HARP STUDENT HANDBOOK - PDF Free Download

Studi Philsphy There is nthing difficult - nly new things, unaccustmed things - Carls Salzed EXPECTATIONS I expect my students t have a strng desire t learn hw t play the harp well, and apprach my suggestins with an pen mind. Students are required t have at teacher-apprved lever r pedal harp at hme r schl fr daily practice as well as the required materials listed in this handbk. Students must devte ample daily practice time between lessns in additin t time spent in ensemble rehearsals in rder t attempt new ways f playing. Students are expected t attend lessns regularly and abide by the attendance plicies. Students must listen t harp recrdings f pieces they study and perfrm as part f their daily practice. Attending a minimum f tw live harp-related cncerts each year, where the students themselves d nt perfrm, is strngly encuraged. T develp sl as well as ensemble perfrmance skills, students are expected t take part in harp studi recitals, infrmal perfrmances, American Harp Sciety events, cmpetitins, and/r summer harp events. EXPERIENCE I lve teaching the harp I began teaching harp lessns in 1998. I previusly served n the harp faculty at Buffal Suzuki Strings in Buffal, NY; the Rund Rck Independent Schl District in Rund Rck, TX; Temple Cllege in Temple, TX; the Mres Schl f Music Preparatry and Cntinuing Studies prgram in Hustn, TX; Lnghrn Music Camp in Austin, TX; and at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, MI. When I teach harp lessns my ultimate gal is nt fr my students t win cmpetitins r becme prfessinal musicians (thught sme f my students d). My gal is the help students becme nble peple with cmpassinate hearts and disciplined minds, wh lve music. My credentials include a Bachelr f Music in Harp Perfrmance frm the University f Texas at Austin and a Master f Music in Harp Perfrmance and Pedaggy frm the University f Hustn Mres Schl f Music. My principal harp teachers include Gayle Barringtn and Hustn Symphny principal harpist Paula Page. My Suzuki training includes cursewrk in early childhd educatin as well as harp instructin with Sharn Jnes, Delaine Fedsn Lenard, and Dr. Laurie Sctt. Additinally, I am an alumnus f the Salzed Schl in Camden, Maine where I studied upn invitatin with ne f Salzed s mst famus pupils Alice Chalifux, frmer principal harpist f the Cleveland Orchestra. Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 1

Studi Plicies LESSONS Weekly Lessns - Regular weekly lessns are available fr 30 minute, 45 minute, r 1 hur. All schl-aged students are required t take weekly lessns. Weekly 30 minute lessns are ffered nly t students under the age f 10, r beginners f any age in their first semester f lessns. Flating Lessns - Adult students wh d nt wish t take regular weekly lessns may take Flating lessns. Flating lessns are nly available fr 45 minute r 1 hur lessns. Flating lessns are purchased and scheduled in grups f tw lessns t be used during the curse f ne mnth. Grup Class - When enrllment allws, I ffer 6 grup classes per semester (typically 2 classes per mnth). In grup class we play as an ensemble, learn hw t take care f ur instruments, and play music thery games. Grup class tuitin is $120 per semester and students must bring their harp. LOCATIONS In Persn Lessns - take place at my studi in Spartanburg. Students are welcme t bring their harp fr lessns r may play ne f my Lyn & Healy pedal r lever harps during the lessn. Online Vide Lessns - Lessns via nline vide cnferencing such as FaceTime, Skype, r Zm are available t students wh live further than 1 hur away frm my studi, and at my discretin. I als ffer vide lessns when I m traveling, and during inclement weather events. In rare cases I may travel t students hmes t teach an ccasinal lessn fr a slightly higher hurly rate. Travel t a student s hme is nly available fr a ne-hur lessn, at my discretin in special circumstances based n schedule, lcatin, and need. Tuitin Students must pay using ne f the Tuitin Payment Plans belw. Payment must be in the frm f persnal checks, cash, r PayPal. There will be a $25 fee fr all checks returned by the bank fr any reasn, in additin t reimbursement fr the riginal amunt f the check. If lessns are terminated by the student, parent r teacher befre the end f the payment perid (semester r mnth), payment will nt be reimbursed. Families with mre than ne student enrlled in harp lessns will receive a discunt f 5% ff the regular tuitin fee fr each student enrlled. All tuitin payment plans are based n the fllwing fee schedule: 30 minutes = $35, 45 minutes = $45, 1 hur = $60. Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 2

The Fall semester includes 14 lessns (September - January), and the Spring semester includes 14 lessns (February - May). Mnthly Tuitin Payment Plan Mnthly tuitin is calculated based n 28 lessns divided by 9 mnths (September - May) and runded t the nearest even number creating equal mnthly payments. LESSON LENGTH 2018-2019 MONTHLY TUITION (SEPT-MAY) 30 minute $110 45 minute $140 1 hur $190 1. The mnthly payment is due n r befre the 1st lessn f each mnth. If payment is nt received n r befre the first lessn f the mnth, a $20 late fee will be added fr each week payment is nt received. 2. If payment is nt received by the secnd lessn f the mnth, the student will nt receive that lessn r any further lessns until payment is made. 3. If payment is nt received within thirty (30) days f the first lessn f the mnth, the regularly scheduled lessn time will be frfeited and pssibly assigned t anther student. Semester Tuitin Payment Plan Semester Tuitin is based n 14 lessns each semester. 1. Students chsing t pay fr the entire semester must d s n r befre the first lessn f September r February and will receive a 5% discunt as indicated belw. LESSON LENGTH FALL SEMESTER PAYMENT - DUE SEPTEMBER 1ST SPRING SEMESTER PAYMENT - DUE FEBRUARY 1ST 30 minute $465 $465 45 minute $600 $600 1 hur $795 $795 Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 3

Flating Lessn Tuitin Payment Plan Flating Lessns are nly available t adult students with busy schedules. Flating lessns must be purchased and scheduled in grups f tw lessns and are nly available fr 1 hur lessns. 1 Hur Flating Lessns = $120 fr a set f 2 Flating Lessn Tuitin is nly valid fr 2 lessns per mnth, and is due at the first lessn f the mnth. Summer Lessns Students are highly encuraged t cntinue taking lessns during the summer. Summer lessns must be scheduled and paid fr in advance at the beginning f each mnth. Summer Lessns are ffered at the fllwing rates: $35 fr 30 minutes, $45 fr 45 minutes, and $60 fr ne hur. Practicing & Tuning In my experience students wh practice regularly utside f their lessn are the nes wh enjy playing the harp the mst. Students please make every effrt t bserve the fllwing guidelines: A minimum f 5 days f practicing per week is expected fr all students. Students ages 5 and under: 5 minutes with enthusiasm 3 times per day Elementary Schl Students: 30 minutes f harp practice per day - this can be divided int multiple sessins per day. Middle Schl students: 45 minutes f harp practice per day, in ADDITION t time spent playing in ther ensemble rehearsals. High Schl students and abve: 1 hur per day, in ADDITION t ther ensemble rehearsals. Students preparing fr cllege auditins and/r cmpetitins at the state r natinal level: 1.5 hurs (minimum) per day. Harps must be tuned a minimum f 3 times per week - tuning everyday is best fr the harp. Students ages 12 and lder are respnsible fr tuning their harp; parents must tune r supervise tuning fr elementary students. Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 4

SCHEDULING Scheduling & Attendance The student's regular lessn time is theirs t keep fr ne academic year (September t May). Please refer t the nline studi calendar at http://www.kelaharp.cm/calendar.html fr the mst current infrmatin abut the lessn schedule. ATTENDANCE Cnsistent attendance at lessns is required. In my experience, students that cmmit t regular lessn attendance prgress mre quickly and get the mst enjyment frm harp lessns. I have set aside yur lessn time t teach yu s please be respectful f my time and make every gd faith effrt t be at yur lessn. T cntinue t be a member f my studi, all students must attend lessns regularly. If yu will miss yur lessn fr any reasn, yu must cntact me directly via phne r text. Excused Absences 1. T btain an excused absence the student (r parents) must cntact the teacher mre than 24 hurs in advance abut missing a lessn. 2. Each student can reschedule r make-up TWO excused absences per semester. 3. In cases f sudden illness r family emergency a student may btain an excused absence, at the teacher s discretin, with less than 24 hurs ntice by cntacting the teacher as sn as pssible and prir t the riginal lessn time. Unexcused Absences 1. Unexcused absences will nt be rescheduled, made-up, r refunded. 2. Payment must be made regardless f attendance fr all scheduled lessns. 3. Canceling a lessn with less than 24 hurs ntice will result in an unexcused absence, except in cases f emergency determined at the discretin f the teacher. 4. Scheduling dctrs appintments fr well visits (check-ups, dentist, rthdntist, etc.) during yur regular harp lessn time will result in an unexcused absence. 5. A failure t give ntice abut an absence - i.e. n call, n shw - will result in the student paying a $25 fee in additin t the usual cst f the lessn in questin. Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 5

EMERGENCIES & EXTREME WEATHER In extreme weather r lcal emergency situatins, lessns will be held r canceled based n the decisins f the student s lcal schl district, r any driving bans between the student s hme and my studi. Students will receive an email and/r text abut extreme weather r lcal emergency related cancellatins. If in dubt abut the weather situatin, cntact me. In extreme weather situatins, lessns via Skype r FaceTime are encuraged if pssible, r a lessn will be available during the make-up lessn days at the end f each semester. RE-SCHEDULING & MAKE-UP LESSONS As the Teacher, if a cnflict shuld arise in my schedule with the student s lessn day and time, I will give the student ntice abut the cnflict as sn as pssible in advance. I will d ne f the fllwing: 1. Reschedule the lessn in advance at everyne s earliest cnvenience r during the alltted make-up lessn days scheduled in the calendar. 2. Offer a Skype r FaceTime lessn at a mutually agreed upn time. 3. Refund the lessn if necessary. Shuld I need t cancel a lessn due t illness r emergency, I will call and/r email the student (r parent) t cancel with as much ntice as pssible befre the lessn. A make-up lessn will be available during ne f the make-up lessn weeks during the semester, r the lessn will be refunded. Students, are allwed t reschedule r make-up TWO Excused Absence lessns per semester, prvided the student (r parent) adheres t the attendance plicy. After tw excused absences in a semester, missed lessns may nt be rescheduled and payment must be made regardless f attendance fr all scheduled lessns. If a scheduled make-up lessn is missed r cancelled by the student, a secnd make-up lessn will nt be ffered. Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 6

SHORTENING OR TERMINATION OF LESSONS Shrtening f Lessns Shuld a student arrive fr their lessn late r unprepared (i.e., withut their music r lacking sufficient practice), I reserve the right t shrten r cancel the lessn at the student's expense. I have set aside my time t teach, therefre a lack f preparatin is a lack f respect fr my time. Grunds fr Terminatin f Lessns by the Teacher Lessns will be terminated fr any f the reasns listed belw, r at the discretin f the teacher. Students and families will be given ne written warning via email, and the chance t change their behavir r reslve the prblem. Failure t abide by studi plicies Repeated lack f preparatin (i.e. nt practicing) r a rutinely pr attitude Habitual absences r cancellatins Repeated failure t fllw the attendance plicy Perpetual tardiness If the student has an unpaid balance due fr mre than 30 days then lessns will be terminated immediately, and the balance will still be required in additin t any late fees and curt csts. When the decisin is made t terminate lessns, the student s regularly scheduled lessn time will be frfeited and pssibly assigned t ther current students r the next student n the waiting list. If lessns are terminated by the student r teacher befre the end f a tuitin payment perid, payment will nt be reimbursed. Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 7

RECITALS Perfrmances & Events All students are expected t participate in studi recitals. Suzuki Students are encuraged t give recitals upn cmpletin f each bk. Additinally I encurage high schl senirs t give a Senir sl recital, r a cmbined recital with anther harp student. Cmmunity engagement perfrmances at retirement hmes and nn-prfits are als given by students as a slist r in the studi harp ensemble. COMPETITIONS Students are encuraged t participate in schl, lcal, r natinal cmpetitins, such as the American Harp Sciety Natinal Cmpetitin held in dd numbered years at the AHS, Inc. Summer Institute. HOLIDAY HARP ENSEMBLE The Hliday Harp Ensemble is pen t students f all ages and levels, and will perfrm tw r three ensemble pieces fr ur studi s Hliday Harp Perfrmances. Students may chse frm several perfrmance dates at area senir living and cmmunity centers. Rehearsal Schedule: The Hliday Harp Ensemble will have ne dress rehearsal n the same day and at the same lcatin as the cncert. Students will als rehearse the music in their lessns and grup class. Hliday Harp Ensemble Music: Music will be chsen based n the skill levels as well as the cultures and traditins f students perfrming. I will prvide all music required. SUMMER CAMPS, INSTITUTES & FESTIVALS All harp students are strngly encuraged t participate in summer harp activities. A list f harp camps, Suzuki Institutes, summer festivals, and American Harp Sciety, Inc., natinal events can be fund nline at: https://suzukiassciatin.rg http://www.harpclumn.cm http://www.harpsciety.rg Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 8

Cmmunicatins & Scial Media Students must prvide their current mbile phne number t cntact yu in case f emergencies n yur lessn day. Email is the primary way students and parents will receive updates, s please give me the address yu check frequently. Email is typically the fastest way t reach me in nn-emergency situatins harpist@kelaharp.cm Please use nly this address and be sure yu have this email address saved in yur address bk t receive imprtant studi emails. Harp-related text messages n my cell phne are acceptable: 512-350-4018. I may als text students/parents in situatins when I need t pass n last minute infrmatin quickly. N persnal r hliday greeting texts please. WEBSITE I ve created a crner f the web just fr my students where yu will find the studi calendar, vides, phts, and mre. http://www.kelaharp.cm/teaching.html DROPBOX We have a studi Drpbx flder that cntains practice nte pages, string diagrams, DIY flash cards, practice vides, etc. https://www.drpbx.cm/sh/b75hdw389xrrhv1/ AACkzuXB9WgKpTwq8Oj61CgGa?dl=0 SOCIAL MEDIA Fllw me n the scial media f yur chice fr updates abut harp happenings, phts, and tips. YuTube: https://www.yutube.cm/user/kelaharp/ Facebk: https://www.facebk.cm/kelaharp Twitter: https://twitter.cm/kelaharp Instagram: https://instagram.cm/kelaharp/ Privacy Cncerns - I d nt tag students in phts r use student s last names nline. I d nt friend students n my persnal Facebk page, yu are welcme t like my harpist page linked abve. AMERICAN HARP SOCIETY, INC. http://www.harpsciety.rg I encurage yu t becme members f the American Harp Sciety (AHS): benefits include discunted harp insurance, the American Harp Jurnal, cmpetitins, schlarships, and mre. Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 9

REQUIRED SUPPLIES Harp Student Supply List Tuning Key All students must have their wn persnal tuning key. Electrnic Chrmatic Tuner Students (r parents f students under 12) must tune their harp a minimum f three days per week, tuning everyday is best fr the harp. A separate electrnic tuner, r an apprved app n a mbile device is required. Tuning Pick-up Micrphne This device plugs int yur tuner r mbile device and clips nt the harp; it helps tune in nisy situatins such as ensemble rehearsal. Metrnme Must have a lud ticking sund that can be heard while playing. Can be an app n a mbile device. Practice Planner Either a: spiral ntebk r Suzuki practice sheets (prvided by teacher). One Three Ring Binder Students must have smeplace t stre handuts, ensemble music, and the ccasinal cpies I may give them fr their sl and thery wrk. Music Students are respnsible fr prmptly purchasing and wning riginal sheet music and recrdings f all sl music they perfrm, as well as ther music as assigned. Adjustable Bench It is best t buy ne sturdy adjustable bench, this way as the student grws r switches t a different sized harp they can always sit at the prper height. Music Stand Must have a sturdy desk (where the music sits) that swivels and the height shuld adjust. Flding wire stands are NOT acceptable because they are flimsy, easily cllapse, and ften damage the wd and finish f harps. Sprutbeat - Music Thery ipad curriculum fr all levels and ages. Purchased thrugh me (frm my studi grup accunt) $50 per year. On Playing the Harp - Ylanda Kndnassis: This 150 page methd bk is full f helpful infrmatin abut harps and technique with pictures It will last any harpist fr a lifetime required fr pedal harp students f any age. Published by Carl Fischer. List Price $26.95. FOR BEGINNING HARPISTS Grand Staff Flash Cards - fr students learning t read music, can be purchased ready-made r DIY print and cut. Supplies can be purchased directly frm me, and I ffer shipping discunts n grup music rders at the beginning f each semester. Or yu may rder directly frm the retailers listed belw. Harp Music & Accessries Retailers: Lyn & Healy West: www.harp.cm Meldy s Traditinal Music & Harp Shppe: www.flkharp.cm Vanderbilt Music: www.vanderbiltmusic.cm Virginia Harp Center: www.vaharpcenter.cm Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 10

Imprtant Dates 2018-2019 Dates are subject t change. Fr the mst current schedule infrmatin check the Online Studi Calendar at http://www.kelaharp.cm/calendar.html DATE September 4, 2018 Octber TBA Nvember 19 & 20, 2018 Nvember 21-25, 2018 December TBA December 17, 2018 - January 6, 2019 January 7-11, 2019 January 14, 2019 March 30 - April 7, 2019 May 20-26, 2019 May 27, 2019 May 28-31, 2019 June 9-15, 2019 June 16-22, 2019 June 24, 2019 August 12-16, 2019 EVENT First Day f Fall Semester Hallween Harp Recital Make-up Lessn Days (Fall) Thanksgiving Break - N Lessns Hliday Harp Ensemble Perfrmance Winter Break - N Lessns Make-up Lessn Week (Fall) First Day f Spring Semester Spring Break - N Lessns Make-up Lessn Week (Spring) Memrial Day - N Lessns Make-up Lessn Week (Spring) N Lessns - Lnghrn Music Camp in Austin, TX N Lessns - American Harp Sciety, Inc. Bard Meetings, AHS Natinal Cmpetitin, & Summer Institute: UNCSA - Winstn-Salem, NC. Summer Lessns Begin N Lessns - BSS Harp Wrkshp in Buffal, NY Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 11

Pht & Recrding Release Frm Harp student s accmplishments with phts may be featured in bth printed and nline studi publicatins - such as n Kela Waltn s Harp Studi website, scial media, r ther publicity materials. Audi and/r vides recrdings f student perfrmances may als be published via YuTube and n ther scial media. Only the student s first name will be published n the internet with any pht r vide. Students will nt be tagged n scial media psts, but may tag themselves if they s chse. T grant permissin fr Kela Waltn t publish images and/r recrdings f yu r yur child, please indicate s belw (check all that apply): I apprve the use f phtgraphs f myself r my child as an individual fr studi publicatins and n the internet. I apprve the use f recrdings f myself r my child as an individual fr studi publicatins and n the internet. I apprve the use f phtgraphs f myself r my child as part f a grup fr studi publicatins and n the internet. I apprve the use f recrdings f myself r my child as part f a grup fr studi publicatins and n the internet. If yu DO NOT wish Kela Waltn t publish images and/r recrdings f yu r yur child under any circumstances, please indicate s belw: I DO NOT apprve the use f phtgraphs f myself r my child fr studi publicatins and n the internet. I DO NOT apprve the use f recrdings f myself r my child fr studi publicatins and n the internet. Student s Printed Name Student s Signature Parent/Guardian s Name (if student is under 18) Parent/Guardian s Signature (if student is under 18) Date Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 12

2018-2019 Teacher, Parent, Student Agreement As the Teacher 1. I will prvide each student with a psitive learning envirnment, individual attentin, and the respect necessary t develp her/his skills and talents. T encurage success we will set gals tgether at each student s individual rate f learning. 2. I will cme t each lessn prepared t teach all f the student s current assignments, and be prepared with new materials as needed. 3. I will seek ut additinal perfrmance and learning pprtunities fr the student such as recitals, cmpetitins, master classes, camps, wrkshps, etc. Teacher s signature As the Parent(s) and/r Guardian(s) 1. I understand and will bserve all f the plicies utlined in the Student Handbk. 2. I grant permissin fr images and recrdings f my student t be used by Kela Waltn in print and via internet media, r I have returned the Pht & Recrding Release Frm. 3. I will help my student t schedule daily practice time, and prvide a hme practice envirnment that is free frm interruptins and distractins (such as: family, friends, TV, etc.) 4. I will encurage my student t participate in Cncerts, Recitals, Wrkshps and Events. Parent s signature date As the Student 1. I understand and will bserve all f the plicies utlined in the Student Handbk. 2. I will cme t my lessns prepared. This means that. I will wash my hands and make sure my nails are trimmed befre playing any harp. I will nt wear jewelry while playing any harp (bangles, watches, dangly earrings, etc. damage the harp). I will practice in accrdance with the guidelines in the Student Handbk. I will bring all music and materials that I am currently wrking n t my lessn. I will treat each lessn as a mini perfrmance - my chance t shw my teacher hw much I have prgressed between lessns. I will ask my teacher questins t be sure I understand all assignments. I will use and refer t my assignment ntes r practice planner n a daily basis. I will cmplete all assignments using a metrnme r ther practice techniques as assigned in my ntes r practice planner. Student s signature date Cpyright 2004-2018 by Kela Waltn. Harp Student Handbk 2018-2019 13