Studio Policy
Costs & Terms
Rates
Fees
Other costs
$30/30 minutes | $40/45 minutes | $48/60 minutes | $35/hybrid*
*30 minutes + asynchronous online component (see Rates)
Three terms: (1) September--December, (2) January-March (3) April-June
Payments are due at the beginning of each term.
Payment methods: cheque, cash, e-transfer, or Interac online.
Please note that rates are subject to change from one academic year to he next.
Please make cheques payable to Krissy Keech. There is a charge of $50 for NSF cheques.
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Registration: There is a $30 non-refundable registration fee each year. This year (2020), it iwll be included in your first invoice.
Student Supply Kits: Due to COVID-19, each student will have an individual supply kit of pencils, markers, sticky notes, etc. The cost will be less than $5 and included on your first invoice.
Books: I am usually able to purchase books on your behalf. I will either include the cost of these books in your next invoice or I will invoice you separately.
Missed Lessons
If you miss a lesson...
If your teacher misses a lesson...
If a student decides to discontinue lessons...
- It will not be made up. That is YOUR time that you have reserved.
- It is your responsibility to plan ahead if you know you will be away.
- You can swap with another student or double-up swap.*
- We can do an online lesson at your normal time if you are:
- sick
- showing COVID-19 symptoms
- away (with a piano/keyboard)
- inclement weather prevents travel
- It will only be refunded/credited if:
- you are too ill for an online lesson
- arrangements cannot be made for an online lesson due to inclement weather conditions (childcare arrangements, power outage, etc.)
- Please try to give a minimum of 24 hours' notice for absences.
- Sickness sometimes crops up quickly. If this is the case, please try to give sufficient cancellation notice: night before for morning lessons, before 9am for lunchtime lessons, and before noon for afternoon/evening lessons. (Please review COVID-19 Policy & Waiver.)
- If no notice is given, you will be charged for that lesson.
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*Swapping or double-up swapping: I will supply names, lesson times and contact information of all students in my schedule so you can swap lesson times with someone else. Swapping can also include "doubling up:" doubling up is when Student A is away one week, while Student B gets a double lesson. The following week, Student A gets a double lesson, and Student B takes a week off.
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Teacher-cancelled lessons will be made up at the end of the term if possible, credited to the subsequent term or refunded. If she is late, the number of minutes missed will be made up, or the percentage of minutes from the lesson rate will be credited/reimbursed.
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You will pay out the remainder of that term; lessons will not be refunded for that term. It sounds harsh, but that is a loss of income for me, when I have had to turn away students who could have taken the full academic year.
Commitment
Students
Parents
You are expected to practise everyday and should have a regular practice routine and time. How much depends on age, level, and objectives, but how frequently is easy: everyday is crucial (or at least 5 days a week, not including lesson day). Getting to the piano is half the battle, so once you're there, you're set!
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When you practise, make sure you follow the steps we work out together in our lesson for OPTIMAL learning and improvement. If you ever have any questions or trouble between your lessons, email or call! It's no problem!
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Please bring all your books to your lesson, show up on time (i.e., 2 minutes before) with clean hands and trimmed fingernails.
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Getting your child to practise (never mind practise efficiently) can be one of the most frustrating experiences in your life. Nevertheless, you are the captain, especially at establishing and keeping a practice routine. Do not expect your child to voluntarily and independently go practise. Do not make it choice unless it is a forced choice (e.g., "Do you want to practise before school or after school?"). If you need help with this, please consult me. (I have been through this from both sides!) Check out tips on practising here.
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You will be expected to guide the practice session, or at least keep half an ear or eye on what to listen and look for! We will keep in close communication to ensure effective and efficient practising!
Note: one thing I rarely ask for is to play through a piece just once or to play it through multiple times, especially if it needs work! If you hear this, please double check the instructions. I often assign little “chunks” or “nuggets” to repeat multiple times. Check the Post-It notes! With beginners, I usually ask them to repeat each short piece 3 times, and a single “review” piece once. There are usually warm-ups (check the technique), theory homework and some improvisation or composition project!
I will send lesson assignments via email after our lesson. Please print off, or copy out. (Due to COVID-19 restrictions I will not be sending lesson sheets home with students.)
One of the single most important predictors in children’s success in music is parental support (Davidson et al, 1998). No pressure.
Instrument
What do you need?
A quality instrument is key. Acoustic is great, no question, as long as it is tuned and maintained regularly (e.g., once a year; first of October is best!). If you decide to go electric, I can help with suggestions. But the crucial details are:
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- full-size (i.e., 88 keys)
- touch-sensitive
- functioning damper pedal
- Roland and Yamaha are excellent makes
- adjustable bench (preferably), OR...
- good straight chair with no angled seat. You may need some books to get the right level (phone books are perfect). Please avoid chairs with castors or slouching-back seats.
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