Orrett Music Academy Policies

Effective December 10th, 2025 – Subject to Change

Welcome to Orrett Music Academy! We work hard to ensure your family’s experience exceeds expectations. Please contact our team anytime, we are here to help.

1) PAYMENT

  • Billing is monthly, based on the number of lessons that month excluding holidays, automatically recurring.
  • The first month is prorated from the date of the first registered lesson.
  • Unless otherwise specified, payments come out on the 1st of each month.
  • Music lessons are HST exempt.
  • We accept all major credit cards, Visa/Mastercard debit, and Interac debit.
  • To stop lessons for the following month, written notice must be given by the 15th (see Policy #19 – Withdrawing from Lessons).

2) TYPES OF LESSONS

In-Person Lessons
  • Held at the academy.
  • Lessons may be switched to online with 1 hour notice.
  • Group lessons are in-person only.
Online-Only Lessons
  • All lessons occur online.
  • Returning to in-person may require a schedule or teacher change.

3) REFUND / FINANCIAL CREDIT POLICY

As a general policy, Orrett Music Academy does not provide refunds or financial credits for missed lessons.

However, we strive to balance respect for our staff with flexibility for busy families.
Our longstanding missed lesson credit system, paired with flexible monthly cancellation, ensures families have options while maintaining fairness across the school.

4) CONTACTING YOUR TEACHER

  • Communication is best in person, but digital communication is available.
  • Contact teachers directly through your parent login on our Opus1 Software.
  • Teachers respond as promptly as possible; longer questions may be addressed in person.

5) IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND A LESSON

Group Lessons
  • Cannot be credited, refunded, or rescheduled unless Orrett cancels the class.
Private Lessons

Students may reschedule up to 2 lessons every 180 days if all conditions below are met:

  1. The lesson is cancelled through our Opus1 Software (telling your teacher, emails, or phone calls do not qualify).
  2. At least 12 hours notice is provided.
  3. The student has not exceeded the maximum of 2 credits within the 180-day period.

Additional Details:

  • Missed lesson credits are not refunded.
  • Credits must be self-booked online through our Opus1 Software and may be used with your teacher or any available teacher.
  • Credits expire after 180 days or upon withdrawal.
  • The 2-credit maximum and 12-hour notice requirement are strict for fairness to all families and staff.
Strategies to Avoid Missing a Lesson
  • Take the lesson online (one-click through our Opus1 Software).
  • Send a sibling or friend in your place.
How Make-Up Lessons Work
  • Teachers may fill gaps in their schedules, adjust hours, or occasionally add extra days for make-up lessons.
  • View and book available make-up times through your Opus1 Software parent login.
  • Make-ups are completed in the order lessons were missed.
  • If a booked make-up is missed or cancelled, it is forfeited.
  • There are no make-ups of make-ups.

6) ACADEMY MISSED LESSONS

An Academy Missed Lesson occurs when:

  • Your regular teacher is absent and
  • No supply teacher is available.

In this case:

  • An Academy Missed Lesson credit is issued.
  • These credits have no limit and never expire.

7) TAKING A LESSON ONLINE

  • Join online lessons using your teacher’s online room link in our Opus1 Software.
  • If your teacher is not present at the scheduled time, please contact the academy.
  • Switching a lesson to online does not count as a missed lesson.
  • To permanently switch to online lessons, contact administration.

8) ATTENDANCE POLICY

In-Person Lessons
  • Students showing symptoms may be sent home in consideration of community health; the lesson is forfeited.
  • Please pre-screen before attending.
Online Lessons
  • Lateness and attendance expectations are the same as for in-person lessons.
  • Switching from online to in-person may require schedule adjustments.

9) LATENESS

  • If a student is 5 minutes late, teachers may attempt contact.
  • After 15 minutes, the teacher may leave or end the online session; the lesson is forfeited.
  • If notice of lateness is given, teachers will wait.
  • Lessons cannot run past the scheduled end time.

10) SNOW DAYS / INCLEMENT WEATHER

  • Lessons are cancelled only in cases of severe weather.
  • Families will be notified by email.
  • An Academy Missed Lesson credit will be issued (no expiry, no limit).
  • Refunds are not provided for weather-related cancellations.

11) REGISTRATION FEE

  • Etobicoke-Kingsway: $49
  • All other locations: $29
    Includes a welcome package (parking pass *Etobicoke-Kingsway*, binder, music bag).

Fee is waived for:

  • Existing students taking additional instruments/classes
  • Students returning within 60 days
  • Students pausing only for July/August

12) HOLIDAYS

Lessons do not run on the following holidays; tuition is automatically adjusted:

  • Winter Break (two weeks)
  • March Break (one week)
  • Good Friday
  • Labour Day
  • Thanksgiving Monday
  • Family Day
  • Victoria Day

13) SUPPLY TEACHERS

Orrett may provide a qualified, screened supply teacher when your regular teacher is away.

  • Regular teachers are expected to be present at least 90% of the time, except under unusual circumstances (illness, emergencies, etc.).
  • Experience has shown that occasional exposure to a different teacher can be both educational and refreshing for students.
  • If a supply teacher is present, the lesson runs as normal and regular student missed-lesson policies apply.
  • If a student chooses not to attend when a supply teacher is present, it is considered a student missed lesson, and standard policies apply.
  • If no supply teacher is available, an Academy Missed Lesson credit is issued (no limit, never expires).

14) CARE OF CHILD

  • Orrett does not assume responsibility for children while on school premises.
  • Students under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver unless written consent for transfer of care is provided.

15) PARENTS IN LESSONS

We believe strongly in the Parent–Teacher–Child learning triangle, where all three participants support the child’s success.

  • The ideal level of parent involvement varies by child.
  • Teachers and parents will decide collaboratively what works best.
  • Some students benefit from a parent present; others thrive with independence.
  • Teachers provide a brief update at the end of each lesson.

16) PHOTO / VIDEO CONSENT

  • By enrolling, you consent to Orrett using photos/videos of students for academy-related purposes (website, social media, in-school displays).
  • Students are never identified by full name.
  • To opt out, email hello@orrett.ca (note: this removes eligibility for features such as contests and “Musician of the Month”).

17) PARKING

Oakville – Maple Grove & Glen Abbey
  • Free parking available.
Etobicoke – Kingsway
  • Each family receives up to 2 free parking passes after registration.
  • Passes cannot be replaced.
  • The lot can be busy from 3–6 PM; please allow extra time.
  • The lot is shared; Orrett cannot control availability.
Etobicoke – Kaos
  • Limited street parking; follow by-law signage.
  • Steps from Royal York Subway.

18) SUMMER LESSONS

A student may opt out of lessons during July and August and resume in September without penalty, fees, or loss of enrolled status.

19) WITHDRAWING FROM LESSONS

We encourage families to speak with their teacher before withdrawing; sometimes a small adjustment renews motivation. Administration can assist with exploring alternate teachers, times, or even instruments.

To withdraw:

  • Written notice must be received by the 15th of the month to stop payment for the following month.
  • This applies for any month except September.
  • After the 15th, the next month’s tuition will still be processed and students may complete lessons for that month.
  • Year-in-advance families receive refunds for unused lessons.
  • Missed lesson credits are forfeited upon withdrawal.
  • This policy also applies to shortening lesson length.

20) TERMINATION OF ENROLMENT

Orrett may terminate enrolment to protect the safety and well-being of our learning environment. Reasons include:

  • Disruptive behaviour
  • Aggressive or disrespectful communication
  • Inappropriate conduct
  • Frequent absences
  • Repeated late payments
  • Other concerns at the academy’s discretion

Remaining tuition (if applicable) will be refunded.

21) DECLINED PAYMENT FEE

  • Monthly payments are processed on the 1st of each month.
  • A $25 fee applies to any declined payment.
  • Please keep your payment method updated in our Opus1 Software.

22) PERSONAL PROPERTY

Orrett is not responsible for lost, damaged, or unattended personal property anywhere on academy premises or in parking areas.

23) EMAIL AUTHORIZATION

  • By enrolling, you consent to academy-related email communication.
  • Consent may be withdrawn once you are no longer enrolled.

24) AGREEMENT TO POLICIES

Enrollment assumes that you have read and agree to all policies.
Policies may change with emailed notice.
A printed copy is available upon request.