Cello Studio of Erin Cassel

Cello Studio of Erin Cassel

2014/2015 Studio Policy

Welcome new parents and students, and welcome back returning parents and students! I am so looking forward to growing with you as great cellists and wonderful musicians this year.Please refer to the below policies and explanations if you have any questions throughout the semester.

Teaching Philosophy:

Dr. Suzuki was a Japanese violinist who founded a method of nurturing children based on the Mother Tongue method of learning, which emphasizes that children can learn music in the same way they learn to speak their language- building block upon building block. In the Suzuki method, we focus on repetition, listening, the positive attitudes of teacher and parent, positive reinforcement, and daily practice.

Parental involvement is one of the strongest components of the “Suzuki Triangle” between student-teacher-parent. A student’s growth as a musician can flourish tenfold with the encouragement of parents, not only in daily at-home lessons, but in weekly lessons, group classes, and recitals. The parent is the at-home teacher, taking what we work on in lessons and helping the students apply the concepts in their daily practice. When you can observe the lesson and take notes on progress, you will be better able to assist your child’s practice, regardless of the age of your student. It wouldbe a wonderful idea for you to read Suzuki’s short book, Nurtured by Love to better understand some of the concepts of my teaching philosophy.

Attendance/Make-Up Lesson Policy:

As per GAM policy, there are no make-up lessonsunless the teacher has to reschedule. You and your student are reserving a time slot for the entire semester, one which I cannot utilize when you are absent. This year, I am teaching at three schools during the day Monday-Thursday, directing a new string program in Covington Thursday-Friday, playing symphony gigs on the weekends, and teaching at GAM Monday-Wednesday evenings. As much as I would like to be able to offer make-up lessons so that we do not lose momentum, I unfortunately do not feasibly have the time to rearrange things!

There is only one day this year that I have a performance conflict and need to make up lessons during January make-up week. Please see below schedule if you have a Wednesday lesson!

I will have my schedule posted by September so that you may contact another student of the same lesson length if you would like to try to switch lessons on a week that you might be absent.

Practicing/Listening:

At-home practicing is something we all need help with! Practice challenges will be an integral part of lessons in my studio. In my studio, we focus on quality of practice instead of quantity of practice. Students do need to put in time on their cellos to see growth, but it is more important to have consistent every-day practice than a 2-hour “cram” session twice a week!If you need ideas for helping your student practice, please ask me!!

Listening to our musics is a huge part of becoming a better musician. You can make listening fun and enjoyable for the whole family byputting the CD on in the car or playing their music in the background at home. Listening should never be stressful. The more your student listens to what they will be playing, the faster they will learn each piece.

Semester Schedule:

Monday, September 1st: Labor Day- we WILL have lessons

Wednesday, October 15th: NO lessons (make up on 1/7/15)

November 24th-26th: Thanksgiving Break- NO lessons

December 22nd-January 7th: Winter Break- NO lessons

January 7th: make-up day for 10/15/14

January 12th: start of Spring Semester

Monday, January 19th: MLK Day- we WILL have lessons

March 9th-11th: Spring Break

May 18th-20th: Last week of lessons

*Please mark these dates on your calendar!

Important Events!

Atlanta Suzuki Fall Workshop: November 21st/22nd

Fall Recital: Sunday, December 7th, 2:00

December Northside Hospital Outreach

Celli Workshop: January 17th

Spring Recital: Sunday, May 3rd, 2:00

*Fall & Spring Recitals are mandatory for students- please MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!These recitals are the culmination of all of your student’s (and your!) hard work each semester, and we all want to share in your success!

Thank you for all of the support and encouragement you show your children on a daily basis. Please feel free to e-mail or call me with any questions!

~Erin Cassel

(615) 498-7675

**Please be on the lookout for my website! I will hopefully have it up and running in September. I will post all schedules, concerts, and studio news on this website for you to check throughout the semester!

PRACTICE CHART