Studio Policies
At the very core of Jon Michael Iverson's teaching philosophy is the desire to develop a deep intrinsic motivation and gratification for music making in students – to instill a love for playing in them . However, not every student is born with a drive to play. As a result, certain guidelines need to be in place and followed to help them along their path. The policies setforth below will help provide the soil in which the seeds of life-long learning and music making can be planted.
1. Once a student enrolls in lessons, it is expected that the student practice on a daily basis. Consistency and regularity of practice are important factors in successful learning. Below is a guideline for age and minimum daily practice amounts:
5-6 years old: 5-10 minutes three times each day or 10-15 minutes twice a day
6-7 years old: 10-15 minutes twice a day or 15-25 minutes once each day
8-9 years old: 15-20 minutes twice a day or 30-35 minutes once each day
10-11 years old: 40-45 minutes once each day
Parents and caretakers need to monitor the practice habits of their student(s) closely. Practice time should be dedicated solely to what has been assigned by the instructor; lesson time should not be considered or used as practice time.
2. With practice time: the more, the better. However, students should consider making one day each week a ‘non-practice’ day. This non-practice day cannot be the same day as a lesson. Students should warm up before arriving at their lesson and need to practice immediately after a lesson is finished; most information is forgotten within hours after having learned it if not properly reinforced.
3. Practice is a large personal commitment and requires routine discipline that needs to be enforced by parents and caretakers. The activity the student is partaking in is, however, called piano playing. When taken seriously, practicing becomes a time during the day where a student can not only learn something new but also benefit from a sense of enjoyment and accomplishment while doing it. Practice becomes a dreaded task when not take seriously enough by the student or when taken too seriously by the parents. It must always be remembered that students have the opportunity – that is, they GET – to practice six days a week.
4. A student’s living arrangement should provide an environment that is conducive to his or her own personal achievement. For their music studies, this means that the student’s instrument is in a room that is free from distractions during their practice time; this includes TVs, stereo's, siblings, pets, etc. Furthermore, this also includes proper consideration and organization from not only parents, but from other children that may be living in the house as well. Students would not be productive in a noisy library and the same principle applies to their piano studies as well.
5. Be prompt for lessons. By enrolling your student in lessons, you’re paying for a reserved weekly time slot that is dedicated to the education your student. Arriving even three minutes late has a direct impact on how much material can be covered during a lesson and consequently shortchanges the student. Be on time. Similarly, do not schedule events so close to the end of your lesson time that the student must leave early; students become distracted and are unable to focus when they feel rushed to be elsewhere immediately following their lesson. This too disrupts their education.
6. Do not go to a lesson if the student is contagiously ill. In the case of vacations or any other known absence, please inform your instructor when you know the exact days the student will be absent. Whenever possible, the student should be at his or her lesson: absenteeism is an obstacle to progress. If there is a genuine emergency where the student is unable to make it to the lesson – such as a death in the family or sudden, expected illness – their lesson will be rescheduled. As a rule: 24-hour advanced notice for a cancelled lesson is expected or the lesson will not be made up or rescheduled.
7. All students’ hands must be washed immediately before lessons. Instruments are expensive and require exceptional respect; having clean hands and fingers is a must before playing any instrument. Additionally, piano keys can be a medium for communicable diseases: simple cleanliness and personal hygiene on everyone’s part can help reduce disease transmission.
8. There may be times when a student’s lesson does not begin exactly at the scheduled time. One of the benefits of private lessons is that special care and devotion can be given at the individual level. Unfortunately, catering to every to every student in his or her own way does not always operate on a time schedule. Every student will receive equal consideration and devotion.
9. Students should not bring guests to lessons. Only under special circumstances will others be allowed to sit in during a lesson. Parents are encouraged to sit in on lessons and take notes in order to help the student practice at home during the week. Occassionally, there will be visitors who observe lessons either as a part of a college-level course or as a part of the faculty review process at MacPhail. These observations are nothing for students to be worried or anxious about: the observer watches the teacher, not the student. Students will be notified in advance of an observer.
10. Students need regular practice on an acoustic piano. Due to costs, limitations or location, a high quality electronic keyboard is permissible for the first year of practice only. By the start of the second year of study, a student’s daily practice must be on an acoustic piano. Learning to play piano on an electronic keyboard is analogous to learning to play professional basketball on a Fischer-Price basketball hoop.
11. The student and teacher aren't the only people playing important roles in a student's music life -- parents and caretakers are of great and significant importance in the education process too. As a result, adults need to be responsible and be accountable for their actions just as much as the students. Ordering books in a timely manner, bringing students on time to lessons, enforcing good practice habits, and encouraging students to do their best are all vital keys to helping students excel.
12. When students perform in studio recitals, school recitals or in some other performance venue, it is expected that both students and their supporters stay for
the entire recital. It is exceptionally rude
and disrespectful to everyone - including other student performers, audience members and the teacher - when family members leave after their student has performed. Similarly, do not be late to performances - this is extremely disruptive and a distraction to everybody. Recital times and locations can all be found on the
Studio Calendar; please plan your day, travel arrangements and parking options accordingly.