The Details - Pricing and Policies

Prices

$23/30 minute lesson; $46/60 minute lesson - Taxes included.

Tuition Payment:

Monthly invoice - E-transfer payment (silvercadencemusic@gmail.com) preferred, cash and cheques (payable to Kimberley Allen-McGill) are accepted also.  No debit or credit cards please   .Should a banking error occur there will be a $20 NSF charge to cover inconvenience and banking fees.  Receipts are available for your records.  

Sheet music, materials, and books will be included in the same invoice.  Payment is due upon receipt.  

Policies

1.  Welcome! 

Lessons are ONLINE ONLY for the Fall of 2021 (due to public health and pandemic considerations).   After Thanksgiving weekend, this will be re-evaluated and students will receive a confirmation of any change to this status.   

For inperson lessons (when we're able) - Please ring the doorbell and come right in as I am expecting you at the time agreed upon. Please arrive on time and encourage your children to take shoes/boots and coats off, and bring their books and quietly wait in the studio so as to not disturb a lesson in progress.  A washroom is conveniently located near the door, please encourage handwashing prior to the lesson.

2.  Scheduling  

Every effort is made to find a mutually convenient time for your music lessons!  My students have my full attention, and I organize all other activities in my life to ensure a full and enjoyable lesson for my students each and every week.  Consistency in instruction and attendance is important in music education.  I make my living teaching lessons and working as a church musician.  From a business perspective, inconsistent attendance, and payment issues, are significant concerns and may result in dismissal.  


3.  Hours of Operation

Monday  3-9 pm

Tuesday 3-9 pm

Wednesday - Not booking students at the moment, due to recording schedules for church music work. 

Thursday 3-6 pm  (Church Choir Rehearsal 7-9 pm). 

Friday, I work as a contract teacher at the Manotick School of Music (https://manotickschoolofmusic.ca/). 

Silver Cadence Music is closed on Saturdays and Sundays (I work as a church musician).  


See Calendar on this website for holiday closures.   The studio is open all school Professional Development Days.


4.  Absences, Cancellations or Scheduling Changes

I realize that life happens, and scheduling conflicts do occur.  Your support and adherence to the following policies is appreciated.

If a change or cancellation is needed and requested, please send me an e-mail.  A cancellation received in writing 24 hours before the start of the lesson will not usually be invoiced.  Advance notice of vacations, special events or appointments by 1-2 weeks is appreciated.   Excessive cancellations may result in dismissal.  A booked lesson/time slot is considered a commitment, and last minute cancellation is a forfeited lesson.  Payment is expected for forfeited lessons.

Scheduling Conflicts/Makeup Lessons

Makeup lessons are not usually available.  I work every week day teaching and as a church and band musician on the weekends, so scheduling makeup lessons is difficult.  Repeated cancellations due to scheduling conflicts requires a discussion to find a solution that works for all of us.  This is my living, and forgiveness is possible from time to time, but not on a consistent basis. 

Snow Days/Holidays/PD Days

If school is cancelled due to a snow day, often by the afternoon or evening, the roads and weather have resolved so you should assume that lessons are taking place as usual.  Your family's safety is important ... so please use your judgement with regard  to travel.

Holidays and a calendar for the year are included in this website.  Reminders will be sent out via e-mail for closures.  

Illness

If your children are ill, particularly with a contagious flu or virus, please do not send them to lessons. If I am ill, I will cancel lessons with as much advance notice as possible, and payment is not expected under these circumstances.

No shows

Absence without any communication or prior notice is disrespectful, and creates concern and additional work on my part.  Payment for the missed lesson is expected and will be invoiced.

5. Ending Lessons

Sometimes things change and a decision is made to discontinue lessons for a variety of reasons.  Please let me know if there's anything I can do to make a transition easier (in the case of moving, for example), or the experience of music lessons better for your student.  My goal is to instill a love of music and share its pleasures and gifts with my students.

However, should the decision to end lessons be made for any reason, please provide at least 2 weeks notice in writing. Two lessons will be provided after the date of notification. If for any reason the two final lessons do not take place, payment for two weeks is expected and required.

Materials and Supplies

As with all educational activities, some materials are required.  The usual cost for a beginner student is between $25-$35 for a music theory book, a method book, and special pieces of music.  The cost of these materials is not included in tuition fees for lessons.  I am happy to obtain method and theory books for my students, and will invoice accordingly, or I can also direct you to local retailers if you'd like to purchase them directly.

Long and McQuade (https://www.long-mcquade.com ... Hunt Club and Bank) have method books.  My preferred website for song purchases is www.musicnotes.com.   I highly recommend all of them.  Method and music books are available from Amazon.ca also.  Check out Pinterest too for Christmas music!