Please take the time to read my studio policies. When the studio is running smoothly, it my time, energy and attention are focused on the students.

Registration

New families may contact me by e-mail to schedule a complimentary consultation. I value the opportunity to meet with potential students to discuss questions that they, or their parent, may have concerning piano lessons. If you choose to study with me, you may reserve a time in my teaching schedule with a non-refundable registration fee of $40. When you register for lessons, you are agreeing to the following Studio Policies:

Piano & Metronome

All students need to have a piano at home for daily practicing. I recommend a tuned acoustic piano, however a digital piano with 88 weighted and “touch sensitive” keys, plus proper foot pedals, is acceptable. All students will need a metronome.

Tuition

Tuition charged monthly on the understanding that most months have four weeks, but some have three and others have five. Monthly tuition is $88/month if paid monthly, with a $1/month reduction in tuition if paid in bulk, to a maximum of $6/month reduction. Lessons are 30 minutes in duration.

Tuition is due by the first class of each month. Post-dated cheques should be dated for the 1st of the month.

Practice Expectations

Students need to prepare for each lesson by making weekly progress on all parts of the written assignment. This requires a commitment to practicing the piano at home each day. Parents should ensure that children practice at least 3-5 days each week as consistency is the key to long-term success. For young students, a practice time of 5-15 minutes per session is recommended. Practice for Wunderkeys students may not always involve the piano.

At the Studio

I expect students to arrive on time with their books each week. Students are welcome to come in without knocking. Students may wait near the coat area briefly before or after lessons, but this is not an appropriate waiting area for extended periods of time. When two children in the same family take private lessons, I request that parents drop off only one child at a time. Parents should always watch to see that children are safely inside the door before driving away.

Lesson Cancellations

My preference is to maintain consistent instruction with your children to keep progress and motivation on track. However, I run my studio at full capacity so if a lesson is cancelled, rescheduling is not always possible. These are my policies regarding lesson cancellations:

Rescheduling: At this time, I cannot offer rescheduling.

Written Notice for Cancellations: A parent or adult student should give written notice by email if a lesson is going to be cancelled. Please do not pass this task onto your children during lesson valuable lesson time. As a guide: vacations should receive 3-4 weeks notice; sports, appointments and special events 1-2 weeks; illness 1-3 days if possible.

Lesson Cancellations

Storm Days: If school is cancelled for a snow day, you may assume that lessons will also be cancelled.

Holidays: The studio closes during some, but not all holidays. Important dates will be posted on our page. Holidays are unpaid therefore rescheduling is not offered.

Illness: Please do not send children to piano lessons if they are contagious with a flu or virus. I very rarely take a sick day so I appreciate your consideration in helping me run a healthy studio.

Ending Lessons

All students stop taking lessons at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent and student so we can complete lessons with a positive sense of closure. If a situation arises in which a family must discontinue lessons mid-year (for example: moving), I require written notice from the parent and one month of paid notice. If there is a problem at any time, please talk to me so I can help make necessary changes. The journey of studying music is full of ups and downs, and I have navigated this path many times. Please keep me in the conversation and let’s enjoy the journey from beginning to end.

Multi-media

I occasionally take photographs or video of students during lessons and performances for use in the studio scrapbook, advertising materials, lesson demonstration and Facebook. My studio celebrates all that technology and multi-media have to offer, keeping piano lessons relevant and engaging to students. Any material that I post publicly highlights student accomplishments, but if ever there is an image or video that you wish to have removed, I will respectfully do so. It is so much fun to be able to look back at these files with your children from time to time.

Staying in Touch

Please keep in mind that running a home-based business comes with necessary boundaries. You can help by following these simple requests:

Email: This is the best way to contact me. If I receive work-related email on Saturday or Sunday, I will get back to you on Monday morning.

Phone: I do not take phone calls while I am teaching, after hours or on weekends. Please leave a message and I will return your call within 24 hours.

Keeping in touch: I use email to send out studio information and newsletters from time to time, please make sure that I have a current email address. By registering for lessons you are indicating your agreement to have these emails sent to you.