...for taking the time to review important policy information.  After 20+ years of teaching piano, Jaime has learned a few important lessons that benefit students and teacher.  Jaime very much wants ensure her relationship with students and parents is stress-free and fair.

The 10 month piano "school year" begins in the second week of September.  Jaime happily accepts new students at any point during the school year - but often, all available lesson slots are full before the September start.  Returning students are given priority to enroll for the school year.  Jaime puts many hours into creating a timetable that works for students, and also accommodates the complexities of traveling from home to home.  

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Lessons are not offered on Statutory holidays, and this is reflected in the fee structure.

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Once the timetable for the year is set, students/parents are responsible for coordinating any "switches" or "swapping" of lesson times with other families to accommodate the occasional conflict.  A password-protected Swap List is on the website and lists the names, lesson times, residence location and contact information for students who agree to potentially swap their lesson time.  Due to the conflict with Jaime's travel time, swaps must be made with someone who lives less than 10 kms away from you.  Please advise Jaime of the swap details a minimum of 12 hours in advance.  Jaime reserves the right to veto the proposed swap if it will negatively impact other students.  If you do not wish to be on this list, you may not swap your lesson time.  If a swap is not possible the lesson is forfeited, and a refund or make-lesson will not be offered.  

Please see more about this under Missed Lessons

If a student misses a lesson due to illness, Jaime will try her best to offer a make-up lesson.  Please note that this will not always be possible.  Make-up lesson times depend on cancellations by other students and are rare.  Jaime cannot offer make-up lessons outside her normal teaching hours.  

A note about communicable illness - please do not expose Jaime, and by extension her numerous other students, to colds, flus and other communicable illness.  Jaime reserves the right to decline a lesson if she deems a student to be visibly ill.

If Jaime arrives at your home for your lesson and you are not there, she will text you and wait 10 minutes.  The lesson time cannot be extended to cover the delay.  No refund or make-up lesson will be offered.

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If Jaime must miss a lesson, (for example, due to illness or hazardous travel conditions) Jaime will offer a make-up lesson.

It happens that occasionally students need to permanently withdraw from lessons.  Please provide a written notice of your intention to withdraw a minimum of 30 days prior.  In lieu of 30 days notice, a cancellation fee equal to the cost of four lessons will be charged.

In order for Jaime and her student to make the most of their lesson time together, it is essential that the lesson take place in a quiet area, free from distraction.  This can be a bit of a challenge in busy households but time that is lost when both student and teacher cannot concentrate will negatively impact a student's progress.  You might be surprised how loud clanging dishes are when the piano room is right next to the kitchen!

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Jaime has strong sensitivity to scents which generally results in headache and nausea.  Kindly remove air fresheners from the space where she will be teaching.  It would help her immensely if you could avoid using perfume or other strong scents - thank you so much!