Music Making in 2023 / 2024
Please read the following policy carefully, so we can move past the business and get right into the musical fun!
The Play Music for Life Program
The Play Music for Life program runs annually in person and online at our studio, 293 Prospect Lake Road. Payments are made in advance to reserve your spot in the program. When it comes to commitment, you can choose the option that best suits you .
As a REGULAR student, you commit to weekly lessons for the duration of the program year, from September 5, 2023 to June 29, 2024.
As a DROP-IN student (i.e. biweekly, monthly, etc.), you opt to book time through the student portal on a first come, first serve basis as space allows; additional fees apply (see “Rates”).
Please note, REGULAR students get scheduling priority.
How Your Lesson Works
Musical coaching encompasses a lot of goals: learning theory and applying it to practice on chosen instruments, improving listening skills, expanding awareness of diverse musical cultures, promoting individual and group creative expression, and creating community through music. As such, lessons are student - centered and customized to meet the interests and goals of each student. Students are responsible for bringing their instruments and printed materials to each session. From time to time, students may be asked to purchase sheet music and/or instructional materials.
Covid 19 Policy
The situation with Covid 19 is evolving and will continue to evolve. Let's be kind and caring and clear with each other as we go through this time. We have high levels of vaccination in our area, but we also have variants of concern. I keep myself well informed on the latest Covid news, mandates, and recommendations. but please feel free to tell me what would make you feel safe and comfortable in your lesson, as the risks and concerns are different with every person.
I am now fully vaccinated; whew, that's a relief! I know that many of you are also fully vaccinated. Thank you so much! However, even fully vaccinated people can still transmit the virus, and many people can't yet be vaccinated, so we still need to take care.
Please, please, please do not come to a lesson if you are not feeling completely well. None of us want to be responsible for making our friends and neighbours sick. Let me know as soon as possible, and we can either cancel or have a Zoom lesson instead.
When You Cancel (Missed Lessons & Makeups)
I do not expect lessons to be the most important thing in anyone’s life, but I would like you to honour your commitment to be here. And I will do the same. Much like sports activities, daycare, or gym memberships, missed sessions are non-refundable. Remember, this spot has been reserved for you—and only you—and therefore will not be filled by another student. (Essentially, you are paying not just for the lesson, but also for the reserved time and resources.) Please note, due to a limited volume of clients, there will be no makeups, credits, or refunds for missed lessons. But fear not, I have created the new DROP-IN option for those of you with varied schedules.
Scheduling Conflicts
Both REGULAR and DROP-IN students are required to adhere to their booked time slot. Please note, our lessons are booked back-to-back so I am unable to extend a lesson beyond the appointed time to accommodate a late arrival. Should a permanent scheduling conflict arise, I will do my best to find you an alternate slot for the remainder of the program. (No month-to-month swaps between REGULAR to DROP-IN & back again.)
Holidays & School Breaks
Lessons run from September to June with respect to select statutory holidays: Thanksgiving, Family Day, Easter, Victoria Day, Remembrance Day, and Winter Break (December 20 to January 3).I
Optional lessons may be available during Spring Break and summer, with a new schedule to be determined.
Tuition Rates and Fees
INDIVIDUAL REGULAR: $32 / 30 min, $48/ 45 min, $64 / 60 min
DROP-IN: $36 / 30min, $54/ 45 min, $72 / 60 min
JAM SESSION DROP-IN: $15 / 60 min
REGULAR fees are paid in advance on the 1st of the month (i.e. Sept. fees are due Sept. 1st).
DROP-IN fees are due at time of booking, or the 1st of the month, whichever comes first.
Please refer to your student portal page or your monthly emailed INVOICE. Accepted methods of payment include cash, cheque (“Robin McKenzie”), etransfer (“robinmck@telus.net”), or Paypal through the website (with a 4% surcharge to cover costs).
Please keep your payments up to date. I would rather talk about music, and so would you. I hate to say it, but now I must: late payments are subject to late fees ($10) and may result in loss of time slot.
If you want to take a break from lessons, 2 weeks’ notice is required to leave the program, please and thanks. And no hard feelings; I would love it if you stay in touch and maybe come back another time, but I know you have a big life to live.
Any questions? Contact Robin: robinmck@telus.net or robin@playmusicforlife.com
*NOTE: The only exceptions to the above policies will be (of course) extreme medical emergencies, urgent family situations, etc. If you are unsure on these, please contact me.
Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life. There's not some trick involved with it. It's pure and it's real. It moves, it heals, it communicates, and it does all these incredible things.
Tom Petty
We acknowledge and thank the W̱SÁNEĆ people on whose traditional territory we live, learn, and teach.
The W̱SÁNEĆ people have lived and worked on this land since time immemorial.