MVS Studio Policy

Effective from Term 2 - 28 April 2025

🎯 Lesson Commitment & Scheduling

- Weekly lessons at your agreed-upon time are required during the WA school term, based on either the public or private school calendar your child follows.

Lessons will no longer be held on public holidays. Lessons during school holidays are optional and subject to availability.

- Payment is now due at the last booked lesson or for new students a week before lessons commence. Late payments will incur an additional $30 fee.

🎓 Missed Lessons

No make-up lessons are offered for lessons you have booked and can’t attend (eg. due to school camp, birthday party, family holiday). Your lesson time is your commitment.

Two flexible options are available if you can't attend in person: 

1. Online Lesson: Conducted at your regular time via Zoom, WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Google Hangout. 

2. Video Feedback Lesson: Record and send her your homework; she'll provide feedback during your scheduled time.

Make-Up Lessons – Term 2, 2025

If a student is unwell and provides at least 24 hours notice, a single make-up lesson day will be offered during the Term 2 school holidays on Thursday, 17th July 2025. Please note that no alternative make-up dates will be available for Term 2, due to the AUSTA National Conference in Sydney. Lessons in the Term 3 and Term 4 holidays will be offered.

If you are unable to attend on that make-up day, you are welcome to submit a video recording of your current homework once you are feeling better. She will review it and provide video feedback at her earliest opportunity. 

If you are feeling unwell, but would still like a violin lesson please utilise the online lesson or video feedback option. This allows students to continue learning from the comfort of their home and helps reduce the risk of spreading illness. There have been students attend their violin lesson despite staying home from school due to illness—this is not acceptable. If a student is unwell enough to stay home from school, they should not attend an in-person violin lesson either.

As teaching is Marlene’s main professional commitment, staying healthy is essential—not only for her, but also for the continuity of lessons for all students. She appreciates your understanding and consideration in helping maintain a safe and healthy studio environment.

If you are aware of any upcoming absences before booking your next set of lessons, you may also utilise the make-up day allocated in the school holidays, provided sufficient notice is given at the time of booking.

❌ Teacher Cancellations

If Marlene needs to cancel a lesson (e.g., due to illness or an unavoidable clash), she will: 

- Offer a make-up lesson on a Sunday, which is her only available day outside regular teaching hours, as her weekly schedule is fully booked, or 

- Credit the lesson towards your next invoice, or 

- Refund the lesson.

📆 Withdrawing from Lessons

- Please provide at least 2 weeks notice if you plan to discontinue lessons.

- Refunds for unused lessons are not guaranteed and are only granted under exceptional circumstances. 

📚 Student Expectations

Arrive on time with your violin, music books, and music diary.

Please ring the doorbell 3 minutes before your lesson so we know you have arrived. If she doesn't answer straight away, it would be due to wrapping up the previous lesson or preparing for yours. 

If you are late, your lesson will still end at the scheduled time.

Please ask questions at the beginning of your lesson to respect everyone's time.

Practice is essential! Daily, focused practice leads to meaningful progress and enjoyment.

Parents, please ensure your child is picked up promptly at the end of their lesson. This shows respect for the next student's time and ensures Marlene is not delayed in case she needs to leave immediately after. She is unable to provide supervision beyond the booked lesson time.

🗣️ Communication

Marlene aims to respond to all messages within 24–48 hours (excluding Sunday/Public holidays) and appreciates the same courtesy in return. Families who have selected SMS as their preferred method of contact will receive day-to-day communication via text message. Newsletters and concert recommendations will continue to be sent via email.

📕 Books, Exams, and Performances

Students are responsible for purchasing required books and materials.

AMEB exam enrolments are made by the teacher only when the student is fully prepared.

Students may not register for exams, competitions, or eisteddfods without prior discussion and approval.

🎉 End of Year Concert & Performance Opportunities

All students are invited to perform in the annual End of Year Concert — a special showcase which will be held this year on Sunday 9th November 2025 at 4pm, St Johns Lutheran Church Northbridge. Additional performance opportunities such as at the WAMTA Student Forum are available throughout the year to support students' growth and confidence.

🏆 Student Achievements – Website Recognition

To celebrate and acknowledge the hard work and accomplishments of her students, Marlene may feature student achievements on the Marlene's Violin Studio website. These may include exam results, competition outcomes, awards, and performance highlights.

Only first names will be used, and no identifying images or personal details will be shared without prior consent. If a parent or guardian does not wish for their child's achievements to be included, they are asked to notify Marlene in writing. Otherwise, it will be assumed that permission is granted for this form of recognition.

Please click the button below to download your copy of the updated Studio Policy:

🎻 Why Learn at Marlene's Violin Studio

At Marlene's Violin Studio, students receive far more than just weekly lessons—they gain access to an enriched, personalised musical education backed by years of experience, ongoing professional development, and a deep commitment to excellence.

🌟 A Legacy of Success

With over 17 years of teaching experience, Marlene has guided students to exceptional results, including:

- Success in AMEB exams from Preliminary to AMusA

- Prizes in competitions and eisteddfods 

Students receive a solid technical foundation and expert guidance tailored to their goals and ability level.

🎯 Exams, Audition & Competition Preparation

As a current Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) examiner, Marlene offers expert preparation for students interested in pursuing exams or working through the grades at their own pace. Her structured, insightful guidance stems from personal experience as a student and professional, and she strongly believes in the value that exam preparation brings to developing well-rounded musicians. From the very beginning, students are supported in learning to read music and build a strong understanding of music theory, setting them up for long-term success. She also has extensive experience preparing students for:

- Music scholarships

- Orchestral auditions

- Competitions and eisteddfods

🎶 Orchestral & Concert Preparation

As a former seasoned performer with professional orchestras in Europe and Australia, Marlene offers students unique guidance on:

- Performance confidence

- Orchestral excerpts & preparation

Her performances as part of various acclaimed orchestras has been broadcast on radio and some recordings are available on Spotify/online —see the Media section of this website.

📚 Active Community Involvement

As Vice-President of the Australian String Teachers Association (AUSTA) WA, Marlene is at the forefront of string education and regularly recommends:

- Events and workshops tailored to each student

- Discounted AUSTA String Festival participant entry for her students (Saturday 14th June 2015 at WAAPA) 

She is committed to continual growth and will attend the AUSTA National Conference in July 2025 to learn new teaching techniques and share that knowledge with her students.

🎓 Comprehensive Qualifications & Expertise

Marlene is the only violin teacher in Perth to have completed all of the following in Germany:

- Bachelor of Music (Violin Pedagogy & Performance)

- Master of Music (Violin Performance)

- Master of Music (Historical Interpretation Practice / Baroque Violin)

🌱 For Younger Students

Early learners benefit from access to the Enchanted Quest subscription—an engaging and imaginative platform that supports foundational violin learning.

🎉 Celebrating 2024 Achievements of Marlene’s Students

2024 was an incredible year filled with exciting opportunities, outstanding results, and inspiring musical growth. I'm so proud to share the achievements of our talented young musicians!

🎻 AMEB Exam Successes

Eleven students completed AMEB violin exams from Preliminary through to AMusA, with the majority receiving Honours. Special congratulations go to:

• Wing Tung and Arielle, who both achieved their Associate Diploma (AMusA)—a significant milestone in advanced violin performance.
• Wing Tung who was awarded her AMusA with Distinction and received the AUSTA National Graham Wood OAM Award for Best Diploma Candidate in Orchestral Strings. This national award is a remarkable accomplishment, especially as Abby was only in Year 9, already performing at a university entry standard.

As Vice-President of AUSTA WA, I had the honour of presenting this award at the 2025 AMEB Award Ceremony at the University of Western Australia.

🏅 Awards and Recognitions

• Clara received the AMEB Silver Award, an endorsed WACE program that recognises not only musical achievement but also personal and professional growth.
• Sitara was awarded High Distinction for her St Cecilia Concert Certificate 6 examination, in addition to receiving Honours for her AMEB Grade 6 exam.
  
• At the AUSTA String Festival, 36 students performed and each received a medal, certificate, and written feedback from a respected WA string specialist. Most students were awarded Gold, reflecting their excellent preparation and musicality.
• Belinda won First Place in Guildford Grammar School's Open Eisteddfod.
• Joyce was awarded Third Place in the Grade 6 Strings category at the South Suburban Music Eisteddfod.
• Violino Quintetto (five-violin chamber group) received Second Place in the "Small Ensemble 13 & Under" category at the South Suburban Music Eisteddfod.
• Violino Quartetto (four-violin chamber group) received an Achievement Award in the national Musica Viva Strike-a-Chord Competition.
• René successfully auditioned as Concertmaster of the West Coast Philharmonic Orchestra.

🎶 Performance Highlights

Twelve students performed solos or duets with me as special guests at the Theatre Organ Society WA's Musical Afternoon Concert in April, held at the John Leckie Pavilion in Nedlands.

🎻 End-of-Year Celebration

We wrapped up the year with our annual MVS End-of-Year Concert on November 10, hosted at the beautiful St John's Lutheran Church in Northbridge. Twenty-four students shared their music with a warm and supportive audience of family and friends, celebrating a joyful year of progress and performance!

To enrol please email the completed form below to: marlene.romeo.music@gmail.com