What do Tuition Fees Include?
My commitment to your/your child's musical advancement is a full-time effort and goes above and beyond the hourly rate you pay.
Your tuition fees include:
- instruction in piano and theory/musicianship
- a guaranteed place in my studio
- my terms and conditions allow for a maximum of two make-up lessons per term (conditions apply). (These make-up lessons are generally provided in my free/family time.)
- my preparation and planning for each lesson, also including
- searching for appropriate repertoire for your particular needs,
- searching the internet for suitable recordings of repertoire for students to listen to (which saves you from having to purchase CDs)
- designing, photocopying and binding the annual Practice Diary for each student (this takes the best part of a week in January each year)
- preparing worksheets and information handouts,
- keeping up to date with the latest musical publications, tutor/method books and musical software,
- arranging and supervising rehearsals for duets and trios,
- sourcing and creating material for the various 'studio challenges'
- attending professional development workshops and conferences,
- practising and keeping my own performance skills up to standard
- networking with other teachers to share teaching ideas
- providing performance opportunities for students:
- planning and organising soirées and recitals,
- opening my home and rearranging all the furniture for soirées throughout the year
- seeking and providing information on concerts and performances that may be of interest to students and their families to attend
- holding AMEB exams in my studio whenever possible, thus
- enabling you to sit for your exams in a familiar environment on a piano you know well, and
- saving you travel time to Ashgrove
- I receive no remuneration/benefit or compensation from the AMEB for hosting exams for either my students or those of other teachers examined in my studio. (I often need to have a few students from outside my studio examined here, in order to meet AMEB minimum time requirements for an examiner to come to a private studio.)
- It is also an AMEB requirement that I have the piano tuned immediately prior to exams, which is an additional expense, especially if the piano isn't really due for a tuning.
- if I am unable to hold the exams in my studio, I try to arrange for them to be held at a colleague's studio, and I make time to be there to encourage the students. (Unfortunately I generally cannot manage to get to Ashgrove when students elect to sit for their exams at other times of the year.)
- managing the business, including:
- keeping accurate records of lessons and activities
- book keeping, taxation records
- keeping the website up to date
- my business running costs, including:
- purchase of professional quality instruments
- piano tuning and maintenance
- studio running costs
- computer and appropriate peripherals and software
- purchase of copies of all the teaching books and repertoire I use in lessons
- purchase of additional equipment for the studio, such as video camera and video editing software, webcam and high quality microphone for online lessons
- professional memberships and subscriptions
You might like to read this fantastic article from Elissa Milne on how to prepare you child for piano lessons, especially if I am not able to start lessons with your child immediately: http://elissamilne.wordpress.com/2011/08/10/10-things-you-should-do-before-your-child-begins-piano-lessons/
I try to be flexible about my policy on make-up lessons, because I know that life happens. You may be interested to read the following article on make-up lessons written by a parent: Make-up lessons from an Economist's Perspective.
Brenda Hunting's Piano Studio, Shailer Park.
Mobile: 0413 290 982
brenda@brendahunting.com
PO Box 7352, Loganholme 4129
© Brenda Hunting 2023