Studio Policy

Studio Mission Statement:

"Through music, we build skill, discipline, confidence, and beautiful character - one step at a time."

Personal Teaching Mission:

"Every student leaves my studio feeling more confident, valued, and encouraged than when they walked in."

Teacher Responsibilities
I will teach your child the language of music with this purpose in mind: Any child can learn to play with great ability. We celebrate the small accomplishments 1 step at a time, and enjoy the process. It’s about the effort (mastering the small steps) not the child themselves. My studio has a positive and enthusiastic environment. I will tailor the curriculum to match your child’s specific learning needs and developing abilities.

Student & Parent Responsibilities:
Student agrees to: arrive at each lesson on-time, well-prepared, nails clipped, and with assignment books and music ready to go when entering the studio; make good progress on assignments using a metronome during the week; make sure he/she completely understands every assignment. Please ask questions; attend studio recitals. Other events that are offered are optional.

Parent agrees to: Let me know if something is happening at home or school that is affecting your child so I can be sensitive to the needs of your child - I check cell emails/texts often. Ensure the practicing is getting done 4/5 days a week in a positive way: we know there will be some weeks that are very busy, great way to learn to use tight time to best advantage. Be a cheerleader for each small step accomplished. Teach your child how to pack everything needed for the lesson on his/her own the night before lesson. Encourage child to share his/her music with others: FaceTime with relatives, mini concerts, recitals. Supply two apps that will greatly help with lessons: Note Rush, Flash Note Derby.

Commitment
When students enroll, they are reserving their place in the studio for the entire school year. Parents and students need to decide how serious they are about lessons. I expect students to be prepared for each lesson and to have made weekly progress on all parts of the assignment not just their favorite parts.

A normal practice session is 2 times the age of the student.

Practice will vary throughout the year depending on goals and events. Consistent practice is the key to long-term success.

Registration Fee and Tuition
There is a Registration Fee per student that covers the music lending library, print music, paperwork, and Treasure Box. It is due in May with the registration form.
Tuition covers not only the actual lesson time spent with the student, but time preparing for each student. This includes: individualized plan for each student’s course of study, repertoire planning, and development of teaching materials. Full tuition (all post-dated checks) due at first Fall lesson

Payment Choices: There are 4 options for your convenience all due at first Fall lesson.

Registration Fee $25 per student due with registration sheet in May
Tuition per 30 min slot
Yearly due Sept 1
Semester due Sept 1 & Jan 1
Quarter due Sept 1, Nov 1, Jan 1, Mar 1
Monthly due Sept 1, Oct 1, Nov 1, Dec 1, Jan 1, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 1, May 1
Full tuition (all post-dated checks) due at first Fall lesson. Checks will be put in a safe. You may also pay with Venmo @Deborah-Rausch-4

Lesson Cancellations
1. I try to maintain consistent instruction for your children, please keep in mind that I run my studio at full capacity, so I do not have the flexibility to do make-up lessons, however you may exchange times with another student. I do not make up lessons for birthday parties, school events, sports events. Use the lesson exchange list if possible. Lesson Exchange is on the locked *Private Student page. Scroll way down.

2. In the case of emergencies or serious illness, please text me as soon as you are able, but rescheduling is unlikely unless there happens to be an opening. Please let me know if you will be unable to attend lesson.

3. If school is cancelled for a storm day, please assume that lessons will take place by FaceTime, Messenger or Zoom. Text me with your choice.

4. If I have to cancel a lesson I will find a way to make it up.

Calendar
The studio calendar is posted on the Website: RauschMusicStudio.net.
My students come from many school districts so the calendar does not follow any school calendar.

Current Families: The sign up and registration sheets will always be given out in April. They are due May

Current students in good standing get first choice of lesson slots. Any empty slots will be filled by current siblings then from the waiting list by August 1st. Please return paper work and registration fee of $25 per student to hold a slot by May 10. When you register for lessons you are making a commitment for the year and agreeing to the following studio policies.

New families: Feel free to contact me by phone or email to schedule a "Meet and Greet". I value the opportunity to meet with potential students to discuss questions concerning music study. I offer consultations when I have availability in my studio otherwise I will add you to the waiting list if you so choose. I prefer to start beginners in the summer.

Equipment for All Students:

1. iPad / tablet / smart phone with head phones

2. Metronome- regular, computer metronome or metronome app works great also

3. 3 Ring Binder (1.5 inch is best) D-Rings attached to the back cover not center- please add 5 dividers

4. Bag to carry books in- cloth bag, or sackpack works great (be able to keep rain & snow out)

5. Timer- that works like a stop watch, app works well

6. Access to internet- I do most communication thru website & email + I'll assign YouTube listening, on-line backups & on-line theory games.

Just Piano Students:

Private Piano Students: Acoustic piano in excellent condition & in tune, or digital with touch sensitive 88keys and pedal. The Dining room is a great place for it.

Piano Tuning: Steve Misener 605-676-2355

Just Voice Students: Some type of keyboard (keyboard app works great), music stand- to free your hands for acting, portable file container that vocal books can fit, mirror big enough to set on music stand to watch mouth and eye expression.

Just Guitar Students: Guitar in good condition that is the correct size for your body, music stand, medium thick picks, some type of foot rest, guitar tuner (Snark is good), Kyser capo, micro fiber cloth.Since I teach classical guitar we do not need guitar straps but you may get one if you wish-make sure it is the right size.Student Guitar Size Chart- important to have the correct sizeHeight: 5' or taller/ 4/4 sizeHeight: 4'6" to 4'11"/ 3/4 sizeHeight: 3'10" to 4'5"/ 1/2 sizeHeight: 3'3" to 3'9" / 1/4 size

Just Flute Students: Flute in excellent condition, music stand, wood or plastic cleaning rod (not metal), microfiber cloth, chromatic tuner (Tonal Energy App), mirror big enough to set on music stand to watch mouth.

Just Clarinet & Saxophone Students: Clarinet or Saxophone in excellent condition, music stand, reeds, 4 slot reed case, small Fiskar scissors, cleaning scarf (not a felt swab), cork grease, very small screw driver, bore oil kit for wood clarinets, chromatic tuner (Tonal Energy App)

Practice vs Play:

Practice means many repetitions of small bits until mastered and memorized.

Playing means play straight through by memory without pausing.

Our goal is to Practice until we can Play with confidence!

Repetition is more important than actual time!

Dr. Suzuki always said:

"Practice Only On The Days You Eat!"

Attention span for children is 2 times their age. If a child is 5 then 10 minutes is max time for one task. Sit on the bench no more than 10 minutes then do a floor games for no more than 10 minutes. Always move on to new task before focus goes. It is better to move on when they want to do more than going until they have lost focus.

Hard work = Success & Strong Character. Self Discipline strengthens the body & spirit.

Love & Logic Teaching & Parenting Method:

Parents are asked to make their children accountable for their own choices and actions- that means the child gets books ready for lesson not the parent, the child makes sure they made their check marks on assignment sheet not the parent, the child makes sure the parent sees the assignment sheet. This will take some training for both child and parent. I still have to remind myself that every time I do something for the student I am robbing him/her the opportunity to learn and develope skills.

Attendance:

The studio is on the corner of South 4th Street and 10th Avenue- diagonally from Prince of Peace Senior Living. Parents are asked to park at the 10th Ave detached garage or on 10th Ave. Enter the attached garage and wait in the entry room. You do not need to knock or ring bell. The entry room has places for coats and shoes. It also has hand sanitizer and studio information boards. The bathroom is in the studio. Students are expected to arrive on time with their books each week. Leave shoes in entry room and please sanitize hands. Siblings are welcome to lessons as long as they do not interrupt. I have a toy cabinet for them. Parents are requested to attend private lessons if possible until 6th grade and are always welcome to lessons at any time. Please encourage your children to develop the habit of clipping nails before lessons.Students may wait in the entry room before or after lessons, and may do homework at the breakfast bar as needed.

Rather than miss a lesson please try to use the Lesson Exchange on the *Private Student page. This page is locked so even search engines can not get in.

Terminating Lessons:

1. I reserve the right to dismiss a student from my studio based upon lack of interest or numerous missed lessons.

2. If a situation arises in which a family must discontinue lessons mid-year, I require one month of paid

notice. The remaining tuition checks will be returned. When you register for lessons, please be prepared

to make the commitment from August through May as it is often difficult to fill openings mid-year.

3. If you have registered for lessons and change your mind in August/September, you will forfeit your

registration fee and will be billed for one month. I cannot afford to reserve a time for your child

throughout the summer, while turning away other interested families. Your commitment for the year is

extremely important.

4. Some students stop taking lessons at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty

of discussion between the teacher, parent and student so we can complete the year with a positive sense

of closure.

Keep In Touch

The best way to contact me is by text.

If you wish to discuss your child’s progress please feel free to email or text me.

I do not take calls while I am teaching. I will answer the phone during lessons on bad weather days.

I use email to send out information that you will need from time to time, please make sure that I have a current email address for you that you wish me to use.

I post a letter every month in the Studio News. Students can get a free sticker toward the treasure box for telling me the mystery word for the month posted in the Studio News.

"Through music, we build skill, discipline, confidence, and beautiful character - one step at a time."

"Every student leaves my studio feeling more confident, valued, and encouraged than when they walked in."