Dear Prospective Voice Student,
I am so thrilled that you’re considering taking the next step in developing your God-given talent of singing. There are numerous benefits to taking private voice lessons, not the least of which include:
Personalized targeting of strengths and weaknesses in your individual voice
Weekly tutoring on upcoming performance/audition material
A warm and supportive atmosphere where you can gain strength and confidence in solo singing, or just confidence in singing your line of a piece of choral music
Experience with a variety of different styles of singing and genres of music: classical opera/aria, folk song, broadway, pop, Christian, etc.
Opportunities to showcase your talent and skill through recitals and competitions
And so much more. The first step in singing is to get out there and join a choir. The next step is to sign up for private coaching/tutoring. You will be amazed at where your voice can go with some help and nudging from weekly personalized professional training.
A little about myself:
Mrs. Kristen Luedecke has been the assistant director of choral music for five years at Klein High School. While there, her choirs received consistent Sweepstakes ratings at UIL Concert and Sightreading, and through the years she coached hundreds of her students to achieve placement in the prestigious TMEA All-Region and All-State Choirs. Mrs. Luedecke has served as clinician for several local treble choirs ranging from Intermediate School Non-Varsity all the way up to High School Varsity. She has been a clinician at several local Region Workshops, as well as the Treble Choir Organizer and/or Section Leader at the Region IX Clinic and Concert for four years. In November of 2005 and 2006, Kristen served as the Klein ISD Men’s Choir event coordinator. She has made several recordings for the practice CDs for the Region Treble Choir music, and also in excess of a hundred recordings for solo and ensemble practice CDs at Klein High School. Recently, she resigned from Klein HS in order to explore another aspect of teaching the teen-age voice through individual private coaching. She serves with her husband Gary in their church in the worship ministry and small group ministry. Kristen graduated summa cum laude from Howard Payne University in 2002 with a degree in Music Education.
I have extensive training and experience in working with the teen-age voice, but also have high expectations of my students, including individual outside practice and consistent attendance of private lessons. Please read and sign the attached consent contract in order to begin lessons in my studio.
Sincerely,
Kristen Luedecke
Voice Studio of Kristen Luedecke
Policies and Procedures
These guidelines are consistently maintained and will rarely be altered on a case-by-case basis, as they allow the business portion of voice lessons to flow smoothly and equitably.
Practice and Parental Support
Sufficient scheduled practice time on a daily basis is the surest guarantee that you, or your child, will experience consistent progress in vocal performance. Learning the necessary skills to become proficient with your instrument will not occur by simply going to lessons. It takes committed practice on a daily basis during the week to put the skills covered at the lesson into motion.
Parental support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Children whose parents take an active and honest interest in their child’s progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive.
Recitals and Performances
During the year, several performance opportunities are made available to students. These events provide pupils with further incentive to practice and excel, and can have a positive effect on a student’s sense of accomplishment. Recitals build confidence and reinforce the concept that good practice habits result in good performers.
Music
Most of the music being learned and sung will be provided by my studio or the school. Occasionally, there may be a need or desire to purchase your own music books and/or supplies. The local music stores usually stock all the music books that will be required of your students. Keep in mind that special orders will require shipping, and may take more time.
Billing Policy
The rates for lessons are as follows:
$20.00/thirty-minute lesson (about $80.00/month)
Invoices are sent out mid-month via email for the upcoming month, and payment for the entire month is due at the first lesson of the month. If payment is not received by the second lesson, a $10 late charge will be applied to the following month’s invoice, making the total for a four week month $90.00. Cash or check (made to “Kristen Luedecke”) is fine.
If preferred, the students may receive a hard copy of their invoice on the week prior to the first lesson of the next month. Please indicate preferred method on the contract.
Attendance
Regular attendance of lessons is an issue of responsibility and choice on the part of parents and students. Again, I shall not assume any financial responsibility for student absence(s) due to illness, weather, sports, etc., without adherence to the studio’s missed lesson policy as detailed below. The studio shall, however, assume responsibility should I become ill, be unable to attend a lesson at the regularly scheduled time, or be forced to cancel for any reason. In the event that Mrs. Luedecke cancels a lesson, this lesson will be rescheduled or the payment for that lesson will be deducted from the next month’s invoice.
School Holidays
Lessons can be rescheduled or canceled on days that school is not in session (i.e. teacher in-service days and national holidays, Winter Break and Spring Break). However, it may be easier to get in a lesson during a day off. This will be arranged on an individual basis.
Missed Lessons and “Make-Ups”
The studio shall not assume any financial responsibility for a student’s absence(s). A standard 24-hour advance notification is required if a student will be unable to attend his/her regularly scheduled lesson time. “Make-ups” are either scheduled at the time of the notification or during the next regularly scheduled lesson. If notification is given more than 24 hours in advance, but a satisfactory “make-up” time cannot be agreed upon, Mrs. Luedecke may choose to forego the lesson and a credit for the lesson will appear on the following month’s invoice. This is not, however, in the student’s best interest and every effort will be made to make up the lesson within the week that the lesson was missed. If, for any reason, notification cannot be given more than 24 hours in advance of the lesson time, any “make-up” lesson or lesson credit is at the strict discretion of Mrs. Luedecke.
Sports and Extracurricular Activities
Although this is a private music studio, it is no less an educational institution, and must be regarded as such. It is the position of this studio that lessons are to be treated with the same level of importance as any other subject your child may be studying in school. It is also the position of this studio that sporting events and other extracurricular activities are not considered valid excuses for not practicing during the week, just as practicing music would not be considered a good reason for not becoming a better athlete. Sports and music may not always be mutually compatible, but need not be mutually exclusive. Please respect this studio’s curriculum and commitment to your child’s musical education by maintaining a priority level for studies equal to that of other school subjects—regard it as a “private extension” of academics that would be otherwise unavailable to your child.
Termination of Lessons
The contract of lessons is for the extent of the entire school year, through the end of May. Summer lessons may be offered, to continue individual progress. If you should decide to terminate lessons at any time during the year, I will require a TWO-WEEK NOTICE. Regardless of when notice is given, such student shall be financially responsible for the last two weeks of study, whether or not the student chooses to attend.
CODA
As a music instructor, I care for and support all of my students and their families in a very special way. One-on-one education is very concentrated, and the bond between teacher and student can grow quite strong. Nevertheless, I reserve the right to terminate a student’s lessons for the following infractions:
Consistent failure to pay for monthly lessons in full, unless some sort of financial arrangement has been made and agreed upon in advance.
Excessive absences, with or without 24-hour notice.
Obvious lack of interest or practice on the student’s behalf and disregard/disrespect for the effort it takes to improve one’s voice.
Please arrive at least five minutes before your scheduled time and wait for the door to open to enter, as I may be finishing up the preceding lesson or dealing with personal matters.
If you have any questions, please call my cell phone at any time. Voice mail is available 24/7, though I may be unable to answer if I am with a student or otherwise occupied. If there is no answer, simply leave a message—I will return your call at my earliest convenience. You may also e-mail me.
I will try to email out monthly newsletters recognizing accomplishments, announcing performances or auditions, and giving any additional necessary information. Please add my email to your address book, to ensure that my emails will be accepted by your account.
Thank you for taking the time to read and understand the studio policies. I look forward to our musical journey together!
The monthly invoices will serve as receipt of payment.
Again, please add my email to your address book, to ensure that my emails will be accepted by your account.
Payment dates (amounts will vary):
Week of August 25 ($100)
Week of Sep 29 – Oct 3 ($100)
Week of Nov 3-7 ($60)
Week of Dec 1-5 ($60)
Week of Jan 5-9 ($80)
Week of Feb 2-6 ($80)
Week of Mar 2-6 ($60)
Week of Mar 30 – Apr 3 ($100)
Week of May 4-8 ($80)
