Welcome to the flute studio! My goal as a teacher is to guide your child in the musical journey of honing their instrumental and musical skills, a practice which cultivates skills of focus, creativity, patience, diligence and critical thinking, and encourages a sense of wonder and joy. I also work alongside the Stiles band directors to support the student’s experience of teamwork and collaboration in band, helping them build empathy, compromise and reflection skills. Let’s go!

 

EQUIPMENT LIST

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Students are expected to bring all the materials below to their lessons every week, to make sure we can make the most of each session.

 

1. Flute and case

2. Lesson notebook: a lined notebook separate from other school subjects. This will be used to log assignments for the week, and make any notes/visual references during lessons. If they already have a lesson notebook from last year, we can continue to use it!

3. Cleaning supplies: 

   • Flute cleaning rod 

   • lint-free cleaning cloth (good materials: microfiber, jersey, silk)

4. A pencil with a good eraser

5. Metronome & Tuner

6. Stand Mirror

7. Music:

   • Band music and books

   • Flute method book or sheet music copies received at lessons

   • Staff paper notebook for composition (can use the same one as last year if they’re continuing with me)

 

LESSON LOCATION

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Lessons will be held at Stiles Middle School in the practice rooms at the back of the Band Hall, unless otherwise specified. Lessons may be held virtually over Zoom if at any time there are health risk or transportation factors, and I will occasionally offer makeup lessons at my home studio in North Austin.

 

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FALL FLUTE SCHEDULE

 

LESSON DAYS IN STILES BAND HALL PRACTICE ROOMS

• Tuesday 8/19

• Tuesday 8/26 | Friday 8/29
   

~no lessons first week of September~
 

• Tuesday 9/9 | Friday 9/12

• Tuesday 9/16 | Friday 9/19

• Tuesday 9/23 |Friday 9/26

• Tuesday 9/30 | Friday 10/3
   

• Tuesday 10/7 | Friday 10/10

• Tuesday 10/14 | [no school on Friday, makeup lessons available Saturday 10/18]

• Tuesday 10/21 |Friday 10/24

• Tuesday 10/28 | Friday 10/31
   

• THURSDAY *11/6* [no school Tuesday]| Friday 11/7

• Tuesday 11/11 | Friday 11/14

• Tuesday 11/18 | Friday 11/21
   

• Tuesday 12/2 | Friday 12/5

• Tuesday 12/9 | Friday 12/12

• Tuesday 12/16 | **THURSDAY 12/18** [Friday is early release]

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PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES — OPTIONAL (more info soon)

• Possible - October 25th 2pm Halloween Flute Studio Recital

• December 7th 2pm Austin Flute Society Community Recital - theme of “Dreams”

• March 8th 2pm Austin Flute Society Community Recital - theme TBD

 

If/when lesson days need to be adjusted, this link will be updated and I will send out reminder emails with as much notice as possible.

 

LESSON TUITION

 

Lesson cost is $30 per lesson. You may make payment by the semester, or on the first of each month. There will be 15 (beginners)  or 16 lessons (7th, 8th graders) during the fall semester and 18 lessons in the winter/spring semester. 

The total number of lessons is averaged among the monthly payments below for your convenience, so that the amount remains the same even though the exact number of lessons per month fluctuates based on the calendar.

Fall Term: 16 lessons @ $30/lesson = $480

Due Aug 25th: $120 
Due Oct 1st: $120 

Due Nov 1st: $120 

Due Dec 1st: $120 or remainder of fall term lesson fees based on how many were given, could be less

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Winter/Spring Term: $540 (18 lessons)

Due Jan 1st: $135

Due Feb 1st: $135

Due Mar 1st: $135

Due Apr 1st: $135 or remainder of fall term lesson fees based on how many were given, could be less

PAYMENT METHODS

​Venmo: @Kenzie-Slottow

Zelle or Paypal Friends & Family: kslottow@gmail.com

Please do not use Paypal Goods and Services - they charge me $5 of each $120! 

 

CANCELLATION & RESCHEDULING POLICY

 

How should I communicate with you about my student missing lessons?

If a conflict like an appointment or illness comes up, or a student is going to miss school or not be in band for their lesson, please notify me directly at kslottow@gmail.com or (512)560-4638.

 

You will need to write to me in addition to letting the school know that your child will be absent on a lesson day, as the school does not forward me this information. This includes if your student will miss their band class on a lesson day due to a field trip or a school assembly. Since private lesson teachers are not official Stiles staff members, we do not get notified of these events unless you or your student tells us.

Missed lessons without notice prior to the school day beginning will not be refunded.
 

How are lessons rescheduled?
We can reschedule a virtual lesson on another weekday, or a weekend lesson at my home studio. If I am not notified of the cancellation before heading to school on a lesson day, that lesson will not be refunded. 

 

KEYS TO HELPING YOUR CHILD GROW IN MUSIC

Based on Kathy Blocki's flute resources

 

1. Build a Routine. Help them designate a regularly scheduled time and place each day for practice, preferably within your hearing range.

2. Practice Consistently. Students are expected to practice 6 days a week for 30 minutes each day. In addition to the practice logs due to the band directors weekly, we will be learning to structure our practice sessions, so they will have specific tasks and goals to work on in their practice sessions. The structure will include Warmups, Technique and Scales, Theory and Composition, and Etudes (small practice pieces), and Repertoire (larger performance pieces).

3. Parent Involvement. Be as involved as possible in your child’s practice time. Your comments can help make practicing enjoyable. Your child should be able to show you what they are focusing on in their practice, and what passages they are working on mastering. You can help your child isolate sections that need repetition, and encourage them to get excited about small successes!

4. Mini Concerts. I assign music for students to “play for someone at home” regularly. Ask your child to perform a mini concert once a week. These may be just a few lines of music, or longer depending on what they are working on! Your encouragement and praise can have an incredible impact on their desire to practice.

5. Performance Opportunities. Signing your child up for the performance opportunities I organize, OR plan a concert for visiting relatives, special music at your place of worship, a community event. Performances are when they get to share art and inspiration with their community. These can feel very different than school concerts, and be very meaningful!

6. Listening. Encourage your child to listen to flute recordings, or other music, daily. Listening to recordings is almost as important as practicing! This builds their musical vocabulary and develops their artistic style.

 

If you have any questions concerning your child’s progress, please feel free to email or text.

 

Thank you and let’s have a great year!

 

-Mx. Kenzie Slottow