Mission Statement
Here at Flute With Maddi, I work to provide quality learning experiences for our students that help them confidently grow in their musical abilities. Each lesson is tailored to each student's unique needs and learning desires. This gives each student the opportunity to grow and succeed in the ways that suit them best.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that each person has the potential to succeed as a musician. Wherever you are in your musical journey, I will meet you there and give you the tools to further grow your abilities and succeed on higher levels.
I believe that music is the most important subject a person can learn. Through your studies in music, you will also learn how to express yourself through emotions, how to communicate in ways deeper than words, how to work as part of a team, improve your memory skills, learn the importance of patience and discipline, enhance your creative side, and you will build your self-confidence through your achievements and success. You will be able to take what you learn in your musical studies with you into all aspects of your life.
Studio Expectations
The private lesson structure is one-on-one. For in-person lessons, the student and the teacher are expected to be in the same room for the duration of the lesson. Often parents of children like to attend the first lesson to meet me, the teacher, and see if my teaching style is a good fit for their child. Parents may also attend later lessons as well whenever they so desire. During the lesson, we start by reviewing concepts learned from the previous lesson (or getting to know the student if it is the very first lesson). Then we teach new concepts to the students and practice them with the students. We will also work on a current repertoire piece that the students is preparing to perform. In the event a performance or audition is coming up soon, we may focus only on the repertoire to best prepare the student for their performance. Students are expected to purchase their own method books and bring them to each lesson.
I ask for a consistent, monthly lesson commitment of some sort from each student in the studio. Private lessons tend to be most effective on a weekly basis, though they can also be effective every other week with self-motivated students. Expectations are that you will attend your lessons and participate in required studio events. I ask that you practice a minimum of 90 minutes a week outside of your scheduled lessons. During your lessons, we will discuss weekly and monthly goals and practice assignments to motivate your practices at home.
Active student status is defined as a student who is registered for a monthly recurring lesson commitment and they are meeting the studio's student expectations. I currently have a 90% full studio, so it is very important that you meet these expectations we have for you to retain your active student status. If you are not able to meet these expectations, please let me know. I will work with you to discuss your own personal levels of expectation that you are able to meet.
The online lesson policy is the same as in person. The lesson structure is slightly different as the student and the teacher will be in different rooms. If you take lessons online, you may opt to receive recorded copies of your lessons to look back on throughout the week. This service is included at no additional cost. Online students are expected to have access to a computer with a working internet connection and working camera. Online students are also expected to have access to a tuner and a metronome. If you do not have a tuner and metronome, you are expected to have a secondary device (phone, tablet, etc.) from which you can download a tuner app and a metronome app for use during lessons (most students prefer this to buying tuners and metronomes).
What I Offer
When you register for lessons, you are paying for a lesson length and a time slot that you are reserving for yourself. The lesson options that I offer are listed below:
Weekly in-person and online private lessons in 30, 45, and 60-minute intervals (recommended for most progress between lessons)
Bi-weekly in-person and online private lessons in 45 and 60-minute intervals (30-minute lessons are just not effective if not taken weekly. 45 and 60-minute lessons can still be effective, but students need to be extra diligent with their practicing between lessons in order for consistent improvement to be achieved.)
Group classes in various subjects
lesson levels are for beginner through advanced players
lessons are for learners age 4 to adult
Instrument rentals (limited resources)
Tuition, Payments, Pricing, and Billing
The cost of your lesson includes the time slot reservation that you are paying for, lesson preparation time for the teacher, studio processing fees, materials used during the lesson, and the individual's lesson experience.
Tuition is billed monthly with a one-time member fee of $30 This member fee gives you active student status and as long as you maintain active student status, you will not need to pay the member fee again. If you lose your active student status (for example, you choose to take the summer off) you will need to pay the member fee the next time you enroll in lessons.
Tuition for private lessons is listed below:
30 minute weekly: $22
45 minute weekly: $32
45 minute bi-weekly: $35
60 minute weekly: $42
60 minute bi-weekly: $45
Tuition for group classes vary based on class size and course duration. Member fees are waived for students enrolled in private lessons and interested in taking group classes.
Billing occurs on the first of the month for all services and is due on the first of each month. There is a late fee of $10 if you are more than 5 days late on your payment. Your lesson may also get cancelled If you haven't yet paid for the month but you have a lesson scheduled. You may opt in for automatic billing to help you avoid these consequences.
Instrument Rentals
Instrument rental prices vary depending on the instrument wanting to be rented. Instrument rentals are billed monthly with a one-time service fee to cover instrument maintenance. There is a 3-month minimum commitment for renting instruments. Renters will be asked to sign a rental contract.
Lesson Cancellation and Make-up Policy
If I (the teacher) have to cancel your lesson, the lesson credit will be put toward a future lesson.
If you are sick or for another reason can't make your scheduled lesson time, a make-up lesson credit will be issued to those who notify me before 8pm the day before your scheduled lesson. Make-up credits can be used to schedule a lesson outside of your regularly reserved time slot. Online lessons are always available for those who are sick but still wish to have their lesson.
If you notify us less than 24 hours prior to the lesson, or If you do not show up for your assigned lesson time and we do not hear from you, it will be classified as missed tuition and the lesson will be forfeited. A video-recorded mini-lesson is available to those who do not cancel their lesson in time.
If you schedule a make-up lesson and then cancel that make-up lesson, the make-up lesson credit will be forfeited.
Lesson reminders will be sent through emails, reminding you of your lesson date and time 24 hours prior to your scheduled lesson time. Please register with an email that you check regularly so you get these reminders.
Studio Activities and Events
Local students are expected to participate in the annual studio's spring recital. Online students not in Utah are expected to participate in a virtual studio recital held over google meet. Studio recitals are most important.
Performance opportunities help students by giving them a reason to set and strive for goals in their practice and giving them chances to share what they have learned with others. This is why I provide performance opportunities via studio recitals. If a student does not attend a studio recital, a $10 absence fee will apply. If you have any reason that prohibits you from performing a solo, we will discuss alternative forms of performance with you (for example, if you have performance anxiety, I will perform a duet with you instead of having you perform a solo on your own).
Below are listed all the events and performance opportunities offered:
Studio Spring recital: This event is required for students to attend.
Festivals, master classes, and competitions through the following organizations: Utah Flute Association, Utah Valley Flutes, and the National Flute Federation (NFMC). These services are only available to students who retain an active student status, which means you are registered for a monthly private lesson commitment.
Student recitals when a student graduates to a new level
***I am currently working on creating an annual performance opportunity for online students not in Utah.
Studio Awards and Achievements
To recognize the hard work our students put in, I have designed an achievement awards system to recognize mastery in the following areas: scales, music theory, and performances. More information about the achievement awards program can be found on the studio website. I will also highlight the successes of our students via the studio website and facebook page throughout the year.
Throughout the year I will offer different practice challenges to reward students for their practice efforts. These challenges are fun ways to stay motivated to practice. Students who complete the practice challenges in the time given will receive a prize at the end of the challenge.
Parent and Student Involvement
I will be keeping parents and students informed by sending a monthly newsletter via email. Studio events will also be posted on the calendar. I will also be keeping my facebook page and website updated with current and future events. Parents are also welcome to message with questions or concerns at any time.
Waiting List
If my studio is currently full, you may fill out a form on our waiting list and we will notify you when a spot opens up.
Questions and Concerns
If you have any questions or concerns about anything in the studio policy, you may contact me at any time so we can come to an agreement. The best hours to contact me are in the evenings after 6 pm. You may call, email, or text.
Covid-19 Policy
I have been vaccinated. I will not hold a lesson if I am feeling sick. Due to the nature of wind instruments using mouths to play, we will not be masked during the lesson but we will social distance as appropriate. Students are not required to be vaccinated. Online lessons are always available to any student in the event of quarantine, illness or some other conflict that does not make in-person lessons possible.
Student Confidentiality
I will collect your contact information for studio use and for participation in competitions and festivals. I will not give others your contact information without your consent first.
Equal Opportunity Studio
This is an equal-opportunity studio. I do not discriminate the age, race, religion, culture, sex, gender, or sexual orientation of my students.
Policy Updates and Changes
I reserve the right to make changes to this policy as new needs arise. Parents and students will be notified of any changes that do occur.
By registering for lessons, students and parents agree to the terms in the policies mentioned above.
Policy Consent
When you register for lessons, you are consenting to the terms in my studio policy.