Scheduling, Tuition and Payment

Scheduling

Weekly private lessons are offered during the school year in 30, 45, or 60-minute sessions, depending on the student’s age and level. The teacher does not teach during the long weekends with statutory holidays, and during the school vacation weeks (Christmas – New Year, and Spring vacation in March). School Pro-D days have normal lesson schedule.

Flexible Scheduling

For students who cannot commit to a fixed time weekly schedule, prepaid blocks of five lessons may be arranged. These lessons can be scheduled on a weekly basis at times that work for both the instructor and the student.

Canceling and rescheduling lessons

Lessons are scheduled and invoiced at the start of the month. If the student needs to cancel a scheduled lesson, then the instructor will make every effort to find a new lesson time within a week of the originally scheduled lesson, though there is no guarantee that an alternate time will be available. Cancelled lessons cannot be rescheduled for more than a week after the original lesson date. Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice cannot be rescheduled. If a student is contagiously ill but feels well enough to play, having an online lesson is a viable option for that week.

Tuition and Payment

Payments are due on the first lesson of each month. Payments may be mailed (postmarked by the 1st), given to the teacher at the lesson, or e-transferred.

Summer Months

During the summer months, the students are still strongly encouraged to practice. Lessons will be offered around the student’s and teacher’s vacation times.

Discontinuing Lessons

Every student stops taking lessons at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent, and student so that lessons can cease with a positive sense of closure. For this reason, the teacher asks for one month notice prior to discontinuing lessons. However, the teacher respects the student’s right to end lessons at any time.

For Students

Practice and Instrument

Students are expected to practice most of the days of the week. Ideally the students will practice on an acoustic piano. Digital pianos are acceptable for beginner students. Acoustic pianos should be tuned at least once a year.

Materials

The student will be given an assignment notebook at their first lesson, which will be used to keep track of assigned pieces and practice suggestions/goals for each week. The teacher will obtain all needed books and materials for the student and the parents are expected to reimburse the teacher.

For Parents

Parent Participation

Parents are encouraged to be supportive and active participants in practice at home. Parents are also encouraged to attend and quietly observe lessons approximately once a month.

Studio Events

Each year, the studio schedules a number of exciting events for the students and their parents. Studio Recitals: Performing in a formal recital setting is an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their hard work and improvement over the year in the presence of their family and friends. The recitals are held in December and June each year. BCRMTA offers monthly Sunday recitals at which the students are encouraged to participate. The recitals are held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in North Vancouver.

RCM Examinations

Students are encouraged and welcome to participate in Royal Conservatory of Music theory examinations and/or performance evaluations.

Communication

The best ways to contact the teacher is via email (youliana at northshorepiano.ca) or text messages (604-338-6104), which will be promptly returned. The teacher always welcomes emails or text messages from students during the week if they have questions regarding their repertoire or other matters.