Pianoanne Logo

Studio Policies

Please take some time to read over the following Studio Policies. When things are running smoothly that means my time, energy and attention are going into teaching your children.

Registration

New families may contact me by phone or email to schedule a 30-minute no-obligation consultation. I appreciate the opportunity to meet with potential students to discuss any questions and/or ideas that you and your child may have concerning piano study. I only offer consultations when I have availability in my studio. If you choose to study with me, you may reserve a place in my teaching schedule with a non-refundable registration fee of $20, payable at the time you return your registration form each year. When you register for lessons you are making a commitment for the year and agreeing to my studio policies.

Piano & Metronome

All students are required to have a piano at home for daily practicing. I highly recommend a tuned acoustic piano, although a digital piano with 88 weighted and “touch sensitive” keys plus proper foot pedals is acceptable for early levels. All students will need a quality metronome.

Tuition Payments

I base my teaching year on 34 weeks of instruction. The annual tuition fee for 2010/2011 is as follows:

Tuition fees are due in September by post-dated cheques. You may choose to pay in 2, 4 or 10 equal installments. Cheques should be dated for the 1st of the month and made payable to “Anne Crosby Gaudet”.

Practice Expectations

I expect children to be prepared for each lesson and to have made weekly progress on all parts of the assignment. This requires a commitment to practicing the piano at home each day. Practice times will vary throughout the year depending on our goals and projects. As a guide, parents should ensure that children practice at least 5 days each week. Consistent daily practice is the key to long-term success.

At the Studio

Students are expected to arrive on time with their books each week. They are welcome to come in without ringing the bell, but should take care when coming and going to not let the cats go outside. I ask that students develop the habit of clipping nails and washing hands before lesson time. Students may wait in the hall briefly before or after lessons, but this is not an appropriate waiting area for extended periods of time. When two children in the same family take private lessons, I request that parents drop off only one child at a time.

Lesson Cancellations

Though my preference is to maintain consistent instruction for your children, please keep in mind that I run my studio at full capacity, so rescheduling is dependent upon families giving me plenty of notice for cancellations. Unfortunately, I do not have the flexibility to guarantee make-up lessons.

  1. When you register for lessons, you are reserving your weekly lesson time for the teaching year. I do not guarantee make-up lessons and there are no refunds. I will post upcoming openings resulting from cancellations on the studio website. It is each family's responsibility to request a make-up when there is an available lesson time.
  2. I require a minimum of one week notice for cancellations so I can post your time slot on the website for another family to use. In the case of emergencies or serious illness, please notify me as soon as you are able, but rescheduling is unlikely unless there happens to be an opening.
  3. If school is cancelled for a storm day, please assume that lessons will take place as usual since the roads are generally clear by afternoon. Please use your own judgment and call if you feel very uncomfortable with transportation.
  4. The studio closes during some, but not all holidays. Important dates will be posted on this website under “Schedule”. Holidays are unpaid therefore make-ups are not offered.

Terminating Lessons

  1. I reserve the right to dismiss a student from my studio based upon lack of interest or numerous missed lessons.
  2. If a situation arises in which a family must discontinue lessons mid-year, I require one month of paid notice. The remaining tuition cheques will be returned. When you register for lessons, please be prepared to make the commitment from September through June as it is often difficult to fill openings mid-year.
  3. If you have registered for lessons and change your mind in August/September, you will forfeit your registration fee and will be billed for one month. I cannot afford to reserve a time for your child throughout the summer, while turning away other interested families. Your commitment for the year is extremely important.
  4. All students stop taking lessons at some point. Ideally, this decision is made thoughtfully with plenty of discussion between the teacher, parent and student so we can complete the year with a positive sense of closure.

Staying in Touch

The best way to contact me is by email, in which case I will reply or call you. If you wish to discuss your child’s progress please feel free to call me at home between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. I do not take calls while I am teaching, after hours or on weekends. I use email to send out information that you will need from time to time, please make sure that I have a current email address for you.