and group performances, as has always been the case in my studio. (See attached Calendar and Fee Schedule for details.) My studio will continue to be on a 16-week semester schedule. One of those weeks will be reserved in November for my annual parent-teacher conferences. Please refer to the Fee Schedule for my policy on make-up lessons. Additionally, I will continue to collaborate with Marilyn on group and solo recitals.

Later this semester I intend to offer a Pre-Twinkle Parent Class for prospective new families wishing to start their 3, 4 or 5 year old in violin lessons. Please contact me if you're interested.

Those of you who have been with me for 2 years or more will recall your children participating in the “My Students’ Melodies” project. After taking this year off from that, I plan on returning to this music composition project with my students. I will keep you posted about when I intend to start helping your children compose music.

Please note that the best way to reach me is either my email - janesoyka@gmail.com or my cell phone 505-259-6339. I will be updating your contact information as well. Please let me know the best means of reaching you, via email, phone, etc.

As a reminder, below you'll find what I expect during lessons and practice time at home:

When you're at the lesson...

• Please have your violin out, get rid of gum, rosin bow and quietly wait in the hallway for the lesson before yours to finish.
• Bring any and all reading materials, Suzuki book(s), your notes practice book, parent handbook, etc. to each lesson.
• Siblings and friends are welcome at the lesson, provided they don't disturb what the student and I are doing.
• Parents, please check out the announcement board in the studio each week for important information.
• Take notes and remain quiet. Know what the assignment is for the week and ask questions if you don't know or
• need clarification. Remember, you are the teacher at home!
• If you cannot attend lesson, please give 24 hours notice by calling me at 259-6339. (See Make-up & Cancellation for my policy on make-ups.)

Your practice session at home:

• Keep practice time and place consistent. Try to arrange to avoid interruptions or distractions such as phone, doorbell or needy siblings during your time together. Make this your time together.
• Remember the 5 areas of practice: warm-up scale, current piece, review, reading (or technique exercises) and listening.
• Listen to the recordings every day. If I haven't given you a specific listening assignment, put on the current Suzuki volume tape you are studying.
• Keep your practice time fun! If you are not getting along with one another, please let me know! I might be able to suggest something to brighten up practice time. You may wish to call me about this matter if it is serious, rather than approaching me in front of your child during the lesson. Remember, this should be a positive and productive experience for both the parent and the child.

© 2011 Soyka Studios. This site was updated September, 2011