The below policies are in place to ensure lessons run smoothly and without conflict, for both teacher and student/parent(s). If you have any questions regarding the below, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Attendance Policy
Students must attend all scheduled lessons unless otherwise arranged.
If the student is unable to attend a lesson due to a school-related event (e.g. camp, excursion, exam), it is the responsibility of the student/parent to notify the teacher at least one week in advance.
If the student is unable to attend a lesson for any other reason, at least 24 hours’ notice is required.
If adequate notice of absence is not given (as outlined above), lesson fees will apply and no makeup lesson will be offered.
Cancellations/Rescheduling
When a lesson is cancelled with sufficient notice (see above attendance policy), this counts as an excused absence and payment is not required. For students paying up-front, a make up lesson will be offered, or a credit applied to the next payment period.
If the student arrives late to a lesson, the teacher is not obligated to extend the lesson beyond the normal ending time or to make up lost time at a later date.
If the teacher is late for a lesson, the ending time will be extended or missed time will be made up at a later date.
If the teacher cancels a lesson, the lesson will be rescheduled at no additional cost
When rescheduling due to an excused absence, alternative times will be offered by the teacher. If the student is unable to attend any of these times, payment for the missed lesson is forfeited.
Students are allowed a maximum of one (1) excused absence and subsequent makeup lesson per school term. Any additional absences result in forfeiting of the lesson fee and any makeup lesson(s) will incur an additional cost at the usual hourly rate.
All notification for absence from lessons must be via email or SMS text message. The teacher will reply to all communication – if you do not receive a response within 24 hours your message was not received.
Payment Policy
Lessons are offered weekly in sessions of 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 90 minutes, or 2 hours. Rates for 2019 can be viewed here. These rates are subject to change at the end of each calendar year. At least one month notice will be given for any changes to the fee structure.
Additional lessons outside the normal school term are offered – these must be paid for on the day of the lesson as per payment method (b) below.
If you anticipate payment being a problem, please contact the teacher in advance to discuss alternative payment plans.
Please note: all payments via cheque incur an additional 10% processing fee.
Please select one of the following payment options:
a. Upfront payment at the start of each term
An invoice will be sent to the email address nominated above at least 2 weeks prior to the start of each term.
Payment is due via electronic funds transfer in the first week of each term by 5pm Monday – the date will be confirmed in the email containing the invoice.
If you prefer to pay by cash or cheque, you must inform the teacher via email prior to the due date otherwise a late fee will apply (see below).
b. Payment in cash or by electronic funds transfer (EFT) after each lesson
Payment is required weekly at the lesson (cash) or on the day of the lesson (direct internet transfer).
Failure to pay within a week will incur a late fee (see below). This means cash can be brought at the following week’s lesson, but no later.
Additional Fees
Accompanist Fees
Payment is required upfront for rehearsals, exams and any other performances.
The hired accompanist is a professional musician who will not tolerate non-payment. If payment is not provided, the accompanist has a right to refuse to play.
*In the case of an AMEB exam, this will result in losing a grade for each unaccompanied piece – this makes it impossible to achieve a pass grade.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all rehearsals with an accompanist will incur an additional cost. The teacher will notify you of this fee prior to scheduling any rehearsals.
*It is the responsibility of the parent to make timely payment directly to the accompanist.
AMEB Exam Fees
Students are only entered for AMEB exams when all parties (teacher, parent(s) and student) feel prepared. Requests to enter students for AMEB exams must be made in writing via email.
- Once a request for entry is received, payment is required and no refunds will be given for change of mind. - The teacher will provide details of exam fees in writing via email to parents upon request.
In 2019, closing dates for examination entries are as follows:
i. Practical Session One – entries close March 4 Exams held 27 April – 15 June ii. Practical Session Two – entries close 8 July ***Period-to-period transfers for Session Two must be received by 24 June*** Exams held 31 August – 28 September iii. PLEASE NOTE: From 2015, all students will sit Theory of Music exams ONLINE.
If payment is not received by the teacher at least one week prior to the closing date, the AMEB imposed late fee of $60 will apply.
*Continued failure to make payment for a confirmed AMEB exam entry more than one week after the closing date for entries will incur an additional late fee (see below).
All practical exams (violin) will require an accompanist – please see above for details about accompanist fees.
Late Fees
Payments not received by the due date will incur a 10% late fee – NO EXCEPTIONS.
If you plan to pay via cash or cheque at the first lesson of term, the teacher must be informed in writing via email prior to the due date. Failure to do so will incur the late fee.
If payment is not received, one warning will be given. Teachers are unable to provide lessons for which payment has not been received.
There is a waitlist for new students – continued failure to make payment will result in discontinuation of lessons and forfeiting of your scheduled lesson time.
Performance Opportunities
From time to time, the teacher may offer the student the opportunity to perform in additional concerts throughout the year. Participation in these events is completely voluntary.
Once confirmation of participation is received, all fees are payable.
-Fees will be outlined to parents when first informed about the opportunity.
Decisions to withdraw from the event after original confirmation are not accepted and full payment is still required.
-No refunds will be made for students who decide not to participate after confirming.
These events will often require rehearsals with an accompanist. These will incur an additional charge as outlined above. Keep this in mind when confirming participation.
-The cost of hiring the accompanist on the day of the event will be included in the original participation fee.
Discontinuation of Tuition
A minimum of 4 WEEKS' notice is required if you wish to discontinue lessons for any reason. In lieu of sufficient notice, payment for 4 weeks of lessons from the date of notice is required.
