Communication
Email is my primary form of communication for studio matters. Please be sure to provide me with a current email address, and check it frequently so as not to miss important information.
You may contact me with any questions or concerns at any time between lessons. I strive to answer all communications within 24 hours.
Student Expectations
- Practice daily! This includes both listening to your recording, and playing your instrument. Specific practice assignments will be given at each lesson.
- Lesson Attendance: show up on time, ready to learn, with a respectful attitude.
- Remember your own materials: Students, not parents, need to be accountable for remembering to bring all the necessary equipment and materials to each lesson. See Books and Materials for more information.
Parent Expectations
- Lesson Attendance: For students under the age of ten, parents are required to attend lessons along with the student. For parents of older children, lesson attendance is encouraged, but not required.
- Take notes/videos: Notes and videos taken during the lesson are extremely helpful in guiding practice at home. Please come prepared with a notebook and pencil.
- Be present at home: Be mindful of what and how often your child is practicing, and follow up with them frequently. Some children (especially ages 3-7) need a lot of support during practicing, so be sure to set aside time in your schedule to practice with them.
Books and Materials
- Cello with bow, rosin, and cleaning cloth
- Cello chair
- Endpin stopper
- Suzuki Cello School books, according to level
- Suzuki audio recordings: can be found on iTunes or Amazon Music, or physical CD
- Other supplementary books may be suggested during lessons
- Manuscript notebook (staff paper) and pencils
Suggested apps for smartphone:
- TE Tuner (Tonal Energy)
- AnyTune
Lesson Videos
I video most of my lessons for training and recruitment purposes. Please let me know if you do not want your lesson recorded. Students are welcome to video any portion of the lesson for their own use.
Social Media
Photos and/or videos may be taken during private/group lessons, or during recitals. I will always ask parent and student permission before uploading content featuring students to my Instagram, Facebook, or personal website. Students’ names will not be shared publicly.
Group Lessons
All group lessons are offered separately from private lessons. Enrollment is highly encouraged for all students; the group setting is designed to supplement what we do in private lessons in order to provide a complete, well-rounded musical education.
Suzuki Cello Group Class
For all students currently enrolled in private lessons. This mixed-level class will give students the opportunity to interact with their peers, reinforce technique, and practice their ensemble skills. Weekly classes consist of repertoire review, music theory games, performance practice, and more.
String Chamber Ensembles
For more advanced students seeking additional enrichment, chamber music is the way to go. Students will be placed in small groups of 2-5 players, and will receive weekly coaching from the instructor. Performance opportunities will be available throughout the year.
Recitals
Studio recitals are scheduled once a year, and other performance opportunities may be presented throughout the year. Students are encouraged to take advantage of performance opportunities as they arise. Please make arrangements for your student to attend each scheduled recital.
Book Graduation
At the start of each Suzuki book, students are given a graduation chart to work on over the course of their studies. Upon completion of the book, we will plan a book graduation celebration.
Goals for Graduation process:
- Validation of the review, revise and refinement process fundamental to the Suzuki approach
- Nurture excellence in teacher and student
- Celebrate achievement
Options for Book Graduation:
- Perform on a solo recital featuring all pieces from the selected book
- Video record all songs and play chosen songs in a studio recital
- “Celebration lesson” in which the student performs all pieces from the book for the teacher during their lesson
Attendance Policy
When you schedule lessons with me, you are reserving a weekly time slot. Students are expected to be present and on time to each weekly lesson. Contact me directly to schedule your lesson time. Attendance is taken as follows:
Teacher Absence: All lessons cancelled by the teacher for any reason. I will notify you in advance if I need to cancel your lesson, and you will receive a make-up at a later date.
Student Absence: All lessons missed by the student, regardless of the reason (illness/travel/sporting events/etc.). Options for making up student absences include Rescheduled Lessons, Asynchronous Lessons, or Video Lessons (see below). Students/parents are responsible for notifying me in advance if one of these options is needed. If the lesson is not made up, you will not be refunded or pro-rated.
Rescheduled Lessons: must occur during the same week as the originally scheduled lesson. I usually do not have time to book double lessons in future weeks. The sooner you contact me, the more likely I will be able to fit you in for a rescheduled lesson. Availability is not guaranteed, but I will do my best to accommodate your schedule whenever I can.
Asynchronous Lessons: Instead of rescheduling the lesson, I may ask for a video submission with specific instructions on what to record—what piece, what section, what skill I need to check, and what I want the student to listen for. I will watch each video submission and provide detailed feedback and practice instructions for the coming week. Video submissions give me a window into the student’s progress at home. I can see what they understood, what still needs correction, and what we need to prioritize next. It also gives the student a different kind of learning opportunity. They have to review the assignment, record with intention, and listen back. That process builds independence, accountability, and careful listening—skills every musician needs outside of lesson time.
Video Lessons: Can be held during the original lesson time (in the case of illness or transportation issues) or at another time during the week. These are conducted on ZOOM, and the meeting info will be provided.
I look forward to being a part of your musical journey! Let’s get started!
Jocelyn Francis, Cellist 