The 2023-24 School Year

  • The studio opens on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023
  • The studio is closed during the Christmas break, consistent with Coquitlam School District 43’s holidays and for two weeks during Spring break in March, 2024
  • The studio remains open on ALL statutory holidays.

Coming to the Studio

  • Street parking is available anywhere near our house, and if dropping your child off (for older students), you may use our driveway. DO NOT turn around in any of our neighbours’ driveways. There is a cul-de-sac at the top of our street to facilitate a safe and easy turnaround. 
  •  Entry to the studio is through the lower carport door. Please remove your shoes upon entering. NO BARE FEET.
  • Sanitize your hands with my gentle alcohol spray before entering the studio.
  • Parental Attendance: Younger siblings are welcome to wait with parents, as I have toys and games available in the waiting room, but please be respectful and reasonably quiet. I prefer that parents of children under 8 are present for the duration of the lesson.
  • Only water bottles are permitted in the studio, NO FOOD PLEASE.

Tuition

  •  Fees are payable by post-dated cheque or e-transfer, to be submitted as follows:
    • September through January inclusive – submit at the first September lesson;
    • February through June inclusive – submit at the last January lesson
  • Monthly or entire semester payments may also be paid via e-transfer

Missed Lessons

  1. I will make up one lesson per term (Sept-Jan/Feb-June), regardless of the reason for the absence. Any further absences will result in forfeited lessons at the student’s expense.
  2. Make-up lessons will ONLY TAKE PLACE virtually (via Zoom or Google Meet)
  3. Lessons cancelled by the teacher will be made up at a mutually agreed upon time. If this cannot be arranged, an adjustment will be made on the bill for the next term.
  4. If a student decides to terminate lessons, there must be a one-month notification prior to the date of termination.

Required Materials

  • A BINDER All students require a hardcover 3-ring binder (½ ” or 1” only). **No duotangs, soft covers, or poor-quality binders, please.
  • A METRONOME (available for purchase at TOM LEE MUSIC or LONG & MCQUADE). I have also had success with several quality Metronome Apps for the iphone/ipod.
  • A RECORDING DEVICE Students are required to bring an audio recorder to every lesson. I am also willing to send audio clips home if students forget their device. By listening to recordings of their lesson and/or their pieces, students learn to be objective and highly sensitive to the subtleties of dynamics and tempo, while parents of younger students often benefit from recording specific parts of the lesson to playback at home when practicing with their child.
  • REPERTOIRE & THEORY BOOKS I will suggest appropriate books for students at the start of the school year. The average cost of books per calendar year ranges from $20 for beginners to $75 for advanced students.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to come on-time, and prepared to lessons having practiced and with all necessary materials. Practice expectations are as follows:

  • Beginner/under age of 6, must practice 10-15 min/day
  • Playing for 1-4 years, must practice 25-35 min/day
  • RCM Levels 5-8, must practice 60 min/day
  • RCM Levels 9, must practice 45 min TWICE daily