Dear Parents,

Please take a moment to read this through and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’m looking forward to working with your son/daughter in the coming months and wish them all the best for a successful, productive, and fun year!

Thank you in advance,

Caitlin 

2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR

IMPORTANT DATES:

Week of September 11-15, 2023 - lessons begin (SECOND week of school)

Weeks of December 25, 2023 to January 5, 2024 - NO LESSONS (Christmas Break)

Week of March 11 to 15, 2024 - NO LESSONS (March Break)

Week of May 6 to 10, 2024 - NO LESSONS (Midland Music Festival - Piano Week)

Week of June 10 to 14, 2024 - last week of lessons

TUITION:

ENROLLMENT FOR THE YEAR:

Tuition is calculated for the year, but divided equally over 10 monthly payments.  (36 lessons in a year)

Payment is made monthly in advance, and can be sent via e-transfer to gracenotes.caitlingervais@gmail.com (no secret question required).

You will receive an automatically generated invoice a few days before payment is due on the 1st of each month.

For students with 30 minute weekly lessons (beginner to RCM Grade 2):
$1000 for the year ($100 per month)

For students with 45 minute weekly lessons (RCM Grade 3 to RCM Grade 4):
$1500 for the year ($150 per month)

For students with 60 minute weekly lessons (RCM Grade 5 and up):
$2000 for the year ($200 per month)

When a lesson falls on a statutory holiday, lessons are cancelled and you will see a single lesson credit posted to your account for that day.  This credit will reduce your invoice.

New students beginning mid-year will start lessons at the beginning of a month.  If a student withdraws from lessons part way through the month, there will be no refunds any portion of that month already paid for, but they are welcome to continue their lessons until the end of the month.

PAY-AS-YOU-GO:

Bi-weekly lessons, occasional lessons and trial lessons are available at a rate of $30 per half hour and based on teacher availability. 

LATE PAYMENT POLICY: 

Lesson fees are billed in advance of each month.  Invoices will automatically be sent by email a few days before the start of a new month.  Payment for the upcoming month is due by the 1st day of that month (i.e. fees for March are due March 1st). If payment is not received, an automatic invoice reminder will be generated on the 8th. If no payment is received by the 15th of the month, an auto-generated late payment fee of $10 will be added to the following month's invoice. To avoid any late fees, a handy option is to set up a recurring e-transfer for the 1st of each month.

ATTENDANCE:                                        

Other than special circumstances such as prolonged illnesses/injury or severe winter storms, all absences will result in a forfeited lesson, even with advanced notice. Unfortunately I'm not able to rearrange lessons if something comes up for you, or because of vacations, other activities etc.  My time is reserved specifically for each student and I can't easily fill their spot with someone else.  Additionally, the studio is currently fully booked and I have two busy teenagers of my own so there just isn't any wiggle room in my schedule for rescheduling. 

These policies are in accordance with the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association policies, and as a member of ORMTA, I am required to adhere to. However, if you need a permanent lesson day/time change because your current time slot is no longer working for you, please don't hesitate to let me know. I will do my very best to find a spot that works better for you for future lessons. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Below is the copy of the official Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association's Music Studio Policy. (Please note that no. 7 refers only to registered performances like exams and music festivals.)

An interesting article, that helps explain lesson attendance policy:

http://ottawasuzukistrings.ca/makeuplessons?goback=.gde_1798069_member_141460975

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL FOR PRIVATE MUSIC INSTRUCTION:

The Education Act of the Government of Ontario provides the opportunity for students in Ontario schools to receive music instruction, often by a private music teacher and to be excused from attendance at school. In Chapter E2, Part 11, Statute 21.2(e) of the Education Act Revised Statutes of Ontario, it states: "School attendance may be excused when the child is absent from school for the purpose of receiving instruction in music and the period of absence does not exceed one-half day in any week." (Government of Ontario, 1990, p. 36)

SEVERE WINTER WEATHER POLICY:

When the roads are unsafe to travel, please don't risk your safety for a piano lesson.  We have a couple of options: we can meet on Zoom for our lesson at our usual lesson time (assuming it's a snow day and the student is at home), or I can move their lesson to Friday of that week at their usual lesson time.

ZOOM LESSONS:

In the event of winter weather that's unsafe for travelling, if a student is quarantined, or they are sick but feeling well enough to have an online lesson from home, I do offer remote lessons via Zoom at your student's usual lesson time.  Please be sure to contact me first thing in the morning so I have a heads up and can plan accordingly.

KEYBOARD vs. PIANO POLICY:

Having a proper instrument for practicing on is 'key' to a student's success. (Pun most definitely intended.) Purchasing a proper piano as opposed to a keyboard can be an expensive investment, but it will certainly lead to better results. A student who practices on an acoustic piano or a good quality digital piano will be a more successful student as pianos don't have the limitations that keyboards do. Although I will accept beginner students with keyboards, their keyboard needs to meet the following criteria:

1. It must be touch sensitive (able to control volume of sound by how hard the keys are pressed)
2. be polyphonic (able to sound more than one note/key at a time) 
3. a minimum of 76 keys (88 is better) with white key width of 2.3cm
4. preferably be weighted keys (simulates the action of keys on an acoustic piano, rather than the feel of pressing buttons)
5. must have a pedal which can usually be purchased separately

PRACTICE:

To move along at a good pace, it is my hope that students aim to practice a minimum of 5 days a week.  (The amount if time each day is dependent on the student's level and ability.) But, I also understand that in this day and age, families are busier than ever.  So I ask that parents and students work together to do their best as far as practicing goes, and that everyone understands that the more practicing that is done each week, the faster they will move along and vice versa.  My goal is to make piano lessons a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone, and not for it to cause stress in your homes.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS:

Post-pandemic, I will continue to keep the studio sanitary to the best of my ability.  Please be aware of the following protocols:

• All students should use the hand sanitizer provided or wash their hands well with soap when they arrive.
• If you have a mild illness, wearing a mask is no longer mandated, but very much appreciated.  Alternatively, we can arrange for a Zoom lesson at your regular lesson time.
• If you have Covid-19 or any other serious illness, please stay home.  If you are feeling up to it, we can arrange for a Zoom lesson.

These policies are subject to change based on current government mandates.