Christine Wilkinson Beckman

Beckman Violin Studio Policies

2024-2025

Welcome to the Beckman Violin Studio! I am looking forward to exploring the wonderful world of music with you. Please read the following policies carefully and sign at the bottom. Feel free to ask if you have any questions. 

Academic Year, Location, and Rates

The 2024-25 academic year runs from September 9, 2024 through June 13, 2025. During that period there will be 28 lesson weeks. Tuition for lessons is divided by 10 months and includes a non-refundable

group class and recital fee of $250 per student. Tuition is due by cash or check at the first lesson of each month, September through June. 

NEW THIS YEAR: Tuition payments made more than 7 days late will incur a late fee of $10 per week. 

For new students starting in January or later, there is a one-time $50 fee to compensate for the missing recital portion of the group class/recital fee paid by others in tuition earlier in the year.

Summer lessons are available on an individual, per-lesson basis. 

Locations and hours:          Mondays 12-5:30 pm 

                                       Wednesdays and Thursdays 2-5:30 pm

                                       Beckman Studio, Olympia

 Tuesdays 2-5:30 pm

 R. L. Ray’s Violin Shop, Olympia

Monthly Tuition Rates for 2024-2025: 15 minutes: $81

 30 minutes: $137

 45 minutes: $193

*** New: $10 per week fee for tuition payments more than 7 days late ***

Tuition paid Fee

 On time and up to 7 days late none

 8-14 days late $10

 15-21 days late $20

 22-28 days late $30

 Etc. 

Summer Individual Lesson Rates: 15 minutes: $20

 30 minutes: $40

 45 minutes: $60

Mid-year start fee January-June: $50 per student, due with first tuition payment, 

Group Classes

Monthly group classes are held once a month on Tuesdays from 6:30-8pm. Attendance at group classes is required unless prior arrangements have been made. Group classes are a fundamental part of the Suzuki method and philosophy and are an opportunity for children to make friends, to hear (and be inspired by) more advanced students and repertoire, to explore extra-curricular musical subjects such as music history, and to learn and hone ensemble skills such as following a leader, being the leader, and working together as a musical team. They are also fun! Fees for group class are included in tuition and are non-refundable. 

This year I will be dividing the class into more level-appropriate groups. These groups will overlap to allow students to play and learn with children of different levels. Families are welcome to come earlier and stay later than their assigned times to observe. More advanced students may participate in the earlier groups as long as they are respectful of the needs of lower level students and can model good technique and behavior. All students should enter and exit quietly so as not to disturb any groups already in progress.

The new class times are as follows:

 6:30-7:00 Pre-Twinkle through Allegro

 6:45-7:15 Perpetual Motion through end of Book 1

 7:00-7:45 Book 2 and up

 As the year progresses, I may extend the Book 2+ portion of the class to allow for extra activities

Group Classes for 2024-2025: 

October 1, 2024

 November 5, 2024

 December 3, 2024

 January 14, 2025

 February 4, 2025

 March 4, 2025

 April 15, 2025

 May 13, 2025 

 June 3, 2024 - Last group class of the year is a party at the park!

Recitals

There will one solo recital on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 4 pm.

Teacher Communication­

I rely on EMAIL to communicate essential information such as reminders of my travel schedule, announcements of studio activities, cancellation due to illness, etc.. I will give verbal reminders at lessons of planned absences or activities as well, but please check your email regularly so you don’t miss any important or last-minute updates.

Expectations for Lessons

I strive to foster a positive and fun lesson environment, but I also expect students and parents to be diligent and to take the study of music seriously. To that end, I ask the following of all students and their families:

• Please arrive for your lesson about 5 minutes early in order to have time to get ready (e.g. unpack, use the bathroom, etc.) so that your lesson can start at our scheduled time. Please unpack in the lobby or living room and come into the studio when you are ready. 

• I expect students to come to their lessons prepared, having practiced all the points assigned in the previous lessons. We may not have time to cover every point in every lesson, but I will expect home practice on all points to continue.

• I expect parents (or another caregiver) to attend lessons and to be active observers of the lesson. Please bring a notebook for taking notes during the lesson. Students ages 4th grade and up may attend lessons alone.

• Cell phones and other electronic devices may only be used for activities pertaining to the lesson (for taking pictures of correct posture, videos of a song or game, etc.) or if there is an extenuating circumstance and I have pre-approved their use. 

• Siblings are welcome to come to lessons as long as they can quietly entertain themselves (as appropriate for their age) with drawing, reading, or other such non-technological activities. Please NO electronic devices in the studio! Siblings may also watch the lesson and possibly even participate at times. 

Make-Up Policy

ACADEMIC YEAR: 

Lessons missed due to illness or family emergency will be made up at a mutually agreeable time if I am notified BEFORE the lesson. Lessons missed for any other reason or without prior notice will not be made up. No refund will be given for missed lessons. 

SUMMER: 

There will be no charge for lessons cancelled at least 48 hours in advance. Lessons cancelled less than 48 hours in advance will be charged the full amount.

TEACHER CANCELLATION: 

I have small children, and they (and, by extension, I) sometimes get sick. In the event that I must cancel lessons due to illness, I will deduct the individual lesson price of the missed lesson from the next month’s tuition.

ONLINE OPTION FOR ILLNESS: 

If illness prevents any party from attending a lesson but is mild enough to admit activity, lessons may, with prior agreement, take place over Zoom.

Required Materials

Please purchase and bring to every lesson:

• Suzuki® method scores AND recordings as assigned

• 3-ring binder

• other materials as assigned

• notebook for taking notes during lessons

Teacher Performance and Holiday Schedule

I maintain a busy performing schedule as a baroque violinist and frequently travel to perform with 

ensembles in other cities. Dates when I will be gone (see below) have been factored into the academic year. In the event that I accept additional performing work during the course of the year, I will make every attempt to give each student their full 28 lessons through rescheduling as necessary. If lessons cannot be rescheduled during the regular academic year, the price of missed lessons will be deducted from tuition.

The studio will follow the Olympia School District calendar for major holidays and breaks.

There will be NO LESSONS the following times: (Holidays and teacher performance weeks)

October 7-11, 2024

 November 11-15, 2024

 November 27-29, 2024 (Thanksgiving Holiday)

 December 16, 2024 – January 10, 2025 

 February 10-14, 2025 

 February 17-18, 2025 (Midwinter Break)

 March 10-14, 2025

 March 31-April 4, 2025 (Spring Break)

 April 7-11, 2025

 May 5-9, 2025

 +May 26, 2025 (Memorial Day)

+ Monday lessons missed on May 26 will be made up during the summer.

Thank you for your diligence in reading these policies. I hope that our collective adherence to them will enable us all to to more fully enjoy the wonderful fun that is the study of violin. I look forward to our year together!

Parent/Guardian Signature

I have read and understood these policies:

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ______________________