Michelle - BAH Teacher #3088

Name: Michelle (Full name will be provided upon registration)

Age: 50's

Gender: female

I began music studies at the age of 8 and continued formal music studies in the following years through elementary and secondary school. This time involved several exams and competitions, involvement in school musicals and drama. My piano teaching began at the Algoma Conservatory of Music, preparing students of various ages and academic levels for exams, while others simply for the enjoyment of the instrument. The beginning of my Music degree at Algoma University involved only a 'concentration' in Music. At this time I became extensively involved in local performing choirs, as well as directing a youth choir at my church. To complete a full Bachelor of Music degree, I transferred to the University of Windsor, and won a scholarship to engage in piano performance. After a year, I decided to transfer to pipe organ. Throughout the following terms, our university Chamber Choir travelled to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall under the direction of composer John Rutter, which was an incredible, joyful experience! I was also blessed with the opportunity to study at the Royal School of Church Music in Croydon, England. Throughout all studies, I instructed students in piano, theory as well as conducting summer music workshops at the Academie St. Cecile. Upon graduation, I continued to teach, sing professionally and lead choirs in church music positions. In acquiring my Bachelor of Education Degree, I taught with the Huron Perth Catholic District school board for 17 years, directing my founded choir the Salve Regina Singers for concerts and competition. There were many concert performances throughout the years. I instructed students from grades 1-8 ages and taught hand bells, recorder, singing and piano as well as visual art and drama which were combined with music also. In voluntary groups, I instructed cursive writing and reading skills. My wonderful husband is a harpsichordist and I continue to cantor in our church diocese.

One year bursary for organ and vocal study, Assumption Church, Windsor. Entrance scholarship , Faculty of Music, University of Windsor.

My mother enrolled me in piano studies at the age of eight. My great aunt, Philomena, who had also been a piano teacher in another province, had given my mother ten dollars to have me begin lessons...I had begun going to the piano and attempting to play TV show theme music and Christmas carols by ear. Throughout the following years, I was blessed with a tremendously loving and patient music teacher, Sister Theresa Casey. She guided me through many piano exams, competitions and helped me to gain more confidence and more patience. A music professor from Hungary who lived behind us wanted me to begin teaching piano, and I began at 15 teaching his daughter, then directing my first church choir. Throughout the years, I encountered and studied with several gifted teachers, choir conductors and professors who had faith in me, pushed me and guided me in many ways. I owe the biggest honour to my late mother and father who never allowed me to quit my music studies. They are my inspiration always.

English

Rates and Studio Policies
Registration Fee: $25.00 (One-time lifetime registration fee may be used by all family members)

Rates for instruction:
30 minute private lesson: $39.00
45 minute private lesson: $49.00
60 minute private lesson: $59.00

Travel charge: additional $15.00 per visit (for lessons in a client's home as opposed to my studio)

1. Cancellation Policy
Lessons not cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are billable to the client and payable to the teacher. This does not of course apply to travel fees unless the notice is effectively given at the door and the teacher has travelled to the location.

2. Cessation (quitting) Policy
A client must provide a 2 lesson notice period to stop lessons. So a weekly student needs to give 2 weeks of notice, a biweekly student works out to 3 weeks notice and a twice weekly student works out to a week of notice.

3. Illness Policy
Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher.

BAH teachers are encouraged to offer a make-up lesson at a future date in the interest of client relations and general goodwill. This only makes sense as teaching a student with the flu for example, will ruin the rest of your week's employment.

No more than 2 lessons may be made up due to illness within a 60 day period.

4. Rescheduling Policy
Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.

Summer Vacation and Extended Absence Policy

Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.

It is normal and typical for students and about 20% of our teachers to schedule a break in the summer. We do not enforce a notice period (see cessation of lessons) at the end of a long summer break.

5. Evaluation Period
There are no free trial lessons with Beethoven at Home but we do offer a 2 lesson evaluation period where it is easy to try out a teacher. There are no free lessons during the evaluation period and clients may choose to discontinue the lessons at any time by providing the required 24 hours notice. After the student's 3rd lesson the required 2 lesson notice period will apply (see cessation of lessons above).