Safety
- Eugene Watanabe, Violin
- Shenae Akagi (Anderson), Violin
- Thomas Baron, Violin
- Dr. Blanka Bednarz, Violin
- Linda Duan, Violin
- Caroline Jorden, Violin
- Rebecca Goeckeritz, Violin
- Erika Hubbard, Violin
- Rachel Bower Karr, Violin
- Deborah Moench, Violin
- Rebecca Moench, Violin
- Dr. LeeAnn Morgan, Violin
- David Price, Violin
- Rachel Taft, Violin
- Monica Yardley Thiriot, Violin
- Abby Dreher, Viola
- Dr. LeeAnn Morgan, Viola
- John T. Posadas, Viola
- Katherine Baird, Cello
- Anne Francis Bayless, Cello
- Kevin Shumway, Cello
- Katherine Baird, Double Bass
- Andrew Keller, Double Bass
- David Yavornitzky, Double Bass
Safety Information & Resources
Gifted Music School is deeply committed to providing a respectful and welcoming environment for all of our students, parents, faculty, and staff. We have several policies in place to ensure that we maintain a healthy and inclusive learning atmosphere at Gifted Music School and we have designed this page to serve as a centralized resource for promoting all campus safety policies, procedures, and resources available to our community members.
If you have any feedback or suggestions for how we can improve this page or other campus safety policies and resources, please email us at info@giftedmusicschool.org.
Monetary Donation
Donations to Gifted Music School can be made at the school using Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or AMEX.
COVID-19 Information
As the school continues to monitor and respond to the pandemic, we ask our community to remain flexible and understanding that school activities and policies are subject to change as pandemic conditions evolve. Though not required, we strongly encourage mask-wearing on school property. This is in line with Health Department guidance to reduce the spread of COVID in schools.
To report a potential exposure, please use the online reporting form.
General Information
Contact Us
If you or someone you know has any safety concerns, the most important thing you can do is speak directly with a school administrator as soon as possible. If you are unable to approach an administrator in person, our main offices are located at the address below and you can use our main phone number to ask to speak with any available school administrator. If an administrator is not available, we recommend that you email your concerns using any of the contact information below (see “Report a Concern or Incident” for more specific contact information).
Report a Concern or Incident
It is the responsibility of all Gifted Music School community members to keep our school safe by reporting any and all incidents that affect campus security and inclusivity, including but not limited to: harassment, abuse, sexual misconduct, physical violence, discrimination, racism, bigotry, hate, theft, use of drugs and alcohol on campus, possession of weapons or other dangerous objects, facilities and maintenance issues, vandalism, academic dishonesty, violation of school policy, and other suspicious or hazardous activity.
Reporting Option #1) If you have witnessed or been a victim of any of the aforementioned offenses or have any other concerns pertaining to safety, security, and non-discrimination policies, we strongly urge you to speak directly to a school administrator:
Reporting Option #2) If you are uncomfortable or unable to report the incident directly with an administrator, or are unsure on which administrator to contact, you may use our online reporting form. Please note that while anonymous reports are accepted, they significantly limit the manner in which Gifted Music School can investigate and respond to the concern brought forward. Should you choose to file a report using the online form, it is strongly recommended that you leave all necessary contact information and provide as much detail in your report as possible.
Policies & Safety Tips
Getting to Gifted Music School Safely
Parents and students should always take personal responsibility for their safety, which is why students under the age of 18 years are not permitted to enter or leave any of our campuses without a parent or guardian. Parents/guardians should not wait outside or in their vehicle while their child enters or leaves the building.
School Closures
In rare instances, Gifted Music School’s administration may decide to close the building due to inclement weather or other emergencies. Example scenarios which might prompt an emergency school closure include inclement weather, road closures, flooding, power outages, public health crises, etc. In the event of an emergency, the school administration will make every effort to notify students, parents, faculty, and staff of building closures via email, phone, social media, website updates, and any other method available.
If the school remains open but you are unable or feel unsafe commuting to the school, we ask that you use your best judgment in determining how safe and practical it would be for you to arrive at the school. The safety of our students, parents, faculty, and staff always comes first. We do not guarantee makeup lessons for emergency school closings.
Parent Involvement
Gifted Music School requires each parent or guardian’s active involvement in every aspect of their student’s instruction—this not only enhances the student’s learning experience but also ensures the safety of each child. Parents/guardians are expected to:
- Be present at all private lessons (see Unaccompanied 15+ Policy exception directly below).
- Provide a supportive atmosphere for student practice in the home.
- Practice with students in the home.
- Refrain from cell phone usage, including texting and emailing, during lessons.
Unaccompanied 15+ Policy
Students taking private lessons through Gifted Music School who are 15+ years old may request to attend lessons without parent or guardian under the following conditions:
- A waiver (available through the Office of the Preparatory Director) must be signed by both parent/guardian and student before any such lessons occur. This waiver releases Gifted Music School’s administration and faculty of any liability.
- The parent/guardian is required to attend at least 2 lessons each semester. The instructor or administration reserves the right to withdraw this privilege if the student isn’t progressing.
- Ultimately, the faculty member has the authority to require the parent to be in attendance for each lesson.
Siblings
Gifted Music School understands that at times it is necessary to bring siblings to lessons. Please note that children not in a lesson must stay with the family. Children may not be left unattended in any area of the school or under the supervision of any Gifted Music School faculty or staff.
If a sibling becomes disruptive, prohibiting the effectiveness of the lesson, faculty has the right to conclude the lesson early. If this occurs, please make arrangements to have only enrolled children attend lessons.
Use of Touch Policy
Similar to dance instruction and athletic training, high-quality music education almost invariably relies on the use of physical contact between students and instructors. Singing and playing musical instruments are highly physical activities—consequently, improper posture or other physical techniques (bow hold, instrument hold, breathing, closed diaphragm, etc.) can lead to conditions such as tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and other injuries related to the back, neck, shoulders, and vocal cords.
The use of touch allows our faculty to identify points of tension, correct improper posture and bad habits, steer or direct students, demonstrate instrument-specific physical concepts (e.g. bow and weight distribution, etc.), and help students gain a sense of body awareness and control over the various fine and gross motor skills related to their voice or instrument.
The terms of Gifted Music School’s Use of Touch Policy are as follows:
- In masterclass settings, teachers will always ask permission to touch a student in advance, but in weekly class and lesson formats, parents and students are required to sign and review the consent form on the school’s policies and procedures document annually.
- Once consent is given, our faculty are not obligated to warn the student or parent in advance of each instance of physical contact—it will be assumed that consent for physical contact in lessons is granted until the parent or student expresses otherwise.
- Parents and students who feel uncomfortable with the use of touch in specific instances must communicate this with the faculty member. And parents who wish to permanently revoke consent for the use of touch need to communicate with the faculty member and school administration.
- A parent or guardian must always be present when an instructor makes physical contact with the student.
- Physical contact is typically limited to the student’s arms, back, hands, shoulders, and wrists.
- Physical contact will never be used harmfully, inappropriately, or without consent.
- Harassment of any kind is not tolerated and should be reported to a school administrator immediately.
All parents and students consent to allow Gifted Music School’s faculty to make use of touch and physical contact in private lessons, as delineated above. It is the responsibility of parents and students to communicate with the faculty member in advance of a lesson or class if they wish to revoke consent for the use of touch.
Harassment & Bullying
Gifted Music School does not tolerate any form of violence, bullying, abuse, or harassment. Individuals who experience or witness any form of bullying (including online harassment) from another student, parent, or staff member should report the incident immediately (see ‘Report a Concern or Incident’ section for details).
Violence and fighting are unacceptable and may result in immediate dismissal. Faculty, staff, parents and students are expected to treat one another with courtesy and mutual respect. We maintain a professional, supportive atmosphere to encourage learning and growth.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Gifted Music School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or religious belief in its admission, retention, financial aid, scholarship, audition, faculty assignment, or any other educational policies.
Misconduct & Dishonesty
Dedication, self-discipline, honesty, and integrity are hallmarks of our students, and Gifted Music School does not tolerate any form of dishonesty or misconduct. This includes, but is not limited to, lying, cheating, theft, and plagiarism.
Prohibited Items
The following items are not permitted on or near any Gifted Music School property or event: tobacco, alcohol, drugs, e-cigarettes, knives or other weapons (including toy or imitation weapons), matches and lighters, fireworks and other explosives, and aerosol sprays.
Items determined to be disruptive, offensive, or hazardous which are not listed above will be addressed on an individual basis by the faculty and school administration. Gifted Music School reserves the right to temporarily confiscate any item which jeopardizes the safety of our students and/or is found to be disruptive to other students or classes in session. All confiscated items will be held in the Gifted Music School administrative office and can be picked up by a parent or guardian at the conclusion of the class, lesson, or rehearsal.
Smoking, Drug, and Alcohol Policy
The possession, distribution, sale, and use of cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol on or near any Gifted Music School property or event is strictly prohibited. Violations of this policy are grounds for immediate dismissal.
Carrying Valuables on Campus
We recommend that students not bring money or unnecessary personal valuables to the school as they can be easily lost or damaged.
Security
Gifted Music School has video cameras in the teaching studios and a building monitor stationed during regular business hours to ensure the security of our students and faculty. Additionally, we ask that all parents, students, faculty, and staff be aware of the following security policies:
Visitors
With the exception of events advertised as “open to the public” (e.g. recitals, masterclasses, workshops, concerts, lectures, receptions, etc.), all Gifted Music School lessons, classes, rehearsals, and other private school activities are closed to the public. Visitors are not permitted on any property owned or shared by Gifted Music School without the express permission of a member of the management staff.
Parking
Parking facilities in the garage are reserved for faculty and staff during working hours. Students and guests can find curbside parking in front and to the side of the building. Gifted Music School is not responsible for loss, damage or theft of your vehicle; therefore, we suggest that you lock your doors and not leave any valuables in your car.
Missing Student Procedure
Any student, parent, or faculty member who believes that a Gifted Music School student is missing should notify a staff member immediately. If a child is believed to be missing, the school may attempt to contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) via phone, email, text, social media or any other means to reach the student.
Personal Property
Gifted Music School is not responsible for the loss of, or damage to personal property; however, we recommend that parents and/or students check the lost-and-found regularly if any items are found missing. Personal items should not be left unattended; this includes musical instruments.
Pets
Pets are not permitted in any property owned or shared by Gifted Music School; however, students, parents, or staff members with medical certification for the possession of a service animal may petition for an exception to this policy by providing supporting documentation to the school’s administration.
