Melanie Baux Vocal Studio
Info Sheet 2023/2024
403.890-1700(text is best)
19 Jumping Pound Terrace
Cochrane, AB
My goal is to keep lessons fun and informative! Please read through the studio policies, I aim to be transparent and clear so there never any miscommunication. Studio policies ensure the mutual respect, safety, and confidentiality of all students.
Payment
2023/2024 Lesson rates will remain the same as follows:
$70.00 per hour, invoiced at the end of each month.
Please send e-transfers to melaniebaux@shaw.ca
*Fees do not include festival registration fees, accompaniments fees or any extra music costs.
A late charge of $10.00 will be applied to invoices not paid within two weeks of the invoice date.
Cancellations
Cancellations for students in a recurring weekly lesson spot: lessons must be cancelled a minimum of 24-hours in advance. Lessons cancelled with less than 24-hours of the lesson time must be paid in full. *If you are ill, please let me know and we can cancel the lesson without charge, or choose move to an online lesson and work on diction, interpretation, theory or choose new music.
Lessons cancelled for extra-curricular activities or social events must be cancelled with one weeks notice, or the lesson will be charged in full.
I understand things come up and conflicts may arise in both my life and my students life. If something comes up, please discuss it with me. Often with enough notice I can fill your lesson time with a casual or waitlist student.
You will never be charged for a lesson cancelled by me. I will put all NO LESSON dates in the calendar as soon as I have them. Scheduled NO LESSON dates occur if I am away adjudicating, in a production week or have a performance. Please make note of these dates and check mymusicstaff for updates.
Cancellations for students booking single lessons: payment is due upon booking each lesson, cancellations or rescheduled lessons for students booking single lessons are not accepted under any circumstances.
Lesson Etiquette
Please be on time. I have back to back lessons so I cannot extend lesson length. I will always aim to start lessons within five minutes of the scheduled start time.
Have your music printed and accessible, even if you are memorized. Please feel free to record your lessons to help with practicing between lessons. I can also send vocal lines, warm ups and accompaniment recordings over email, or post to your mymusicstaff account.
If you have a problem or question with music during the week, there are many ways to contact me. Please do:) I am always happy to help and would rather assist you to progress through the week, than struggle until your next lesson. Please also contact me if I have forgotten to send something along.
Please respect that I teach out of my house. Feel free to come in and sit and wait for your lesson. Please don't arrive earlier that 5-10 minutes before your lesson time and arrange to be picked up promptly after your lesson is finished. If there is an emergency or scheduling conflict that comes up, I am happy to accommodate. Please just let me know.
Non-Disclosure of Materials
Material given to students in the course of student’s work in lessons is copyrighted and developed specifically for my students. Students agree that such proprietary material is solely for the students own personal use. Any disclosure to a third party is strictly prohibited, including recordings of lessons.
Festivals and Exams
Performing, and working towards a performance is a key piece of studying music. It is my expectation that my students perform in studio recitals with an option to participate in a festival. Depending where you are in your singing experience we can choose something that suits you. I will keep you informed regarding festival dates and deadlines. Festival registration fees can range from $20 - $65. We must use a live accompanist for festival performances. Accompanist fees range from $50 - $70 per song, plus rehearsal time. Registration fees are set by the festival and accompanist fees are standardized. If you choose to participate in a festival, you are agreeing to take on the additional fees. For Musical Theatre performance, there may be additional fees for costumes as well.
RCM Exams - If you would like to take an exam, please let me know and we will make a plan. RCM registration fees are approx. $125, depending on the grade. A live accompanist is required for exams. Accompanist fees range from $150 - $200, also depending on the grade.
Music and Online resources
I will provide sheet music and accompaniment tracks to students. I have a large collection of music and tracks to choose from. If you require music or tracks I don't have access to, or wish to work on a song don't have in my collection, I will purchase the music in the correct arrangement and key and add the cost to your student account. Alternately I can send a link for you to purchase the music directly. (Generally $5 - $10 on musicnotes or a similar sheet music provider) Many accompaniment tracks can now be found on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music. I can create mp3 tracks and alter them as needed.
All Studio information, dates and policies can be found at melaniebaux@mymusicstaff.com
You will also have access to the Student Portal where you will find lesson notes, songs you are working on and any other pertinent information.