Anna Lea Stefánsdóttir 

Dear parents,

 

Below are some guidelines for taking violin lessons that will clarify some very common responsibilities and obligations that teachers and student/parents have to each other. 

 

Practice Policy

 

Always be prepared for your lesson.

 

Practicing means working on the material covered at the previous lesson, listening to the accompanying CD daily, reviewing older pieces, as well as using any additional forms of practice techniques given to you in class. If a student and parent do not do their part by practicing during the week, a teacher has nothing new to teach at their next lesson. All students need to practice every (or almost every!) day in order to benefit from this program. Teamwork between parents, student and teachers are required for optimal results. In the beginning, 10 minutes of daily practice is sufficient.  As the students´ skills develop, gradually the practice time will lengthen as well.

 

Lesson Length

 

The lesson begins and ends at the agreed - upon time and includes unpacking the violin and tuning as well as packing-up in time for the next student.     

 

Materials

 

• A notebook for the parent to take notes during class (A5 is a good size)

• Step by Step books (Schritt für Schritt)

• CD and daily listening

 

Coming prepared to class

 

• Bringing the notebook and Step by Step books and other sheet music if applicable

• Coming 5-10 minutes before class starts to give your child enough time to use the bathroom, drink some water and/or have some refreshments.  It is advisable to refrain from sugar right before class.

• Making sure your child has trimmed fingernails.

 

Group Class

 

Group Classes are an intrinsic part of the Suzuki Program, and are a source for motivation, repetition of the materials covered in individual class, friendship and music making with others.  The Group Class time and day is confirmed at the beginning of each school year.

 

 

Workshops

 

Suzuki Workshops are a wonderful experience, and every student should go to 1x Workshop, Institute or Master Class every year.  An experience of that kind can be equivalent to 2 months of individual classes! The Violin Garden Summer Academy Vienna, took place in July in 2020 and 2021 in Schloss Miller-Aichholz, and we are hoping to put it on again the second week of July 2026. More information to come shortly.

 

The other Suzuki Program in Austria where I teach takes place in Mürzzuschlag end of July and it is a lovely experience for all! 

http://www.brahmsmusicschool.at/

 

Concerts

 

Each year there are three Violin Garden Class concerts in a concert hall.  Performing is an essential part of the program, and attendance is required.  The schedule of the concerts is always announced at the beginning of each trimester, and the fee for the cost of the concert is included in every trimester fee.

 

Literature

 

Reading Shinichi Suzuki´s book “Nurtured by Love” or “Erziehung ist Liebe” will be very beneficial as it is a very inspiring and motivational book that can help with the daily practice as well as deepening the understanding of the pedagogical approach I use.

 

Device usage

 

The children should turn off their phones (if they have one) before entering the class room, and it is highly recommended that parents stay off their devices as well, unless it is used for taking videos during class. 

 

You can find play-along videos of all pieces from Twinkle to end of Book 5 on my Violin Garden YouTube channel which is a wonderful resource for practice. 

  

Communication

 

My attention is for the most part directed at your child during class, but please take note of all the details discussed.  That way you are best able to help your child at home.  At home, the parent becomes the teacher.

 

Concert dates and events as well as possible changes of classes will be communicated per email.  Any short-term notifications are communicated via text message.

 

If you need to cancel a class on short notice, please notify me per text message.

 

Concerns of any kind

 

It is of utmost importance to me to have an open communication channel between myself and the parents, so please feel free to speak openly to me about any concerns you may have, and I am happy to plan a phone conversation or a meeting at a café. 

 

                                                                          

Lesson Payment and Cancellation Policy

 

The classes are scheduled around the Austrian School System and paid for in advance at the beginning of each trimester  (Sept-Dec, Jan-March, April-June). 

The fee is fixed according to the amount of classes within each trimester, regardless of cancellations due to travel, illness, etc.   Refund is not possible, nor if the student quits in the middle of the trimester. 

Missed classes will not be made up for any reason. But if there is an open slot, it will be offered to you WITHIN  the same trimester. Please note that missed classes cannot be transferred between trimesters or to holidays. 

 

If I for some reason need to cancel a class, the fee for that class will be credited towards the next trimester or rescheduled as soon as possible.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know! 

 

Thank you for your cooperation and I look forward to working together with you and your child on this learning journey!

 

 

Warmest,  

Anna Lea