Studio Policy

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Lessons: At Valleyfield Music Studio, we offer a variety of lesson formats and lengths to fit your child’s needs. Most lessons run between 30–45 minutes once per week on a consistent day and time. For more details on what’s available, please visit our Programs section.

Our year is divided into three terms: Fall (September–January), Winter/Spring (February–June), and a flexible Summer Term (July–August). Summer lessons are offered in shorter packages with options like one-on-one sessions, group classes, and special one-day workshops. These lessons are invoiced separately from our regular season, and registration is required—whether or not you are a returning student. Spots are limited, so reach out early to reserve yours!

Tuition: 

Annual Registration Fee: $35 per student (non-refundable)
Charged once per teaching year, regardless of when you register.

Payment Options for Individual Lessons:

(30-minute weekly sessions; prices may vary for longer lesson lengths)

• Yearly Tuition: $960 (non-refundable)
  (Covers Term 1 & Term 2 – due by September 1st)
• By Term: $480 x 2 (non-refundable)
  (Due September 1st & February 1st)
• Month to Month: $105/month

Payment Options for Group Lessons:

• Yearly Tuition: $855
  (Covers Term 1 & Term 2 – due by September 1st)
• By Term: $428 x 2
  (Due September 1st & February 1st)
• Month to Month: $95/month

💡 Paying by term or year saves you money and secures your spot!

Tuition Policy: 

Each student is eligible for up to one make-up lesson per term. These are offered during the scheduled “buffer weeks” built into the studio calendar.

Please note:

• Ending your term early forfeits your make-up lesson.
• Make-up lessons must be arranged in advance and are subject to availability.

Tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance. Your payment secures a dedicated weekly time slot and helps us provide consistent, high-quality instruction from our teachers. This structure ensures the smooth and professional operation of our studio and allows us to offer a rich, dependable music experience for all students.

We appreciate your understanding and support in maintaining a positive learning environment for everyone!

Schedule Changes: 

Please select your lesson time carefully when registering, as your weekly time slot is reserved just for you.

A $25 administrative fee will be applied per student for any lesson time changes requested mid-term or mid-year. This includes changes due to sports, dance, or other family commitments.

We understand that schedules can be busy and ever-changing, but this policy helps us maintain fairness and consistency in planning for all of our students and teachers.

Fee Notice: 

All tuition and fees are the same across instruments unless otherwise stated. The studio reserves the right to adjust tuition rates at the beginning of each teaching year.

Instrument: 

All students are required to have their own well-maintained instrument for regular at-home practice. This is essential for musical progress—developing a good ear and refining technique simply isn’t possible with an out-of-tune or poor-quality instrument.

If you're unsure about what to purchase or how to care for your instrument, we’re here to help! We highly recommend visiting Janzen Brothers Music, a trusted local shop known for quality instruments and licensed repair services. They’ll help you find the right fit for your student’s needs and musical journey.

Materials: 

All students are required to purchase their own music books. This cost is not included in your tuition. Teachers will assign books based on each student’s level and learning goals. For details on how many books you’ll need or the cost, please speak directly with your instructor.

Students must bring their books to every lesson. Consistent practice and progress depend on having the right materials on hand.

Important: If a student forgets to bring their books several weeks in a row, a book replacement fee may be added to your account to ensure we can continue making progress in lessons.

Please note: Photocopying music is not permitted, except for occasional page-turning purposes. Students are expected to purchase and use the books assigned to them.

Payment: 

Payment is due by the first lesson of each month. We accept cash, e-transfer, and credit card payments.

If payment is not received on time, teachers are not required to hold the lesson. Payments made after the 10th of the month will incur a $15 late fee.

Timely tuition payments are essential to secure your spot in our program and ensure consistent, high-quality instruction. If tuition is not received by the due date, lessons will be discontinued immediately.

Accounts with outstanding balances may be referred to a collection agency for recovery of unpaid tuition.

Payment instructions will be included on all invoices.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our studio running smoothly!

Practice Requirements: 

Students are required to meet the minimum weekly practice times assigned by their instructor. Parents are encouraged to actively support younger students by helping them reach their practice goals and reviewing weekly assignments written out for them.

Just like athletes, musicians train both their muscles and minds. Keeping a regular daily practice routine is key to making steady progress. Your child’s growth and improvement depend directly on the amount of practice they do at home.

If you have any questions about your child’s progress or what they should be practicing, please don’t hesitate to talk with their teacher.

Missed Lessons: 

Each student is allowed one make-up lesson per term, which will be scheduled during the designated “make-up week” at the end of each term. This lesson must be arranged at a mutually agreed-upon time and may differ from your regular lesson slot.

Make-up lessons can be used for absences due to family emergencies, schedule conflicts, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances. However, only one make-up per term is permitted.

Withdrawing from lessons before the term is complete will result in the forfeiture of your make-up lesson.

Due to our full studio schedule and limited availability, no additional make-up lessons or credits will be offered beyond the one allowed per term.

Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping our schedule running smoothly for all students.

Illness: 

If your child is feeling unwell, we kindly ask that you keep them home to rest and recover. As a general rule, if they are too sick to attend school, they are also too sick to attend lessons in person. This helps protect the health and well-being of both your child and everyone in the studio.

If your child is feeling up to it, we’re happy to offer an online lesson instead. If an online lesson isn’t possible, the missed lesson will count toward the one makeup allowed per term, if available. Please note that due to scheduling limitations, makeups are not guaranteed.

Termination: 

We require a minimum of 30 days’ written notice if you wish to withdraw from lessons. This notice is essential for maintaining the integrity of our scheduling system and ensuring fairness to both our instructors and students on the waiting list.

If notice is not provided, you will be charged for one full month of tuition, regardless of whether your child attends lessons during that time. This policy is strictly enforced and reflects the time, planning, and preparation our instructors invest into each student's musical journey.

The studio reserves the right to terminate lessons for any reason at any time, including (but not limited to) poor attendance, untimely payments, lack of practice, uncooperative attitudes, abuse of studio policies etc.

Thank you for respecting this policy and supporting the smooth operation of our studio. 

Communication: It is an honour and a privilege to be trusted with your child’s musical education—something we do not take lightly. Open communication is key to a student’s success. If you wish to discuss your child’s progress, please reach out to schedule a time to speak with the instructor outside of regular lesson hours. Our students are scheduled back-to-back, and we want to ensure each child receives their full lesson time without interruption.

As always, you’re welcome to contact the studio at any time with questions or concerns—we’re here to support you and your child on their musical journey.

Miscellaneous Notes: 

Monday students: Some of your lessons will fall on holidays. There will be lessons on these days unless the teacher informs you otherwise. 

Fingernails: Pianist must keep their nails short to maintain proper hand positions. 

Summer Lessons: Summer lessons are offered and often run for six weeks. These spots are limited. Please reach out to the studio if this interests you. These lessons are invoiced as a whole and run separately from our regular season. You must register for summer, regardless if you are a regular season student or not. 

By registering, you agree to the above terms. 

Revised June 2025