Policies 2026-2027

Welcome to Cantare mus!c
I’m thrilled you’ve decided to join me on this journey to discovering your true voice.

Please read the following carefully as it outlines the operation of the studio and its expectations.  

Cantare Studio will continue to run on a tuition-based model. Being a member of the studio offers you the assurance of a lesson time reserved for you.  You have the choice to pay the tuition in two payments or in equal monthly installments.

Studio Tuition

Studio tuition is based on a 12-month calendar beginning from the date of registration.

Full Membership:

• Includes 42 individual sessions with me

• Option of 45 or 60 minute lessons

• Two workshops by age/level/style

• Two group performance classes

• Two annual recitals - December & June

• Resources & Tools

• Personal Google Folder with Lesson Notes, Music Pdf’s, Backing Tracks, Exercises etc.

• Further value is outlined below in “What Does My Tuition Include?”

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP:

• Includes 36 individual sessions with me

• September 7th, 2026 to June 25th, 2027

• Reserved for school-age students of the studio

• Option of 45 or 60 minute lessons

• Two workshops by age/level/style

• Two annual recitals - December & June

• Resources & Tools

• Personal Google Folder with Lesson Notes, Music Pdf’s, Backing Tracks, Exercises etc.

• Further value is outlined below in “What Does My Tuition Include?”

What does my tuition include?

• Individual sessions with me!

• A safe and encouraging space to explore your voice to discover what amazing things it can do…

• Option to cross-train or focus on your favourite genre…

• Stage presence and style awareness

• Gain knowledge of vocal anatomy and improve body awareness

• Focus on technique and artistry

• Two group classes/workshops per year! These will be grouped by age/level

• Two recitals per year (includes accompanist fees for rehearsals & recitals, venue rental, reception)

• Individualized goal-setting (short and long term)

• Indirect access to my professional network of knowledgeable specialists and experts in the field of voice and movement

• Repertoire selection; which often requires time outside of lessons researching

• Reference letters when required

• Guidance/mentoring when required for applications to post-secondary institutions and/or summer programs.

• Musicianship skill-building (aural skills, ear training, sight singing, note & rhythm reading)

• Credit Card payment processing fees of at least 3%

• RCM exam preparation option

• NATS audition preparation

• Music Festival preparation (Kiwanis, North York etc)

• Option to reschedule using the studio calendar (limited to those with 24 hrs notice or more) to open spots identified by the recycle symbol.

• Option of asynchronous lesson via video (<24 hr reschedule or poor internet connection)

• Vibrant Voice Technique (proud to be one of only a few trained instructors)

• Numerous music and anatomy apps to enhance learning

• Studio Social Media posts delivering inspiration and resources – refer to site and follow me!

• 24-hour automated lesson reminder sent via email and/or text to you and/or student

• Support following vocal health protocols (I am a certified Vocal Health First Aider)

• An enthusiastic and committed instructor (that’s me!)

An all-access pass to:

• A myriad of valuable studio resources in student portal (video tutorials, warm ups, exercises, post-secondary and summer course links; updated regularly)

• My extensive music library including hard copies, digital copies and through my Sheetmusicdirect subscription.

Remember: Your tuition is always working for you!

Here is a reminder of what else it supports:

• My memberships within professional organizations: NATS, SECO, NYSTA, these offer me regular valuable training opportunities which I, in turn, pass on to my students

• Additional ongoing Professional Development, Pedagogy books and other resources

• Software subscriptions - MMS, Acuity, ScanScore, Sheet Music Direct, Microsoft, Musescore, Zoom Pro, Canva Pro

• Purchase of music and equipment

• Piano tuning and maintenance

• Studio insurance

What it does not include:

• Last minute cancelled or missed lessons – these lessons are forfeited (kindly text)

• Accompanist tracks for lessons. I recommend downloading https://www.appcompanist.com/ There are 50 free vocal exercises and great features! Watch the video tutorial to learn more. Consider a student subscription $5.49 per month for 6 songs. A new alternative for classical repertoire only is https://www.4dpianoapp.com/ and it is presently still free of charge. This one includes RCM music and vocalise accompaniments.

• Accompanist fees for exams and performances other than studio recitals

• RCM music and theory books – I will provide you with second copies when required

• Practical and theory exam fees – these are your responsibility

What you can do to make the most of studio membership:

• Attend your lessons regularly and any group events

• Read studio communications

• Bring your curiosity with you!

• Access and use the resources in the student portal regularly

• Commit to a regular practice schedule (improvement is addictive!)

• Remember that regular, mindful practice is much more effective than practicing for longer durations from time to time. Mindfulness and consistency is key!

/ Considerations:

• A dedicated learning/practice space which allows for mindful practice

• A notebook and pencil to keep all of your observations organized and in one place or add it to the lesson notes Google doc in your personal Google folder.

• A metronome app on your device of choice (Tempo is a good one!)

• A music stand, if possible. Your music at an optimal height encourages healthy alignment

• A mirror to monitor your alignment and oral posture/expression while singing

• Ensure you have optimized your online lesson set-up (refer to studio recommendations below)

Parents of younger students can enhance their experience by being popping in toward the end of their lesson to learn how they can best support them during the week.

Online lessons

Some lessons will be online via my secure Zoom Pro account. You will receive a link which will be repeated in your lesson reminders. All you need to do is click on it just before your lesson time which will send you to my waiting room. At that time, I am notified you have arrived and will welcome you in at your lesson time.

Rest assured, I have a powerful computer and the fastest internet available to prevent problems on my end and should limit lagging. There is also a contingency plan in place in the event of internet disturbances or excessive external noises. We have the option to resume via Facetime or to continue the lesson asynchronously with a video app such as Marco Polo.

/ Things you can do for a positive online experience:

• Ensure you have a reliable internet connection!

• To reduce lag time, use your newest, fastest device and check to ensure your wi-fi is optimized to run at peak performance.

• Close any additional programs or web tabs on your device before beginning your lesson.

• Avoid being near other big electronics during your lesson (for example, a microwave).

• Connecting your device to the router by Ethernet cable improves the connection considerably.

• If possible, request others in your home to not stream during your lesson time.

• Use an external mic if you have one. If you don’t and are considering buying one please ask for recommendations. This is intended for advanced students only.

• Be sure to have your recorded accompaniments ready to go on a separate device.

• Ensure I have copies of the songs you are working on, and if not, provide me with the title or send me a pdf in advance or you could pop it into your Google folder for access by both of us.

/ Instructions to optimize Zoom for music:

Once in Zoom – go to audio settings

• Automatically adjust microphone volume - Unchecked

• Suppress Background Noise - Low

• Show in-meeting option to enable “Original Sound” - Checked

• High-fidelity music mode - Checked

• Echo Cancellation – Checked

• Stereo audio - Checked

  Advanced Settings:

• Echo cancellation - Auto

Cancellation policies

Lesson cancellations

Please do NOT contact me directly. When the situation arises that you cannot make your lesson time, rest assured that you have a few options. If you are able to provide 24 hrs notice or more your options are:

1. You may log into the studio calendar to mark yourself absent. At this time, you will see the option to create an open space for someone else. Next, search for an open time spot that may be available from someone else’s cancellation. You will identify these by the following symbol ♲ and you will see: 0/1 as opposed to 1/1. See other options below.

2. Asynchronous lesson. Send me a video of you singing an exercise and/or song in advance and I will assess it and return a video providing you with helpful feedback during your lesson time.

3. If you are unable to sing you have the option of a non-singing lesson. Here, we have the opportunity to work on music theory, diction, dramatic presentation, character development, or to delve into interpretation of your repertoire (text, music). All is not lost! And, with online lessons, there is no concern about sharing germs!

4. You may add your email address and/or phone number to a SWAP list to contact one another directly.

Teacher Cancellations

If I have to cancel for some unforeseen reason then I will offer an option to reschedule. If this does not work for you we can proceed with an asynchronous lesson.

Sickness Policy

Cancellations due to illness are subject to the same policies listed above. If you must cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice but are not bedridden, you may take a Non-Singing online lesson. If you are too ill on the day of your lesson, you may request the Asynchronous lesson option. Remember: studio membership offers you more than just your lesson time.

COVID SYMPTOMS

If you are experiencing any COVID symptoms such as a sore throat, stuffy nose, cough, fever or chills, shortness of breath, nausea/diarrhea, loss of taste of smell or unusual fatigue you are required to notify me asap. If anyone in your home is experiencing symptoms this also applies. If anyone in my home is experiencing symptoms I will notify you asap. See numbers 2-4 above for your options.

Studio Withdrawal/Refunds

Cantare Studio students have been very committed and rarely withdraw before our contract is up for renewal. However, unforeseen circumstances happen, and in those unique instances, here are the steps we would take: 

/ Procedure:

• If a withdrawal is determined as the best option, I will advise you to provide me with a written Notice of Withdrawal.

• One month after the written notice has been received, you will be released from your contract.

/ Financial Considerations to Early Withdrawal:

• A $75 Early Withdrawal Fee will be applied to your account

• Any discounts that may have been applied to your tuition will be forfeited

• Based on lessons received vs payments made, we will determine if you are owed a refund or if I am owed a final payout. That final transaction would occur via e-transfer, due one month after your written notice was received.

If circumstances allow, lesson attendance is encouraged to the end of your contract. We will then work on a personalized plan for you, to help keep your singing and pursuing your interest through the change you’re experiencing.

Important Dates - * subject to change

Studio closures:

Workshop dates:

Exact times TBC

Annual Recital dates:

 Tuition Options:

Monthly tuition payments are due:
The final day of the preceding month.
Bi-Annual payments are due: 
At time of registration and second payment 5 months later.

An annual registration fee of $30 is added to each account at time of registration.
If members would like to purchase extra lessons they may do so at the exclusive rate of $85 for 45 minutes or $105 for 60 minutes.

Drop-in lessons are at the rate of $115 per hour and may be scheduled directly from my website via acuity scheduling. These lessons are not eligible for refund or rescheduling. If you are unable to attend your lesson as scheduled, you may request the asynchronous option.

Payment Options

Cantare Studio accepts cash, pre-programmed regular e-transfers or credit card payments. Credit card payments will be processed through Stripe and Cantare Studio absorbs all CC fees. I will never have access to your credit card information.

*The studio reserves the right to update or amend these terms and conditions at any time due to emergent circumstances. Any changes will be in effect immediately and will be accompanied by immediate notice via email.