violadad

Insofar as accessability, weekly lessons, studio classes are such an integral part of the performance major's curriculum, it makes sense that you would want contact with the instructor to be regular.

A lot depends on the specific school and faculty, and how the programs are structured. At certain schools, there may be a grad assistant or teaching assistant that will handle the studio, and some lessons in lieu of the named instructor. Instructor's own performing, visiting masterclass schedule may cause periodic absences and rescheduled lessons.

If you are applying to study with Artist X, it's reasonable to assume that X is actually providing the instruction, but it may not be the case.

Some info can be gleaned from current course catalogs, class schedules (many if not most are online accessible), but a direct approach is to ask the questions when visting, taking trial lessons, talking with current students. If it's an issue that needs to be clarified now in order to reach an actual deision for committment, call or email the instructor (or if need be the department chair) for background, clarification.