Read the Policies

"Hello Elizabeth. I just wanted to say Thank You for the past three sessions of MYC. Colin and I enjoyed them very much.

Registration and Payment of Fees

• At the time of registration, parents must pay for supplies and hand in post-dated cheques for the entire year.
• All cheques should be made payable to Elizabeth Shearouse.
• Payment is due in post-dated cheques at the time of registration. You may pay by month, by term, or for the entire year.
• There is a $20 fee for NSF cheques.

Practice

FIVE days practice is required for keyboard students. Less than that and your child will fall behind – more than that is great! If you find a regular time to practice each day it will make this much easier (same time each day). If your schedule will not allow the same time each day, at least have a set time each day. This is much easier than trying to squeeze practice in “whenever”. It is important that Mom or Dad sit with the student during practice, especially at the beginning. It is very difficult for a young child to have a productive practice session all by himself! Lots of praise and gentle reminders are all that are needed. As students mature, they should gradually become more independent.

Practising includes not only playing the piano but also written homework or colouring, singing, tin sheet, flashcards, rhythm bag, toolbox, etc. Not all of these elements need to happen at the same time as keyboard practice; find a routine that works best for your family. This is approximately how much time will be needed every day:

• Sunshine I: very little time at first, 10-15 minutes by the end of the year
• Sunbeams I, Sunshine II: 15-20 minutes
• Moonbeams I, Sunbeams II: 20-30 minutes
• Moonbeams II, Sunbeams III, and Moonbeams III: at least 30 minutes

Keyboard/Piano

• Students need a piano or touch-sensitive keyboard for home practice. A real piano is recommended, but a good quality keyboard will suffice at this level.
  
• Keyboards must have at least 61 keys (standard size keys) and should be touch-sensitive.
• Pianos should be tuned annually or at least every two years.

Missed Classes

• Advance notification is required if you will be missing a class.
• If the parent cannot come to class one week, try to arrange for someone else to bring the child rather than having him miss class altogether.
• If the child cannot come to class, the parent is welcome to attend alone, in order to help the child with the homework.
• If neither parent nor child can attend, I will e-mail you the homework and may be able to record the class for you. If I feel it is necessary, we will arrange a time for your child to have an abbreviated make-up lesson. If I have another class of the same level, you may be able to switch classes that week
• BAD WEATHER: Due to the difficulty of rescheduling, classes will rarely be cancelled for bad weather. Please contact me if you feel that class should be cancelled. If we are not in contact, please use your own judgement about whether it is safe to drive. If you do not attend class, I will e-mail you the homework.
• There are no refunds for missed classes.

Studio Rules

•  Arrive on time! Important concepts are presented in the first part of class and you do not want your child to miss them. Aim to arrive 5 minutes early to allow time for taking off coats and settling in.
• A parent or helper must attend class with each child (whoever will be helping with practice at home).
• Please attend to all personal details (washroom, drinks, snacks, etc.) and make sure your child’s hands are clean before coming to class.
• Please enter quietly, without knocking or ringing the doorbell.
• No gum in class.
• Please turn your cell phone off during class.
• Parents: no talking (visiting) during class. Too many voices is confusing and disturbing to children, other parents, and the teacher.

• If siblings of students will need to wait at the studio during class, please discuss this with me in advance.
• Please park along the road (not in the driveway).

Cancellations

• Please remember that I am reserving your child’s spot in my teaching schedule for the entire year. Another child may have been turned away, or the class may not meet the minimum size without your child. For this reason I ask you to stick with it for the whole year if possible.
• If your child is having a problem please discuss it with me before dropping out. We may be able to work something out to keep your child happy.
• The first two months of lesson fees are non-refundable and after that there is a one-month cancellation fee (i.e. if you tell me on the 11^th of March that you are withdrawing, your payment for April is still required).
• Withdrawing after registration, but before classes begin, will result in a refund of your registration money minus a $40 administration fee.

Communication

I am eager to stay in touch. Please call or e-mail during the week with any questions or concerns you may have, or we can set up an appointment outside of class time. Please do not discuss questions or concerns about how your child is progressing in front of your child.

A Final Word

 I look forward to spending this music year with you and your child!