School Policies

Trial Lessons

Vaughan Academy of Music (VAM) offers one, 15min trial lesson for every student interested in regular weekly music lessons.
The purpose of the trial lesson is to meet the teacher, ask any questions, and try a sample lesson.
The trial lesson must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
No makeup lessons are offered if a student cancels or fails to show up for this lesson.
Students are welcome to try a different instructor after their first trial lesson by scheduling and prepaying $20 for
another one, half-hour lesson.

Email/SMS Communication

EMAIL/SMS
All email communication regarding music lessons must go to vaughanacademyservices@gmail.com or by SMS (text message).
We do not accept lesson related emails to any of our other email accounts.

NEWSLETTER
The student/parent agrees to read the weekly Newsletter sent out with important school communication.

Fees and Payments

A Regular Private Student is only fully registered once the following materials are submitted in advance of first lesson:

1. A signed Registration and School Policy Agreement Form (online or in person at Vaughan Academy of Music)
2. Registration Fee of $25
3. Payment is provided by E-transfer/Credit Card/Cash/Debit/Cheque
Note: Music classes are exempt from HST

Recurring Payments for 4 classes must be made by Visa or MasterCard and are subject to a $5-$25 Merchant Credit Card Processing Fee (4% fee).

Payments for a Semester (16 classes) must be made by E-transfer and do not have additional fees.

Those who pay by Semester and Long-Term will receive additional bonuses.

Fees include only the cost of classes. 
Additional costs for class materials, concerts and
examinations apply.

As per RCM syllabus, 45 minute classes are required from grade 3 and one hour for grade 4 onward.

September Registration For Ongoing Students:
To secure your preferred time and teacher in September,
a deposit of 4 classes is required between June 15th – July 15th. Confirmation of your attendance is  required 2 weeks before your first scheduled September class. If you do not confirm or attend the scheduled class, Vaughan Academy of Music cannot guarantee your preferred time or teacher.

Payments made for class time must be used within 6 months. No refunds available after 6 months.

Note: Vaughan Academy of Music will be issuing a receipt for your payments. This receipt is the ONLY receipt that will be issued for tax purposes. 

Semesters

There are three semesters per year:
Semester 1: September through December
Semester 2: January through March
Semester 3: April-June
Flexible Summer Schedule: July and August

Instrument Rentals

Regular Private Students and Group Students are welcome to sign up for our student rental program.
Rentals are subject to availability.
Those who sign up for a full Semester will receive a one month FREE rental as a bonus.

Group Classes

A GROUP CLASS STUDENT is a student who participates in a group with the same group class instructor and group class members for the school year (Sept-June). 

Group class students can participate in a minimum of 2 performance opportunities throughout the year.
They acknowledge that this a committed group effort and that no more than two absences will be permitted. 
They also agree that once they have begun a semester that they are committed to the performance at the end of each year (December & June).

Group Class Student MISSED LESSONS
No make­up lessons or classes will take place if a student misses any group classes. A make­up lesson will take place in the event of a school closure or teacher absence. If a student misses two lessons with unexplained absences during the school year, we will get in contact to reconfirm their commitment to their group. Students who miss more than two lessons without an explanation may not be able to participate in the performances. Group classes are a team of students and one student who is not attending lessons will dramatically impact the effectiveness of group learning and will negatively affect the performances.

WITHDRAWING FROM GROUP LESSONS
Students wishing to withdraw from groups lessons must provide 4 weeks of advanced notice. No refunds are provided within that time frame and students are encouraged to fulfill their obligation to their classmates during their last 4 weeks. Even though there are no refunds for group classes, you may transfer the leftover classes to friends and family as a gift.

Withdrawal From Private Lessons

For Semester and Long Term Package Only, at least 4 Lesson’s written notice via email to vaughanacademyservices@gmail.com or SMS (text message) is required if a student decides to terminate lessons for any reason. 

If a student must withdraw from lessons, VAM will forfeit a fee equal to four lessons plus the registration fee from the date of written notice OR you may transfer the four lessons to any of your friends/family as a gift. VAM will refund any remaining tuition beyond the four weeks and return any postdated cheques and stop any recurring payments on file.

All makeup lessons must be made up by this time or the lessons will be forfeit. Refunds will be completed within 4 weeks of the student’s last lesson date.

Missed Lessons and Make Up Classes

Special Note: Our policies for missed and make up classes are designed to honour both the student’s continuity of musical work as well as the teacher’s schedule.

Missed lessons will NOT be deducted from the next payment.

LESS THAN 24 HOURS’ NOTICE
Students cancelling lessons with less than 24 hours’ notice forfeit the lesson time and lessons will not be made up. In case of an unexpected illness or any event that the student cannot attend the class, please notify the office to easily switch the class to an online class at the same day and time. If the parent/student does not inform Vaughan Academy about their absence, the class will be forfeit.

MORE THAN 24 HOURS’ NOTICE
Students can receive 1 makeup lesson per month with the their usual teacher or the first available teacher from Sept-June provided that a text message or email has been sent to the office with more than 24 hours’ notice. No same-day phone calls or in person cancellations will be accepted. If a make­up lesson is not possible, the fee for the lesson will not be refunded. 

Make up lessons must be scheduled within 2 weeks of the original cancellation.

***Missed make up lessons, arriving late for class and additional cancellations cannot be refunded/credited.***

In some circumstances, such as lessons missed without notice or with less than 24 hours notice, lessons may not be eligible for rescheduling at Vaughan Academy’s sole discretion.

Refunds are not available. Credits will only be held for prompt rescheduling and at the sole discretion of Vaughan Academy of Music.

TEACHER ABSENCE
VAM reserves the right to have a supply teacher teach lessons in the event a teacher is ill, absent or unavailable. If VAM cannot provide a supply teacher, the student will receive a make­up lesson for each lesson a teacher is away. If an instructor plans to be away for an extended period of time, a supply teacher will be arranged.

HOLIDAY / SNOW DAY / SCHOOL CLOSURE
Lessons will not be charged in the event that lessons fall on a statutory holiday. Lessons will be made up if cancelled by VAM.

VAM EVENTS
Lessons will be made­ up in the case that lessons fall the same time a student is required to attend a VAM rehearsal, show, concert, or recording session.

OnLine and InSchool Classes

Classes are available both OnLine and InSchool.

In the event of a disturbance/closure to the InSchool environment, classes will automatically be held OnLine with regular schedules and teachers

School Concerts

Students/parents agree that once they have begun a semester, they are committed to the performance at the end of each semester (December & June). The Teacher and Students must fill out their concert form with their song selections by the end of October and by the end of March.

Ensembles and Bands

Students attending private classes will have a chance to participate in weekly band/choir rehearsals free of charge following an audition.

GROUP class students may participate in bands and choir for $10/rehearsal following an audition.

Students outside of VAM who would like to take part in the BAND / CHOIR program can sign up for an audition by calling (905) 417-2251. If accepted, every rehearsal is $20.

Private Recording/Video Requests

Enrolled Students requiring a professional video and audio recording will receive a school discount.

Students and other individuals outside of the VAM community can discuss their particular needs by contacting (905) 417-2251 and book a recording session. Fees depend on the level of performance, instruments, and time commitment.

Health and Safety

All safety precautions including sanitizing and the wearing of masks have been implemented. For the safety and well being of teachers, students and families, please cancel and reschedule class if your child is exhibiting any flu-like symptoms, has been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or has traveled outside the country in the last 14 days. Parents/guardians are requested to refrain from entering the school if experiencing flu-like symptoms. Please follow the Ministry of Ontario’s Self-Assessment Guidelines before coming to the school: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/

The Parent agrees to:


  • Follow Vaughan Academy of Music teaching instructions.

    Advise Vaughan Academy of known classes to be missed as soon as possible such as school breaks, religious holidays, stationary holidays, appointments, etc.

    Re-schedule missed lessons due to illness, inclement weather, family matters, within 2 weeks of the next regular lesson to maintain students rate of musical progress.

    Note: missed lessons are taught individually by an available teacher.

    Register for examinations: Examinations for each completed grade are required in accordance with the current syllabus before continuing to the next grade. Examinations can be taken at Vaughan Academy of Music or RCM. Fees apply. Preparatory classes available.

    Return loaned instruments and accessories to the Vaughan Academy of Music in good condition within agreed upon time-frames. Deposit (cheque) provided to Vaughan Academy upon loan for the full value of instrument will be returned to registrant if the above conditions are met.

    Ensure their child(ren) are respectful of the Vaughan Academy of Music premises and all property within at all times.

    Grant Vaughan Academy Of Music permission and consent to use any photographs and videos on social media platforms and website unless otherwise notified in writing.

    Inform the office Vaughan Academy of Music if stopping classes upon receiving reminder of next payment.

The Vaughan Academy of Music agrees to:


  • Reserve teaching facilities and /or provide an online platform for individual or group lessons each week.

    Teach the enrolled student to play in a satisfactory manner in accordance with grade standards.

    Update parents on students progress on a regular basis.

    Provide additional instruction where necessary.

    Encourage student participation in recitals, festivals and competitions.

    Loan an elementary instrument to the student for the 1st month upon enrollment of a new course.

    (if instrument is available) registrant must provide a deposit (cheque) for the full value of the loaned instrument. To be cashed only in the event of damage or non-return.
    Deposit (cheque) will be returned once the instrument has been returned to the school in good condition within agreed time frames.