Carolyn
30 min: $800/year = 10 payments of $80/month (beginner - Grade 4)
45 min: $1200/year = 10 payments of $120/month (Grades 5 - 8)
60 min: $1600/year = 10 payments of $160/month (Grades 9 & 10)

Keri
30 min: $600/year = 10 payments of $60/month (beginner - Grade 4)
45 min: $900/year = 10 payments of $90/month (Grades 5 - 8)
60 min: $1200/year = 10 payments of $120/month (Grades 9 & 10)

Polices:

Missed Lessons:
Make up lessons are only available for the following reasons:

1) Lessons in direct conflict with a piano related event (ex. festival). This lesson will be made up at a convenient time for both student & teacher.

2) Lessons cancelled by the teacher. This lesson will be made up at a convenient time for both student & teacher.

3) If you are sick there are TWO options for you:

A) Have a phone or video chat lesson at your regular scheduled time. This works well when you are sick but not stuck in bed.
Skype or iChat available. Call/email your teacher as soon as you know you will be missing to give advance notice that you would like a phone/video lesson, then be ready to answer the phone at your usual lesson time.

B) Ask to put your name on a waiting list. When someone else cancels their lesson with enough advance notice, it will be offered to you.
You must phone or email BEFORE your missed lesson to be elegible for this. Please give as much notice as possible so your time may be offered to someone else on the waiting list.

There are no make-up lessons for missed group lessons, however, you may be able to attend a different group for that week if there is more than one group of students near the same level as you.

If you need to make up a lesson for any other reason you must use the Lesson Exchange Program or forfeit your lesson.

Lesson Exchange Program:
The lesson exchange program allows you to reschedule your own lesson if you know you are going to miss it. All students who sign up are given a list of other students who have also signed up for the lesson exchange program. If you know you are going to miss your regular lesson you can call students on the list to switch times with you. Plan WAY AHEAD & MARK YOUR CALENDARS when you have made a switch so everyone comes at the correct time. You will have better luck finding someone to switch with if you give them as much notice as possible. You can change with anyone – it doesn’t matter if you have 2 lessons on the same day or during the same week or even a back to back lesson. There is no other way to make up missed lessons due to a conflicting event. This program is excellent for students participating in sports or other activities with unpredictable schedules.

Parent Attendance During Lessons:
Parents are NOT required to stay during the piano lesson. It is preferred that the students are given their independence to be responsible for their own learning. This includes packing their required books for their lesson, practicing on their own regularly, trying to find a way to answer their own questions & remembering to check their homework books so they know what to focus on each week. Of course you may help your child if they ask (or you know they are forgetting something) but try to lead them in the right direction rather than just telling them the answer so they can learn tools to solve their own problems. You are definitely allowed to gently remind them that they should practice every day if you notice they are not. It is helpful to build practice time into a routine (right after school, right before supper...)
If you find it necessary to stay with your child during lessons, please use the waiting room so you are a minimal distraction for your child. If you want to know what your child is supposed to be practicing, just read their homework book.

Quitting:
If you are unsure whether or not you will be continuing lessons please talk to your teacher so I can help you make the best decision. Sometimes all you may need is a little adjustment in your lesson program (for example, have more pop or jazz pieces to play, have a bigger goal to reach, bring in some composing to your lessons, play more duets, etc.). Talking to me will help you figure out if you really want to quit piano lessons or if you just need a change.

Whatever month we are in when you quit I will keep the next month's cheque. Example: If it's November (any day 1-30) when you tell me you quit I will keep December's cheque. You may continue taking lessons until the end of the notice (in this case end of December). Your remaining cheques will be returned. You can either pick them up or ask for them to be ripped up.

Tuition Tax Credit:

Children's Arts Tax Credit
Parents will be able to claim the 15-per-cent non-refundable Children's Arts Tax Credit on up to $500 of qualifying expenses per child under age 16 at the beginning of the tax year. THIS INCLUDES MUSIC LESSONS.

Click this link for more details:
http://www.budget.gc.ca/2011/themes/theme1-eng.html

2007 Ruling Sets Precedent for Canadian Music Students.
Unchallenged 2007 ruling means parents can claim a tax credit if provided
receipts by teachers.
Music students taking lessons at the post-secondary level may now claim a Tuition Tax Credit for their lessons and examination fees.
In a hearing on October 11, 2007 Justice Wyman W. Webb, a judge of the Tax Court of Canada, ruled in favour of allowing a Tuition Tax Credit for music lessons at the post-secondary level. No appeal has been issued on behalf of Canada Revenue Agency since the case was heard in October 2007.
In summary, the ruling states that:
Students studying practical or theoretical subjects at a Grade 9 level or above, in a recognized curriculum like The Royal Conservatory of Music, are now eligible to claim their lesson and examination fees.
In addition, students taking post-secondary courses may transfer up to $5,000 per year to a parent. A person owing federal and provincial income tax can save approximately one-fifth of the expense claimed.