Academic Year 2026-2027: Lessons begin September 8, 2026
The private lesson academic year runs from September to June with 33 lessons Monday and Saturday and 36 lessons Tuesday to Friday.
Registration & Annual School Fees
Annual School Fee
An annual school fee will apply to all students registered in private lessons. Families registering more than one student will receive a reduced school fee for each additional student.
The First Installment and School Fee and is due upon registration (two fees).
- 1. First Installment: $200 per class enrolled
- 2. School Fee (Regular Rate, after July 7): $250 (covers admin, recitals, and performance classes)
- Early Bird (on or before July 7, 2026): $200
- Additional students from the same family: $200
- Students will pay a pro-rated school fee based on the remaining performance classes left in the academic year.
Private Lesson Rates:
- 30 minutes: $36.00
- 45 minutes: $54.00
- 60 minutes: $72.00
Note: These rates are subject to change.
Payment
Tuition: Tuition can be paid in full or through an instalment plan. Tuition payments will be processed on the 15th of each month. Tuition for classes/programs/camps are processed in full upon registration.
Late/Insufficient Payments: Any payments more than 15 days late, no matter the cause, may be subject to a 2% late fee. The Guelph Youth Music Centre reserves the right to suspend classes for students whose account has an outstanding balance and an instalment payment has not been received in more than 45 days. Returned Direct Debit will incur a $45 NSF charge. There will also be a charge for declined Credit Cards that are not updated within 3 days of contact.
Missed Lessons & Make-Up Policy
Fees for missed lessons (illness, vacation, etc) are non-refundable. Students who chose not to attend a lesson forfeit that lesson and will not receive a make-up. Students must notify their teacher if they will be absent. There is no extra time given to students who arrive late for lessons or classes.
If a teacher cancels a lesson for any reason (inclement weather, illness, etc) they will be responsible for scheduling a make-up class with students. Make-up lessons may be offered as either in-person or online lessons. Teachers are expected to make every effort to reschedule a student’s lesson, however if a teacher has exhausted their availability and the student still declines, that teacher is not required to continue to offer alternate times and the student will forfeit the lesson. If a make-up lesson is not possible, the fee for the lesson will not be refunded. If a student misses or needs to cancel a scheduled make-up lesson, another one will not be scheduled. All makeup lessons must be completed by June 30 of the current academic year.
Virtual Lessons
Lessons may be taught online in the following situations, at the teacher’s discretion:
- If in-person lessons and classes must be cancelled due to weather conditions, lessons and classes may continue online.
- In order to prevent the spread of illness, we strongly recommend online lessons when a student is mildly unwell but can still fully participate in the lesson.
Please note: If a student would like to schedule an online lesson, please notify the office and teacher 24 hours before your lesson time.
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
Enrollment for private lessons is done on a per-lesson basis. In the event that a student wishes to discontinue lessons for any reason, a written four-week notice of withdrawal is required and should be sent to [email protected]. Withdrawal notice must be received a minimum of 24 hours prior to the next lesson. If immediate withdrawal is necessary, the student will forfeit the remaining lessons within the four week notice period. A refund will be issued for any remaining tuition paid beyond the 4 weeks. Any outstanding tuition must be paid on receipt of the withdrawal notice. All makeup lessons must be completed within the four week period or the lessons will be forfeited.
$50 of every school fee is designated as non-refundable. Students who withdraw prior to November 1st are eligible for a refund of the school fee with the deduction of the non-refundable $50. After November 1st, all school fees become entirely non-refundable.
Inclement Weather
The Guelph School of Music follows in the footsteps of the Upper Grand District School Board and the City of Guelph. When schools and evening/weekend city programs are closed, the Guelph School of Music will close as well. If buses are canceled but schools remain open, the Guelph School of Music will remain open. Should weather conditions worsen throughout the day, the Guelph School of Music will make a decision by 2pm and notify students if lessons will be cancelled. When lessons are cancelled, Guelph School of Music teachers may choose to offer lessons online or offer a make-up at another date.
Recitals & Performance Classes
Recitals: Students are highly encouraged to participate in the Winter & Spring Recitals. Piano accompaniment for recitals is available for an additional fee. Participants are encouraged to dress in attire that reflects the significance of the occasion emphasizing the need for neatness and tidiness. The dress code for students participating in music recitals aims to ensure a professional and respectful atmosphere while allowing participants to express themselves through their attire. Students should avoid clothing with offensive images or language that may detract from the performance or cause discomfort to audience members.
Performance Classes: Students also have the opportunity to participate in three Performance Classes held in fall, winter, and spring. These classes are hosted by their private studio teacher and is designed to help students prepare for upcoming recitals or festival performances, learn performance etiquette, and assist in managing performance anxiety. If students do not wish to actively participate, they are encouraged to observe.
Miscellaneous
- When communicating lesson changes, make ups, and cancellations please contact the office: [email protected].
- The GYMC is a Fragrance-Free and Nut-Free Zone.
- No food or drink is permitted in studios.
- Parents/Students are responsible for the purchase of all music and materials.
- Parents/Students are responsible for the registration and payment of any extracurricular activities such as Kiwanis Music Festival or Royal Conservatory of Music Exams.
- Students receive lessons for the lesson length and number of lessons they have registered and paid for.
- Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about lesson curriculum.
- Guelph School of Music reserves the right to cancel any student enrollment for negligence of payment, poor attendance, inappropriate behaviour or misconduct by the student, parent or guardian.
- Guelph School of Music reserves the right to make schedule changes, combine classes or cancel classes with insufficient enrollment if necessary. This includes but is not limited to: Private Lessons, Group Classes, Summer Camps, etc.
- Guelph School of Music reserves the right to make changes to staff at the discretion of the Executive Director and Program Manager.
- Registration in the Guelph School of Music implies acceptance of School Policy.
A Safe, Inclusive, and Equitable Space
The Guelph Youth Music Centre (GYMC) is committed to establishing and maintaining a safe, inclusive, equitable, and welcoming learning and working environment for all members of the GYMC community, regardless of real or perceived sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, which includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and those who are questioning (2SLGBTQIA+). View or download the GYMC Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities Policies and Procedures.
We Are All Valued
The GYMC is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive community that supports creative and critical expression amidst a culture that accepts the value of every individual.
The Guelph Youth Music Centre is committed to the highest levels of artistic and academic expression within the framework of our mission to develop and enrich young lives. We believe that diversity is an integral component to the arts recreational and educational process and we are committed to maintaining a multicultural environment that is open to all. Diversity includes race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, class, religion, disability, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
As with all artistic endeavours, the GYMC knows how strength in diversity is essential to a non-‐profit’s ability to achieve social impact. At the same time commitment to diversity also requires sustainability, comprehensive assessment, adequate resources, and capacity for human resource engagement. These are key ingredients essential to ensuring a sustainable, responsive culture of transparent communication, opportunity and awareness.
Scent-Free Building
The Guelph Youth Music Centre has become increasingly aware of the need to eliminate the use of scented products wherever possible at our facility. For that reason, the GYMC has instituted guidelines to ensure we provide a scent-free environment, wherever possible, to those whose well-being is adversely affected when exposed to scents. For the general population, exposure to scents is not typically problematic, however, occasionally the presence of perfumes and other scented products can present indoor air quality concerns that may affect worker/visitor comfort. Furthermore, for a very small portion of the general population, scented products may present a risk of health hazard.
Scented products more commonly include the following:
- Personal hygiene products (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, hairsprays, deodorants, colognes, after-shaves, fragrances, perfumes, lotions, saps, cosmetics and creams).
- Industrial and/or household chemicals and cleaners.
- Air fresheners (e.g. deodorizers, potpourri, oils and candles).
We ask everyone visiting the GYMC to refrain from using perfume, hairspray or any discernible scent. Cleaning, maintenance, renovation, etc. with which an “atypical” odour is associated will be scheduled to occur at time of reduced occupancy, wherever possible. As we replace our cleaning produce, future purchases will be scent-free wherever possible and when it does not affect Public Health regulation compliance.
Nut-Free Building
The health and safety of all individuals are the GYMC’s top priority. To ensure a safe environment for those with severe nut allergies, our facility is designated as a Nut-Free Zone. Please avoid bringing foods that contain nuts as an ingredient, even in trace amounts. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our facility safe for everyone.