Covid Measures New

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, new measures have been put in place to protect family and students. Sanitizer will be placed on the table at the front entrance. All students and people entering the studio are expected to clean their hands using the sanitizer or wash their hands with soap in the washroom. Anyone failing to do so may be asked to stay outside. Additionally, all surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized before and after each student. Students and parents who are not comfortable coming to class may opt to take online lessons.

Lesson Cancellations and Make-ups

If your child needs to cancel their weekly lesson, please contact me at least 24 hours in advance. Lessons cancelled within 24 hours of the lesson must be rescheduled. The lesson fee will not be refunded.

Punctuality and Missed Lessons

If you forget to attend your weekly scheduled lesson, the lesson fee will not be refunded and no makeup will be given. Lessons will resume the following week. If you are late to your lesson, the lesson may be made up at the end of the lesson at the discretion of the teacher. Generally speaking, it is not fair to the following student to take up their lesson time, so the lesson will end as scheduled. Please plan accordingly to arrive on time.

Additional Policies

Absence

If you plan to be away for any length of time, please let me know as soon as possible in order to rework the lesson plan. Please report regular absences due to sickness or other reasons at least 24 hours in advance.

Termination of Lessons

If you wish to terminate lessons, please try to notify me four weeks in advance. Monthly lesson fees will not be refunded so any remaining lessons will be completed as scheduled. Please bring to my attention any concerns that arise rather than wait until they have passed.

Payment

Lessons should be paid by week or month by cash, cheque, or e-transfer. If paying by the month, please aim to pay on or before the second lesson of the month. Please keep track of any lesson credits that may carry over to subsequent months.

Materials

I will help order all required materials. You can reimburse me the cost during the lesson or as grouped with the month's lesson fees.

Student Progress

Student learning is monitored and assessed frequently. I will let you of any issues that arise during the lesson or of problems as related to preparation for upcoming exams or performances. In most cases, RCM exam results provide the clearest indicator of student performance (see RCM page for grading hierarachy). If at any point you are disatisfied with your child's progress, please let me know earlier rather than later. Students learn piano for a diverse number of reasons, each with their own unique goals and pacing, so there may be discrepancies in the structure.

Homework and Practice

Students are expected to practice a minimum of 5 days a week. There is no specific amount of practice time required as long as students complete the requisite homework outlined weekly in their practice books. As a rough gauge, students below level 6 should practice each song 5 times. Students level 7 and up should practice in sections, with specific goals in mind.

Curriculum

Unless otherwise specified, all students will begin with the Faber Piano Adventures Series and proceed until level 2A, 2B or 3A before progressing to the RCM curriculum. Please note that the levelling schemes do not coincide with each other. See the chart below for a rough comparison:

Faber Piano Adventures	RCM
Primer Level	[None]
Level 1	Preparatory A
Level 2A	Preparatory B
Level 2B	Level 1
Level 3A	Level 2
Level 3B	Level 3

Exams

RCM examinations set short- and long-term goals for students and measure a benchmark for their playing ability. Students will not normally need to take an exam for every level. A common exam order is: level 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, ARCT. Note that levels 7 and 8 are eligible for high school accreditation. For more details regarding RCM exams, please see the RCM page or rcmusic.ca

Parking

If you are dropping off, please use the driveway so as not to obstruct the road. If you are staying, please park on the right-most parking space (or left if there is a car occupying the right spot). Be aware that parking on the street during the winter may incur fines. Please park on the driveway to avoid obstructing the snow plows, thank you.

Referral Book Voucher

If you have referred any new students to me, please see the teacher to obtain a $40 book voucher for buying sheet music, music books, and other materials.

Recording

I have a Steinway A3 Studio Grand and a Yamaha U30B Upright Piano for recording. I can provide condenser mics if necessary or you may record with your own equipment/phone. Please contact me for rates. Recording during a lesson is free.

Renting Instruments

I have a Roland FP-7F available for short-term rent. Stand and bench are included.

Studio Gallery

Pictures Coming Soon.