Privacy policy.
LESSONS
Students will receive 30 private lessons per year.
Please do not attend lessons if you or your child is sick. You can donate your lesson to a student needing extra lessons, swap with another family, or promote our studio by gifting your lesson to a friend or neighbor to try out our program.
If the teacher must miss a lesson they will schedule a makeup lesson either as soon as possible or in the week after the semester ends.
Please arrive 5 minutes early for your lesson. Upon arrival please unpack your instrument, and stay in the waiting area so that you can begin promptly.
Please no food or drink at lessons. Plan snacks and meals accordingly.
Beginning this semester no cell phones usage for personal usage. If you are caught on your phone you will be asked to make a donation to the scholarship fund. If a video needs to be made for practice I will record it and send it to you.
GROUP CLASSES
Group classes are a key ingredient to Suzuki programs. Attendance is mandatory. Missing more than 2 group classes throughout the year will result in your spot being given away. In group class we review and polish our common repertoire, learn ensemble skills, and most importantly, learn from our peers. Additionally, we have informal performance opportunities. This is key in building our community and motivates us as we learn from others.
Group classes are scheduled approximately once a month. Classes are dedicated to Suzuki repertoire, ensemble development, music history, and music theory topics. Family is welcome to attend. Please refer to the calendar for date details.
TUITION
Tuition includes private lessons, group classes, and performances throughout the academic year (with the exception of accompanist fees). Our year is based on 30 weeks, with holidays and block weeks already included. Tuition is determined by the length of private lesson. Instrument rentals and books are not included.
Instruments can be rented from Robertson & Sons Violin Shop in Albuquerque, NM. They have wonderful customer service and will ship your instrument to you.
Payment can be made in full or broken up into 10 automated monthly payments. By registering for lessons you agree to the full year of lessons and payments (even if you choose to discontinue lessons).
Pre Twinkler
30 minute weekly private lesson
$150.00/month
Twinkler
30 minute weekly private lesson
$150.00/month
Book 1B-2
45 minute weekly private lesson
$215.00/month
Book 3+
60 minute weekly private lesson
$270.00/month
A registration fee of $100.00 is due upon registration to cover admin fees.
Summer lessons are offered during the months of May and June and are arranged based on availability of both parties. Students are strongly encouraged to attend a Suzuki Summer Institute (https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/).
LESSON STRUCTURE
Every week when you arrive to your lesson, the student will unpack their instrument. The parent partner will find a seat that allows them to take notes and observe the lesson clearly. Each lesson will start with a bow from the teacher and student. The student will recite a poem they have prepared, and move right into the lesson based on the previous lesson(s). This lesson time is dedicated for the student and teacher to learn, review previous working pieces, refine technique, learn rhythm and note reading, and advance in their current working pieces. Lesson time is and must be for lessons only. The student’s progress and performance is a direct reflection of the teacher. West Texas Conservatory deems quality at the integral part of the mission in musical education. We ask that lesson time be for lessons alone. If you have concerns, thoughts, or questions, please contact admin via email with those concerns. We believe that your investment is valuable.
PRACTICE
Minimum daily home practice should be equivalent to the lesson length, if not more, each day. The parent partner is always expected to guide the student for pacing and effective practice strategies. Please do not schedule other commitments during this practice time. Independent practice will be achieved starting in Book 4, but only after the student and parent have learned and developed effective practice skills.
LISTENING
I ask that each family to listen to their current Suzuki book recording twice daily. How? In the background, in the car, on an mp3 enabled device, during meal times, at bedtime, or during homework study. Students who listen regularly learn faster. It is, perhaps, the only shortcut that exists in music study! Once the minimum listening has been achieved, the family is welcome to listen to other genres, more advanced Suzuki book levels, or any music that stimulates happiness. The goal is to create a musical environment!
PARENT PARTNER
Suzuki has said that “children learn to smile from their parents.” In my Suzuki program, I work very closely with the parents to teach them how to assist their children at home. In the initial stages, this is very hands-on. Parent participation is vital! It is your responsibility to foster a musical environment at home by listening to the Suzuki recording, preparing the practice schedule and study space, obtaining needed supplies, and communicating with me frequently so we can work together to improve and enjoy the process. It is a cooperative effort!
RECITALS
Solo and group performances are the milestones of our musical journey. Attendance and presence for the entirety is required. Learning to support our community of musicians with positive attitudes is an essential part of musicianship. Each semester we will have a formal solo and group performance in addition to monthly informal performance classes. If you miss more than one recital, your spot will not be secure for the following year. Recitals are about the performance experience, not about the song progression. Our teachers will choose the song performed at each recital at least 2 weeks prior to the rehearsal date.
BOOK GRADUATION
At West Texas Conservatory we believe that the completion of each Suzuki book is an important milestone for every student. So much hard work goes into learning skills from each song, reviewing repertoire, and patiently practicing everyday. After your student completes a book, they are invited by their teacher to prepare for a Book Graduation. A book graduation is an event that has been planned out and practiced for 1-2 months for your student to showcase what they have learned. They will play the book in its entirety, from memory. We love to when students invite family, friends, and as much WTC community. This is a very special event for anyone that attends.
APPOINTMENTS
If you need to be sized for an instrument, questions, assistance with an instrument, etc. West Texas Conservatory is happy to assist. We ask that you make an appointment via admin@westtexasconservatory.com to set an appointment at the teacher’s scheduling convenience, but not exceeding 14 days. No appointment will be during the non operating hours of West Texas Conservatory.
West Texas Conservatory holds the right to amend by adding and/or omitting at the will of WTC to ensure that the mission, operation, and well-being is implemented through our policies.