Studio Policies

Piano lessons are like a triangle--it takes three sides to make a successful musical experience. The student, parent and teacher must all work together; hence, cooperation and communication between all parties is essential. The rate of progress will depend not only on your child’s aptitude, but on other qualities as well. These include interest, health, application and diligence. How much he/she will gain from our work together will depend a great deal upon regularity of attendance and systematic practice. It is the steady progress toward established goals between all three sides that gives the greatest satisfaction and pleasure in the end.

Teacher Responsibilities

Pam Lewis will provide a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere for learning and will offer many performance and enriching activities. She will continue to further her teaching skills and music knowledge by belonging to professional organizations, attending workshops, reading professional publications, and engaging in other activities leading to professional growth. Pam Lewis will encourage a feeling of success at each student’s individual rate of learning and guide each student towards musical independence with a balanced program of improvisation, theory, technique, ear-training, sight-reading and performance opportunities. She will make piano as fun and entertaining as possible!

Student Responsibilities

The student agrees to arrive at each lesson punctually, well-prepared, and with all necessary materials. If you arrive five minutes late, your lesson is five minutes shorter. You reserve the time slot, not the number of minutes.

In order to progress satisfactorily, daily quality practice is necessary and required. If questions arise, be sure to ask your teacher questions during lessons; I want you to completely understand the assignment. Youth students will participate in a minimum of two recitals. Youth will also have the option of additional performance opportunities offered through recitals with the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association and through Lakehead Festival of Music and the Arts.

Parent Responsibilities

Encourage progress! Many small steps throughout the year yield great results! Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend lessons at any time. Please check your child's notebook weekly for pertinent information. Parental support is a must for a child's musical growth. To help your child develop self-discipline and good practice habits, set aside a regular time for practice each day (this can be done all at once or divided into two or more daily practice sessions). Younger children especially need help with their practicing. The parent is to provide a piano in the best possible condition, a metronome, and a place allowing quiet and uninterrupted practice. Provide a practice environment that is free from interruptions (family, friends, TV, computer or phone). Be financially responsible and pay tuition on time. Also, communicate with me any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s progress. Be helpful, interested and supportive.

Commitment

When students enroll, they are reserving their placement in the studio for the entire year. The enrollment agreement is a firm commitment and guarantees your place in the studio. Tuition is charged by the term and is payment for the student’s whole course of music study, payable in advance by term or in monthly installments from September through to the end of June. Summer lessons are optional. Tuition does not include payment for ensemble practices, extra lessons prior to exams, festival registration fees or exam fees. Please understand that the tuition you pay reserves an exclusive weekly time in the schedule for your child.

Music Lending Library & Finale Software

The lending library adds variety to student repertoire. The music available will be supplementary only. All students will still be required to provide their own method books. This library will give students access to a wide selection of pieces without the added expense of acquiring music for a one time event. Many studios require a library fee. As long as music is not damaged and is returned in a timely manner, there will be no charge for this resource. Students may check the music out as often as necessary. In addition to books, CD’s may be borrowed as well.

Pamela has Finale available on her computer for students to use. Finale includes everything a student needs to compose, arrange, play and print music. For 20 years, Finale has been the worldwide standard in music notation software. A student can combine their creativity with Finale for stunning results. Last year two of her students entered their original compositions in the Lakehead Festival of Music & the Arts. Both won 1st place and one received a scholarship for his original composition

Cancelled Lessons and Makeup Lessons

No payment credit will be provided for missed lessons. Make-up lessons are only offered for illness, and students must give notification at least 8 hours in advance. There will be at least one makeup day offered each term that will be filled on a first come-first serve basis. Be sure to choose a lesson time that is one in which you feel confident that you will have no other conflicts. Those students requesting Monday lessons, please note that there will be lessons scheduled on some holidays. If Mondays are best, and holidays are a conflict, I will make every effort to re-schedule to a different lesson time slot the week of the holiday.

Please do not request Pam Lewis to alter the schedule to accommodate extracurricular activities. In the unusual event of the teacher cancelling a lesson, she will gladly reschedule a makeup lesson at the earliest possible time.

Tardiness

Please be on time! If a student arrives late, they will finish only their remaining lesson time and will not go into the next students' time. Time lost due to tardiness on the part of the student cannot be made up.

Terminating Lessons

The teacher may terminate lessons due to negative behavior, failure to practice, or failure to comply with studio etiquette. Terminating lessons before the end of the year (September through to the end of June) must be by mutual agreement between the teacher and parent. Any termination initiated by the parent or student requires 2 months WRITTEN and PAID TUITION notice.