BERNICE LAGEER
PIANO STUDIO POLICIES 2021-2022
Parental Involvement
The regularity of practice and good concentration during practice times are essential to good progress. Please set a definite time for practice and ensure that your child has privacy while practicing. Since good results require a high degree of concentration, it is important that the student is not distracted by siblings or common household noises. Regarding practice, I encourage the student to 1) Practice at least 5 days per week, and 2) Each day of practice, complete the assignments that I write on the assignment sheet. Note: Beginners may require supervision and guidance from parents during the early stages of practicing. Practice time may range from 5-30 minutes depending on the level of difficulty for the student and their age and can be divided into smaller segments throughout the day. (ie. 20 minutes in the am and 10 minutes in the pm)
On a weekly basis, I encourage students by acknowledging what they have accomplished. But it is of the greater necessity for parents to be there to encourage their children on a regular basis. By letting your child know that you enjoy listening to them play, it gives them a purpose for all the work of practicing they are doing.
Each student is expected to come to their lesson on time. Please check to ensure that your child is coming with all their required books. Using a designated music bag helps to keep everything together and in good shape.
Throughout the year, there will be 34 lessons taught with an extra lesson included on the calendar for Tuesday – Thursday lessons. Monday lessons will receive a decreased tuition rate due to fewer scheduled lessons throughout the year. Termination of lessons requires 4 weeks’ notice.
Throughout the year, it is my aim to keep communication flowing between us. I will do my best to let you know of the accomplishments and progress that your child is doing. It also helps to know how things are going at home, and how I can be helping with things if there is a difficulty with understanding the music concepts or what is being asked. Feel free to email me for any information that you are needing to know or any questions that you might have.
The lesson calendar will be available online on my business site. You will be sent a set of separate instructions on how to sign on to the website, for you to be able to see your lessons and balance and status of your account.
Studio Items
Private lessons will include the materials of progress as outlined by the Royal Conservatory but will also include materials of interest for the student. Students are also encouraged to develop their skills in reading notes and rhythm, but also developing their skills in ear training and sight-reading. Part of the lesson schedule will also include a masterclass of multiple students in the lesson time, as well as 2 recitals (Christmas and spring).
Tuition is based upon 34 private scheduled lessons that run between September and June. There are 35 scheduled lessons for the Tuesday-Thursday students, so the extra lesson will cover any lesson that I happen to miss. Monday students will receive 31 lessons during the year, with the students not having to make a June payment, as a result of the decreased number of lessons. The tuition for the year is $85/month/student for ½ hour lessons. (Some months may have up to 5 lessons and other months may have 2 lessons, but the monthly payment will remain the same).
Tuition is due on the first day of the month and can be paid by cash, cheque, e-transfer, or credit card. A monthly invoice will be sent before the beginning of the month to indicate the balance that is owed for that month.
Students are required to purchase their own lesson materials to be brought to each class. I will make suggestions for materials to purchase and give a timeline for when they will be needed.
Summer lessons are available for those interested in maintaining their level of skill. Lessons will be scheduled only for the weeks that you and the teacher are available.
Because specific times are set aside for each student, a student who does not attend a lesson will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. I will then use that time or other times to plan for the student’s progress, locate materials, etc. Please be assured that your tuition pays for far more than the time spent with your child. There are no refunds, discounts or makeups given unless I am unable to teach the promised number of lessons. For the students of RCA, this becomes an issue when there are school events scheduled during their lesson times. The student needs to look at the 2 options given for make-up lessons
The student is committing to attend their scheduled lessons at the scheduled time. Any lessons cancelled by the teacher will result in a rescheduled lesson during the year. Extenuating circumstances for missed lessons will be considered on a student-by-student basis.
The following are some options for what you can do so as not to lose that lesson time.
Option 1: Swap lesson time with a sibling or another student for whom you have made the arrangements. In the case of a conflict in the arrangement being made, it is the original student for that time slot who will be taught. In addition, families of private students may trade their lesson time with another student to help avoid absences.
Option 2: Video Lesson – in the event that a lesson is missed due to a school event, a video lesson may be sent that allows the student to work on a specific musical aspect
Inclement Weather Policies/Sickness:
• The studio will close if Resurrection Christian Academy has been closed due to inclement weather.
• The studio DOES close if roads are not passable. Your safety is my first concern!
• Parents can ALWAYS choose not to come into the school due to the weather. It's your call! If you cannot make it to the school due to bad roads or temperatures, we can have a Skype/Zoom lesson instead.
Weekly Assignments
Each week, there will be written instructions included in an email sent through my business site. These instructions are to ensure that the student is making progress and to track their practice habits. It is highly encouraged for the student and parent to follow these notes, in order to achieve the best results out of the lessons.
Recitals
Recitals are a great time to share all that has been learned and practiced throughout the term. The recitals will be held in either a retirement home/nursing home or in the church chapel. Please note that there is no charge for the recitals that are held twice a year and that there is no registration fee charged. All the recital and studio expenses for each student are absorbed by the teacher.
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