Tiny Fingers Music Studio Policies

Effective September 1st, 2026

By registering for lessons at Tiny Fingers Music, families acknowledge and agree to the following studio policies and terms. These policies are designed to ensure a consistent, organized, and positive experience for our students, families, and teachers.

1. Location and Lesson Structure

  • Lessons take place at our studio located at 605 Brock Street North, Unit #14, Whitby, Ontario, L1N 8R2.

  • Lessons are currently private (except for group theory classes) and involve only the student(s) and teacher.

  • All lessons are currently In-Person Only to allow for direct, hands-on instruction and real time feedback. This format supports students' growth in technique, theory, and performance through focused one-on-one interaction. Online lessons may be offered in cases of inclement weather or unavoidable absences.

  • Students with siblings who have back-to-back lessons must wait outside of the room accompanied by a parent unless 18 years of age until their lesson begins.

  • Tiny Fingers Music is not responsible for supervising students or children while they are on studio premises outside of their scheduled lesson or class time. All students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or designated caregiver during private lessons, group classes, and studio events.

  • To help maintain a clean and safe environment, all individuals are required to wear indoor shoes while in the studio. Please bring a separate pair of clean shoes to change into for your lesson. Outdoor shoes should be left at the entrance.

2. Tuition & Payment Terms

Tuition:

Tuition is charged monthly in advance and is based on the number of scheduled lessons within the applicable month.

  • Beginning September 2026, the standard tuition rate is $31 per 30-minute lesson.

  • Monthly tuition may vary depending on the number of scheduled lessons, studio closures, holidays, and other applicable adjustments.

  • Music lessons are HST-exempt under applicable CRA guidelines for qualifying private and group instruction.

  • Tiny Fingers Music maintains a strict no-refund policy. This means that refunds for any unused or canceled lessons are not offered.

Automatic Payment Authorization:

Beginning September 2026, Tiny Fingers Music will use an automatic monthly payment system through the Student Portal.

By enrolling in lessons and adding a valid credit or debit card to the Student Portal, the parent/guardian authorizes Tiny Fingers Music to charge the payment method on file for monthly tuition and other authorized charges associated with the student's enrolment.

  • Tuition will be automatically charged on the 1st of each month for that month's scheduled lessons.

  • Invoices will be available through the Student Portal before the scheduled payment date.

  • Parents/guardians are responsible for maintaining a valid payment method on file and updating their payment information if a card expires, is replaced, cancelled, or is otherwise no longer valid.

  • This authorization remains in effect for the duration of the student's enrolment unless otherwise cancelled in accordance with these policies.

Adding a payment method to the Student Portal constitutes authorization for recurring tuition payments.

3. Declined Payments & Late Payment Fees

Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that the payment method on file is valid and able to process the scheduled tuition payment.

Declined Payments:

If a scheduled payment is declined:

  • The parent/guardian will be notified and is responsible for resolving the payment issue promptly.

  • A $25 declined payment fee will apply if the declined payment is not resolved within 3 business days.

  • Parents/guardians should ensure that expired or replaced cards are updated as soon as possible.

Late Payments:

Tuition is due on the 1st of each month.

If payment remains outstanding 5 days after the scheduled payment date, a $25 late payment fee will be applied.

If an account remains unpaid, Tiny Fingers Music reserves the right to suspend lessons and/or release the student's scheduled lesson time until the account has been brought up to date.

4. Student Portal

Tiny Fingers Music uses My Music Staff as its Student Portal. Parents/guardians are responsible for creating and maintaining access to their Student Portal account.

The Student Portal may be used to:

  • View upcoming lessons and lesson schedules

  • View lesson notes

  • View assignments and practice recommendations

  • Log and track student practice

  • View invoices

  • View payment history

  • Manage payment information

  • View studio announcements

  • Access other studio information and features as they become available

  • Parents/guardians are encouraged to check the Student Portal regularly for important updates.

  • Parents/guardians are responsible for maintaining accurate contact and account information within the Student Portal.

  • Tiny Fingers Music is not responsible for missed communications resulting from outdated or incorrect contact information.

5. Cancellations and Make-Up Lessons

  • All cancellations/rescheduling requests must be communicated directly to our director. This can be done by emailing info@tinyfingersmusic.com or calling the studio (289) 200-8512.

  • If a student is unable to attend a lesson, please provide at least 24 hours notice so a makeup lesson can be arranged. This notice allows the time slot to be offered to another student and helps keep scheduling fair and consistent. An alternate time may be offered in order to make up the lesson based on teacher availability.

  • Students experiencing symptoms of illness and cannot attend a lesson will be provided a makeup lesson if available and if notified 24 hours in advance. An alternate time may be offered in order to make up the lesson based on teacher availability.

  • Makeup lessons are offered based on teacher availability. If a student is unable to attend any of the available makeup lesson times, the missed lesson will be counted as forfeited and cannot be rescheduled to another month or refunded.

  • Missed lessons are not credited or carried over to future months. All makeup lessons must be completed within the same month as the missed lesson.

  • If you know in advance that a student will be away, please notify the studio when scheduling lessons. Make-up lessons will be arranged for short-term absences (under three weeks). Extended absences (three or more consecutive weeks) may result in your time slot being released unless arrangements are made to hold the spot during that time.

  • If you are unable or do not attend the rescheduled make-up lesson agreed upon, the make-up lesson will be lost and the lesson will be counted for.

  • To avoid missing a lesson, families are encouraged to schedule a makeup or have a sibling, friend, or family member attend in the student’s place whenever possible.

  • Inclement Weather: In the event of severe weather conditions, Tiny Fingers Music may cancel lessons if it is deemed unsafe to proceed. These instances are rare and only considered in exceptional circumstances due to the disruption they cause. In such cases, lessons will be rescheduled, no credits will be offered. If schools are closed due to weather, the decision to attend remains with the family, and a makeup lesson will be arranged if needed. Online lessons may be offered in cases of inclement weather.

  • If a teacher is unable to give lessons due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, you will be notified as soon as possible and lessons will be rescheduled or credited, or taught by another teacher.

6. No-Shows and Late Arrivals

  • Failure to attend a scheduled lesson without notifying the studio is known as a no-show, and the lesson will be counted for. This compensates for time and lost scheduling opportunity. Makeup lessons will not be accommodated for no-shows and lessons will not be refunded or credited.

  • If a student arrives late to their lesson, the student will receive the remaining amount of time left within the 30 minute lesson and the lesson will not be extended past the scheduled lesson time.

  • If no notice is given and the student has not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the lesson is considered forfeited, and the teacher is not required to wait. If notice is provided that the student will be late, the teacher will remain available for the remainder of the scheduled time.

7. Instruments and Materials

  • Students are required to purchase books as needed for their curriculum. These materials are essential for their learning and progress.

  • In the event that a student loses a book, it will be necessary to purchase a replacement to continue their studies without interruption.

  • Guitar/bass/ukulele, violin, brass, and woodwind students are required to bring their own instruments to lessons.

8. Holidays

  • Tiny Fingers Music observes specific holiday breaks throughout the teaching year. These dates are pre-planned and not included in monthly tuition. No make-up lessons are required.

  • Studio Closures Include:

    • Winter Break: One week at the end of December and One week during the beginning of January

    • March Break: One week in March

    • Good Friday

    • Labour Day

    • Thanksgiving Day

    • Family Day

    • Easter Monday

    • Victoria Day

    • One week at the end of August/beginning of September before the school year begins

  • The teaching year concludes at the end of June and our summer program begins first week of July with a more flexible tuition model.

9. Photo and Video Consent

By enrolling at Tiny Fingers Music, you grant permission for the studio to take photos and videos of your child during lessons or events. These images may be displayed within the studio or shared on our website, social media platforms, or other studio related materials. Please note that these images will never be sold, used for direct profit, or shared with third parties under any circumstances.

If you prefer not to have your child included in any photos or videos, please let us know in writing. However, opting out also means your child will not be featured in studio highlights.

10. Discontinuing of Lessons

Tiny Fingers Music is committed to creating a positive, supportive space where students can thrive musically and personally. To maintain this environment, we ask that families uphold respectful communication, regular attendance, and adherence to studio policies.

If ongoing concerns arise such as disruptive conduct, inappropriate or disrespectful communication, unresolved payment problems, or inconsistent attendance, the studio may choose to remove a student from the program. This decision is made carefully and with the overall well-being of the studio community in mind. Any remaining prepaid lessons at the time of removal will be refunded.

11. Withdrawing from Lessons

We understand that circumstances may change. Before withdrawing, families are encouraged to discuss any concerns with their teacher or Tiny Fingers Music, as adjustments to the lesson plan, teacher, schedule, or program may help address concerns.

  • If a family wishes to discontinue lessons, written notice must be provided by the 15th of the month to cancel enrolment for the following month.

  • Notice received after the deadline will result in the following month's tuition being processed as scheduled, and the student's lesson spot will remain active for that month. Tuition will not be refunded once the applicable withdrawal deadline has passed.

  • Withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing by email or through the Student Portal. Verbal notice to a teacher does not constitute official withdrawal.

  • Removing a payment method, cancelling a payment, or discontinuing attendance does not constitute withdrawal. Families must provide written notice according to this policy.

  • Any outstanding tuition or balances remain payable upon withdrawal.

12. Email & Electronic Communication

  • Tiny Fingers Music uses email as primary methods of communication regarding lessons, scheduling, tuition, invoices, studio announcements, events, and other school-related information.

  • By registering for lessons, parents/guardians provide consent for Tiny Fingers Music to send school-related communications to the email address(es) provided during registration.

  • Providing and maintaining a valid email address is required for enrolment at Tiny Fingers Music.

  • Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their email address and other contact information remain current and accurate.

  • Families are expected to regularly check their email and Student Portal for important studio communications.

  • Tiny Fingers Music is not responsible for missed information resulting from an incorrect, outdated, or inaccessible email address.

  • If a family is no longer enrolled with Tiny Fingers Music, they may request to discontinue non-essential studio communications at any time.

13. Liability

While every effort is made to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and parents, Tiny Fingers Music, cannot be held liable for any injuries, damages, or losses that may occur on the premises or during school-sponsored events. This includes, but is not limited to, accidents, personal injuries, property damage, or loss of personal items. It is strongly encouraged for everyone to exercise caution and to be mindful of their surroundings while at the studio or participating in any events organized by Tiny Fingers Music. Your understanding and cooperation in this matter are greatly appreciated to maintain a safe and positive environment for all.

14. Agreement to Terms

  • Registration at Tiny Fingers Music confirms your agreement to the above policies. Policies may change at any time (notice will be provided). The most current version will remain online, and written copies are available upon request.

  • Where applicable, electronic acceptance, registration, or addition of a payment method through the Student Portal constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of these policies.

  • Continued enrolment following notice of updated policies constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us maintain a positive, organized, and supportive environment for all of our students and families.