Studio Policy
At Lessons
Please arrive for your lesson in a timely manner. Most of our studios offer a waiting area where parents can sit during the lesson. Due to scheduling constraints, lesson times will not be extended if arriving late.
Lessons & Tuition
Piano lessons are taught on a weekly or fortnightly basis. After the initial lesson, ongoing enrolment involves a minimum commitment of one school term, or the remainder of the current term for mid-term enrolments. Payment for ongoing lessons is due in full at least 7 days prior to the start of the term. We accept payment by credit card or electronic funds transfer. Cash is not accepted at our studios, except for payment of books and resources that the teacher may have purchased for you. Tuition fees are non-refundable except where required under Australian Consumer Law.
Mid-term enrolments are possible dependent on availability and are billed for the remaining weeks in the term. Casual lessons for adults may be booked dependent on availability and are billed at the casual rates. Casual lessons are not available for children, except in cases where they are visiting Melbourne for a short period.
Overdue Accounts
When payment is not received by the due date, we may send you reminders via email, SMS and/or phone. In the event that payment is more than 14 days overdue, a $15 late payment fee applies on each overdue invoice. An account keeping fee of $5 + GST per month applies for invoices that are more than 30 days overdue.
In the unlikely event that payment remains outstanding for more than 120 days and we decide to engage a debt collection service or take further steps to recover the outstanding balance, you agree that Melbourne Piano School may recover any reasonable costs incurred in doing so, including collection or legal fees. We always aim to resolve payment matters in a friendly and respectful way and encourage you to contact us if you’re experiencing any financial difficulties so we can arrange a suitable payment plan.
Lesson Observation
Parents / Guardians are welcome to attend their child’s initial lesson. To ensure a focused learning environment for students, we request that parents do not sit in on subsequent lessons, unless otherwise agreed with the teacher.
Cancellations / Missed Lessons
If the teacher needs to change or cancel a lesson, that lesson will be rescheduled, credited or refunded. In some cases, a substitute teacher may be provided if a teacher is unavailable due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances.
If a student is unable to attend a lesson and provides at least 24 hours’ notice prior to the scheduled lesson time, a make-up credit may be issued, subject to teacher availability. Make-up credits are limited to one per student per term and must be used within 8 weeks of the original lesson date. Make-up lessons are subject to available lesson times, and if a suitable time cannot be arranged within this period, the credit will expire.
Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be forfeited and are not eligible for a make-up credit. If a cancellation is due to illness, a teacher may, at their discretion and subject to availability, choose to offer a make-up lesson. Please note that this is not guaranteed and is offered as a gesture of goodwill rather than as part of our standard cancellation policy.
When enrolling in lessons at Melbourne Piano School, you are reserving and committing to a specific lesson time each week. If you anticipate needing to change or cancel lessons more than once per term, we recommend booking casual lessons instead (subject to availability).
Our cancellation policy helps ensure a stable and sustainable working environment for our dedicated team of teachers.
Illness
If you are feeling unwell and unable to attend your lesson, please contact your teacher directly as soon as possible to cancel the lesson. Our standard cancellation policy (outlined above) applies. To ensure the wellbeing of the teacher and other students, parents are advised not to send children to lessons if they are feeling unwell.
Materials
The teacher will suggest music books and resources which can be purchased through the studio, online, or at your local music store. Please bring a notebook to all lessons for the teacher to record lesson notes and homework.
School & Public Holidays
Piano lessons are available during the holiday periods at some of our studios, and attendance is optional for ongoing students. Please discuss holiday period attendance directly with your piano teacher.
Professional Relationship with Piano Teachers
As a student or client of Melbourne Piano School, you will be provided with your teacher’s contact details for lesson-related communication. If you need to cancel or reschedule a single lesson, please contact your teacher directly. For discontinuing lessons, changing a regular lesson time, or billing enquiries, please contact the Melbourne Piano School office.
At their discretion, teachers may be available outside of lesson time to reply to brief questions directly related to lesson material, such as clarification about practice tasks or repertoire. While we value the positive relationships that develop between teachers and students, teachers are engaged as music educators and are not available for ongoing communication regarding personal matters outside the context of music learning. They are not able to provide counselling, advocacy, or liaison with health, disability, or support services.
Teachers are not permitted to provide private music tuition to current Melbourne Piano School students or their family members outside of MPS during their engagement with the school and for a period of 12 months following resignation. All lessons must be booked and paid for through Melbourne Piano School’s booking system.
Student Wellbeing
Melbourne Piano School aims to create a learning environment that is encouraging, inclusive, and supportive of students from all backgrounds. Lessons may be adapted to suit individual learning needs.
From time to time, students may share personal matters beyond the scope of music education. If a disclosure relates to a student’s wellbeing or personal safety, teachers will share this information with the Melbourne Piano School office so that appropriate steps can be taken. Teachers are not able to keep confidential information where personal safety concerns arise. Where additional support may be appropriate, students or their parents may be guided toward suitable external services.
Group Music Lessons for Schools and Community Groups
In addition to our regular private one-to-one piano lessons, the above studio policy also applies to group music lessons that Melbourne Piano School may offer to schools, community organisations and other educational institutions. Group music lessons require a minimum commitment of one Victorian school term, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Cancellations or changes to any booked group lessons must be made with a minimum of 14 days notice.
Policy Updates
From time to time, Melbourne Piano School may update the Studio Policy to ensure it remains clear and up to date. Where there are any significant changes, we will communicate this to students and families by email.