Werner Music – Policies & Payments Guide

1. Scheduling

Lesson times are set at the beginning of the teaching year (September–June) and are intended to remain consistent for the full term to ensure stability for both students and teachers.

We understand that occasional changes may be necessary. Requests to change your time must be made to Werner Music (not directly to the teacher) as early as possible. We will do our best to accommodate reasonable requests, but changes cannot be guaranteed, and frequent rescheduling is discouraged to keep scheduling fair for all families.

Teacher availability can be found on our website. Werner Music reserves the right to adjust schedules as needed based on teacher or program requirements, with direct communication to affected families.

Ending or Pausing Lessons

• Students are expected to complete the full September–June term. Ending lessons early will result in the forfeit of your lesson deposit.

• Families wishing to temporarily pause lessons must give one month’s notice by the 1st of the month and pay the current month’s fees in full. For example, to pause in March, notice must be given no later than February 1st, and February fees will be invoiced in full.

• Lesson times will not be held during a pause unless you continue paying monthly fees.

• Lesson deposits, credits, and unused make-up lessons are forfeited if lessons do not resume.

Cancellations & Make-Up Lessons

• Lessons must be cancelled by email to Werner Music at least 24 hours in advance to qualify for a make-up.

• Cancellations sent directly to the teacher will be considered missed and paid for, with no make-up.

• A maximum of 3 make-up lessons are allowed per teaching year; further cancellations will be considered missed and paid for.

• Make-up lessons may be scheduled outside of designated make-up weeks if availability allows but must be used before the end of the current teaching year.

• Make-up lessons may be taught by a different instructor.

• Make-up lessons cannot be carried over into the next year and credits will not be given for unused make-up lessons.

Teacher Cancellations

• If a teacher cancels, you will receive a lesson credit applied to the following month’s invoice.

Inclement Weather

• Werner Music may cancel or reschedule lessons when weather conditions are unsafe.

• Consideration will be given to student cancellations due to weather.

2. Communication

• Please direct all scheduling, make-up questions to Werner Music — not your teacher.

• Parents should not share personal contact info with teachers or request theirs unless approved by Werner Music.

• Email is the preferred way to contact Werner Music. Text or Facebook Messenger may be used if necessary.

• Werner Music will pass along important information to teachers as needed.

3. Payment

• All lessons must be paid for in advance.

• Invoices are sent at the end of each month for the following month’s lessons (e.g., invoices sent in August for September lessons).

• Payment is due by the first lesson of each month.

• Send e-transfers to: invoicing@wernermusic.ca

• Do not send payments directly to your teacher.

• Add invoicing@wernermusic.ca to your safe sender list to ensure you receive invoices.

• If an invoice is not paid in full by the last lesson of the month, a $10 late fee will be added to the next month’s invoice.

• A one-time lesson deposit (equal to one 30-minute lesson) will be charged with the September invoice.

• This deposit will be credited to your June invoice if the student completes the full teaching term (September–June).

• If a student withdraws before June or does not attend all scheduled lessons in June, the deposit will be forfeited.

4. Materials

• Parents are responsible for buying their child’s music books.

• Your teacher will help choose the right books based on your child’s age, level, and learning style — since every student is different, we tailor materials to fit their needs. We’ll let you know what to get and when!

5. Practice Expectations

• Consistent practice is key to progress. For beginners, we recommend practicing 4–5 times a week for 10–15 minutes. As students advance, practice time will naturally increase.

• Lessons are a time to perform what’s been practiced — not to learn it for the first time. Students should aim to have pieces ready to play each week.

• Young beginners often need adult help during practice. If you’re not sure how to support your child at home, we’re happy to offer tips.

• Practice charts and small rewards can be great motivators!