Family Policies & Guidelines
Program Structure: All students receive 30 private lessons, 28 group/theory classes, and participate in 3-4 required performing events (instrument-dependent).
- Treat faculty, staff and students with kindness, consideration, and respect. We come together as a community of music lovers, building precious relationships and relying on one another over a decade or more.
- Daily practice, listening to the reference recordings, and good attendance are the ingredients for success in our program
- Dr. Suzuki espoused an ethos of lifelong learning and self-improvement. We approach challenges and communication with the understanding that faculty, parents, and students are all growing and learning together.
- Choose the Suzuki Parent carefully. The Suzuki Parent is the person who attends Parents’ Classes, accompanies the child to lessons, communicates with the teacher, and works with the child at home. You are the container of information!
- Attend Parents’ Class, and continue in the role of Suzuki Parent, even as it evolves, for the duration of the child’s Suzuki experience.
- Attend all classes with the child and take notes.
- Ensure that the child listens to the recommended Suzuki recordings daily at home.
- Practice with the child daily, using positive language strategies learned in Parents’ Class.
- Obtain required materials and bring them to class every week.
- Read and follow the Suzuki Program Family Policies, and revisit them each year.
- Keep a sense of humor, and model this for the child.
- Keep an open dialogue with your teacher to problem-solve together.
- When problems arise, speak to your teacher first.
- If another caregiver plans to take over the duties of the Suzuki Parent, they may be expected to attend a full semester of Parents’ Class.
We will do our best to provide a suitable schedule for your family. Your child’s long-term success and the success of everyone’s learnin depend upon a shared commitment to punctuality and good attendance. It respects the time of both the instructor and the group members.
- Arrive 5 minutes beforehand. Late arrivals disrupt the flow of class.
- If you will be absent for a lesson or class, call or email your teachers for that day, and call the registration desk. Teachers will give you their preferred contact info.
- If a student arrives late, instructors are only obligated to teach until the lesson’s scheduled endpoint.
- If 15 minutes of the lesson has passed, the teacher is not obligated to stay for the remainder of the time, and the student will be marked absent.
- Alternate Caregivers: If you must send a non-Suzuki parent or other caregiver to a lesson, notify your teacher in advance, and keep to a maximum of twice in the first year and four times in subsequent years. Provide video-taking and note-taking capability, and advise the caregiver about the “One Teacher at a Time” policy and classroom etiquette.
- Students with regular absences (three or more per concert season) from private lessons or group classes may be excluded from major events. This policy ensures high-quality performances and a positive experience for all students.
Your child’s success in our program depends on good attendance. Students who attend their classes faithfully have a more positive experience. The Suzuki Program may institute a probationary period or revoke enrollment for the following:
- Three consecutive absences from private lessons without good reason.
- Six total absences from any one class.
- Three absences from Parents’ Class (or may be asked to retake the class the following year)
- More than six excessively late arrivals (15 minutes or more) to any class.
- Absence from one or more required performances per year without good reason.
- A combination of the above, at the discretion of the Director.
- Students who do not attend group class regularly may not be allowed to participate in Festival. This is to ensure that all students have a positive performing experience.
We know and deeply appreciate all the logistical hoops you must jump through to be at Parents’ Class!
- Parents’ Class is the essential “onboarding” every Suzuki caregiver needs to help their child in the Suzuki Program and is a determinant of long-term success. Parents build lifelong friendships, familiarize themselves with the Suzuki philosophy, navigate the unique aspects of the pedagogy, and learn to play and instruct their child on the chosen instrument. Without good attendance at Parents’ Class, caregivers can feel disconnected from their cohort, confused about their teacher’s pedagogical approach, and challenged with home practice.
- At the beginning of Parents’ Class, please let your instructor know if there are lessons you foresee being unable to attend. Sometimes we can adjust!
- Students are expected to continue in the program for the full school year.
- Schedules remain the same from September – June.
- Tuition and fees are non-refundable after July 10.
- Deposits for new families who have reserved spots in the Suzuki Program are refundable until June 1st, or the first day of registration—whichever date is last.
- Tuition is non-refundable after July 10 and families are responsible for any remaining balance.
- If a family encounters an emergency which requires withdrawing the child from the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, BKCM will make a tuition refund on a pro-rated basis, within the first three weeks of the school year only.
- All withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing to nora.friedman@bkcm.org.
- Prior to July 10, 10% of tuition plus fees are withheld.
- Any withdrawals must be processed through the registration process listed on the BKCM website. See Registration Form for further financial policies.
- Students are required to perform at recitals and Festivals. Any exceptions must be approved by the Department Head and Director.
- Beginners typically take a bow for their first recital. Teachers assist young children on stage.
- Suzuki faculty look for ease, artistry, and mastery when selecting a recital piece with their students, and teach these principles in lessons. For this reason, students perform pieces that are “in review” and do not perform their most recently learned pieces in our program.
- The selection of a recital piece takes place six weeks before the recital to allow time for polishing and must meet the above requirements at that time.
- Your teacher has vast pedagogical knowledge and expertise. Please trust their guidance regarding recital piece selection.
- To provide a supportive experience for all students, we expect families to attend the entire duration of performing events.
- We understand families juggle multiple commitments. To assist with scheduling, please submit performance time requests by the deadlines.
- Due to the intense nature of the Suzuki Program, the commitment made by all, teacher availability, and building constraints, there are no make-ups for private lessons or group classes for student absence. Any teacher absences will be made up or a sub will be provided.
- On a case-by-case basis, some alternatives to make-up lessons may be possible. These include asynchronous instruction, phone conferences, remote lessons, filling other canceled lessons, swapping lessons (max 4/year), or attending with a non-Suzuki chaperone, or purchasing an extra lesson.
- For all onsite lessons, requests for remote lessons should be limited to two per year.
- There is no remote group class option.
- Families should work with their teacher to determine the best equipment for their lessons including the type of instrument and instrument accessories.
- Excluding piano, first-year families should wait until their teacher gives the green light before obtaining an instrument for their child. For some instrument groups, this may occur a few months into the first semester.
- In lessons, parents function as the “Suzuki Secretary”. At times, teachers will invite you to participate in the lesson. Otherwise, please actively listen, take good notes, and audio/video record the lesson.
- We follow a “one-teacher-at-a-time” principle. Please avoid commentary or gestures during lessons as they can divide attention and cause conflict.
- Questions are welcomed; please wait for a pause to ask them, and your teacher will address them promptly or set aside time at the lesson’s end.
- Eating food during lessons is not allowed. Please have children eat snacks before or after classes. Food is not allowed in classrooms.
- Devices are distracting and cause anxiety for students and teachers; please use a notebook for notes. Screen use is encouraged for audio/video recording by parents or when necessary as a lesson modification for a student/caregiver.
- Be mindful of strong perfumes as studios are small, shared spaces.
- Ask your teacher whether they prefer you to wait in the hall, to knock, or to enter the room at your lesson time.
- “Arrive at least five minutes early to settle in. Help the child transition by:
- Removing outerwear
- Trimming nails
- Having water and snacks beforehand
- Using the restroom
- Washing hands
- Preparing instrument
- Reviewing last week’s class notes
- Finding a calm center
- Observe the stated working hours of teachers and department heads. Do not expect responses during holidays, regular days off, or between classes.
- Texting must be reserved for quick reminders, not long conversations.
- Group & Theory are a critical component of our program. Students remain in their assigned group & theory class for the entire year. Students learn valuable skills from experiencing being “challenged” in some years and “leading” in others.
- Class titles are approximate and might not precisely describe where your child is for the entire year.
We all wish the absolute best for each child, and must work together to communicate and grow.
- Twice per year, conferences are held during lesson time as a check-in between dedicated caregivers, instructors, and students, when appropriate. Topics include fulfilling responsibilities at home, practicing brainstorming, progress, curriculum, summer, and schedule matters. It’s a good time to get your teacher’s opinion about any additional musical endeavors. This includes orchestra, chamber music, additional private lessons, second instruments, etc.
- To schedule a conversation outside of conference day, request time at the lesson’s start or email your teacher separately.
- Some conversations are best held without a child present, especially regarding progress comparisons, or ideological and philosophical differences.
- Do not wait until spring to bring up a problem. Any discussions should take place as soon as possible so that we have time to implement multiple strategies for improvement.
- Parents who don’t feel comfortable speaking with their teacher should request a meeting with their Department Head or with the Suzuki Program Director to discuss; a meeting will then be scheduled to include the teacher.
- Schedule changes require Suzuki Program Director approval and are granted only at semester breaks and for exceptional circumstances, as they involve significant administrative time and affect many people.
- Requests to change teachers will be approved after several conferences with the teacher to modify instructional approach.
- As a rule, aim for 4 – 7 summer private lessons and attend music camps and workshops to maintain or improve school-year progress. Lack of summer practice may lead to skill decline, impacting school-year momentum. Consult your teacher for personalized advice.
- Over the many years families and teachers work together, they become profoundly attached. For every Suzuki triangle, there naturally comes a time when weekly lessons conclude and the relationship will change, whether because of moving, starting a new school, going off to college, or turning energies towards another pursuit. When this time comes, we must handle separation with care. Parents should include the teacher, Department Head and Director in their plans as soon as they are able, and discuss together bringing the student into the conversation in the best way.
- Once the conversations have been had, there should be several concluding lessons. This gives everyone enough time to grapple with parting and allows for closure.
We teachers know that you work very hard in your role as a Suzuki Parent, and all of us have immense respect for your dedication. These policies, though copious, were born of hard-won experience, and they represent community norms that make our program vibrant. We have an incredible Suzuki community here at the Brooklyn Conservatory for which we are all very grateful. Let’s work together to continue to build a life-long musical journey for you and your children. As Suzuki said, “Music polishes the heart.”
Payment Policies
- Absences from individual lessons: THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UPS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR OF 2022-2023. If the student is unable to attend a lesson, the school or teacher must be notified 24 hours in advance. If a student is absent for three consecutive weeks without notice, the student will be considered withdrawn and will forfeit the lesson time. Missed lessons due to the teacher’s absence are always made up. Make ups are not given for student absences at group class sessions. A maximum of six absences are permitted per year.
- Suzuki Program: Suzuki is an ANNUAL program. It is expected that students will continue in the program for the full school year. Schedules remain the same from September – June. Deposits for new families who have reserved spots in the Suzuki Program are refundable until June 1st, or the first day of registration—whichever date is last. Tuition is non-refundable after August 1 and families are responsible for any remaining balance. Prior to August 1, 10% of tuition plus fees are withheld. Students who wish to withdraw must submit a Suzuki Program withdraw request via email to Nora.Friedman@bkcm.org. Refunds take 4-8 weeks to be processed.
- Suzuki Early Childhood Education: Students enrolled in 15-week classes have 24 hours prior to the 3rd class of the semester to submit a withdrawal request via email to Nora.Friedman@bkcm.org. The cost of the classes that have transpired (including student absences) are withheld with the remaining tuition refunded. Registration and Installment fees are non refundable.
- The following are nonrefundable fees, which are assessed in additional to lesson and class tuition: Registration fee: $35 paid once per school year (Fall and Spring semesters) per family account. Payment plan fee: $40 per year. Returned check fee: $40. Late/missed payment fee: $40.
- 3. Administrative Fees
- Brooklyn Conservatory of Music reserves the right to cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment. After 4 weeks, permission is required from the instructor to join a class. If a class is cancelled, you will receive a pro-rated refund for the remaining sessions. Registration and installment fees (if any) will also be refunded to students not enrolled in other lessons or classes. Refunds take 12–16 weeks to be processed.
- BKCM bases its school cancellations on the NYC Public school system, therefore, if NYC public schools close due to inclement weather, BKCM will also be closed. Students are responsible for checking the news reports for this information and if unsure, can call the school to check on closure status. Any classes or lessons canceled by BKCM will be made up during Makeup week at the end of the semester.
- BKCM is not responsible for personal property lost or damaged on our premises. A Lost & Found collection area is maintained and if a student believes that property has been lost on the premises they should contact the registration staff. Items remaining in the Lost & Found for more than one month will be discarded.
- The student is responsible for providing their own music books, sheet music, instruments, and materials except where additional material fees have been charged with the class fee.
- BKCM may use a photograph or video of you and/or your child as part of publicity and promotional materials.