Welcome To

The Behrens Guitar Studio

 

Behrens Guitar Studio
4017 Victory Dr
Austin, TX 78704
United States
ph: 512-445-9564

Enrolling My Child


Getting Started:
 
 
What do I need to do to register my child?
 
O.K., now that I have your attention and your interest, you are probably wondering what comes next. 
 
The Suzuki method works, because of the intense involvement and committment of the parent, therefore, it is imperative that the parent and teacher are on the same page in order that WE serve the best interests of the child.
 
First Steps to Enrollment
 
  1. Call the studio to discuss the details of the program and arrange to observe some lessons with your child. I will not accept anyone who does not come to observe first. Observation is the best way find out how I teach and view the program first hand.
  2. Choose a lesson time and go over the studio policy with the instructor.
  3. Bring your child to get fitted for an instrument.
  4. Begin Parent Education. Before the child starts, all parents are expected to go through 8 weeks of Parent Education. This is an insurance policy against failure. For more about parent ed, see below.
  5. Continue to observe lessons with your child during parent ed weeks. This is the best way to prepare yourself and your child for his/her musical journey.
Parent Education
 
When you enroll your child in the Behrens Guitar Studio Suzuki Guitar Program, you are doing more than signing your kid up for any of the myriad activities to drive around to. You are choosing to embrace a philosophy predicated on the idea that, to quote Suzuki, "where love is deep, much can be accomplished." You are entering into a partnership between you and me, to work not only on the musical child, but the whole child.
 
For this venture to be successful, you and I need to be on the same page philosophically. 
 
In Parent Education, you and I work together for 1 and 1/2 hours each week for 8 weeks. During this time, you will learn about the Suzuki method, how to be an effective "Home Coach", and how to practice with your child. You will be expected to get a guitar for yourself. By the end of 8 weeks, you will need to be able to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and its variations proficiently. You will also learn how to restring a guitar, how to tune a guitar and overall, how to get the most out of your child's lessons. Remember, this is an investment in your child's education. Parent Education is an insurance policy against failure, designed to help protect your investment.
 
While this approach does not get me a lot of students quickly, it has created  a situation in my studio where I do not have nearly the amount of turnover that guitar teachers in the music stores have. I refuse to be a party to any arrangement that is not in the child's best interest.
 
During the time that you are in parent ed, you will be expected to observe more lessons with your child. I want you to see not only the good ones, but the not so good ones as well, so that you have a realistic idea of what to expect. If your child takes time to warm up to strangers, this is a perfect way to break the ice gradually. When the child observes lessons, he/she develops an expectation of how lessons will go when they start. This removes the initial anxiety.
 
How is the Program Structured?
 
Timeline
The program is structured on four 10 week calendar quarters.
During each of your child's full quarters, they will get 10 private lessons and 9 Group Lessons.
All new students start with half hour lessons. Group lessons range anywhere from 30-45 minutes depending on the energy level of the students.
Parents are expected to pay for each quarter in full.
Private Lessons are held in my home at 4017 Victory Dr., Austin, TX 78704. The precise unit will be given once you arrange by phone to observe a lesson. 
Group Lessons are held every Tuesday night from 5:45-8:00. Exact time will depend on book level. These are held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin in room 15. 
There are 2 recitals every year. One in the Spring and one in the Fall. Students participate in recitals based on readiness.

 

 

 

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Behrens Guitar Studio
4017 Victory Dr
Austin, TX 78704
United States
ph: 512-445-9564