Swan's Music Studio

Studio Policy 2023/24  *Online lessons also now offered*

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Registration:

• $50 per student per year, September to June

• Non- refundable, should you decide not to keep your place, or terminate lessons at any point during the year, September to June

• this fee covers my admin to enter you into my system, the emails and communications involved, bookkeeping involved , for keeping your place with me in my studio, and for office expenses associated with your child entering into my studio, or staying in my studio.

• May be paid via etransfer; enrolment is not considered complete until the registration fee is received.

 

Schedule of Tuition, Fees and Payment Methods:

• An invoice for full tuition will be emailed on or before August 15.

• Tuition is due in full for the year, September 1.  Lessons will be suspended if this payment is late, until such time as payment is made. Any lessons missed for this reason will not be made up. Your spot may be filled with another family if more than than one lesson is missed for this reason. 

• You may pay in full; you may pay half plus fees Sept 1 and the balance postdated for January 1; you may pay in 10 postdated cheques due the first of each month, with September payment including the fees

• Fees/other classes:

• 1). Recital fee, $50/student/year. This covers all recitals offered through the studio each year (materials, planning, venue rentals, etc).

• 2). Group Class fee, $95/student/year. This covers 4 one hour classes per year (performance, history, composition, etc)

• 3). Voice students, $100/year accompanying fee

• 4). Theory class: Tuition is $36/class and includes all marking, extra work as needed and marking practise exams. Levels 5- 8 are offered, Wednesday evenings, 7:00- 7:30 pm.

• Studio Hours of teaching: Tuesdays, 1:00 pm- 9:00 pm; Wednesdays, 12:15 pm - 8:30 pm; Thursdays 1:30 pm- 9:00 pm. 

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• Beginner through RCM Grade 1: 30 minute lesson, $31

• RCM Grade 2- 4, 30 minutes private lesson, $31

• RCM Grades 5-6, 45 minutes private lesson, $46.50

• RCM Grades 7, 8, 60 minutes private lesson, $62

• Tuition will be raised incrementally each August 1.

 

About Tuition:

What you pay is tuition. Teaching is more than the time I spend with your student at the piano. Tuition covers time spent with students, preparation time, parent support, report cards, newsletters, emails, prizes and incentives, teacher training and experience, professional organization memberships, professional journals, piano tunings, property taxes, self-employment taxes, business insurance, business licenses, continuing education, certification costs, heat, light, office supplies, and more.

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Scheduled Lessons:

• Lesson times are reserved by me, in my day, for your student. There are no make up lessons or refunds for any missed lessons.

• If you know you will be away, you are welcome to let me know and I will assign extra work; you may also see if there is another family with the same length lesson that is willing to switch, just let me know if you do this.

• If lessons are cancelled by me for any reason, a makeup lesson will be provided.

• Should payment be late for tuition in September, lessons will be suspended until payment has been made in full. No exceptions. Should you miss a lesson from late payment, that lesson will not be made up, but will still be charged.

 

Termination of Lessons:

• Should you wish to withdraw from lessons at any time after September 1, you will be charged for the month following termination (as I now have to fill that time if possible) and the rest of your cheques returned, or refund for that balance if paid in full.

• Respect is integral to any interaction between me, parent and child. This studio reserves the right to let go of any family for lack of respect to myself, poor behaviour by parent or student, not making payments in a timely manner and/or not abiding by this studio policy. The same forfeit of one month’s lesson fees will apply should the Studio choose to terminate lessons for any of these reasons.

• The commitment to this studio is 10 months, September to June. Thank you for your consideration of my time and business!

 

Home, Studio, arriving/leaving, parking:

• Please be respectful of my home. Do not climb the stairs, open doors, climb on the rock wall, etc. Thank you! 

•  My studio includes the entry, Studio proper and the washroom. Please ensure your waiting children are quiet and courteous and remain in this area, or I will have to ask you to make other arrangements for them.

• Please do not arrive more than 5 minutes early for your lesson, and enter very quietly so as not to disturb lessons in progress. Please also be prompt and on time with pick up after the lessons. Thank you! 

• Please park in my driveway if at all possible. If not, one vehicle in the culdesac close to my driveway is acceptable, or down the street. This is in consideration for my neighbours. Thanks! 

 

Privacy :

Each family is required to sign a media waiver to allow me to post performances on YouTube; pictures on Facebook and this website or on any promotional material such as posters or flyers. Names are never used. Those that choose not to consent are not shown on any outside media owned by the studio (but may be in the newspaper or other community publication- not a studio outlet). Your information will not be given to anyone else in the studio without your consent (ie. swapping lesson times with someone else).

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Service I provide as Music Instructor:

I will provide a professional studio environment, free of distractions and conducive to music-making and learning. Online options are also available for snow days and sick days and for those living out of town. A good internet connection is required. I will teach students how to master their chosen instrument and how to effectively practice at home. I will do my part to help each student achieve their goals and be the best they can be; I will arrange many performance opportunities for my students including house recitals, Christmas recitals, Pre-festival recitals, festival, exams, group classes and encourage performance outside of lessons such as at school, church, etc. I will teach the individual and adjust my teaching approach to the needs, strengths and weaknesses of each student. I will provide other lessons to further music studies such as theory, music appreciation, composing, etc as I am able. I will communicate each month by email and provide recognition whenever a student accomplishes musical goals. I will provide a positive and fun atmosphere where good learning and beautiful music will be made!

 

 

Studio Expectations

The following are my Studio expectations for each family that chooses to take their music-making with me as we work together to create great musicians!

 

Parent Responsibilities:

• Please ensure you are on time for your child’s scheduled lessons, that they have used the washroom, their nails are clipped, washed their hands if necessary and/or gotten a drink before lessons begin and please enter quietly. Lessons will not be lengthened if you arrive late; your child will have the remainder of the lesson time that is left before the next student arrives or my break begins.

• Help your child find time daily for practise when they are not tired and free from distraction and noise.

• Five practises/week is expected.

• Sit down daily with your younger child and help them practise; sit down weekly with an older child and help them practise.

• Encourage practise in a positive way and praise their efforts sincerely.

• Provide your child with opportunities to perform; take your child to see live performances and listen to great music, including classical.

 

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Student Responsibilities:

• Each student is expected to practise a minimum of 5 times a week

• Please follow the assignments given. If this is followed in full a minimum of 5 times a week, progress will be made. Less than 5 practises makes slow to NO progress.

 

Studio Events:

• Christmas recital; house recitals in February, Formal Recital in June

• Royal Conservatory exams

• Pre- exam recitals

• Parent Orientation in September 

• Prepping older students to play at community events such as Remembrance Day, Carol Sing, funerals, etc

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