Please read our policies below.

 

Suzuki
Email Policy

 

The Suzuki Academy of Kalamazoo requires active emails from all of our students’ families. This is the main way we will be communicating with you about what’s new at the school, billing and invoicing, and other important news like school closings, etc. We do this for three reasons: 1) it’s earth friendly, 2) it’s efficient, and 3) it is cost effective for us because we spend less time and money printing/mailing. Because of this, it is important that you check your email frequently! School-wide email announcements and reminders are sent using Mailchimp, but you may also receive messages directly from our gmail account at suzukiacademykalamazoo@gmail.com.

 

Tuition
Payment

 

At the beginning of every month, you will receive an emailed invoice for your monthly tuition, which you can pay directly online through this invoice. All of the important information about when your payment is due, how much it is, etc., can be found here.

Tuition is due at the beginning of every month, and all invoices are due on receipt. If tuition has not been paid within 7 days of the receipt of invoice, you will receive a $25 late fee. Once you have incurred a late fee, your instructor(s) will be notified and lessons will no longer be provided until payment is received. Any lessons missed during this suspension will not be made up. If lessons have been canceled due to non-payment 3 times during the school year, your child’s enrollment in the program may be ended pending a meeting with the Executive Director and your private teacher.

Our annual registration fee and tuition are non-refundable.

If you have questions about your account, please email them to our Operations Manager, Sabrina, at suzukiacademykalamazoo@gmail.com.

The Suzuki Academy of Kalamazoo offers three ways to pay tuition–online, with a check, or with cash. Read below for full payment option descriptions.

 
 

Option 1:
Online Bill Payment

Paying online is easy and efficient, for you and for the Suzuki Academy of Kalamazoo. Just follow the payment steps on the invoice when it arrives in your email. This is an ePayment/eCheck process through our bank PNC and their partner bill.com.
If you prefer not to pay online, we also accept cash and paper checks..

 
image-asset-3.png

Option 2:
Paying with a Check

Checks may be mailed in (please mail to 6376 Quail Run Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009) or dropped off in person, and all checks must be made out to “Suzuki Academy of Kalamazoo.” If you choose to pay with a check, please ensure that you write the student’s full name and the date of the invoice in the memo, that way we know to whom to credit the payment, and for what month. If you have multiple students and you are paying for each of them with one check, please make note of their names, and how much of the payment you wish to go to each account. If the payment amounts are not noted on the checks, then the check will be split evenly amongst all of your students. There is also a charge of $25 on all returned checks.

IMG_8679.jpg

Option 3:
Paying with Cash

If you choose to pay with cash, please note that cash payments can only be accepted in person. You must be sure to receive a cash receipt from your instructor before leaving the premises. This helps us ensure that your payment is properly credited to your account, and also ensures that you have a record of payment as well.

Complete List of Policies

 

Canceled lessons, missed lessons, and make up lessons

 

To cancel a private lesson please give your teacher 24 hours notice; your teacher will provide an opportunity for the canceled lesson to be made up, if possible. Private lessons canceled with less than 24 hours notice or without notice are considered missed lessons and will not be rescheduled except at the teacher's discretion. Make up lessons will be scheduled only once. Private lessons canceled by your teacher will be made up. Canceled group classes will not be made up.

 

Weather & Emergency School Closings

 

Suzuki will typically remain open in inclement weather. Regularly scheduled lessons will take place unless you have been notified otherwise. Teachers and families may individually decide if they would like to proceed with lessons in person or through virtual means. In the rare event that we do close for weather, or any emergency, you will be notified as soon as possible. We do not close for low temperatures. Private lessons not received due to closure will be made up at a time determined by you and your instructor (please refer to make up lesson policy above). Group classes will not be made up in the event of a closure.

 

Attendance

 

Arrive at your private and group lessons with enough time to unpack and get ready. Bring all your materials and instrument to your lesson. Your teacher is not obligated to teach or make up the lesson if the instrument is left at home. Attendance at all group classes is expected. Please notify your group class teacher if your child is absent.

 

Parental Supervision & Building Use

 

Parents need to be with all children 12 years old and younger at all times. Do not leave your child unsupervised. You or your child may only enter a room that has a Suzuki Academy of Kalamazoo teacher in it. All unoccupied rooms are off limits unless you have the Executive Director’s permission. Food and drink is not permitted near instruments at any time. Cell phones must be silenced during lessons, classes, and performances. There are to be absolutely no pets permitted in the building unless they are a certified service animal.

 

Cancellation & Break Policy

 

In the event that you wish to pause lessons or cancel your enrollment before the end of the school year, you must notify your private teacher and email the Executive Director or Operations Manager at suzukiacademykalamazoo@gmail.com prior to your preferred cancellation/pause date. If you cancel mid-month or have not followed the aforementioned requirements, you will still be charged for that full month of lessons.

 

Recital & Concert Etiquette

 

We adhere to a formal dress policy for concerts, which is as follows:

All students: dress pants, a collared dress shirt and tie (if age appropriate) or a coordinating blouse (depending on your preference), dark socks, and dark dress shoes.

Students who prefer to wear a dress or skirt should also wear hose or dress socks and dress shoes.

Students are not allowed to wear the following items of clothing: tennis shoes, casual sandals or shoes, t-shirts, jeans, or short skirts that are above the knee.

 

Concert Attendance

 

Please arrive at least fifteen minutes before the performance time unless otherwise noted. Please have your instrument, shoulder pad, extra strings (in case one breaks), and music (in order). All performers are expected to attend the entire performance. Leaving early is unacceptable unless permission is given by the teacher in charge of the performance, and then only under extreme cases.

 

Children 2 & Under

 

The Suzuki Academy of Kalamazoo is welcoming of all children regardless of age, however, if any child becomes a disturbance during a performance, we ask that you remove the child from the room out of respect for our performers. Many of our students are very young, and could be extremely nervous, so big distractions may make it more difficult for them to concentrate while they are playing.

 

Pictures & Video Recording

 

It is fine if you wish to take pictures or record video during performances, but please do be aware of your surroundings. There will almost always be people behind you who wish to see the performance as well! So be conscious of blocking visual space, and if you set up video recording equipment, it must be set up in an area that will not obstruct anyone’s view.

 

Cell Phones

 

We understand that most people’s phones are also their camera, so we do not outright abolish them from performances - however, all cell phones must be silent (no sounds, no vibration) during performances. This is out of respect for our performers and the hard work they have put into perfecting their pieces.

Your contribution helps us grow.