Studio Policies _____________________________________
Below are the policies by which I operate my music studio. When the studio is running smoothly that means my time, energy and attention are focused on giving all my students the equal attention they deserve.
REGISTRATION
Each year current students are given the opportunity to pre-register for Fall lessons and reserve a lesson time with a non-refundable registration fee and completed form.
New families may contact me by email or phone to schedule a complimentary consultation. I value the opportunity to meet with potential students to discuss questions that you and your child may have concerning music study. If you choose to study with me, you may reserve a time in my teaching schedule with a non-refundable registration fee. When you register for lessons you are making a commitment for the entire school year and you are agreeing to the following Studio Policies:
STUDENT AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITES
Students agree to arrive at each lesson punctually, well-prepared and with their assignment book and music. To make good progress, daily quality practice is necessary. I want you to completely understand every assignment; please ask questions. If something is happening at home or school that is affecting your child, please let me know so I can be sensitive to the needs of your child.
Instrument Requirements: All students (voice included) should have regular access to an acoustic piano or an 88 key modern digital piano with a weighted hammer action. The 61 key keyboards sold at most large retail stores are not satisfactory for the continued study of piano, though they will suffice for voice lessons if necessary. Acoustic piano should be kept in good working order and should be tuned at least once a year.
Metronomes are also required and are so attainable these days via smart phones , ipad / ipods , etc.
Email: Every family will ensure that they open and read studio emails to remain informed of any announcements or events in the studio.
My Music Staff: Families in the studio will need to set up a free account with "My Music Staff" in order to gain access to the following:
∙ Calendar
∙ Scheduling
∙ Invoices
PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS
If there is a lack of progress, there is probably a lack of practice! A student’s progress is determined by dedicated practice, not by simply attending lessons. Ideally students should practice at least 4-5 days a week, however I understand that there will be busy weeks when some practice sessions aren't able to be completed. Specific amounts of practice time are not assigned to each student. Instead, students should practice long enough to complete their weekly assignments.
The quality of practice time is more important than the quantity of practice time.
Parental Support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Students whose parents take an active role in their progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive. Create a quiet space where the student can practice, and schedule a time for practice each day. Parents of new students will be provided with useful information and tips in order to understand how to help the student practice effectively, and I encourage all parents to ask for these resources as needed.
LESSON PROCEDURES
Please arrive at least a few minutes prior to your lesson. Students are expected to bring all materials (assignment folders, music books, and otherwise) to every lesson.
♫ We LOVE Technology! ♫: Lessons will often incorporate the use of music apps or other theory websites. Students are encouraged to use these outside of lessons as well.
♥We LOVE Games!♥: Who doesn't?? Lessons will often incorporate the use of games to reinforce learning of musical concepts.
** Siblings who take lessons back-to-back are welcome to wait in the studio and silently read, draw, play on tablets, or work on homework during each other’s lessons. Please bring enough materials to stay occupied.
RECITALS AND GROUP LESSONS
Recitals offer students a great sense of accomplishment and pride for their hard work. They also help them learn the importance of setting and achieving goals. Students at Musical Discoveries Music Studio will be given the opportunity to participate in our recitals each year.
● 2022-2023 recitals are tentatively scheduled for Christmas and Spring
● Time and date of recitals will be announced in enough time for families to plan accordingly
● Participation in the recital is highly encouraged but never mandatory.
● Recitals will be planned for in person but may have to be structured differently due to any change in restrictions with Covid-19.
Group lessons will occur twice a semester, and will replace the normal private/partner lessons for that week. Students will be assigned to a group of 4-6 based on age, level and scheduling availability. Group lessons will be 60/75 minutes long. During these lessons, students will develop performance and ensemble skills, as well as practice theory, rhythm, and listening skills. For ease of scheduling, students will request day/time preference.
ATTENDANCE AND MISSED LESSONS
I run my studio at full capacity so if a student cancels a lesson, I am unable to make that lesson up. Any lesson/class that I have to cancel will be made up during a Flex week or at another mutually convenient time.
No payment credit or makeup lessons will be provided for students who miss lessons for any reason.
Try to select a lesson time in which you feel confident. Lesson times are standing appointments; a student’s lesson time is exclusively reserved for only them each week, and it is their responsibility to attend. Dance classes and sports teams do not offer reimbursements if you cannot attend a rehearsal or game – music lessons are no different. Because specific times are set aside for specific students, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. I will then use that time or other times to plan for the student’s progress, locate materials, record a video lesson, etc. Please be assured that your tuition pays for far more than the time spent with your child.
Please arrive at least a few minutes prior to your lesson. Remember, your payment reserves your time-slot; if you are late the end of the lesson cannot be adjusted. If you know in advance that you have a conflict with a group lesson, please contact the teacher for a schedule of alternate group lessons you may attend that week. Missed group lessons will not be made up.
Lesson Option for Illness, Scheduling Conflicts, and Inclement Weather:
∙ Zoom: Mildly sick? No way to get to lessons? This is a valuable way to keep your individual lesson time and avoid missing a lesson.
∙ Video Lesson: Scheduling conflict? Too sick to Zoom? I’ll record a short video lesson and send it to you within 48 hours, or the student may be asked to send a video of them playing their assignments to receive detailed teacher feedback and instruction.
∙ SWAP List: To help accommodate an occasional unavoidable change in students’ schedules, you can choose to be a part of the Swap List. Most parents receive only a few requests a year from someone who would like to switch lesson times. Please let me know if you have made a swap so I can plan accordingly. The Swap List is an option that works for private students only. Students enrolled in partner lessons/classes have the option of requesting arecorded video lesson, should they miss that week’s lesson.
HOLIDAYS / STUDIO BREAKS / TEACHER CANCELATIONS
Please Note that the studio is NOT closed on every stat holiday. Sometimes Monday students WILL have lessons on a day when there is no school. The studio is ALWAYS closed on:
∙ New Year’s Day
∙ Family Day
∙ March Break
∙ Good Friday
∙ Victoria Day
∙ Labour Day
∙ Thanksgiving weekend
∙ December 24-Jan 8 (tentative)
Additional Studio Breaks or days off may occur during holiday breaks or between semesters, and are always announced well in advance. The calendar is subject to change. If the Teacher Must Cancel Lessons (this happens very rarely), lessons will be made up during the Flex weeks that are built into the yearly calendar.
Studio breaks/closings: Additional studio breaks are announced on the studio calendar, which is accessible to students via the Student/Parent Portal login from this site.
TUITION PAYMENTS AND SCHEDULE
Tuition for the 2022-2023 school year includes 34 weeks of instruction for all Private and Partner lessons.
The Fall/Spring Semesters are based on a 10 month calendar (Sept - Jan/ Feb - June). Most studio breaks coincide with the school systems in this area, but some holidays (e.g. Easter Monday) are not observed and lessons will occur.
The Musical Discoveries Music Studio accepts Cheques, Cash, e-transfers and Credit Card (through My Music Staff). Invoices are sent out two weeks prior to payment dates . Tuition is due on the 1st of each month.
● You may choose to pay in Full, by Semester, or 10 equal monthly installments.
● $20 Late Fee for all payments received past the 10th of the month
● $30 Fee for all NSF Cheques
● Should something come up where you cannot financially fulfill your commitment to your lessons, advanced notice and open, ongoing communication is appreciated and encouraged!
Tuition holds your spot in the studio and covers not only the actual lesson time spent with the student, but time preparing for each student/class as well. This includes, but not limited to:
∙ An individualized and consistently updated plan for each student’s course of study
∙ Development of teaching materials
∙ Teacher training and experience
∙ Continuing Teacher Education
∙ Recital Preparation and repertoire planning
∙ Licensing and Certification Fees
∙ Piano tuning, warranties and maintenance
∙ Studio finances, sole-proprietorship taxes, and studio insurance
∙ Teaching Aides and Technology Investments in the studio
∙ Administrative duties so that I am able to better focus on each student
∙ Cleaning of the studio
Each student pays a yearly non-refundable registration fee that is due at Pre-Registration in June, or when they enroll (if after September). This covers the cost of Student Assignment Binders, group materials, studio lending books & games, incentives and student music. Tuition does not include additional event fees that will be required for festivals, examinations, and other performance events. These fees will automatically be added to your next invoice. Students should plan to commit to lessons for the full teaching year. If unforeseen circumstances require a student to terminate lessons mid-year, one month’s paid notice is required to end lessons.
Inquiries: For current tuition rates, please contact the Musical Discoveries Music Studio via email.
Noteworthy Information
Incentive Programs: Each year we adopt a studio wide incentive program sometimes in the form of a year-long game to encourage good practice habits. Stay tuned for other fun/motivational projects to come!
2022-2023 Calendar: The 2022-2023 Calendar includes 2 non-teaching weeks (excluding Christmas and March Break). These are two “Flex Weeks” which I may use at any time during the year. I will guarantee the said number of instruction weeks (see Tuition Payments and Schedule above) during the year, and will make up any lessons (more that these two weeks) which are missed because of me. Lessons canceled by students will not be made up.
At the Studio: Students are asked to arrive promptly, but to wait outside until the teacher invites you in. Remember, your tuition reserves your time-slot; so if you are late, the end of the lesson unfortunately cannot be adjusted. Please remind your children to develop the habit of clipping nails and washing hands before lesson time.
DISCONTINUATION OF LESSONS
The journey of music study is a lifelong pursuit and is full of ups and downs, which I have navigated many times. However, lessons are not always possible for a multitude of reasons. Whatever the reason, I will never take discontinuation of lessons personally. Remember: if you are unsatisfied with your lessons for any reason or if you are contemplating quitting lessons, please speak freely to me about your concerns.
Discontinuation of lessons requires a 1 month of paid notice – This gives us time to wrap up any current projects and discuss how the student can continue to follow their music goals. This also allows me the necessary time to fill that empty lesson slot so that I can avoid a loss in income. Thank you for your consideration.
Mutual respect is a key goal in our studio. As studio owner, I reserve the right to remove students from the schedule if they have poor attendance, poor practice habits, or if they repeatedly break any studio policies.
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/Text: This is the best way to contact me. If I receive work-related email/texts on Saturday or Sunday, I will get back to you on Monday morning. Should you email/text Monday to Friday evenings, I may not reply right away. I shall do my very best to respond within 24 hours.
Email: pianolady@live.ca Text: 519.732.6311. *Please do not text before 8:00am and after 9:00pm.
● Phone Calls: I do not take phone calls while I am teaching, after hours or on weekends. Please leave a message and I will get in touch with you at my earliest convenience. Phone: 519.732.6311
● Keeping in touch: I use email to send our studio information and newsletters from time to time. Emails and updates are also posted in the Student/Parent Portal of this website as well. Please make sure that I have a current email address.
Covid-19 Protocols:
Please do not send your child to lessons if they are contagious with a flu, virus, or are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19.
Below are the policies currently in place in the studio:
● Hand sanitizer is readily available
● Masks are available if you require one
● Good use of window ventilation weather permitting
● Food, gum, and non-water drinks are prohibited in the studio.
While all lessons are planned to be in person, in case of restriction changes, Zoom will be an option for all families. Please feel free to reach out with any further questions regarding any Covid-19 policies.