The Suzuki Triangle--parent, teacher, child--is vital to the success of the student. Some children may learn more quickly than others. However, we must always encourage every effort as we guide their learning. You as the parent must be careful of your expectations for your child, and always be desiring their best first and foremost. While we hope that your child progresses in their repertoire, listening, theory and sight reading, we aren't as focused with the progress of your child as we are the process of how he or she gets there.
Listening, practicing, and assignments
Listening to the Suzuki CD will be key to your child's ear training and subconscious competence in their piece.
Parents will be responsible to ensure that the child listens to the CD daily-- putting it on as background music during breakfast, on the way to soccer practice, while they get ready for bed, etc.
Please establish and maintain a consistent daily practice time. This includes reviewing known repertoire and practicing any new pieces.
Assignments are a way to encourage the child to have a goal to attain--which will create the desire and will to practice.
At the lesson
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Parents: Each student must attend weekly lessons.
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Please have your student ready to learn; he or she has gone to the washroom, eaten a snack, trimmed their nails, washed their hands, etc.
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Parent participation is an integral part of the Suzuki method. As the parent, you are required to attend and participate in all lessons.
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Please come prepared free of distractions (both you and your child), so that you can take notes or record the lesson to use during the week as guidance in practice.
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The lesson will begin on time, and will not be extended if you are not ready.
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Each student should have their own Suzuki book. If you have multiple children studying with me, please make sure each child has their own book. In addition, please make sure that each child has a pencil and a highlighter.
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Students: Please come prepared for your lesson.
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Listen to your CD, every day.
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Practice with carefulness and concentration; make daily practice a priority.
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Have your practice/listen sheet filled out.
Missed Lessons
The lesson time for your child is reserved especially for you. Care is taken to make sure that the scheduled lesson time works for both the family and myself. This is the wonderful nature of private study. Please be consistent and punctual to your lesson time.
If you aren't able to make your lesson, please let me know as soon as possible.
If a week (or more) notice is given, I will make it top priority to schedule a make-up lesson as soon as possible.
If you believe that your child is sick, please do your best to give me a 24-hour notice, and every effort will be made to reschedule you.
If less than 24-hours notice is given, no makeup lesson is given.
No deduction or refunds will be made for missed lessons.
Snow days and school cancellations do NOT mean that lesson is canceled. The parent and I will decide whether or not travel is advisable.
A make-up lesson is guaranteed if I miss a lesson for any reason.