Passionato Music Studio Policy

Tuition and Payment

• The tuition covers:

  o  Student’s weekly private lessons.

  o   Individualized curriculum for each student.

  o   Creating individualized teaching materials.

  o   Selecting and locating necessary books.

  o   Updating and discussing student’s progress outside of lessons.

• The tuition is due by the first day of each semester. For monthly installments, the tuition is due by the first lesson of each month.  Please pay the tuition on time on the date agreed on. A late handling fee of $15 will be added if the payment is not received within the first week. Lessons won’t be offered without payment.

•  Music event registration and book fee: To simplify the process for the upcoming year, I will be collecting a $150 deposit to cover music event registration fees (e.g., festivals, certificates of achievement) as well as the cost of lesson books and materials. Having this deposit in place eliminates the need for multiple payment requests for event registrations and book purchases throughout the year, making the process more efficient and convenient for everyone.

   

For Parents

• Parents are required to attend lessons for students who are 14 years old or younger.

• Parents should take notes during lessons as they will become their children’s tutors at home.

• Parents should pay close attention to their child’s music study and are encouraged to sit with them during practice at home, especially in the first year. Parental involvement helps students feel supported and motivated. Creating a nurturing environment is crucial for students to progress quickly as musicians while enjoying their musical journey.

• Siblings are not allowed to observe lessons.  It is important to maintain a quiet environment for both students and teacher so that lessons can be as productive as possible. This policy is beneficial to students’ focus and achievement.

• Parents are responsible for watching their children and ensuring they behave in a safe and respectful manner. Dr. Ouyang is not liable for any accidents that occur in the studio.

Student Responsibilities

• Lesson Preparedness

  • Students are expected to come to lessons prepared and with all required study materials.

  • Piano lessons are not a substitute for practice time at home.

  • Students who consistently fail to complete their homework may be referred to another studio.

• Practice Expectations

  • Daily practice is essential for students’ musical growth. Consistent and focused practice is essential for steady progress and long-term musical development. As the saying goes, “practice makes perfect.”

  • Recommended practice time by level:

    • Beginners: at least 30 minutes per day

    • Intermediate: 45–60 minutes per day

    • Advanced: at least 1 hour per day

  • Establishing a specific daily time slot for practice helps students build a routine and stay consistent.

• Personal Preparation

  • Students are responsible for trimming their fingernails regularly.

  • Students should wash their hands before playing the piano.

• Instrument and Environment

  • Students should practice on a quality instrument (acoustic piano preferred) that is regularly tuned.

  • Practice should take place in a quiet, calm environment without interruptions or distractions.

Makeup Lessons and Rescheduling

• If the instructor must cancel, she will refund or make up any missed lessons. However, there will be no refunds or make-up lessons for lessons missed by students. If you have questions about this policy, please visit ottawasuzukistrings.ca/makeuplessons/

Lesson Termination

• If students decide to discontinue their lessons, 30-days advance notice is requested before terminating lessons.

• As an educator, Dr. Ouyang cares about all her students and their families. However, the studio reserves the right to terminate a student’s lessons for the following infractions:

  o   Absences without notifying the teacher (twice in a row).

  o   Repeated failure to prepare for lessons (maximum twice per semester).

  o   Inappropriate behavior toward teacher by the student.

  o   Inappropriate behavior toward teacher by a student’s parent(s).

  o   Inappropriate behavior by students towards other students or parents in the studio.

  o   Inappropriate behavior by parents towards other students or parents in the studio.

  o   Failure to pay in full.

   

Performance Opportunities

• Recital: there will be one student recital each semester, where students can demonstrate what they’ve learned and share their music with other students in the studio.

• Other events: include festivals, concerts, and the Certificate of Achievement program. All events are carefully chosen to help students gain valuable experience and meet their musical goals. Parents and students are welcome to discuss these opportunities with me.

Media Release

Photos of students and video and audio recordings of student projects and performances may be posted online and used by the instructor for promotional and workshop materials. Identifying information will be excluded or limited to first names only. Parents wishing to exempt their students from any published media may do so by providing a written exclusion request.

Studio policies are meant to protect students, families, and the instructor, and can help ensure that your experience with Passionato Music Studio is positive and safe. Thank you for your cooperation!