Teaching
1 on 1 Private Lessons.
Study piano or theory with me for a tailored learning experience that fits your learning needs.
RCM Examinations.
Progress with the RCM series and be well-rounded in performing, musical skills, and music theory.
Annual Studio Recitals.
Meet your studio classmates and play for each other in a safe and supportive environment.
Compete & Perform.
Participate in competitions and gain experience playing for professionals in the classical world.
Studio Policies
Hello, and welcome! My name is Vivid and I am thrilled to begin music lessons with you. I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and I am excited to guide you on your musical journey, whether it be in-person or through virtual lessons.
I hope to make the learning process as smooth as possible for us, so before lessons begin, please read the Studio Policies detailed below and sign the registration form to acknowledge that you understand and agree to all policies during our time together. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
*Currently only accepting students for online piano lessons*
Lessons
Prior to starting lessons, we will meet to set long and short-term goals together. Based on your goals and your level of experience, we will discuss a suitable schedule in terms of lesson frequency and duration.
Learning materials
Students are responsible for purchasing relevant materials for lessons and at-home practice. I will let you know which music book(s) fit your needs. *The footstool & booster is only needed for young students if the feet cannot rest flat on the floor when sitting on the bench.
Music book(s)
Pencil, eraser, & notebook
*Footstool & booster
Timeliness
Plan to have extra time to get to lessons in case of traffic, weather, or other unexpected circumstances! Students arriving late will only receive lesson instruction for their remaining lesson slot.
Expectations
Parental involvement: For young students (ages 8 and below), it is crucial that parents are involved in the learning process! Parents, please arrive at each lesson prepared to take notes for your child during the lesson. They will rely on you to reinforce concepts at home.
For students ages 8+, parents are welcome to sit in and take notes, but students are encouraged to take their own notes and become more accountable for their own practice.
Finger Nails: Students should maintain short, trimmed nails. Please trim as needed before lessons!
Practice: Students should practice for a minimum of the duration of their lesson (eg. 30-minute lesson = 30 minutes of daily practice). This can vary depending on the student’s age and external commitments.
Tuition Payments
Tuition is billed on a monthly basis and is due by the first lesson of the month. Cash, e-transfer, or cheque are all accepted methods of payment. If the payment cannot be made by the first lesson, it will be considered late and a $15 late fee will be added. Books, learning material, competition registration, and external exams are not included in the tuition payment.
Please contact me directly to inquire about my teaching rates! Rate increases may occur at the start Academic school years (September), and a 2 month notice will be given before it is in effect.
Attendance
Life can be very unexpected at times, and I understand that nobody wants to miss lessons due to poor weather conditions, illness, or personal emergencies. Makeup lessons will be offered in these extreme circumstances. However, if you need to miss a lesson for any other reason (schedule conflict, school activity, work event…etc), kindly provide 24-48 hour notice so that we can arrange a makeup lesson.
If rescheduling the lesson is difficult, Zoom lessons are offered for more flexibility! Alternatively, students can send in recordings of their pieces for detailed feedback. Otherwise, the missed class will be charged as usual.
Lessons that are cancelled in less than 24 hours will unfortunately be charged as usual, so let’s do our best to communicate our schedules with eachother!
Holidays/Vacations
There will be no lessons on the following major Holidays unless otherwise arranged. Lessons will continue on all other Holidays unless explicitly notified. If your lesson day falls on a Holiday not listed below and you wish to skip that lesson, please let me know in advance. Skipped lessons on small holidays with less than 24 hour notice will be charged as usual. Please give a one month notice for planned Vacations!
July 1st: Canada Day
Oct 9th: Canadian Thanksgiving Day
Dec 24th: Christmas Eve
Dec 25th: Christmas Day
Dec 26th: Boxing Day
Dec 31st: New Year’s Eve
Jan 1st: New Year’s Day
Studio Events
Performances are one of the most rewarding ways to celebrate the progress you have made. Year-end recitals are held in August (date to be determined) to give students the opportunity to share their accomplishments with family and peers. This is an event students look forward to all year! Attendance is not mandatory but is highly recommended.
A recital contribution of $20 per student is suggested. However, students and families are welcome to contribute whatever they can. The recital fee goes towards the following:
Performance Space + Piano Rental
High-quality video and audio recording of performance
High-quality images
Post-recital reception
Certification Ceremony
Theory
Students hoping to complete RCM certifications need to complete theory exams in additional to the practical element of playing the piano. 1-on-1 private tutoring for theory is offered and includes 1 hour lessons which can vary in frequency form 1-3 classes a week, depending on your upcoming examination date.
Both in-person and Zoom classes are offered. Please contact me directly to inquire about my most recent rates— these differ from my private lesson rates.
Withdrawal
If for any reason you need to withdraw from the studio, kindly provide one month’s notice prior to withdrawal from lessons and ensure that all payments are up to date.
Discontinuation
I believe that the teacher-student relationship is very important; I care for all my students dearly and hope to have strong, positive relationships with each individual.
On rare occasions, a student may be asked to discontinue their studies with me if they cannot abide by studio policies or if it is apparent that we are not a good fit. If this needs to happens, I will give a month’s notice and teach all remaining lessons that have been paid for.
Privacy & Media Disclosure
Private lessons may be recorded for my own review and educational purposes. Images and videos will also be taken at studio events— not only by me but likely by other students and parents too! I keep media like this for professional records and also to share with students and families.
By signing the studio policy form, students consent to be videotaped during lessons and both videotaped and photographed during studio events, as well as consent to the release of media from studio events on my website.