Bellevue Academy of Arts & Music » Current Students » Student Guide

Student Guide

Recommended Practice Table

 
LEVELAGESDAILY MINIMUMDAILY INTENSIVE
Young Beginnerages 4 to 610 minutes30 minutes +
Beginnerages 7 to 1020 minutes45 minutes +
Grades 1 to 3ages 6 to 1220 minutes45 minutes +
Grades 4 to 6ages 7 to 1330 minutes60 minutes +
Grade 7 to 8ages 8 to 1540 minutes90 minutes +
Grade 9 to 10ages 8 to 1750 minutes120 minutes +
A.R.C.T.all ages60 minutes4 to 6 hours +
Adultsages 18 +30 minutes60 minutes +

Practice Requirement

Mastering the piano works best when there is a good amount of dedication to practice. Students should keep a daily minimum practice session at home in order to maintain their progress. Without such commitment, students may be recommended to withdraw from the participating program.

Recommended Lesson Duration

Depending on the level and age of the student, a certain amount of time is needed to fully cover music in detail in each lesson. The studio may refuse to teach a student without a proper time allowance as recommended based on the assessment.

Lesson Components

A weekly lesson is composed of several parts: technique, musicianship, performance, and theory. Musicianship includes ear training and sight reading exercises and the basic theory concurrent to the performance level. A theory course is required for students entering RCM grade 5 or higher. Without accomplishing the above areas, a lesson may not be as efficient, resulting in below expectations.

Course Dedication

A student is expected to demonstrate a good amount of dedication to learning music as he would in other subjects. Therefore, managing one’s extracurricular activities to best fit his capacity is crucial. This will allow a student to show commitment to practice and focus on weekly lessons.

The Process of Learning a New Music

A well-established student should not need a constant assistance from the teacher when learning a new music. A student must be able to read and play a new song on his own and come to each lesson prepared. If a new music has not been pronounced within 2 – 4 weeks, a student may be asked to leave until he has learned all the notes. Sight readings and technical exercises are important skills that should not be looked over. In the beginning, a student will learn different techniques for dealing with a new song. Each student should be able to apply certain skills gradually by himself after series of lessons.

 

 

Yearly Assessment

At the end of each semester, there is a period of assessment for students enrolled at Bellevue Piano Studio. This is to maintain a high quality of performance level and to provide with structured achievement goal for an individual student. The assessment is composed of different parts, and a student is expected to perform at least 70% to be able to continue the education with the studio.

 

Assessment Test Components:

 

1. Performance Jury (50%)

  • Held during the student recital for each term
  • Minimum of 2 teachers grading with comments
  • Success of clean performance, depth, and understanding of music
  • Memorization
  • For students who cannot attend the recital, a private jury will be conducted

 

2. Weekly Report (20%)

  • Mark of 0 for unexcused missed lesson
  • Grading specific to the guideline written in the chart
  • mark varying from 30/30 to 50/50 each week

 

3. Masterclass Participation (10%)

  • Minimum of 1 per quarter

 

4. Theory & Music Appreciation Knowledge (10%)

  • A general exam will be held during the lesson
  • Appropriate level of ear training
  • Sight reading
  • Note reading skill
  • Music analysis skill
  • Understanding and/or completion of theory requirements

 

5. Behavioral (10%)

  • In consideration of student’s interest in music
  • Enthusiasm
  • Proper attitude
  • Parent’s support and participation
  • Individual talent and potential

 

6. Bonus (1% – 5%)

  • Royal Conservatory of Music Achievement
  • 1% for participation
  • 2% for pass
  • 3% for honors
  • 4% for first class honors
  • 5% for first class honors with distinction
  • Other festival/recital participation
  • 2% each
  • Attend local concerts: proof required such as writing a short article
  • 1% each

 

Explanation of marks

  • 70% and above: may continue with the studio for the following semester
  • 60% – 69%: may continue with general advising. if repeated for 2 consecutive semesters, you need to wait 1 semester before you can re-enroll for the following semester
  • 50% – 59%: may re-enroll after 1semester, may be recommended for a teacher transfer
  • 49% and under: an official letter of termination will be sent. cannot re-enroll for two years