A career in vocal/musical instruction requires someone who is gifted and devoted artistically, but also someone who is capable of running a small business.  In regard to both, I have created these Studio Policies.  On or before the first day of instruction, you were delivered a printed copy so that both you the student, and me the instructor, are in agreement regarding expectations and goals. 

Most artists have a huge distaste for the “business” aspect of making a living out of their art—I am no different.  By agreeing to the policies I have outlined, we can quickly move on to our main goal: to make music together, and to continually progress in making better music together.  I thank you for reading and respecting my policies.

My goal is to make you an independent singer and musician.  This means that when you are singing, and I am not there to guide you, you will understand the methodology and physical techniques necessary to produce a healthy and beautiful vocal tone.  This also means you will learn the basics of music theory, sight-singing, and piano skills so that you can practice vocal exercises on your own, and eventually teach yourself your own music. 

My goal is not to make you dependent on me, but to help you obtain a musical skill-set and vocal technique checklist that you will be able to employ and enjoy for the rest of your singing days.

Lessons are comprised of vocal warm-ups, during which you will specifically work on vocal technique development; theory and sight-singing learning; piano skill development; and repertoire practice, during which you will learn and sculpt songs that have been selected uniquely for you, according to your abilities, interests, and skill level.

Like many other appointment-driven businesses, I require a 24-hour notice of cancellation.  If I do not receive this notice, you will be charged for the fee of your missed lesson, and will be expected to pay this fee at/before your next lesson.

As in other appointment-driven businesses, this policy exists to protect the business operator, as well as the client. In the case of my voice studio, if cancellation occurs 24 hours or earlier, it allows me the courtesy and opportunity to extend the empty time slot to another student that may need a makeup lesson.  That benefits me, and my students.  You never know when you may want to pop by for an extra makeup, or an emergency lesson before a performance, and the minimum window of 24 hours gives me time to plan these extra lessons.  In the case of sudden emergencies, I may waive the fee at my discretion. 

I don’t need to know why a student is cancelling—double-booked appointments, work overtime, schoolwork, illness, etc.  Of my studio policies, cancellation, within 24 hours, due to illness has always been the most controversial.  If you question the validity of this policy, please read this related article, and reflect about the fairness of my policy: http://ottawasuzukistrings.ca/makeuplessons.  Also, if you have been exposed to sick people, please make a considerate judgment call about whether to attend your lesson.  If you have allergies, a headache, or other non-contagious, mild conditions, you are very welcome to attend your regular lesson, during which I can provide less strenuous work, such as theory discussion, piano practice, or other appropriate activities.  Thank you for respecting the health of my family, as well as the other students who frequent my studio.

Although 24 hours is the cut-off, the more notice you provide me, the better opportunity I have to provide a makeup lesson for another student during this free time slot (this could benefit you some day!).
 

Like many private music instructors, I use my home as my studio, so this location serves a dual function in my family’s life.

Parking is restricted from 9am-5pm on weekdays, so if your lesson time falls within those hours, remember to park across the street to avoid city fines. 

Please ring the doorbell or knock on the door.  Pedro the Chihuahua will probably greet you with some excited barking.  He is very friendly and happy to see you, so come on in.

Please remove your shoes in the foyer.  I ask my students to remove their shoes to keep a clean environment, and also to provide a comfortable, relaxed  musical atmosphere.

There is a bench in the foyer where you can sit or place any bags or personal items.

For singers, I recommend bringing a bottle of water to lessons.  There is a small table near the window where you may place your water, not on the piano (thank you!).

With a studio full of students, we have experienced some plumbing problems in the past, so I ask that you prepare for lessons by using the restroom elsewhere.  There are public restrooms located in the McDonalds across Freeport Boulevard or in Freeport Bakery around the corner (the bakery also has many tasty goodies!).

If you have brought lesson fees, please provide payment at the beginning of your lesson so we can take care of business and move on to the fun part of your lesson.  I like to teach right up until the last minute of each student’s lesson, and taking time out for business at the end, especially with back-to-back lessons (one student heading out and one student coming in), often makes for a jostled departure.  I’d rather you leave in a relaxed and musical state of mind.

You may pay me by cash, or check, on the date of each lesson, or for a group of future lessons.  I have no preference either way.  I keep a record of all payments in my teaching binder, and with both of our signatures verifying the payment and lesson date, it is easy to keep track of all payment dues.
 

Should you need to cancel, reschedule, make up a lesson, or should you have any questions or concerns of any kind, feel free to contact me: marisa@buoncanto.com
 

Please refer to my website for more information about my studio:  www.buoncanto.com .  As a current student, pay special attention to the “Resources” page, which offers many different links to help with finding sheet music, learning more about your repertoire, practicing diction, working with solfege scales and chords, intervals, and the circle of fifths, and also includes many wonderful practice links for music theory, ear training, and keyboard technique.


Current students are asked to read, agree to, and sign a copy of the policies above to return to me at our second lesson.


Now here's the fun part: see you at our next lesson for more singing!  Music is a wonderful gift of humanity.  My hope is to strengthen your love of music.