Studio policy of Dr. Eduard Teregulov

Effective from August 24, 2026

Mission Statement and Teaching Philosophy

Every student is unique and deserves to be embraced for their individuality. My mission is not just to teach cellists, but to foster individuals who will become a well-rounded member of our future society. As an educator, I aim to create a safe and supportive learning environment where each student feels seen, heard, and valued. By embracing each student's uniqueness, I can help them to reach their full potential and become confident, independent, and creative individuals.

My teaching philosophy is rooted in the idea that I will not have all the answers, but I will make every effort to give my students all the necessary tools to find those answers without my guidance in the future. In my method, I emphasize the importance of learning from your own body and understand how the laws of physics can be used to help us play effortlessly. We all have different bodies and different thought processes. I believe that embracing our natural movements not only allows us to play better and more efficiently but also promotes healthy habits and prevents performance-related injuries in the future.

Session and Scheduling

Dr. Teregulov offers lessons in three annual semesters: Fall, Spring, and Summer. The Fall and Spring contain 15 classes, while the Summer contains 8 classes. Weekly lessons will be scheduled on a regular basis for each semester based on mutual availability. Both weekdays and weekends are available and will be discussed with each student individually.

Schedule for the current academic year may be accessed here

Tuition

Current tuition rates for the academic year 2026-27 are listed below*:

·       $65 – 60-minute lessons

·       $50 – 45-minute lessons

·       $40 – 30-minute lessons

* Rates may be adjusted on a yearly basis with a notice in advance.

Students may pay tuition for a semester in full or may pay in monthly installments. The monthly installments are calculated on the tuition figure for the entire session and then divided by the number of months in the sessions - yielding an equal monthly installment amount, regardless of the number of classes or lessons received in a month. Tuition reserves a weekly lesson time in the studio schedule rather than paying for individual lessons. Current payment options: Cash*, Venmo, Zelle, and checks.

Students electing to pay in full must pay the total during the first week of the semester. Students electing to pay in installments must pay all installment payments on the first week of each month. In an instance of additional lessons, those can be paid on lesson-by-lesson basis.

Additional lessons may be provided upon request and matter to the instructor’s availability. All additional lessons will be charged at the current rates and must be paid in full at the end of each session.

*Cash discounts

Students who elect to pay in cash are eligible to receive a discount of $40 for fall and spring semesters, and $30 discount for the summer semester.

Student and Parents Expectations

Consistent practice is the foundation of musical growth. Students are expected to practice regularly throughout the semester and make steady progress on the assignments given during each lesson. While individual practice times will vary depending on age, experience, and goals, the following guidelines are recommended:

Beginning students: 20–30 minutes per day

Intermediate students: 30–45 minutes per day

Advanced high school students: 60–90 minutes per day

Learning a musical instrument is much like training for athletics. Consistent daily practice develops the physical and mental skills necessary for successful performances. Regular, focused practice is far more effective than occasional long practice sessions and helps students build confidence, healthy technique, and lasting musicianship. Students are expected to:

·       Arrive on time with their instrument, music, notebook, and a pencil.

·       Practice thoughtfully between lessons and come prepared to demonstrate progress.

·       Maintain their instrument in good playing condition, including replacing worn strings and rehairs as needed.

·       Treat their teacher, fellow students, and studio property with courtesy and respect.

·       Communicate openly about any questions, challenges, or discomfort experienced during lessons or practice.

Parents and guardians play an essential role in a student's musical development, particularly for younger musicians. Parents are encouraged to:

·       Help establish a consistent daily practice routine.

·       Ensure students arrive at lessons on time and prepared.

·       Encourage and support practice at home without creating unnecessary pressure.

·       Observe lessons for younger students whenever possible to better understand practice assignments and technical concepts.

·       Assist with communication regarding scheduling changes, illnesses, or other concerns.

The goal of this studio is not simply to develop skilled cellists, but to cultivate independent learners, disciplined musicians, and confident young people who enjoy making music throughout their lives.

Attendance, Make-up Lessons, and Cancellation Policy

Lessons will be held at a regular time each week throughout the semester. Some exceptions may be done due to scheduled events or activities by both student and teacher. A minimum of 24-hour notice will be necessary to request a make-up lesson (except in the case of illness, emergency, or natural disaster). If possible, I suggest taking advantage of the online lesson option instead of rescheduling (Zoom, FaceTime, etc.).

Since I am both full-time faculty and a concert performer, I will have engagements throughout the year that may disrupt my regular schedule from time to time. In that case, I will do my best to provide an advanced notice, and a make-up lesson will be arranged based on mutual availability. If the lesson time is missed due to late arrival of the student, the missed time will not be made up.

All make up lessons must be completed within the giving term and cannot be rolled over to the next semester.

Recital and Performance Opportunities

During the Fall and Spring semesters, students will be provided with formal performance opportunities. Performances are highly encouraged, but not required, for K-12 students. Students are responsible to hire a collaborative pianist if the performed work(s) require piano accompaniment and ensure the sufficient number of rehearsals. Students who missed 3 or more lessons per given semester, may be disqualified to participate in the studio recital.

For the performance students are expected to wear formal concert attire that is neat, modest, and appropriate for a public performance. Appropriate attire includes dress pants or a skirt or dress of an appropriate length, a collared shirt, blouse, sweater, or dress, along with dress shoes. Clothing should allow for comfortable movement while performing. Coordinated colors may be suggested for each individual performance by the instructor.

Additional fee of $20 will be charged on the month of the recital to cover the cost of renting the performance space, organizing the event, etc.

Physical Adjustments

During lessons, with student’s permission, I may use occasional physical adjustments to help students achieve more proper technique. These will include small hands-on corrections that alter the student’s hold of the bow, left-hand fingers, elbow height, head position, etc. If you are uncomfortable with having the teacher use physical touch during lessons, be sure to communicate this by letting me know during the onboarding process, “I am not comfortable with physical adjustments in (my/my child’s) lessons.”My studio is a space where I want you to feel comfortable and respected. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you feel uncomfortable during a lesson!‍

Lesson Recordings

Lessons may be video recorded by the instructor for safety and educational purposes. Recordings may be used to review teaching techniques, document student progress, and provide an additional measure of safety for both the student and instructor. All recordings will be stored securely on offline storage and may be retained for up to one year before being permanently deleted. Recordings will never be shared with third parties or publicly distributed without the prior written consent of the student or, in the case of a minor, the student's parent or legal guardian.

Policy Updates

Studio policies are subject to change as needed. Current students and families will be notified of any policy updates via email, and the most recent version of the studio policy will supersede all previous versions.