Orrett Music Academy Policies

Effective January 1st, 2026 – 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 and Pre-Authorized Bank Transfer.
  • 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 on our Opus1 software.
  • 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. *The exception is if Orrett Music Academy cancels the class a refund is not provided however an equivalent monetary credit will be automatically deducted from your next invoice.
Private Lessons

A maximum of two (2) make-up lesson credits will be issued within any *rolling* 180-day period. *Rolling* explanation: The 180-day period is measured from the date of the first lesson cancellation. (The date you cancelled the lesson). Once two have been issued, no additional make-up lesson credits may be issued until 180 days have elapsed from the date of the first lesson cancellation. This is not affected by when the lesson is made up. Missed lesson make-up credit/vouchers are given provided all of the following apply:

  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 have no cash value and cannot be converted into financial credits or refunds.
  • 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, even if a student withdraws
  • The 2-credit maximum and 12-hour notice requirements are strict for fairness to all families and staff.
  • If you want to PERMANENTLY change your time, please contact admin.
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

  • View and book available make-up times through your Opus1 Software parent login.
  • Make-up lessons can be booked a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 10 days in advance (schedules beyond 10 days will appear as full but will refresh when within the 10 day window)
  • Available spots will appear for booking. You may also book with another teacher who provides the same service.
  • Teachers may occasionally add additional days just for make-ups.
  • 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.
  • While non refundable, these make-up lesson credits have no limit and never expire*.
  • *If a student withdraws, their Academy Missed Lesson credits will expire exactly 1 year from the date of their last lesson.

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 of illness 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 through the Opus1 software.
  • 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 consisting of a parking pass (Kingsway location only), a binder, and a 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:

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

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.
  • If a student chooses not to attend when a supply teacher is present, it is considered a student missed lesson, and standard policies apply.
  • In the rare case that 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) TRIAL LESSONS

  • Orrett provides discounted trials to new students or existing students wishing to try a second instrument. (Existing students may try new teachers using a full priced trial).
  • Trial lessons are non-commital and your spot is held for 48 hours after your trial while you decide if you wish to register for ongoing weekly lessons
  • Trials may be rescheduled without penalty provided 24 hours notice is given.

16) 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.

17) 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, simply leave this option unselected on your terms and conditons on Opus1 software and/or email hello@orrett.ca (note: this removes eligibility for features such as contests and “Musician of the Month”).

18) 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.

19) SUMMER LESSONS

Orrett provides optional flexible summer lessons. A student may skip certain weeks, try a new instrument, teacher, and more. A student may opt out of lessons during July and August and resume in September without penalty, fees, or loss of enrolled status.

20) 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 (or pause):

  • 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.
  • Student missed lesson make-up credits, while not refundable or transferable to financial credit, are transferable between students and are valid for an additional 180 days upon withdrawal. The same policy applies to Academy Missed lesson make-up credits except those are vaild for 365 days upon withdrawal.
  • This policy also applies to shortening lesson length.

21) 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.

22) 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.

23) PERSONAL PROPERTY

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

24) EMAIL AUTHORIZATION

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

25) AGREEMENT TO POLICIES

Enrollment assumes that you have read and agree to all policies.
Policies are subject to change.
A printed copy is available upon request.