Upper Strings Suzuki Studio

Suzuki Violin and Viola Lessons in El Paso, Texas

Studio Pledge

Upper String Suzuki Studio
Violin Studio Of Chris Lanier

2025-2026

STUDENT’S PLEDGE

  • I understand that studying the violin with Chris is a privilege, and I will treat him with courtesy and respect. When I bow at the beginning of the lesson, I am saying “teacher, please teach me; I am ready to learn.”  When I bow at the end of the lesson, I am saying “thank you for teaching me.”  My teacher shows his respect by bowing to me as well. 
  • I will remain open to learning, to following directions, and to be willing to try new ideas. 
  • I understand that my improvement involves my repeating things over and over again until they become easy. 
  • I will do my best to practice daily, because that is how I advance the most quickly and easily.  If I am unable to practice my instrument, I will do other violin work (theory, flash cards, sing music, ‘air bow’ pieces) as my practice.
  • I commit to daily listening of my recordings.
  • I will review my ‘old’ pieces each time I practice, because that is how my ability is developed.
  • I promise to continue to work on improving my position, because excellent posture will greatly benefit my   violin playing.
  • I understand that violin study is all-encompassing; it is a great opportunity for me to be both creative and   industrious.  It makes my mind sharper, my memory stronger, and my heart more beautiful.
  • I will be respectful and cooperate with my home teacher and appreciate the gift to me of his/her time, energy and instruction.

PARENT’S PLEDGE

  • I will commit to helping my child practice daily and listen to his/her CD daily.
  • I will use the travel time in the car to prepare my child for a successful lesson, and then review the positive points on the way home.
  • During our home lessons, I pledge to treat my child with respect and courtesy.  
  • I pledge to make it a priority to get to lessons on time.
  • I pledge to take notes at the lesson, and if I don’t understand something, I will ask about it before the lesson is over.
  • I pledge to not take phone calls, text or email during my child’s lesson (other than emergencies).

STUDENT’S AND PARENT’S PLEDGE

Private Lessons:

  • We will attend all lessons scheduled.
  • We will arrive a few minutes early, unpack the instrument, wash hands/check fingernails, and have music ready so as to make the most of the lesson time.
  • We understand that a missed lesson is our responsibility and can be addressed in the following manner:
  • Switch lessons with another student or give the lesson to another student (agree that the favor will be    returned)
  • Make up the lesson during one of the designated make-up days
  • Forfeit the lesson
  • In the event of a missed lesson, we promise to contact Chris (call, text, email) as soon as possible.
  • If the student is ill, I will not bring him/her to lesson. I will contact Chris (call/text/email) as soon as possible so that he can fill this time slot and be able to offer me a make up lesson.  If the driver/home teacher/accompanying sibling is ill, we will drop off the student at the lesson and Irene will fill out the practice chart. 

Make-up Lessons:

  • I understand that private lesson make-ups are offered as a courtesy at the end of each semester or at a time mutually agreed upon by teacher and parent.
  • I understand that I am eligible to make up one private lesson per semester.
  • I understand that a missed make-up lesson will not be made up again or refunded unless the lesson is missed by the teacher in which case a makeup or a one lesson refund will be issued.

Tuition:

  • I understand that I am responsible for private lesson tuition monthly for the year.  I am also responsible for all group lessons scheduled during the semester.
  • I understand that I have the option of paying all tuition, both private and group, at the beginning of the semester. Alternatively, I may pay tuition in equal monthly installments as detailed in my semester tuition statement.  
  • I understand that a fee of $10 will be assessed for payments received after the first lesson of the month.

Group Events:

  • We pledge to attend all my group activities from September 2025 – May 2025
  • In the event of a missed group class, I promise to call or email as soon as possible.
  • I understand that group classes cannot be made up or refunded.
  • I commit to arriving on time and remaining for the duration of my class.  If I choose to review with a less  advanced class or observe a more advanced class, I will remember that I am a guest and act respectfully to the teacher and the other students.

Rehearsals, Recitals, and Concerts:

  • We commit to attending all rehearsals, recitals and concerts in which we are involved.
  • We will arrive on time to concerts (10 minutes early) and remain for the duration of the entire performance.

TEACHER’S PLEDGE

  • I promise to be the best teacher that I can be for your student, at every lesson. 
  • I pledge to treat your student with respect and dignity. 
  • If I must be absent from a lesson, I promise to contact you immediately.   I will either make up the lesson,   refund the lesson tuition, or provide a substitute teacher for the lesson.

Student’s Signature  __________________________ Parent’s Signature __________________________ 

Teacher’s Signature __________________________ Date _____________________________________