Studio Policy
All students and their families are expected to follow our studio policy with regard to lessons, recitals, practicing etc. Please read it carefully.
Make-ups
Please understand that your scheduled time slot is reserved for you by your teacher and cannot be easily moved to a different time of week/day.
Teachers are not obligated to make up any lessons missed due to school or sports events, field trips, dental appointments, birthday parties, or family vacations.
The only lessons that will be made up are:
- All lessons cancelled by the studio or individual teachers;
- Lessons cancelled by a student due to an illness.
A maximum of 2 lessons cancelled by a student will be rescheduled per term. Lessons missed in one term cannot be carried over into the next.
In-person make up lessons will be scheduled by each individual teacher based on availability of the teacher and classrooms. Online make-ups may be arranged in lieu of in-person makeups.
Missed group lessons of any kind will not be made up or credited.
Refunds
The annual registration fee is not refundable.
All withdrawals must be made in writing by e-mail to info@arbutusmusicacademy.com and your teacher’s e-mail in order to receive tuition refund.
No tuition refunds will be made after the fourth week of a term. Students who officially withdraw from Arbutus Music Academy are entitled to a proportionate refund of tuition fees based on the following schedule:
| # OF WEEKS IN ATTENDANCE | % OF TOTAL TUITION REFUNDED |
|---|---|
1 |
90% |
2 |
80% |
3 |
65% |
4 |
40% |
Lesson Length Guidelines
Based on students’ level, chosen weekly private lesson length should follow the following guidelines:
| Level | Length |
|---|---|
BEGINNER TO RCM GRADE 2 |
30 MINUTES PER WEEK |
RCM GRADES 3-4 |
45 MINUTES PER WEEK |
RCM GRADES 5-9 |
60 MINUTES PER WEEK |
RCM GRADES 10-ARCT |
75-90 MINUTES PER WEEK |
Daily Home Practice Guidelines
Learning to play a musical instrument is a skill for which regular practice is required: this means as daily commitment to the instrument. As Dr. Suzuki said, “you should only practice on the days that you eat!” It is best to practice in short sessions, especially with younger students: remember that quality is far better than quantity. Lessons can only be enjoyed if continuous progress is made, and this requires time and concentration. The following can be used as a guideline for the amount of practice required:
| Level | Length at Home | Length in Class |
|---|---|---|
BEGINNERS |
15 to 20 MINUTES DAILY PRACTICE |
30 MINUTE LESSON |
GRADE 1-2 |
30 MINUTES DAILY PRACTICE |
30 MINUTE LESSON |
GRADE 3-4 |
45 MINUTES DAILY PRACTICE |
45 MINUTE LESSON |
GRADE 5-8 |
60 MINUTES DAILY PRACTICE |
60 MINUTE LESSON |
GRADE 9-ARCT |
1-1/2 to 2 HOURS DAILY PRACTICE |
60-90 MINUTE LESSON |
Arriving at your lesson
Absolutely NO FOOD OR DRINK (except water) should be consumed in any of the classrooms. You may have food in the waiting area, but please clean up after yourself. All garbage must go in garbage and recycling containers.
Arbutus Music Academy aims to be a NUT & PEANUT free environment. Please avoid bringing any nut products into the studio, and wash hands thoroughly before entering if these have been consumed.
Please avoid wearing strong perfume or cologne when attending lessons.
Please arrive 5 minutes early and be ready when it is your time to start. No lesson will be extended to make up for a student who is not ready on time. Visits to the bathroom should be made before the lesson. Students are expected to come to lessons with clean hands and fingers, and trimmed fingernails.
All music materials and instruments must accompany the student to lessons. A student arriving without an instrument will be sent home and the lesson will be charged for.
Out of respect for our students and teachers, cellular phones are to be ON SILENT during all lessons. Cell phone calls may be taken outside the studio.
Parent/Caregiver participation
Parents are welcome and encouraged to observe all private lessons. Group classes may be observed depending on room size (please consult the teacher). Friends and relatives other than the regular lesson chaperone will be asked to wait in waiting room to prevent distraction.
Parents are expected to pick up students after lessons in a timely manner. Younger students must wait for their parents in the studio waiting area; teenagers may arrange a pickup point at the discretion of the parent. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Parents are asked to report anything/anyone suspicious immediately. Do not leave instruments or other valuables unattended.
Students of Arbutus Music Academy are asked to respect their fellow students, teachers and their environment. Any student found causing damage or mischief to any property of the school or shopping centre will be liable for the damage. Parents are responsible for their children’s behaviour while attending lessons. Please respect other students by keeping hallway and waiting room noise to a minimum.
Performing in Concerts, Recitals, Festivals
Students are encouraged to participate in Music Festivals and Examinations when their teacher feels they are ready. They may perform in any performance or recital planned by Arbutus Music Academy with agreement of their teacher. Monthly informal recitals are open to any students wishing to perform. Sign up sheets for these recitals can be found at the studio a few weeks before each concert date. Younger students are encouraged to attend recitals as audience members, to familiarize them with performing. Students may be required to travel for performances and tours during the year.
An updated calendar is available online. This calendar will outline all events including workshops, recitals, festivals, schedule changes, etc. Please be sure to transfer these dates and times to your family calendar.
Free Trial Lessons
A private 30-minute trial lesson for new violin, viola, cello, piano, guitar, voice and private and semi-private theory students is free of charge and may be booked through the Free trial lesson form. A fee of $40 will be charged for additional trials with other teachers.
