Policies & Guidelines

Commitment

Our work together is privileged and requires trust and respect. When I accept you as my student, I guarantee you will receive my 100% attention and commitment. I ask that when you choose to study with me, we both honour this relationship with equal commitment and choose to fully experience and explore this instrument by agreeing to participate at least until the end of the school year.

Communication

Communication is key to our success. Above all else I value open communication about all things violin, or effecting the family, focus, practice, etc.. Please do not wait to contact me if ever there are concerns, questions, or difficulties at home with practices, frustrations, or with things not listed here but which you believe could influence your child and lessons. Suzuki is a very collaborative method, and it takes commitment to communication for us all to help your child blossom!

Lesson Preparation

Please attend all lessons and arrive at least ten minutes before your lesson time. If there is a lesson scheduled before yours, please quietly come in to get prepared and observe, and if you wish, drink some water and use the washroom. Bring all of your materials to every lesson - especially a lesson notebook, all music, and a video recording device (phone, camcorder...etc) to record practice videos.

Group Classes

Group classes are an integral part of the Suzuki method - it compliments and supports in the most vital ways! It brings people together (children and parents alike) to experience a second weekly emersion into music, connects them to their musical peers, exposes them to a wider range of techniques required for ensemble playing, and teaches listening and cooperation skills through fun games and exercises. Here at Kennedy Music it is expected that every child attend.

Electronics

I ask that we keep lessons a “cell phone free zone.” Please set all electronic devices to silent and put them away during the lesson unless requested to record.

Illness

Please do not come if you or your child is ill. If your child is too sick for school, they are too sick to have a lesson. We will reschedule all illness-related cancellations, providing there is 12 or more hours of notice given. 

Siblings

Siblings are always welcome. Please bring toys, books, and/or snacks to help satiate movement, extraneous noise and interruptions to the lesson being taught. Thank you! 

Cancellations, make-up lessons

Please let me know as soon as possible if you must miss a lesson. Each student is given a maximum of FOUR make-up lessons throughout the year. Make-up lessons will be given when time/space allows (usually during holidays). Choose your cancellations/make-up lessons wisely as beyond these four, you will not receive any further make-up lessons. Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hour notice will not be made up, and reschedules are not guaranteed.

As a working, playing musician, I reserve the right to cancel or postpone lessons with notice. Rest assured you will still receive the number of lessons for which you have paid.

Withdrawl

Withdrawl from the program is accepted only after an open discussion between you, your child, teacher, and together, terms of withdrawl are agreed upon. Enrolment ends after a minimum of 8 lessons after the initial agreement to end our work together.

Above all else, my goal is always fairness in all things and for everyone involved. In extraneous situations, refunds may be considered but are not guaranteed

Liability

Parents and caregivers agree that the property owner, myself, and/or my family are not liable for any accident and/or injury sustained by child or adult while in class at any venues where Kennedy Music holds events.

Stay informed

Please read all of the materials I give you. Materials are all prepared with great care and I need you to stay informed. Mark your calendar accurately to include all of our events and dates in addition to your lessons. Mark recital dates in big red letters and stay aware of updates. 

Recitals

Recitals are inspiring, goal-setting, community building and confidence boosting events, and offer a chance for both parents and children to view what lies ahead. Children choose a solo piece and work hard to prepare and share their talents to their understanding peers, family and friends. Recitals are part of the curriculum, which is why all students (performing or not) are required to attend all recitals. We are here to support and play in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment. 

Priority

Work hard. To avoid repeat assignments please keep in mind that my assignments are not mere suggestions; they need to be carried out fully in order for me to help you be the best you can be. Any time my recommendations are not carried out, it is likely that a key component of next week's lesson will not be achievable - and therefore assignments will be re-assigned.

Contacting me

Calling or text-messaging are the best ways to contact me. For sensitive issues that require a phone call, please contact me before 13:30 or in the evenings after 20:00. I am unavailable by phone after 22:00. For sensitive issues better discussed privately, please email me to set up a meeting, rather than discussing them in front of your child and using valuable lesson time.