I.  The Studio & Policies

The studio space inside our home is located just off the front entrance on the main floor. It is well lit, cheerful, organized and clean. The studio piano is a Ritmuller R8 baby grand piano. Our two cats, Oscar and Gretel, roam around as they wish, and might treat you to a snuggle or head-butt on the leg if you’re lucky.

a) In-Studio/Online Lessons: Private lessons in 2021-2022 are set to be held in-studio, however may transition to online format as needed. Please note that online lessons are subject to the same studio policies.

 b) Hand Washing:   Students are required to wash their hands with soap upon arrival to their lessons. Hand washing helps to promote a healthy, germ free environment in the studio, and keeps the piano clean! There is a bathroom right outside the studio space available to students.

c) Entering The Studio:   To minimize traffic, students will not be permitted in the studio until their designated lesson time. Please avoid entering more than 2 minutes before your lesson. Parents & siblings will not be permitted in the house unless they are asked, and are required to wait in their car while the lesson takes place.

d) Illness:   If your child has experienced any symptoms of cold or flu within 4 days of their lesson, they will not be permitted inside the studio that week. Students displaying any of these symptoms during their lesson will be sent home immediately. In the event that a student is not able to attend their lesson in-studio, a Zoom (online) lesson will be offered.

f) Summer Lessons: Summer Lessons:  The studio is closed for the summer with the exception of summer lessons which are only offered in July and August to students who elect to take their RCM exam in August.

g) Photographs/Video Recordings:  Registration for lessons or classes at Kalla Piano Studio indicates consent for the studio to use and reuse photos, video footage, news footage and other media for promotional purposes, including use on social media sites, in-studio signage, email newsletters, flyers, its website, and more. Kalla Piano Studio is released from any and all claims arising out of or in connection to the use of news stories or media releases, including any and all claims for libel. However, we will verbally ask permission before sharing any photos and will promptly respect any wishes to remove any photos from materials, as reasonable. Please talk to me if you have any concerns or want to opt out of this provision.

II.  Lesson Preparation & Daily Practice

Students are expected to come to the lesson on time and with all assigned music prepared and written work completed. Each student/family must have a piano (acoustic or 88 weighted key digital) and a metronome at home to practice with. As the student progresses, your teacher will begin implementing practice strategies to encourage quality practice time at home. Routine home practice is critical for the development of proficiency at the piano. “Cramming” a week’s worth of practice into the hour before a scheduled lesson is unacceptable as it will not produce quality results and it undermines the value of piano study.

III.  Books & Materials

The student/parent will be responsible for the purchase of assigned music and supplementary material to work on until the next level is reached.

• The studio will pick up the student’s material at the beginning of the semester and issue the parents an invoice for the books unless other arrangements have been made. All invoices must be paid promptly.
• The studio will provide the student with a binder including dividers, lesson note paper and other various take-home material throughout the year.

IV.  Attendance

Students are expected to be at their lesson on time and prepared each week. Please do not enter the studio more than 2 minutes early for your lesson.

            a) Holidays and Vacations:  Lessons are not scheduled during Christmas, New Years, Spring Break or statutory holidays such as Thanksgiving or Good Friday. If your lesson falls on a holiday, you will not be scheduled or billed for that day. Please note that family vacations or other student-missed lessons are not subject to tuition reimbursement.

             b) Make-Up Lessons:  Lesson tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance. The tuition you pay reserves an exclusive weekly time in the studio for your child. Student-missed lessons will not be made-up for any reason, nor will a refund be issued, no exceptions.

             c) Tardiness:  Students are expected to be on time each week.  However, if the unavoidable happens and you are going to be late, please let me know.  In fairness to other students, lesson times will not be extended to compensate for tardiness by the student.   

             d) Teacher-Missed Lessons: If your teacher is under the weather but is well enough to teach, lessons will be taught via Zoom (online) for that week. In the case of an emergency or more severe illness, you will be notified of your lesson cancellation as soon as possible and will be issued a credit on your account to be used to register for a make-up lesson. Any unused credits will be refunded at the end of the school year. 

V.  Dismissal of a Student

The teacher will always work diligently with the students and parents to resolve any issues that may arise. Student dismissal is a last resort when all attempts to resolve issues have failed.  Listed below are some possible reasons for student dismissal:

            a)  Unpaid tuition payment: Tuition payments are always due on the 1st of the month and invoiced the last week of the prior month. 

            b)  No-call/no-shows: If a student misses two or more consecutive lessons without prior notification,  a student may be dismissed and their time may be given to a more serious student. Tuition fees paid will not be refunded.

            c)  Lack of interest and preparation for lessons: If the student consistently neglects regular practice, neglects to bring necessary materials and fails to complete written assignments on time, the teacher will work with the student and parents to develop strategies to help resolve the problem.  If there are no results and the student continues to show little interest and is consistently unprepared each week, the student may be dismissed. Tuition fees paid will not be refunded.

            d) Disrespect/behavior issues:  Disrespect will not be tolerated in this studio at any time! If the student shows disrespect at any time during the lesson, disregards instructions, refuses to cooperate, demonstrates violent behavior or disrespects the instrument, the lesson will be ended immediately and the student may be dismissed. Tuition fees paid will not be refunded, and additional compensation may be required if the student’s behavior results in damage to the studio, equipment or residence.

VI.  Recitals & Performance Classes

Performing is essential to the growth and development of a musician. It increases concentration skills, goal-setting skills, motivation, presentational and communication skills, and improves self-esteem! Young students are encouraged to begin performing by playing for their imaginary friend, a favorite stuffed animal, then move up to playing for family members and friends.

a) Recitals are usually held twice per year; once around Christmas and again in June. Please note that recitals are not opt-out events. Attendance is considered mandatory for all students as performing is a very important part of the development of young musicians. Ample notice will be given for these dates.

b) 2-3 group performance classes will be held each year. These classes are a fun opportunity for students to exercise their ‘performing-muscles’ by getting together with a group of their peers and giving short performances. Students will learn to give and receive constructive feedback, play interactive games and gain performance practice. 

VII.  Prizes

Incentives such as toys, treats and other trinkets may be offered to students as ‘prizes’ for hard work throughout the week. Please let your teacher know if your child has any serious allergies the studio should be aware of.

VIII. Registration

A non-refundable registration fee of $100 will be collected to hold the student’s place for the Fall semester, $60 of which will be credited towards the student’s final tuition payment. Enrolment in the studio is a commitment for the whole school year (2 semesters), so please be prepared to make the commitment from September through June. Tuition will not be refunded if the student elects to end lessons after the month of September. If a scheduling conflict arises, please let me know and I will do my very best to accommodate the situation. In the event that something unavoidable occurs and you need to withdraw from lessons (moving, serious illness etc.), 30 days notice is required or a cancellation fee that is equivalent to 1 month’s tuition will be charged.

Breanna is a home-based piano instructor located in Beaumont, Alberta, offering private lessons. For studio rates and other details, please fill out the 'Get In Touch' form, or call 

780-288-4460