STUDIO POLICY 2024-2025
Summer Semester: July 1st, 2024 - August 31st, 2024 (9 lessons)
Fall Semester: September 3rd, 2024 to December 21st, 2024 (16 lessons)
Spring Semester: January 6th, 2025, to June 28th, 2025 (two weeks of vacation during spring break,
March 17th-30th, 2025) (23 lessons)
Attendance
Lessons missed by the student will only be made up if a family emergency or the flu/illness extends beyond a single lesson. Your lesson fee reserves your weekly time slot, which I hold exclusively for you for the entire school year.
Lessons the teacher misses will be made up at a mutually convenient time. They may be completed in person, via an online platform by Clinton Giovanni Denoni or by a substitute teacher at the teacher's discretion. If a student wishes to discontinue lessons, two months' notice is required. Otherwise, the next two months' tuition will be forfeited.
Lesson Swap and Purchase Policy
If you’re unable to attend a lesson due to illness or an appointment, we encourage you to arrange a swap with another student. Our online schedule shows all student lesson times, allowing you to easily see available spots. Contact details are provided so you can reach out directly to swap or even “buy” a lesson from another student if an extra time slot is available. This system helps keep the schedule flexible and ensures everyone gets the most from their lesson time!
Summer lessons
I recommend six or more lessons during the nine weeks of summer so that musical progress continues.
Payment
$100.00 / hour (may vary depending on teacher)
Post-dated cheques (dated the first of each month) are required for both the fall and spring semesters to reserve your lesson time. From September-June, there are a total of thirty-nine lessons. Following the above-listed calendar, this averages four lessons per month except for one month, which will only be three lessons. Post-dated cheques are required to reserve your piano lesson time for the 2024/25 school year by June 15th, 2024.
Practice Expectations (minimum expectations)
Beginner: two practice sessions of 10 to 15 minutes daily
Grade 1 to Grade 2: 35 minutes daily
Grade 3 to Grade 6: 45 minutes daily
Grade 7 to Grade 8: 60 minutes daily
Grade 9 and Grade 10: 1.5 hours daily
A.R.C.T.: 2 hours daily
Practice Buddy/Teacher
If you need encouragement or are having difficulty practicing, I strongly encourage you to have a practice buddy. A practice buddy is a friend approximately the same age and level that you message on a daily basis, keeping you accountable to your practice goals. If this interests you, please get in touch with me. If your child is having difficulty practicing and needs daily help, please let me know, and I will find a practice teacher for them. If you are an advanced student and are looking to be a practice teacher, please contact me, as this is a paid position.
Exams
I encourage all students to take Royal Conservatory of Music exams. With your support, we will devise a timeline for each student so that they can accomplish their exam goals.
Festivals
I also recommend that students participate in various competitions throughout Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, including the British Columbia Conservatory of Music Festival (July), The Kiwanis Festival (April), The K.P.U. International Music Festival (April) and The Chilliwack Music Festival (March). I do my best to ensure that each student is prepared to perform and compete at the level they are working at each year.
Masterclasses
Each school year, we are thrilled to offer two exclusive masterclasses, bringing world-renowned pianists to inspire and guide our students. The first series features Dr. Matthew Ming Li on December 1st, followed by Ian Parker on December 5th, 2024. The second masterclass will take place in April 2025, led by the exceptional Shoko Inoue and Colleen Denoni. These transformative sessions are incredible opportunities for students to grow in artistry and skill. If you’re interested in participating, please inquire for more details!
Performance Classes
Performance classes will be held monthly. These classes provide opportunities for students to practice performing. I recommend that each student perform in as many of these as possible to encourage performance competence.
Concerts
We’re excited to announce our studio concert dates! The first recital will be held on December 22nd, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Pyatt Hall at the VSO School of Music, with another year-end concert on June 22nd, 2025, at the same time and place.
To further encourage musical growth, each student is also required to attend at least two classical music concerts per school year, excluding our end-of-year studio concert. We look forward to celebrating your musical achievements!
Signature:
By signing, you agree to the terms of this policy, including practice and concert attendance expectations.