Sarah Sutton ~ Viola 

Violin/Viola Instruction  

"Every child is capable of their own form of greatness. It is my mission to guide them there."

Ms Sutton has held teaching positions at the Hindhead School of Music (UK) and  the New England Music Camp (Maine, USA).  She currently has a flourishing private studio (Philadelphia), and is the former Associate Conductor and Director of the Main Line Young Artists Ensemble with the Main Line Youth Chamber Orchestra.  Sarah also served as Associate Conductor of PRYSM, where she developed and directed the PRYSM Young Artists' Orchestra. She is an Instructor of Viola for the College House Music Program at the University of Pennsylvania, and a chamber music coach at the Kimmel Center Summer Teen Music Camp.  She has performed the role of string clinician for a number of high schools and has also served as a coach for the Florida Youth Orchestra.  She studied violin/viola pedagogy with the renowned Mimi Zweig, and has taught at the Indiana University String Academy, as well as being appointed Associate Instructor of Viola,  teaching Freshman Performance Majors and Viola Elect Studies at Indiana University.

Sarah has enjoyed appointments as Artist Faculty at the Center Stage Strings Summer music festival, and has served as Adjunct Faculty (Viola) at The College of New Jersey.  She is currently also a faculty member at ChamberStrings, in Rosemont PA.

To enquire about lesson availability or to request placement on the waiting list, please click here to send an e-mail. Final acceptance into the studio is based on a successful consultation lesson, and/or interview.

Consultation Lesson Rates:

45 minutes/ $68(beginners)

60 minutes/$88

Studio Policies

Location:

Lessons take place in my home in Havertown. Lessons are offered on a weekly basis only, and regularity and promptness is expected of all students.

Tuition

Tuition is due at the first scheduled lesson each month. Tuition is pro-rated to a monthly flat fee for your convenience.

A late fee of $5.00 will be charged for tuition paid after the first scheduled lesson of the month.  Reminder notices will be sent for tuition not recieved by the due date, and the late fee will be added. 

If tuition is paid continuously late for three months or more, and tuition has not been paid by the third lesson of the month, the teacher reserves the right to dismiss you from the studio and refuse lessons. 

A bad check fee of $15.00 will be charged for returned checks.  No refund or credit will be given for missed lessons. 

A consultation lesson is required/recommended prior to acceptance into the studio. Please e-mail for current lesson rates. Consultation rates are as follows: 45 minutes/$68 (beginners) ,  60 minutes/ $88 (all other potential students). 

Once a regular weekly lesson time has been assigned, students must pay for each week's scheduled lesson, regardless of any absence and no matter what the cause may be. 

Students are not permitted to make deductions from their monthly tuition for any reason.  Tuition adjustments may only be made by the teacher. 

 All rates are non-negotiable.

Lessons may be in person, hybrid (alternating zoom/in person) or entirely virtual.

Covid Teaching Guidelines: HERE

IMPORTANT!

If you choose to cancel lessons and give up your lesson slot in the studio at any point of the semester, you will be required to pay the rest of the semester tuition in full.   This means that all monthly flat rate payments will be due in one lump sum.  You must give at least a month's notice of your intent to leave,  and any remaining semester tuition is due at this time.

Make-up lessons

If a student/parent misses or cancels a lesson, there will be no refunds or make-up lessons offered. 

If the cancellation is due to a health emergency or Act of God, a make up lesson may be offered at the teacher's discrection, if the schedule allows , but no refunds will be made. 

The teacher MUST be notified by 9:30am on the day of a lesson if a student is unable to attend.

There will be no make-ups for lessons missed due to vacation, sporting events or forgetfulness. 

If the teacher finds it necessary to cancel a lesson, a make-up lesson at a mutually convenient time will be offered. 

If a make-up lesson has been offered and you choose not to take it, or if the scheduled make-up lesson is missed or cancelled, no further make-up lesson will be offered, and no refund will be made.

Snow Days:

In the event of severe winter weather lessons will be via ZOOM.

Concerts & events

The art of observing and listening, as well as concert participation and conduct is an essential part of a child's development for a healthy performance experience.  Even if your child is not specifically involved in a performance, your attendance and support of concerts and events connected to and involving local youth orchestras (such as Vivace Chamber Orchestra, PYO, DCYO, Philadelphia Sinfonia, and their affiliated groups) is greatly encouraged.

 Policy for behaviour

• Treat the teacher & other students with respect.
• Cooperate.
• Participate

Consequences for misbehaviour are as follows:

• Two verbal warnings.
• One written warning ~ probation
• Dismissal from my studio.

"It is only through discipline that we achieve true freedom"

Fall Semester 2021

Important Dates:

The semester will begin on September 7th 2021 and end on December 18th 2021

 There will be no lessons November 25th - 28th 2021. This is the Thanksgiving Break.

There will be make up lessons on December 20th - 23rd.

Please review updated make up policies.

Check the studio master calendar  

here.

Remember to make sure that you are familiar with my makeup policies.  Make up days are not part of your tuition and are not counted as a regular lesson week.

If you find that you have a conflict, it is always best to try to arrange a switch with another student if at all possible, however you must  cc the teacher in all correspondance.

In the event of inclement weather and treacherous driving conditions, you may request a skype lesson. 

Performances:

 During the 2020 challenges the students have taken part in monthly Performance Postcard.  To protect student identity, these are private links, to be shared with friends and family on Youtube.

Useful Links:

Order music online: www.sharmusic.com

Locally:calliopemusicstore.com

Instrument purchase, repair etc:

David Michie Violins

Music Camp:

ChamberStrings, Rosemont PA

Calendar

 HERE

 Parent/Student responsabilities:

 The student is responsible for the purchase of his or her own music books and sheet music.

The student is responsible for providing his or her own instrument, and it's upkeep. Instrument purchase/rental may be arranged through several local music stores.  Ask your teacher for details.

Be prepared for every lesson; it shows respect to your teacher.

Be on time for lessons. 

Whenever possible, attend community and professional concerts as a listener.

Long term success

in music is a

three-way process:

Pupil ~ Teacher ~ Parent.