It is my belief that the intense study of music is not only beneficial, it is essential for the complete development of all successful individuals no matter what their career goals may be.  Music is among the very few disciplines that encompass all of the fundamentals of education including math, science, language,  and humanities.  I congratulate all of my students and their parents and/or other supporters for recognizing the value of music to their personal growth.

I also acknowledge that different students will progress naturally at different rates.  I will therefore develop a customized curriculum that will both highlight each individual student's strengths and provide support for improvement for each individual student's needs. 

Curriculum - The curriculum will be based on the individual students' needs.  Students who are enrolled in public school will have assistance with honor band auditions, solo and ensemble contests, and other school sponsored events, but their studies will not be limited to these events.  A studio recital should also be held in the spring.

Scheduling - Unless other arrangements are made prior to the first lesson, students will be assigned 30 minute lessons if the lessons are held outside of the school day (or if there is time during the school day) or 25 minute lessons so that more than one student might be fit into a standard 50 minute (approx.) class time.  Lessons will be held once a week at the school or at the Rhodes Flute Studio located in my home.  (More information will be provided once the lessons are established.)

Commitment - Once you have decided to take lessons, please make the commitment last for at least the duration of a standard school year.  Summer lessons may also be offered.

In order for lessons to be successful, students must attend regularly.  As you will read in the "Tuition" section of this document, students will be required to pay the month's tuition on the first lesson of the month.  If the student must cancel a lesson for a legitimate reason (i.e. absences which would be considered excused by the school district such as unavoidable doctor's appointment, school scheduling conflict, illness, etc.) I must be notified at least 24 hours in advance.  This will give me the opportunity to allocate that time for another lesson.  If I am notified 24 hours in advance, the tuition for that lesson will be credited to the next month.  If the student becomes ill less than 24 hours before the lesson or if there is another unexpected emergency, please notify me as soon as possible BEFORE the lesson; these instances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  Otherwise, if a student simply misses a lesson without advance notice, the tuition for that lesson will not be credited to the next month.  Please note: I reserve the right to remove any student who persistently misses lessons from my roster whether-or-not the absences were excused. 

I will do my best to coordinate my schedules so that I will not have to cancel lessons.  If any given week is too unrealistically busy to have lessons, I will take that into account when I send tuition statements.  You can also keep up with this information by checking the studio calendar.  If, however, I must cancel a lesson I will notify students as early as possible.  Then, I will credit the tuition to the following month.

*Unless other arrangements have been made in advance.  Not applicable for North Lamar ISD students.

** North Lamar ISD students – refer to your contract for details regarding lesson payment.  

NOTE:  I will be unable to provide change for cash; excess paid will be credited to the next month's lessons.

Practicing is ESSENTIAL.  I can be the most incredible teacher that ever existed, but the simple truth is, if students don't practice, they will not progress.  Every week students will have assignments due the following week.  Younger students will also have practice charts that will need to be signed by parents (this is so that the parent, student, and teacher can all work together to help the student establish healthy practice habits.)  Students must make every effort to be as prepared as possible for each lesson; otherwise, the student is wasting their own valuable time, one of my limited time slots, and their parents' money.  I, therefore, reserve the right to remove any student from my roster at any time who is not consistently prepared for their lessons.  Of course, parents and band directors will have been notified of any practice concerns well before this step must be taken so that the student has every opportunity to correct their practice habits.

1. Set up a quiet place where the student can practice alone and without distractions.
2. Provide your child with a music stand (an inexpensive folding stand will do fine) and a chair

3. Provide your child with a metronome.  Often in their lessons the student will receive an assignment such as

    scales, exercises, or sections of their literature which they need to work at a specific tempo. They will not be able to

    accomplish this without a metronome.  A metronome is a required accessory for participation in lessons.  Contact

    me for assistance in obtaining a metronome.
4. Establish a consistent time during the day when practicing is the most feasible and schedule around this time.
5. Teach siblings, friends, family, etc. that your child is not to be disturbed; intercept phone calls, visitors, etc.
6. Encourage your child to perform for you and for family as often as possible.  You'll be amazed at their progress!

- Flute in good working order.  If you do not yet have one, first speak with your band director. 
- Flute lesson page.  I will provide these at your lessons
- Pencil
- Your band music and whatever method books and literature I assign you.  You can purchase these from any music

   store you choose.  For suggestions, visit www.rhodesflutestudio.com.  In some cases, I may be able to order them

   for you at a discount.   Note: Photocopied literature is not permitted.
- Cleaning rod and swab
- Music stand (Rockin’ L Music in Reno has them.)

- Metronome - REQUIRED - (Rockin’ L Music has them for $29.99)

- 3-Ring Binder – (If you use one for band class, that one will be fine)

Your first lesson is a time for the instructor and student to get to know one another.  You will need to bring all of the Required Materials mentioned earlier and your month's tuition (unless pre-paid).  I will ask you about your past experience with music lessons, if applicable, and with whatever music class you are currently participating in.  We will attempt to identify your personal goals.  If possible, it would be helpful for me to hear you play - so you may want to practice your favorite pieces from previous lessons and/or from band class or church (if applicable.)  I may also want to hear you play whatever scales and other technical exercises you may have learned.  The first lesson is usually a lot of chatting - this is normal.  I will ask you questions and you, hopefully, will ask me questions.  It may be a good idea for you to prepare a list of questions you have for me.   During this lesson, I may give you a list of literature and/or books for you to obtain - preferably by the next lesson.  You will also receive your first practice assignment at this lesson.   Practice hard and be as well prepared as possible for your second lesson ... let's get started on the right foot!