Studio Handbook
Contact Information
My phone number is 703-426-1998 (home) and 703-629-6805 (cell). Text or email is usually the best way to reach me, at kristensheridan<at>me.com. (When emailing, replace <at> with the @ symbol.) Please understand that if you call during scheduled teaching hours, I cannot answer the phone, but you are welcome to leave a message and I will call back as soon as I can. In any message you leave, please tell me your name, phone number and until what time I may call you back, as most evenings I am teaching until late in the evening.
Lesson Attendance
I teach in my home studio on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, located at 9727 Aspen Hollow Way, Fairfax VA, 22032.
As stated in my Studio Policy and Registration form, no make-up lessons are offered. Because there are no make-ups available, a telephone “Swap List” is available. This contains the day and time of each lesson, as well as each student’s phone number. Please contact another student directly to arrange a swap for any week in which you have a lesson conflict or illness. Do not call the studio to arrange these swaps; however, please call to inform me if there will be no one attending the lesson.
Plan ahead! Arrange early in the year with another student to facilitate swaps for known conflicts, such as band concerts or trips. Be sure to specify all details – exact date and time.
Parents are welcome to attend lessons. Please feel free to ask any questions you have during your child’s lesson time, and remember that I cannot carry a conversation on into the next student’s lesson time. You may always call or email me after the lesson to continue the conversation.
Parking, Waiting Room, Etc.
Please park on the street in front of our house. Thank you.
I welcome parents and guests to wait in our waiting room in the basement. Parents, students, and siblings are welcome to use the basement bathroom, watch TV, play with the toys, or read books on the shelves. As we have a new floor in our home, I ask that everyone please remove your shoes at the front door. WiFi is available, and the network key is given out upon request. There is a telephone in the waiting area for your use. When using our telephone or your cell phone, please keep your voice to a minimum so as not to disturb the lesson.
Lesson Calendar and Events
My studio follows the Fairfax County Public Schools’ calendar for the school year. There will be no lessons on holidays, with the exception of student holidays, also known as “Teacher Workdays”. These occur at the end of every quarter; regular lessons WILL TAKE PLACE during these days off. There will be no lessons for all other school holidays, including Wednesday, November 25, when students are released 2 hours early for Thanksgiving vacation.
From time to time, it may be necessary for me to miss several days of teaching due to my performance schedule. These days, of course, will not be counted as lessons and will be made up later in the registration period. I will let you know as far in advance as possible what those days are.
Below is a ist of all lesson dates, by day of the week
Lessons on Tuesday
September 6, 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
December 6, 13
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 6, 13, 29, 27
April 10, 17, 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 5
Wednesday
September 7, 14, 21, 28
October 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16, 30
December 7, 14
January 4, 11, 18, 25
February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
March 7, 14, 21, 28
April 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
June 6, 13
Thursday
September 8, 15, 22, 29
October 6, 13, 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1, 8, 15
January 5, 12, 19, 26
February 2, 9, 16, 23
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
April 12, 19, 26
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
June 7, 14
Recital
We will have a recital on May 20, 2012 at 4:00 pm at The Lyceum in Alexandria. (Please note the change from the original date of June 9, 2012.) Students will have a piano rehearsal in preparation for this recital on Saturday, May 12. All students are expected to participate. Please note that there will be a recital fee of up to $25 applied to your Music & Activities Deposit for accompanist and venue fees. Please visit The Lyceum’s website for directions and information on this beautiful venue.
Inclement Weather
The studio follows FCPS policy as follows:
Tuition and Music/Activites Fee
Tuition is based on the fee for 37 lessons to be given between September 1, 2011 and June 25, 2012. Tuition is due and payable in equal monthly installments, due by the seventh of each month, September-June. A $10.00 late fee will be applied to any tuition payment received after the 7th of the month. To avoid depleting your student’s Music/Activity account, please add $10.00 to the tuition payment after this time. If there are no lessons in the first seven days of a calendar month, please mail the tuition payment to arrive by the 7th in order to avoid a late fee.
The Music & Activity Fee is a refundable deposit that allows me to purchase necessary items without having to continually ask parents for checks. Unused funds will be refunded to you at the end of the school year.
I have available for purchase (at cost) reeds, mouthpieces, ligatures, cork grease, music, method books and instruments. I also have several instruments, wood & plastic, available for purchase or rent. Please contact me for details.
Instrument Repair, Music Dealers
Repair:
Wayne Titerence 703-455-0111
Tony Valenti 703-278-8236
Lee Lachman
Music Dealer:
Foxes Music – a fantastic, locally owned music dealer. They are located in Falls Church at 416 Washington Blvd (aka Route 29). 703-533-7393
Music & Arts: several locations throughout Northern Virigina. musicarts.com
Performance Opportunities
There are several performance opportunities available to students over the course of the year. All students are encouraged to participate in their District Solo & Ensemble Festival, usually held in April. All scheduling for this is done through your band director, not through me. Students are expected to provide their own accompanist for this event. Good local accompanists are listed below.
The Northern Virginia Music Teachers’ Association (NVMTA) offers two competitions during the year. The Woodwind Concerto Competition, usually held in February, has Intermediate and Senior age groups. Students perform one movement of a concerto for judges and a small audience. The Woodwind Achievement Awards, held in May, has three age groups: 6th-8th, 9th-10th, 11th-12th. Students are asked to perform two contrasting selections. Selected students will be asked to perform in these competitions. Details to follow.
Other important opportunities are District Band auditions (middle and high school students only) and our End-of-Year Recital, described above.
Accompanists
For District Solo & Ensemble Festivals as well as NVMTA competitions, students will need to employ their own accompanists. Book early! These pianists’ schedules fill up very early in the year, so it is in your best interest to contact them and “reserve” their services for your performances as soon as you know that you are participating. Many band directors also keep a list of local accompanists. These are just a few of the outstanding accompanists available in our area:
Don Hoffman 703-451-5962 (Springfield)**
**In addition to being a talented pianist & accompanist, Mr. Hoffman is also an exceptional clarinetist. He is well-versed in the clarinet repertoire, and has served as our studio accompanist on multiple occassions.
Diane Winter Pyles 703-255-2576 (Vienna)
Catherine French 703-978-1236 (Fairfax)
Sheila Epstein 703-239-9617 (Fairfax/Burke)
Student Commitment
I save the most important subject for last! It has been my experience that the students who achieve the most success in private lessons are the students who are enthusiastic, hard-working, and committed. I understand and appreciate that well-rounded students participate in myriad other activities, and clarinet lessons are just one part of a student’s busy day. However, I expect the following:
- Treat me, band directors, and fellow students with respect.
- Practice the amount of your lesson time, 4 days a week (i.e., 30-minute lesson time = 30 minutes of practice, 4 days a week). This is the MINIMUM amount of practice expected of each student.
- Practice your Warm-Up Routine once a day, even if this takes place during the warm-up time in school band.
- Complete all assignments given by your next lesson.
- Come to lesson prepared with clarinet (must be your best instrument & mouthpiece, if you have more than one!), music, reeds and NOTEBOOK (provided).
- Students must own (and use) a metronome, available for purchase from music stores, through the App Store for your iOS device, or from me.
If these expectations are continually unmet for any reason, or if a student’s behavior needs to be addressed, I will contact parents to discuss the issues, and whether continued clarinet lessons are in everyone’s best interest.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding anything in this handbook, please do not hesitate to call or email me. I look forward to a fun and successful year of clarinet study.
Thank you for your support!
My phone number is 703-426-1998 (home) and 703-629-6805 (cell). Text or email is usually the best way to reach me, at kristensheridan<at>me.com. (When emailing, replace <at> with the @ symbol.) Please understand that if you call during scheduled teaching hours, I cannot answer the phone, but you are welcome to leave a message and I will call back as soon as I can. In any message you leave, please tell me your name, phone number and until what time I may call you back, as most evenings I am teaching until late in the evening.
Lesson Attendance
I teach in my home studio on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, located at 9727 Aspen Hollow Way, Fairfax VA, 22032.
As stated in my Studio Policy and Registration form, no make-up lessons are offered. Because there are no make-ups available, a telephone “Swap List” is available. This contains the day and time of each lesson, as well as each student’s phone number. Please contact another student directly to arrange a swap for any week in which you have a lesson conflict or illness. Do not call the studio to arrange these swaps; however, please call to inform me if there will be no one attending the lesson.
Plan ahead! Arrange early in the year with another student to facilitate swaps for known conflicts, such as band concerts or trips. Be sure to specify all details – exact date and time.
Parents are welcome to attend lessons. Please feel free to ask any questions you have during your child’s lesson time, and remember that I cannot carry a conversation on into the next student’s lesson time. You may always call or email me after the lesson to continue the conversation.
Parking, Waiting Room, Etc.
Please park on the street in front of our house. Thank you.
I welcome parents and guests to wait in our waiting room in the basement. Parents, students, and siblings are welcome to use the basement bathroom, watch TV, play with the toys, or read books on the shelves. As we have a new floor in our home, I ask that everyone please remove your shoes at the front door. WiFi is available, and the network key is given out upon request. There is a telephone in the waiting area for your use. When using our telephone or your cell phone, please keep your voice to a minimum so as not to disturb the lesson.
Lesson Calendar and Events
My studio follows the Fairfax County Public Schools’ calendar for the school year. There will be no lessons on holidays, with the exception of student holidays, also known as “Teacher Workdays”. These occur at the end of every quarter; regular lessons WILL TAKE PLACE during these days off. There will be no lessons for all other school holidays, including Wednesday, November 25, when students are released 2 hours early for Thanksgiving vacation.
From time to time, it may be necessary for me to miss several days of teaching due to my performance schedule. These days, of course, will not be counted as lessons and will be made up later in the registration period. I will let you know as far in advance as possible what those days are.
Below is a ist of all lesson dates, by day of the week
Lessons on Tuesday
September 6, 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
December 6, 13
January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 6, 13, 29, 27
April 10, 17, 24
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 5
Wednesday
September 7, 14, 21, 28
October 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16, 30
December 7, 14
January 4, 11, 18, 25
February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
March 7, 14, 21, 28
April 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
June 6, 13
Thursday
September 8, 15, 22, 29
October 6, 13, 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1, 8, 15
January 5, 12, 19, 26
February 2, 9, 16, 23
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
April 12, 19, 26
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
June 7, 14
Recital
We will have a recital on May 20, 2012 at 4:00 pm at The Lyceum in Alexandria. (Please note the change from the original date of June 9, 2012.) Students will have a piano rehearsal in preparation for this recital on Saturday, May 12. All students are expected to participate. Please note that there will be a recital fee of up to $25 applied to your Music & Activities Deposit for accompanist and venue fees. Please visit The Lyceum’s website for directions and information on this beautiful venue.
Inclement Weather
The studio follows FCPS policy as follows:
- If school is closed, lessons are cancelled.
- If school opens late, lessons take place as scheduled.
- If school closes early, lessons are cancelled.
Tuition and Music/Activites Fee
Tuition is based on the fee for 37 lessons to be given between September 1, 2011 and June 25, 2012. Tuition is due and payable in equal monthly installments, due by the seventh of each month, September-June. A $10.00 late fee will be applied to any tuition payment received after the 7th of the month. To avoid depleting your student’s Music/Activity account, please add $10.00 to the tuition payment after this time. If there are no lessons in the first seven days of a calendar month, please mail the tuition payment to arrive by the 7th in order to avoid a late fee.
The Music & Activity Fee is a refundable deposit that allows me to purchase necessary items without having to continually ask parents for checks. Unused funds will be refunded to you at the end of the school year.
I have available for purchase (at cost) reeds, mouthpieces, ligatures, cork grease, music, method books and instruments. I also have several instruments, wood & plastic, available for purchase or rent. Please contact me for details.
Instrument Repair, Music Dealers
Repair:
Wayne Titerence 703-455-0111
Tony Valenti 703-278-8236
Lee Lachman
Music Dealer:
Foxes Music – a fantastic, locally owned music dealer. They are located in Falls Church at 416 Washington Blvd (aka Route 29). 703-533-7393
Music & Arts: several locations throughout Northern Virigina. musicarts.com
Performance Opportunities
There are several performance opportunities available to students over the course of the year. All students are encouraged to participate in their District Solo & Ensemble Festival, usually held in April. All scheduling for this is done through your band director, not through me. Students are expected to provide their own accompanist for this event. Good local accompanists are listed below.
The Northern Virginia Music Teachers’ Association (NVMTA) offers two competitions during the year. The Woodwind Concerto Competition, usually held in February, has Intermediate and Senior age groups. Students perform one movement of a concerto for judges and a small audience. The Woodwind Achievement Awards, held in May, has three age groups: 6th-8th, 9th-10th, 11th-12th. Students are asked to perform two contrasting selections. Selected students will be asked to perform in these competitions. Details to follow.
Other important opportunities are District Band auditions (middle and high school students only) and our End-of-Year Recital, described above.
Accompanists
For District Solo & Ensemble Festivals as well as NVMTA competitions, students will need to employ their own accompanists. Book early! These pianists’ schedules fill up very early in the year, so it is in your best interest to contact them and “reserve” their services for your performances as soon as you know that you are participating. Many band directors also keep a list of local accompanists. These are just a few of the outstanding accompanists available in our area:
Don Hoffman 703-451-5962 (Springfield)**
**In addition to being a talented pianist & accompanist, Mr. Hoffman is also an exceptional clarinetist. He is well-versed in the clarinet repertoire, and has served as our studio accompanist on multiple occassions.
Diane Winter Pyles 703-255-2576 (Vienna)
Catherine French 703-978-1236 (Fairfax)
Sheila Epstein 703-239-9617 (Fairfax/Burke)
Student Commitment
I save the most important subject for last! It has been my experience that the students who achieve the most success in private lessons are the students who are enthusiastic, hard-working, and committed. I understand and appreciate that well-rounded students participate in myriad other activities, and clarinet lessons are just one part of a student’s busy day. However, I expect the following:
- Treat me, band directors, and fellow students with respect.
- Practice the amount of your lesson time, 4 days a week (i.e., 30-minute lesson time = 30 minutes of practice, 4 days a week). This is the MINIMUM amount of practice expected of each student.
- Practice your Warm-Up Routine once a day, even if this takes place during the warm-up time in school band.
- Complete all assignments given by your next lesson.
- Come to lesson prepared with clarinet (must be your best instrument & mouthpiece, if you have more than one!), music, reeds and NOTEBOOK (provided).
- Students must own (and use) a metronome, available for purchase from music stores, through the App Store for your iOS device, or from me.
If these expectations are continually unmet for any reason, or if a student’s behavior needs to be addressed, I will contact parents to discuss the issues, and whether continued clarinet lessons are in everyone’s best interest.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding anything in this handbook, please do not hesitate to call or email me. I look forward to a fun and successful year of clarinet study.
Thank you for your support!
