*NEW!* Group lessons

NEW June 2013: In addition to the student's individual lesson, students will be encouraged to attend group classes to further their violin education. These lessons will facilitate ensemble playing of the Suzuki repertoire, note reading, composer and musical vocabulary trivia, mini-recitals, and the best part: GAMES! This is a fun and encouraging way for students to spend time with peers while playing their instrument.

Summer group classes will take place bi-weekly and will be 30 minutes long. Students will be grouped together according to their current level of advancement.

about the teacher

Cara Keidel-Schmidt is dedicated to providing all students with a quality music education in a caring and professional studio environment.  Lessons include violin basics (note reading, rhythm, theory, physical instrument knowledge, and technical skill development) in a setting that is strongly based on the Suzuki violin method as well as aural and cognitive recall development.  Also included are music-aided technology, ensemble experiences, visual aids, memorization techniques, incentive programs, and preparation for performance opportunities.

      Cara began her early violin studies at the age of 3 ½ as a UNI Suzuki student under teachers Becky Bailey, Mary Grey, Julie Fox-Henson, John Fetter, and Therese Fetter. She received a Bachelor of the Arts degree with a violin emphasis in 2008 from the University of Northern Iowa where she studied with Professor Frederick Halgedahl. She has received extensive Suzuki teacher training through level 6 with world-renown Suzuki pedagogues like Edward Kreitman, Edmund Sprunger, Nancy Jackson, and Thomas Wermuth.

      Cara has had many musical outlets over the years, many of which she still participates in quite frequently. She is a first violinist in the Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra of which she has been a member since 2002. She has subbed with Cedar Rapids' Orchestra Iowa and the Wartburg Community Symphony of which she is now concertmaster. She also enjoys playing with various local church worship teams where she is able to share her newly-discovered love of improvisational techniques.

      Mrs. Keidel-Schmidt has been actively coordinating the musical aspect of weddings and other events since 2002 with her performing group Cedar Valley Strings. Cara has organized and taken part in over 125 weddings in northeast Iowa.

Amidst all the musical journeys, Cara’s true joy is in her son Joshua, born in August 2011 and her husband Spencer. She greatly enjoys spending time with her family of three (or five, if you include Hunter and Oliver, the dog and cat) and spends her leisure time baking, “crock-potting”, cross-stitching, taking part in extreme fitness and nutrition class, and playing board games with her extended families.

required materials

The following are the materials needed for lessons.

instrument: violin, bow, and case.
shoulder rest
microfiber cleaning cloth
violin rosin
Suzuki method book (level to be pre-determined by teacher prior to first lesson)
*Suzuki CD corresponding to book level
binder with lined paper or spiral notebook for note-taking
pencil
practice chart (given at the first lesson)
note identification flashcards (can be purchased for $5)

All of the above items are to be brought to every lesson. This is the responsibility of the student. The teacher should not be expected to provide materials and will hold the expectation of reimbursement should the need arise. *CD is for at-home listening immediately upon starting lessons. You do not need to bring the CD to your weekly lesson.

The teacher may assign homework which requires the use of the internet. Please inform the teacher if outside internet access is not a possibility for you.

lesson costs and payment options

lesson costs

15 minute lesson………….. $13 (for children ages 6 and under)

30 minute lesson………….. $21

45 minute lesson………….. $29

1 hour lesson………………… $37

two payment options

monthly

Payment is due at the first lesson for all lessons occurring during the month. Both parties will schedule the upcoming month's lesson dates at the end of the former month in order to better facilitate an on-time payment. In other words, February lessons will be decided upon at the end of January.

semester

Payment is due at first lesson for all lessons occurring during the semester. Both parties will schedule the upcoming semester's lesson dates at the end of the former semester in order to better facilitate an on-time payment. In other words, summer semester lessons will be decided upon at the end of April.

Typically, semesters run in 4-month sets: 
          spring semester: January-April
          summer semester: May-August
          fall semester: September-December

DISCOUNT! Take $10 off per student each semester when you pay using this option (must be enrolled in a minimum of six lessons per semester to receive discount)

All payments for lessons are to be made in advance. No lessons will be given without pre-payment.    

Please be certain of your schedule when paying using either option. Refer to lesson cancellation and makeup lessons for information regarding pre-paid lessons that you are unable to attend.

performance opportunities

Public performing is an integral part of the student musician's experience. The act of playing for an audience allows for growth in confidence both in musicianship and as a person. Much enjoyment can be had for the performer and the audience when a student shares their learning experiences with the public.

I require my students to take part in at least one public performance and one recital per year. More performance opportunities are recommended but not required. All performances are to be given professional consideration, meaning that the student should dress nicely and will introduce themselves, the name of their piece, and it's composer. Below are the performances offered:

Student recitals

Three student recitals a year will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. These are informal performances meant to showcase a student's best current work. All pieces are to be performed memorized unless otherwise decided upon by the teacher, and a piano accompanist can be provided to you at no cost. This may require scheduling a rehearsal with the accompanist at a time other than your lesson time. The scheduling of this rehearsal is to be the student’s responsibility.

While only one of the three provided recital opportunities are required, it is recommended that the student take part in all three. Please plan to take part in all three recitals unless you have a prior commitment as all performance opportunities are significant to facilitating ownership of one's progress throughout the year. 

These recitals include other student instrumentalists learning piano, guitar, voice, and brass.

Church performances

Students taking lessons at St. John Lutheran church are required to perform a polished piece for one Sunday morning worship service a year. Service times are Sundays at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 am (times may vary). An accompanist can be provided to you at no cost. This may require scheduling a rehearsal with the accompanist at a time other than your lesson time.  The scheduling of this rehearsal is to be the student’s responsibility. Please inform me of your scheduled performance and I will do my best to attend. If I am unable to attend, please document the performance so that I may review it later.

Students taking lessons at a location other than St. John are encouraged to perform for a worship service but are not required. These students will need to see below the requirements for other public performances.

Other public performances

Students who do not perform in a Sunday service at St John will be required to take part in another public performance. This can be at one's personal church, talent show, Senior living facility, etc. This must be as professional as possible, and must include an atypical audience (not immediate family members). Please inform me of the scheduled performance and I will do my best to attend. If I am unable to attend, please document the performance.

lesson and practice procedures

lesson procedure

Plan to arrive 10 minutes before the start of the lesson. This will allow for the student and their instrument to acclimate to the temperature of the church. This is especially important during the temperature extremes in the Summer and Winter months.

Our lesson will begin on time. We will end on time. This is especially important in order to facilitate the transition from student to student. Missed lesson minutes will not be made up at the end of the lesson or at another date due to tardiness.

It is likely that there will be another student’s lesson directly after yours. I am available to reach by phone or email and would prefer to save conversation topics for non-lesson hours in order to facilitate the transition from student to student in a timely manner.

practice procedure

Plan to practice DAILY. The quicker this becomes a part of a daily routine, the more successful practice time will become. The student may find success in choosing a set time each day for their studies.

Students are given a recommended amount of time to practice as determined by the teacher. 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions that arise during practice. “I was confused by the assignment” will not be an accepted excuse as I am always happy to answer any questions or concerns via email or phone.

lesson cancellations and make-up lessons

lesson cancellation

When needing to cancel a lesson, please try to notify me of your intent to cancel with at least 24 hour notice. I do not need to know the reason for your cancellation.

If you are unable to make a scheduled lesson, you may notify me by email, phone call, or text message. Consider email an option only if you are able to give more than 24 hours’ notice. If you must cancel within 24 hours of your lesson time, please notify me by phone call or text message.

make-up lessons
          I have reserved dates at the end of each semester for the possible need for a make-up lesson. I am also willing to offer make-up lessons during a possible opening due to another student's cancellation. I will offer up to two make-up lessons per semester for student-cancelled lessons provided the lessons were cancelled with at least 24 hours’ notice. Once scheduled, it is to be given the same consideration as a regular lesson. I am not required to reschedule a make-up lesson under any circumstance should the student be unable to attend.

            Should I need to cancel a lesson for any reason, I will do my best to inform the student of my intent to cancel as soon as I am aware that I cannot attend. I will offer a make-up lesson for all teacher-cancelled lessons. Once scheduled, it is to be given the same consideration as a regular lesson.  I am not required to reschedule a make-up lesson under any circumstance should the student be unable to attend.

cancellations due to illness
           Please plan to cancel the lesson if the student is ill or has been in contact with someone who is ill. The student and I are in close contact with one another during our lessons, so let’s both avoid spreading contagious germs to one another if at all possible. Should I feel that a student’s attendance is harmful to my health and the health of others, the student will be asked to leave and no make-up lesson will be given. I will trust your family to use best discretion when making this decision, and I will do the same.

cancellations due to weather
          If Cedar Falls or Waverly schools are cancelled or dismiss early due to inclement weather, all lessons for that day will also be cancelled.  I will plan to contact you directly by phone if this should occur. All weather-related lesson cancellations will be eligible for a make-up lesson.