Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is My Music Teachers Online?
My Music Teachers Online is Canada's leading provider of online music lessons. Lessons from our teachers take place via Zoom or another mutually agreed upon platform. Just tell us the instrument you wish to learn as well as where and when you would like to learn it and our consultants will place you with a music teacher near you. All My Music Teachers Online teachers have passed a police database background check and have been evaluated by My Music Teachers Online looking at experience, education and attitude. Additionally we monitor our client and teacher experiences to ensure that our customers are satisfied with the service we provide. My Music Teachers Online is the only coast to coast service of its type operating in Canada.
Are online lessons good and of high quality?
As a former salesperson of Tandberg and Polycom videoconferencing I can say that the level of quality when the audio parameters are set correctly is more than high enough for advanced level instruction. There are actually certain concentration benefits to both teacher and student.
How do online lessons work?
Clients having online lesons are encouraged to use the Zoom videoconferencing application because it is free and allows the most control of the audio processing. For best results preconfigure your software and test it with a friend or family member before any lessons.
What equipment do I need for online lessons?
You need a laptop or a tablet with videoconferencing software configured. We recommend the Zoom platform which is free and allows you to use the original sound option. This removes voice processing that is great for meetings but not so great for instruments. Headphones are a great idea for both teacher and student to obtain an optimal result. External mics and cameras can also improve results but are not a requirement. Most laptops can do just fine with the built-in camera and microphone.
How often do students take lessons?
A student should take lessons according to their needs. Most young children just beginning an instrument will take a half hour lesson weekly to start. Adult beginners will be able to sustain focus and interest longer and as such should take a 45 minute to 1 hour lesson. Parents are encouraged to participate and supervise younger learners on this platform. All students take weekly lessons to ensure progress. Some of our clientele take 2 lessons a week if they are preparing intensively for a recital, exam or other special project.
What is your 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 traveled to the location.
Are bi-weekly lessons possible?
Certainly. However we recommend a weekly lesson because most practice goals can be accomplished in this interval and it is important to stay motivated. Additionally some teachers are less likely to accept a bi-weekly student because it is very difficult to book their studio time the other two weeks every month. If a bi-weekly arrangement is made it is a good idea to take a longer lesson to ensure enough material is covered for the longer interval.
What is your cessation (quitting) of lessons policy?
A client must provide a period of notice equal to 2 regularly scheduled 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.
How does My Music Teachers Online look after the safety of clients?
My Music Teachers Online screens our applicants for teaching positions weighing education, experience and attitude. Additionally, all applicants complete an RCMP criminal records database check as well as a search of local police records through our partner www.backcheck.ca if they cannot provide another check.
What are the rates for instruction?
My Music Teachers Online charges $59.00 per 60 minute lesson, $49.00 per 45 minute lesson and $39.00 per 30 minute lesson. Clients that travel to their teacher's studio pay the above rates only. If you want to have instruction in your home an additional per visit travel fee of $15.00 will apply. Families with multiple children taking multiple lessons are charged only one travel fee per teacher provided all the lessons are grouped together on the same day for in home lessons.
Do you offer group lessons? Can I put multiple students at a time into a 1 hour lesson slot?
Not at this time. Our posted rates are per student. The intention being that as students require a longer lesson the cost per hour decreases. Families may not for example group children together in a 1 hour lesson rate for 20 or 30 minute intervals as the teacher must prepare for each student separately. The execption to this is when a parent wants to learn with their child. This is OK and with very young children supervision/participation is a necessity.
Do you offer a free trial lesson?
There are no free trial lessons with My Music Teachers Online 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).
Can I speak with the instructor before I book the lesson?
Yes! Once you have provided your billing information either by online registration or by phone we will release your teacher's full contact information to you via email. We will also contact your teacher and your teacher will be in contact with you within 24 hours. You can ask your teacher any questions about their teaching and experience on the phone at this time. There is no financial obligation for meeting your teacher on the phone. If you choose not to go ahead with the lessons we will be happy to help you select another teacher. No charges are made to your card until we have a booking confirmation from your teacher after your phone meeting. If you want to meet your teacher prior to providing payment information it can be accomplished but will take a few more days. Interviews can be set up on our phone exchange. These calls are recorded for quality control and adherence to our policies. To accomplish this complete a registration and request a callback instead of the payment gateway.
Can I pay at the lessons each week?
Unfortunately, our system cannot accommodate this kind of payment relationship. In our system students and teachers have a musical and pedagogical relationship only. All billing and other aspects of a transactional nature are handled by our administration. Students are billed at the outset of each month for the amount of weekly lessons in a month minus any pre-reported absences etc. This enables us to pay the teacher right away at the end of the month.
Can I pay cash or money order?
At this time, we can only receive payments via credit card or visa debit card.
Do I need to have my own instrument in order to take a lesson?
Yes. In any musical instruction you will need an instrument to practice on in order to make progress.
What is your rescheduling policy?
Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.
What is your policy for lessons missed due to illness?
Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher. MMTO 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.
What ages of student can enroll in lessons with Beethoven At Home?
Students of all ages can enroll at My Music Teachers Online. Typically the youngest age we have students studying music is 4 years old. We even have students starting to learn in their seventies so at the other end of things there are no limits!.
What is My Music Teachers Online?
My Music Teachers Online is Canada's leading provider of in-home and in-studio music. Lessons from our teachers take place either in your home or at our teacher's studios. Just tell us the instrument you wish to learn as well as where and when you would like to learn it and our consultants will place you with a music teacher near you. All My Music Teachers Online teachers have passed a police database background check and have been evaluated by My Music Teachers Online looking at experience, education and attitude. Additionally we monitor our client and teacher experiences to ensure that our customers are satisfied with the service we provide. My Music Teachers Online is the only coast to coast service of its type operating in Canada.
How do I get to the studio? What is the instructor's address and phone number?
For privacy reasons we cannot divulge any information about our teachers until a registration is booked. All of this information is provided to you immediately upon receipt of payment information.
Can I change the day, time, or duration of my lesson?
Certainly, if you and your instructor agree to reschedule your lesson time your instructor will inform our administration to adjust your schedule and billing.
Am I required to take a certain number of lessons each month?
Musical instruction with My Music Teachers Online takes place generally on a weekly basis. Progress on an instrument requires weekly practice. However some teachers will entertain a bi-weekly arrangement.
Where are you located?
Our administrative operations are based in Vancouver. Our teachers are located all across Canada usually in major cities.
What about summer vacations and longer absences?
Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.
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