Studio Policy

The Studio Policies

Studio Policies for 2018/2019

Please take some time to read over my Studio Policies. When the studio is running smoothly that means my time, energy and attention are focused on teaching your children.
REGISTRATION
Current students wishing to reserve their time slot now for the upcoming fall may do so by submitting a non-refundable $30 registration fee for each student. This guarantees your time choice and makes the administrative scheduling aspects on my end flow much smoother. 

New families may contact me by email 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 piano study. If you choose to study with me, you
may reserve a time in my teaching schedule with post­dated cheques for each month of the school year. When you register for lessons you are making a commitment for the entire school year and you are agreeing to the following studio policies:

PIANO & METRONOME

All students are required to have a piano at home for daily practicing. I recommend a tuned acoustic piano, although a digital piano with 88 weighted and “touch sensitive” keys plus proper foot pedals is acceptable for early levels. All students will need a working metronome.
TUITION PAYMENTS
Tuition varies with each calendar year and is based upon enrollment for 34 weeks(Monday students) or 36 weeks (Tuesday­/Wed/Thursday students) of instruction. The tuition fee for 2018/19 is as follows:

• ●  $27.50 for weekly 30 ­minute private lesson 
  
• ●  $41.25 for weekly 45 ­minute lesson 
  
• ●  $55 for weekly 60 minute lesson

Advanced students (grade 9-ARCT)

• $60/hour

• Tuition fees are due in September by post­dated cheques. You may choose to pay in 2, 4 or 10 equal installments. Cheques should be dated for the 1st of the month and made payable to “Blue Note School of Music” or Christy Kuettel.

NOTE: Pedagogy lesson fee is $65/hour

PRACTICE EXPECTATIONS
I expect children to be prepared for each lesson and to have made weekly progress on all parts of the written assignment. This requires a commitment to practicing the piano at home each day. Practice times will vary throughout the year depending on our goals and projects. As a guide, parents should ensure that children practice at least 5 days each week. Consistent daily practice is the key to long­term success.
Every student is different, but here is a guideline for the kind of practicing that achieves awesome results: 

• ●  Age 5-­7: 20 minutes daily
  
• ●  Age 8-­9: 30 minutes daily
  
• ●  Age 10-­13: 45-60 minutes daily
  
• ●  Age 14 and up: 60+ minutes daily
  

AT THE STUDIO
Students are expected to arrive on time with their books each week. They are welcome to come in without ringing the bell, but should take care when coming and going to not be disruptive to ongoing lessons. Please encourage your children to develop the habit of clipping nails and washing hands before lesson time. Students may wait in the hall briefly before or after lessons, but this is not an appropriate waiting area for extended periods of time.
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:

1. Rescheduling: I no longer guarantee rescheduling of lessons missed during the school year as it is far too taxing on my studio working schedule.  I will however offer a rescheduling service on my 'schedule page' to help students stay on track with progress. If there is a cancellation I will post that available time on my page. Parents should check the Lesson Schedule page to view current openings before contacting me. If there is a suitable time available, simply email your request to me. Rescheduling must take place within 5 days of the cancelled lesson (before or after), otherwise the lesson is forfeited. You may also swap lessons with another family as long as you let me know the specific dates of the swap.
2. Written Notice for Cancellations: Parents should give written notice by email or text if a lesson is going to be cancelled.  The more advance notice you give, the more you are helping other families find rescheduling solutions.  As a guide: vacation should receive 3-4 weeks notice; sports, appointments and special events 1-2 weeks; illness 1-3 days. No refund will be given in such cases.
3. Storm Days: If school is cancelled for a storm day, you may assume that lessons will take place as usual since the roads are generally clear by afternoon. Please use your own judgment and email if you feel very uncomfortable with transportation and check the website for rescheduling options. I make every effort to open up as many rescheduling options as possible when there are snow days. 
4. Holidays: The studio closes during some,   Important dates will be posted on this website. Holidays are unpaid therefore rescheduling is not offered.
5. 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.

TERMINATING LESSONS
1. I reserve the right to dismiss a student from my studio based upon repeated

cancellations, irregular attendance, inadequate preparation or late payment of

fees.

2. If a situation arises in which a family must discontinue lessons mid­year, I
   require written notice from the parent and one month of paid notice. The remaining tuition cheques will be returned. When you register for lessons, please be prepared to make the commitment from September through June as I am often unable to fill your reserved lesson time mid­year.
   
3. 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 the year with a positive sense of closure.
   

STAYING IN TOUCH

• ●  New this year: all families will be receiving a login to access my studio site where important dates, holidays, events will be located.  Parents can also view invoices, print them off for their own records etc. 
• The best way to contact me is by email or text.
  
• ●  If you need to speak with me, I can reached on my cell at 604.345.0885.  Please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
  
• ●  I do try to not take phone calls while I am teaching.
  
• ●  I will be using email to send out information that you will need from time to time, please make sure that I have a current email address for you.
  MULTI­MEDIA
  During lessons and performances the teacher may take photographs or video of students for use in the studio scrapbook, advertising materials, lesson demonstration and studio owned websites. Photos taken by the teacher or those shared with the teacher by other parents or students become the property of the studio and may be used at the discretion of the teacher. The studio follows online safety rules in this matter.