LEONIE SHAKER PIANO
Studio Policies
2025
STUDIO POLICIES and FEES
2026
Term dates for 2026 will align with Victorian public school term dates as outlined below.
Term 1 – 9 week term
Mon 2 Feb (School starts Tues 27 Jan)
Thurs 2 April (Easter Fri 3rd April – Sun 5th April)
Term 2 – 10 week term
Mon 20 April
Fri 26 June
Term 3 – 10 week term
Mon 13 July
Fri 18 September
Term 4 – 10 week term
Mon 5 October
Fri 12 December
(School term finishes 19 Dec)
LESSON SCHEDULE
Lessons are conducted during Victorian public school teaching weeks, unless otherwise advised. If a lesson falls on a public holiday, it will be credited.
Most terms consist of 10 weeks, although some terms may be 9 or 11 weeks depending on the school calendar.
Lessons are available in 30, 45, or 60-minute durations.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students will be expected to attend all lessons at the given lesson time. Please arrive on time for your lesson. If you are late, the lesson will still finish at the nominated time.
Please don’t arrive early for your lesson because it can disrupt the lesson in progress.
MISSED LESSONS and BILLING POLICY
It is understood that there may be occasions when a student needs to miss a lesson due to illness or other occasional personal reasons.
For this reason, lessons will be billed by the term for 9 weeks in a term. There are four terms of lessons each year. Typically, the first term runs for 9 weeks, followed by three 10-week terms, making a total of 39 lessons per year.
Students will be billed for only 36 lessons (4 terms × 9 weeks). If a student attends all lessons during the 10-week terms, they effectively receive up to 3 additional lessons at no extra cost each year. These extra lessons are cumulative and are provided in lieu of any missed lessons.
Make-up lessons are not provided.
It must be understood that the term fees are purchasing a lesson time which is reserved for the use of the student, whether the student is able to come or not. No one else can fill that time at short notice.
If I need to cancel a lesson, the lesson will be credited to your account.
If you arrive late to the lesson, the lesson will still finish on time.
If you forget to come, you will still have to pay for the lesson.
Exceptions for exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis.
Public Holidays – Lessons which occur on a public holiday will be cancelled and no charge will be incurred.
ILLNESS
Students experiencing any symptoms of illness (including cough, runny nose, fever, or vomiting within the past 24 hours) should not attend lessons.
If a student is unable to attend a lesson, as much notice as possible is appreciated. Thank you.
PARENT ATTENDANCE
Parents are welcome to observe their child’s piano lesson at any time. It is recommended that a parent sit in on at least one lesson per term to better support the student’s practice at home. For beginners, having a parent attend lessons can be especially helpful, as it enables them to assist effectively between lessons. For younger beginners—under the age of 7—it is studio policy that a parent attends all lessons.
Siblings or other people in the room during a lesson
It’s understood that sometimes parents may need to bring a sibling along to a lesson. This is acceptable only if the sibling can sit quietly and engage in a calm activity, such as reading or something the parent has provided. If this isn’t possible, parents will need to remain with the sibling in an area away from the studio.
PIANO PRACTICE
Consistent practice is essential for progress in learning the piano. While some students may progress quickly at first, all students eventually reach a point where regular practice is necessary to continue improving.
It is understandable that students often have many competing commitments, and practice can sometimes be overlooked. Parents can play an important role in supporting regular practice by helping to prioritise it—for example, by setting routines such as completing practice before screen time, or using other forms of motivation that work for the child.
Students are expected to practise at least five times per week. The length of each session will vary depending on the student’s age and level. As a general guideline, practice time can be estimated by doubling the child’s age in minutes (e.g. a 7-year-old might practise for around 14 minutes, while a 10-year-old might aim for 20 minutes or more). This guideline does not apply to adult students. Students preparing for exams will typically need to practise for longer periods.
In addition to structured practice, students are encouraged to spend “free” time at the piano—exploring, experimenting, playing by ear, and discovering music they enjoy beyond their assigned work. When students begin to engage in this kind of independent exploration, it is a strong sign of genuine musical development and enjoyment, which is the ultimate goal.
HOMEWORK
In addition to regular practice, students will usually be assigned some homework. Beginner students will focus on learning notes and basic theory in an engaging and accessible way, while more advanced students will progress to broader music theory.
Homework requirements are generally light, taking no more than around 10 minutes per week initially, but may increase as the student progresses.
RECITALS
Two informal recitals are held each year, and students are encouraged to prepare for and attend these events. Students will usually prepare two pieces for performance.
Recitals provide valuable experience by giving students clear goals to work towards and a meaningful motivation for regular practice. They also help students develop confidence and learn to manage performance nerves in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Following each recital, there is a relaxed afternoon tea for students and parents. This provides an opportunity for everyone to socialise, for students to get to know one another, and to feel part of a shared musical journey.
Recital dates for 2026:
Term 2: Sat 30 May
Term 4: Sat 14 November
MATERIALS & MUSIC BOOKS
Copyright laws are strict and must be respected. For this reason, all music and materials will be supplied by the teacher.
Materials may include lesson books, individual pieces, and music distributed under a valid studio licence. The cost of these resources can vary depending on the student’s level.
A materials and books fee of $45 per term ($180 per year) will be charged and invoiced together with term fees. This fee covers all required books, handouts, and studio-licensed materials.
It may also contribute towards the cost of selected learning apps to support note reading, as well as certain equipment such as a metronome, where applicable (conditions apply).
REGISTRATION FEE
Upon enrolment, following a free trial lesson, a non-refundable registration fee of $50 is payable.
EXAM PREPARATION
Piano and theory exams are optional. Regardless of whether a student chooses to undertake exams, all students will be guided through the relevant material for each level to support steady and well-rounded progress.
Students who wish to sit exams will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the additional effort required for preparation.
LESSON LENGTH
Lessons are usually 30 minutes.
If students are doing exams, a longer time will be required:
Grades Preliminary – 4 45 minutes
Grades 5 and above 1 hour
WHAT INSTRUMENT DO I NEED?
Instrument Requirements
Students are expected to have access to a suitable instrument for practice at home. This will typically be either a good-quality acoustic piano or a quality digital piano. Most teachers, including myself, require that an adequate instrument is available before lessons begin.
If purchasing a digital piano, please ensure it has the following features:
A good-quality digital piano can serve a student well for approximately 4–5 years, typically up to around a Grade 4 (late intermediate) level. Beyond this stage, transitioning to an acoustic piano becomes increasingly important for further development. If an acoustic piano is available from the beginning, it provides an excellent foundation.
When considering an acoustic piano, please take care—particularly with instruments advertised as “free.” In many cases, the true cost can be significant. Expenses may include professional inspection, transport, and tuning, which together can total several hundred dollars. Additionally, older pianos that have not been maintained may require extensive (and sometimes impractical) restoration work.
It is strongly recommended to have any second-hand piano inspected by a qualified piano technician before purchase. Alternatively, purchasing from a reputable dealer can provide greater peace of mind, as this often includes delivery, a warranty, and an initial tuning.
Once a piano is in the home, regular maintenance is important. Annual tuning is recommended to keep the instrument in good condition.
In summary, having a reliable and well-maintained instrument makes a significant difference to a student’s progress and motivation to practise.
2026 Charges:
Lesson Fees
Books and Materials
A materials and books subscription fee of $45 per term ($180 per year) is payable and covers all required books, handouts, materials and studio-licensed materials.
Registration Fee
A registration fee of $50 is payable upon enrolment (after a trial lesson) and is non-refundable.
Payment Details
.
2026
Term dates for 2026 will align with Victorian public school term dates as outlined below.
Term 1 – 9 week term
Mon 2 Feb (School starts Tues 27 Jan)
Thurs 2 April (Easter Fri 3rd April – Sun 5th April)
Term 2 – 10 week term
Mon 20 April
Fri 26 June
Term 3 – 10 week term
Mon 13 July
Fri 18 September
Term 4 – 10 week term
Mon 5 October
Fri 12 December
(School term finishes 19 Dec)
LESSON SCHEDULE
Lessons are conducted during Victorian public school teaching weeks, unless otherwise advised. If a lesson falls on a public holiday, it will be credited.
Most terms consist of 10 weeks, although some terms may be 9 or 11 weeks depending on the school calendar.
Lessons are available in 30, 45, or 60-minute durations.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students will be expected to attend all lessons at the given lesson time. Please arrive on time for your lesson. If you are late, the lesson will still finish at the nominated time.
Please don’t arrive early for your lesson because it can disrupt the lesson in progress.
MISSED LESSONS and BILLING POLICY
It is understood that there may be occasions when a student needs to miss a lesson due to illness or other occasional personal reasons.
For this reason, lessons will be billed by the term for 9 weeks in a term. There are four terms of lessons each year. Typically, the first term runs for 9 weeks, followed by three 10-week terms, making a total of 39 lessons per year.
Students will be billed for only 36 lessons (4 terms × 9 weeks). If a student attends all lessons during the 10-week terms, they effectively receive up to 3 additional lessons at no extra cost each year. These extra lessons are cumulative and are provided in lieu of any missed lessons.
Make-up lessons are not provided.
It must be understood that the term fees are purchasing a lesson time which is reserved for the use of the student, whether the student is able to come or not. No one else can fill that time at short notice.
If I need to cancel a lesson, the lesson will be credited to your account.
If you arrive late to the lesson, the lesson will still finish on time.
If you forget to come, you will still have to pay for the lesson.
Exceptions for exceptional circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis.
Public Holidays – Lessons which occur on a public holiday will be cancelled and no charge will be incurred.
ILLNESS
Students experiencing any symptoms of illness (including cough, runny nose, fever, or vomiting within the past 24 hours) should not attend lessons.
If a student is unable to attend a lesson, as much notice as possible is appreciated. Thank you.
PARENT ATTENDANCE
Parents are welcome to observe their child’s piano lesson at any time. It is recommended that a parent sit in on at least one lesson per term to better support the student’s practice at home. For beginners, having a parent attend lessons can be especially helpful, as it enables them to assist effectively between lessons. For younger beginners—under the age of 7—it is studio policy that a parent attends all lessons.
Siblings or other people in the room during a lesson
It’s understood that sometimes parents may need to bring a sibling along to a lesson. This is acceptable only if the sibling can sit quietly and engage in a calm activity, such as reading or something the parent has provided. If this isn’t possible, parents will need to remain with the sibling in an area away from the studio.
PIANO PRACTICE
Consistent practice is essential for progress in learning the piano. While some students may progress quickly at first, all students eventually reach a point where regular practice is necessary to continue improving.
It is understandable that students often have many competing commitments, and practice can sometimes be overlooked. Parents can play an important role in supporting regular practice by helping to prioritise it—for example, by setting routines such as completing practice before screen time, or using other forms of motivation that work for the child.
Students are expected to practise at least five times per week. The length of each session will vary depending on the student’s age and level. As a general guideline, practice time can be estimated by doubling the child’s age in minutes (e.g. a 7-year-old might practise for around 14 minutes, while a 10-year-old might aim for 20 minutes or more). This guideline does not apply to adult students. Students preparing for exams will typically need to practise for longer periods.
In addition to structured practice, students are encouraged to spend “free” time at the piano—exploring, experimenting, playing by ear, and discovering music they enjoy beyond their assigned work. When students begin to engage in this kind of independent exploration, it is a strong sign of genuine musical development and enjoyment, which is the ultimate goal.
HOMEWORK
In addition to regular practice, students will usually be assigned some homework. Beginner students will focus on learning notes and basic theory in an engaging and accessible way, while more advanced students will progress to broader music theory.
Homework requirements are generally light, taking no more than around 10 minutes per week initially, but may increase as the student progresses.
RECITALS
Two informal recitals are held each year, and students are encouraged to prepare for and attend these events. Students will usually prepare two pieces for performance.
Recitals provide valuable experience by giving students clear goals to work towards and a meaningful motivation for regular practice. They also help students develop confidence and learn to manage performance nerves in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Following each recital, there is a relaxed afternoon tea for students and parents. This provides an opportunity for everyone to socialise, for students to get to know one another, and to feel part of a shared musical journey.
Recital dates for 2026:
Term 2: Sat 30 May
Term 4: Sat 14 November
MATERIALS & MUSIC BOOKS
Copyright laws are strict and must be respected. For this reason, all music and materials will be supplied by the teacher.
Materials may include lesson books, individual pieces, and music distributed under a valid studio licence. The cost of these resources can vary depending on the student’s level.
A materials and books fee of $45 per term ($180 per year) will be charged and invoiced together with term fees. This fee covers all required books, handouts, and studio-licensed materials.
It may also contribute towards the cost of selected learning apps to support note reading, as well as certain equipment such as a metronome, where applicable (conditions apply).
REGISTRATION FEE
Upon enrolment, following a free trial lesson, a non-refundable registration fee of $50 is payable.
EXAM PREPARATION
Piano and theory exams are optional. Regardless of whether a student chooses to undertake exams, all students will be guided through the relevant material for each level to support steady and well-rounded progress.
Students who wish to sit exams will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to the additional effort required for preparation.
LESSON LENGTH
Lessons are usually 30 minutes.
If students are doing exams, a longer time will be required:
Grades Preliminary – 4 45 minutes
Grades 5 and above 1 hour
WHAT INSTRUMENT DO I NEED?
Instrument Requirements
Students are expected to have access to a suitable instrument for practice at home. This will typically be either a good-quality acoustic piano or a quality digital piano. Most teachers, including myself, require that an adequate instrument is available before lessons begin.
If purchasing a digital piano, please ensure it has the following features:
- Weighted keys
- A proper sustain pedal (not a footswitch)
- A stable stand or cabinet with a piano bench (not a cross stand)
- Preferably 88 keys
A good-quality digital piano can serve a student well for approximately 4–5 years, typically up to around a Grade 4 (late intermediate) level. Beyond this stage, transitioning to an acoustic piano becomes increasingly important for further development. If an acoustic piano is available from the beginning, it provides an excellent foundation.
When considering an acoustic piano, please take care—particularly with instruments advertised as “free.” In many cases, the true cost can be significant. Expenses may include professional inspection, transport, and tuning, which together can total several hundred dollars. Additionally, older pianos that have not been maintained may require extensive (and sometimes impractical) restoration work.
It is strongly recommended to have any second-hand piano inspected by a qualified piano technician before purchase. Alternatively, purchasing from a reputable dealer can provide greater peace of mind, as this often includes delivery, a warranty, and an initial tuning.
Once a piano is in the home, regular maintenance is important. Annual tuning is recommended to keep the instrument in good condition.
In summary, having a reliable and well-maintained instrument makes a significant difference to a student’s progress and motivation to practise.
2026 Charges:
Lesson Fees
- Lessons are billed per school term.
- There are four terms per year, with a total of 39 lessons scheduled annually.
- Students are billed for 36 lessons (4 × 9 weeks), effectively receiving 3 complimentary lessons per year, provided all lessons are attended. These complimentary lessons are cumulative.
- Make-up lessons are not provided.
- Term fees secure a reserved lesson time for the student, regardless of attendance, as this time cannot be filled at short notice.
- Fees must be paid prior to the first lesson of each term.
- $47 per 30-minute lesson
- $70.50 per 45-minute lesson
- $94 per 60-minute lesson
Books and Materials
A materials and books subscription fee of $45 per term ($180 per year) is payable and covers all required books, handouts, materials and studio-licensed materials.
Registration Fee
A registration fee of $50 is payable upon enrolment (after a trial lesson) and is non-refundable.
Payment Details
- Fees may be paid by direct deposit or cash.
- Invoices will be sent via email.
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