MY TEACHING APPROACH
My experience as a piano and theory teacher is well-established. While some of my students have gone on to study music at a tertiary level and make it their career, my primary goal is to pass on to all my students fluency in the language of music, so that they may enjoy a lifetime of music-making and the freedom of self-expression and creativity it affords.
MY RESPONSIBILITIES
To teach your child to become a well-rounded musician.
To ensure my studio is a positive learning environment.
To shape the curriculum to meet your child's specific learning needs.
STUDENT AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES
Students agree to attend each lesson on time, well-prepared and with all their books. Quality practice on a day-to-day basis and completion of weekly assigned tasks such as music theory or sight-reading is essential to good progress and non-negotiable if preparing for an exam. Families agree to ensure their child's schedule allows for this to happen. Students and families agree to be guided by the teacher's recommendations in regards to technical development, repertoire, performance and exam readiness etc.
INSTRUMENT
Students must have an acoustic piano at home. Keyboards are not acceptable.
COMMITMENT
When students enrol, they are reserving their place in the studio for the entire term. Try to choose a lesson time in which you feel confident you can attend every week. Please understand that the tuition you pay reserves an exclusive weekly time in my schedule for your child. I cannot resell that time or create extra teaching time in which to give lessons. School-age students are given priority when scheduling after-school lessons.
PAYMENT AND MAKE-UPSREGISTRATION FEE
Each student pays a small yearly non-refundable registration fee prior to commencing or continuing lessons with me. A lesson time is not reserved until such payment is received. This fee also allows me to continue to offer my students the best possible learning experience that includes playing on well-maintained, professional pianos, associated resources and technology, as well as an extensive lending library.
TUITION FEE
Tuition fees are separate from the registration fee. My fees are available on request. I do not charge GST. Payments for tuition are term-in-advance only and are non-refundable. Tuition will not commence until payment has been received. Parents will receive a courtesy text if payment is not received by the due date on the invoice and the student's lesson time will become immediately available to students on my waiting list.
TUITION BOOKS, EXAM, EISTEDDFOD AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE COSTS
Parents are responsible for ordering and paying for these associated costs as needed.
MAKE-UPS, SCHEDULING AND HOLIDAY LESSONS
One make-up lesson per student per term only (4 per year). Make-up lessons will become void if not made-up within the term that it is taken. Requests outside of this will be politely declined. To be eligible for a make-up, a minimum of 48 hours notice must be given prior to the missed lesson. Notice of sudden student illness must be received prior to the commencement of the student's lesson to be eligible for a make-up. No-shows, no matter the reason, are not eligible for a make-up. Notice must be received by text or email. In the unlikely event that I have to cancel a lesson, the student will receive a make-up. I do not teach during the holiday period.
PAYMENT TYPES
Direct Debit or Cash only. Invoices and receipts are emailed.
PUNCTUALITY
Lessons will not be extended for students who are not punctual.
By enrolling and paying tuition for my child in Katarina Brookes' studio, I certify that I understand and agree to the studio policies for the 2026 school year.