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Studio Policy (as of 7/16/10)  
This very important information is for every student and parent -- new and old.

Communication | return to top

Please feel free to call my office phone 301-260-0858 if you have questions or need to talk to me. Please leave a message with a time I might be able to reach you. I try to return calls promptly. You may also email me at cathy@stewartstellarstrings.com or use this online form to send me an e-mail.

Please be sure to let me know of any big issues in your child's life such as learning disabilities, changing schools, moving, parents divorcing, etc. It is much easier on both the student and teacher if I am kept informed.

Fall Scheduling | return to top

  • Please return the scheduling form with your deposit. I will notify you of the lesson time by July 5. Please be advised due to my performance schedule with National Philharmonic, some lessons will need to be rescheduled. I will always reschedule in advance. I will have the schedule in September.
  • Youth Orchestra concerns: Some of you are auditioning for YO and won't know your schedule until results are in. Use your best guess for scheduling. If we have to move your lesson, we will move your lesson. It always works out.

Theory Class | return to top

  • Theory class will be taught at the Stewarts Stellar Strings home studio on Saturday mornings. All students are invited to attend the classes. You will bring your violins and many theory activities will use your instruments. You will also listen to historical violin performances and learn about the composers. There are two levels of Theory class. Dr. Ann Kramschuster can help with placement in the class.
  • Class: Theory 1
    Time: Saturdays, 8:30 – 9:30
    Dates: 20 Classes
    October 2, 9, 23, 30; November 6. 13, 20; January 15, 22, 29;
    February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2
    Description: Topics will include interval recognition; triad identification; major, minor and modal scale patterns; key signatures and the circle of fifths; and reading different clefs. We will also focus on beginning aural skills.
  • Class: Theory II
    Time: Saturdays, 9:30 – 10:30
    Dates: 20 Classes
    October 2, 9, 23, 30; November 6. 13, 20; January 15, 22, 29;
    February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2
    Description: Students who enroll in Theory II should already be familiar with concepts covered in Theory I. This course will review basic theory principles used in a compositional context. We will discuss a variety of forms including rondo, sonata-allegro form, the sonata-allegro cycle, and various baroque forms. The main focus of the second half of the course will be analyzing pieces in the violin repertoire. There will also be an aural skills component that will involve learning to identify intervals, chords, and scales. You will be composing.
  • Tuition: Tuition for the year for theory I is $400.00, Theory II is $400.00. There is no refund for missed classes. If the teacher cancels a class, the class will be rescheduled.
  • Registration Form (word .doc)

Dr. Ann Kramschuster received her M.M. and D.M.A. from Catholic University where she studied piano with Marilyn Neeley and chamber music with Robert Gerle. She has enjoyed teaching piano, music history, and theory to a wide range of students including young beginners, high schoolers, college students, and adults.
Questions? Call Ann at 301-515-2763.

Group and Movement Class | return to top

  • Group class will be on Monday evening at The Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, 15300 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20905.
  • Chamber music lessons will be at the home studio.
  • Group classes, Chamber music and Movement class are included in tuition and are required for all students.
  • I will have dates and times for you in September.
  • There are no refunds for missed group, chamber or movement classes.

Students entering program in mid -semester | return to top

Students entering the program any time after the first week of classes are subject to the same policies as the other students. They are still registering for the remaining time of the academic year. Tuition will be pro-rated for new students. They must pay the non-refundable deposit upon registering for lessons. The deposit will be their June 2011 tuition payment.

Summer Lessons | return to top

Summer lessons are not included in the 10 month tuition. Lessons are offered on a per-lesson basis. Registration information is available in May, and there are usually 6 or 7 weeks of lessons offered in July and August.

Notebooks | return to top

  • I will provide notebooks in the fall with practice sheets, and studio information.

Promptness | return to top

  • Be on time to your lessons.
  • I cannot run late, and will not give additional lesson time if you are late.
  • Please allow enough time before your lesson to unpack, trim your fingernails, use the bathroom and wash your hands.
  • You are welcome to observe the lesson before or after yours (but you must be unobtrusive.)

Food or Drink | return to top

  • Please do not bring any food or drink (including coffee) into the studio.

Cell Phones | return to top

  • Please turn them off during the lesson.

Parking | return to top

  • Please have respect for our neighbor's and our lawn.
  • Please park with your tires on the street, not on the grass.
  • If you feel uncomfortable parking on Queen Mary, please feel free to park along Princess Anne and walk around the street to the studio.
  • You may park in our driveway as long as you leave Michael room to get in or out.
  • In the interest of good neighbor relations, do not park in our neighbor's driveway adjacent to the studio entrance even for a minute!
  • Please do not park in front of any of our neighbors houses.