Mission/Policy

The Lower Strings Academy Mission Statement

At Lower Strings Academy, we are committed to providing exceptional education for cello and double bass students of all ages, guided by the principles of the Suzuki Method. As registered Suzuki teachers, we nurture every student’s potential by focusing on creating a positive, supportive environment where **every child can** succeed. Through the **Suzuki Triangle**—the partnership of teacher, student, and parents—we cultivate a love for music, emphasizing early development, listening, and building strong foundational skills. Our mission is to inspire a lifelong love of music, empower each student with confidence, and foster a community rooted in respect, discipline, and creativity.

The Lower Strings Academy Vision

Our vision at Lower Strings Academy is to become a leading institution for cello and double bass education, where students are not only trained in technical mastery but are also inspired to develop as well-rounded individuals. By embracing the Suzuki philosophy of learning with love and care, we aim to foster a community of passionate musicians who are committed to lifelong learning and cultural enrichment. We envision our students reaching their fullest potential through a collaborative, nurturing approach, with the Suzuki Method forming the heart of their musical journey. We aspire to create a supportive environment where students of all ages—from beginners to advanced—feel empowered, respected, and inspired to make music a central part of their lives.

Private Lessons

1. Parent/student can choose 45 minute to one-hour long lessons depending on your needs. We highly recommend 30-minute lessons for younger students (5 to 8 years old beginners). 

2. No make-up lessons are given for lessons missed by students for any reason. 
3. Student absences cannot be credited or refunded. Your lesson time is reserved exclusively for you. If you are not able to attend the lesson, you can send a video of your assignment and get feedback from the teacher, you can switch lesson with a student or you can have an online lesson via Zoom during your regular time. 
4. If you know you will miss a lesson, please call, email, or send a text ASAP to notify me. I will worry about your safety if you do not show up. 
5. One “sick day” (for students) and one “sick day” (for teacher) will be built into the schedule in case the student/teacher is ill or has an emergency, school event, concert, etc. Tuition for those weeks is not included in tuition fees. The teacher will not make up lessons when the “sick day” is taken. 
6. If the teacher must cancel a scheduled lesson other than the sick day per year, a makeup lesson will be offered. 
7. Students are required to attend group classes and perform during the studio recitals. What do we do in group lessons? We get to review music, have theory time, perform for our peers, etc. This will be  in-person as the circumstances permit. Group lessons will be on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. Please check the group class section and mark those dates in your personal calendar. 
8. A trial period of a month will be necessary before registering to the academy. The first trial lesson is free.

Group Classes

2nd Saturday in person 2:30 to 3:30 pm

4th Saturday in person 2:30 to 3:30 pm 

Location:  13186 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079

Sep. 13  & 27

Oct. 11 & 25

Nov. 8

Dec. 14 Community Concert at 12pm 

Jan. 10 & 24

Feb. 14 & 28

 Mar.  14 & 28

 Apr. 11 & 25

May 10th

Note: A beginner student must have at least a semester of private lessons before joining  group class. 

Spring Concert

TBA

Monthly Tuition

  1. Registration fee: $35 per student  for New Students 
  2. This year calendar has 37 weeks, tuition will be based on 35 weeks that are paid in 10 monthly equal instalments (August to May) 

30 minute - $170 per month

45 minute - $240 per month

60 minute - $300 per month

Studio Performances

  1. Community Concert on December  14th at 12pm 
  2. Spring Studio Recital – Date: TBA 
  3. Note: there will be a small recital fee to cover the pianist.

Payment

Payment can be done via Zelle (user: 6014476274) Venmo app (user: @Mayara-Velasquez), PayPal (user: maycella@hotmail.com) or online payment, you will be able to see the pay option in the invoice. 

Note: Invoices are sent on the 1st day of every month and payment is due between the 1st and 3rd day of the month. Please send tuition on time.

Termination of Lease

A 30-day written notice is required for students discontinuing lessons for any reason, no exceptions. The academy  retains the right to refuse Registration, as well as to dismiss students when it is deemed necessary. If a student is dismissed, the family is still responsible to finish out its financial commitments to the studio.

Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from lessons for any of the following:

  1. Inadequate practice in quality or quantity
  2. Excessive absences 
  3. Destruction or theft of teacher’s property
  4. Rude, disrespectful, or uncooperative attitude towards the teacher and/or other students
  5. Failure to pay tuition on time

Note: Parents will be responsible for the students from the moment the lesson is finished. The teacher will not be responsible for the student, even if the student is waiting for the parent to pick them up.

Studio Etiquette

Online

  1. We highly recommend having the lesson on a computer. 
  2. Take a few minutes before the lesson to set up everything. Please make sure we can clearly see your face and most of the instrument (preferably from the scroll to the bridge)
  3. Have a pencil, a notebook and anything you need for your lesson right next to you
  4. Have a METRONOME! 

In-person

  1. Plan to arrive on time for your scheduled lesson 
  2. Make sure your nails are short, it is the best way to play a string instrument
  3. Come prepare for your lesson, lesson time is not practice time 
  4. Materials: METRONOME and keep your music organized in a binder

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Teaching Days

Monday 4 to 8:00pm  

Tuesday 9:30 to 11:30am 

Wednesday 9:30 to 11:30am and 4 to 8pm 

Thursday 4:30 to 8:30pm (Bass Class) 

Friday 4:30 to 8:30pm (Bass Class) 

Saturday: 9:30am to 10:30am (Baby Suzuki Class) and 11am to 2:30pm (Cello Class) 

Sunday: 5 to 7pm

Contact

Mayara Velasquez

      Director, Cello and Baby Suzuki Class Instructor

      Email: Maycella@hotmail.com  or mayaranelsy87@gmail.com 

      

      Nataly Linares

      Assistant Director and Bass Instructor 

      Email: natalinares@gmail.com


      Lower Strings Academy’s email: 

      Thelowerstringsacademy@gmail.com