Policies
Financial Policies
Enrollment in the Oak Park String Academy (OPSA) is not a “payment per service” arrangement, but rather a tuition based business. Enrolling in music lessons is a purchase of a teacher’s services and a reservation of the teacher’s time. Tuition entitles a student to school membership and scheduled weekly lessons. Your child’s lesson time is reserved for him/her; since the time passes whether a student uses it or not, a lesson missed is time and money lost. The full fee is to be paid whether or not the student attends all lessons; lessons missed by the student for any reason will not be made-up nor tuition refunded. Notification of inability to attend a lesson is appreciated, but does not excuse payment for contracted lessons.
Our school year is divided into four terms over the course of the year - Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Each term is about 12 weeks long - although enrollment can begin at any time within a term, and tuition is pro-rated accordingly. Enrollment must be made for the entire academic year. Tuition is based on a full year of approximately 42 weeks, divided into 4 payments. Students beginning lessons after the beginning of the year will be charged from the date of their first lesson. An annual registration fee is charged at the start of the summer semester (or at the time of enrollment) in order to reserve your spot in the program for the following school year. This registration fee helps to cover a small portion of costs such as hall rental, rehearsal space, practice books, piano maintenance, piano accompanists, and much more. The 2014-15 registration fee is $135 per student ($100 for additional children).
There are no refunds.
Missed Lessons & Make-Up Lesson Policy
Your child’s music education is important and regular attendance needs to be a priority.
Fall scheduling will begin during the summer. It is usually impossible to reschedule your lesson time once the studio schedule is established for the semester. Please keep this in mind when you consider other activities.
It is not possible to schedule make-up lessons when a student misses a lesson for any reason including illness or prearranged vacation. Please do not ask for a make-up. This policy exists to protect our teachers. (For an interesting article about this policy, see this article). Lessons missed by the teacher at any time for any reason will be made-up at a mutually convenient time for the student and the teacher, or a credit for the lesson will be given on the next semester’s tuition.
Please do not assume that we understand that your child will miss scheduled lessons during holidays or other functions your child attends. Because our students come from many school districts, are home schooled, or are not yet in school, the studio will not follow any particular school calendar. The studio calendar is always available on our calendar page on the school website. Please take some time to carefully review the calendar at the start of each school year and place important dates on your home master calendar. It is expected that families will look at the online calendar page on a regular, ongoing basis. It is your responsibility to keep current with this online calendar. It is unacceptable to miss important events due to failure to check the calendar. Failure to check the calendar is cause for dismissal from the program.
If a student arrives late for a lesson, the student will receive instruction for the remainder of the scheduled lesson only.
Illness Policy
Please do not bring sick children to their violin lesson or arrive ill yourself. If the child or parent arrives at the studio ill, we reserve the right to send the parent and the child home. If a student is too ill for school, he/she is too ill for his/her music lesson. We work in close proximity and with our hands, so germs spread easily. Please consider the health and well being of our instructors.
Group Lessons
Group lessons are included in the tuition for OPSA. Attendance at group functions is required; please mark your calendars in the beginning of the year for these important dates.
For young violinists in a Suzuki Program, participation in group lessons is an essential part of the student’s development. Students and parents both find group classes to be fun and exciting. Group classes can be very motivating. Group lessons are held each week except when noted on the calendar. There are no group classes during the summer semester. Please see the calendar for more scheduling details. (Also see Summer Lessons for more info.)
Summer Lessons
The Oak Park String Academy is a twelve month, year-round program--without exceptions. During the summer semester (June-July-August) students are required to take a minimum of eight lessons. Most students opt to take additional lessons in the summer by taking 2 or even 3 lessons a week. Practice duration during the summer semester should be increased as there is no school during the day. The Summer Term is flexible, in that students are only asked to sign up for 8 of the approximately 12 lessons to allow for summer travel plans. Summer lessons are also flexible in that a student signs up for each lesson individually, and you are not necessarily tied into the same lesson time each week.
Study during the summer is crucial for students to maintain their abilities. Information regarding the scheduling of summer lessons is discussed in May each year. In order to allow greater flexibility during the summer months to accommodate summer activities and family vacations, all lessons will be scheduled by appointment only. There are typically 11 or 12 weeks during the summer semester which allows for a lot of flexibility around family vacations, summer camps, etc.
While there are no group classes held during the summer semster, we will often offer a Music Mind Games camp based on interest and enorollment. Information about this possible class will be sent out at the start of the summer semester. In addition, students are invited to gather to play at various events in the summer. We will often perform at the Oak Park Farmer's Market a few times during the summer months.
Communication
Continual communication is a natural part of any educational endeavor. Open communication is strongly encouraged and appreciated between the student, parent, and teacher. Any conflicts or problems that may arise in the course of the semester should immediately be brought to the instructor or director's attention.
Parent conferences without the student will be held in lieu of a lesson during one of the last few weeks of the school year. This time helps to give both the parent and teacher a chance to communicate each ones vision for the student and discuss how we are doing in terms of working towards this vision. Your child's development--both musical and otherwise--is very important to us. These conferences help to make sure that the work we do each week and the daily work you do at home in regards to violin are helping to foster a healthy, happy and musical child. You will receive a questionnaire via email in order to help facilitate communication during this conference. Please submit it within a few days of receiving it as your teacher will want to prepare for your conference. Summer and fall scheduling are also typically discussed during this conference so as not to detract from instructional time during regular lessons.
Piano Coachings:
It is the responsibility of the student/parent to sign up for a rehearsal with Melissa Zindel prior to the recital day. This 15-minute rehearsal is required and is offered free of charge from the school. All students who are in Book 4+ who are preparing for solo recitals should have a 30-min coaching with Melissa prior to their complimentary rehearsal time. This coaching session must be scheduled at least 7 days before the recital to ensure there is time for the student to work on issues discussed in the coaching. We recommend Book 4+ students schedule coachings 2-3 weeks prior to the recital. Coachings are offered at the rate of $25.00 per half hour. To schedule a coaching or recital rehearsal, visit wsste.com. Under “For Parents”, click on “Piano Rehearsals”. Then choose the link for your location etc. First-time users can view the schedule, after entering the shared password: twinkle. You will then be able to view the schedule. To make a reservation, click on the desired time. For frst-time users, you will need to enter your email as a login name, and will then be able to reserve a coaching time. You will receive a confrmation email. If you have trouble with this step, please make sure that cookies are enabled on your browser. Students are responsible for paying for missed coaching sessions. Please be sure to make a note of when you have signed up. If you ever need to cancel, you must give Melissa 24 hours notice or you will be responsible for paying for the coaching session.
Lesson Termination
The school reserves the right to discontinue any student/parent who does not exhibit sufficient interest to progress.
In the event of irregular attendance, repeated failure to prepare assigned material, or inappropriate behavior during the lessons on the part of parent or child, I must reserve the right to terminate lessons. A one-month trial period following a parent conference will precede termination of lessons. If you elect to end lessons, you will not receive a tuition refund. Please understand that I grow very attached to your children and would like to have an opportunity to end well with them. One of the ways we teach respect, responsibility, and follow-through is to teach our children how to end well.
Instrument Maintenance & Supplies
It is important to have instruments that are in good playing condition. Bows should be re-haired and strings changed at least once a year. Those students who practice every day will need to do this more often. Every student should have an extra set of new strings in his/her instrument case at all times in case a string should break.
Recommended Sources
The following businesses have my recommendation. Unfortunately, MANY poor quality instruments, over-priced and marked-up retailers, and outright crooks exist in the music business. NEVER buy any instrument or bow without first bringing it to your lesson to have your teacher evaluate it. Any reputable violin shop will allow you at least 7 days to try out an instrument and/or bow free of charge.
Only the following businesses can I endorse in complete faith:
For purchase, repairs and maintenance I strongly suggest you call:
Michael Becker Fine Violins Ltd.
28 Third St.
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Telephone: 847.823.5491
I have also had good experiences with:
Kenneth Stein Violins
172 N York St.
Elmhurst, IL
630.782.0273
For violin rentals--best source for fractional size (1/16, 1/10, 1/8, etc.) violins (Scott Cao, maker). Kagan and Gaines also sells the Suzuki books, CDs, Step by Step books and other necessary lesson materials.
7655 W Roosevelt Rd.
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 771-2152
To order music, strings, and related supplies at a discount try:
For Music Mind Games materials, visit: