Will makeup lessons be offered if the child is sick?

Up to TWO makeup lessons are offered in a term, provided 24 hours' notice is given. In the case of unexpected misadventures or illness, a doctor's certificate must be provided. 

How are makeup lessons scheduled?

Makeup lessons can be scheduled during school terms or school holidays, at a time agreed upon by both the student and the teacher. 

If students are away during school terms for several weeks, will that affect the term fees? How will the makeup lessons be scheduled?

The term fees will not be affected by holidays taken during school terms. Full term fees must always be paid in advance. Parents can arrange additional lessons or extend the duration of each lesson time during school terms or school holidays to makeup for the missed lessons. 

Can my child practise on a digital piano or a keyboard?

The short answer is "Yes". 

It is understandable that some parents often refrain from buying an acoustic piano due to financial constraints and uncertainty about whether their children will continue learning the piano.  

However, having a proper acoustic piano encourages good technique, finger strength, and musicality from the start. As lessons are conducted on a grand piano, students who practise on a digital piano might find it challenging to transition to a grand piano, which typically has a heavier touch  than an upright acoustic piano. 

While digital pianos are usually more affordable than "real" acoustic pianos and sufficient for practice, especially for beginners or those in small living spaces, they can be limiting when it comes to building proper piano technique.

How long should my child learn before they can take piano exams?

The time it takes to prepare for a piano exam varies depending on the individual student's age, practice habits, and progress. On average, most students can begin preparing for their first exam after about 1-2 years of consistent weekly lessons. However, it's important to remember that every child learns at their own pace. As the teacher, I will be able to determine when your child is ready, ensuring they feel confident with their skills and the repertoire required for the exam. 

 What piano exams do you offer ?

The piano exams I offer are those offered by the AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board). Students can choose from six types of examinations:

Piano Comprehensive Face-to-face examination

This exam is available for all grades, from Preliminary Grade to the LMus Diploma level and is conducted at the AMEB venues. As the name "Comprehensive" suggests, there are many components tested in the exam, so it requires longer preparation. Students will need to perform a wide range of technical exercises, 4 to 6 pieces from the AMEB Comprehensive Piano syllabus (depending on the piano grade/level), sight reading, aural skills and general musical knowledge.

There are TWO enrolment periods for this exam each year (except for the Diploma level):

• 1st session: Enrolment between January and March for the exams held between April and June.

• 2nd session: Enrolment between April and August for the exams held between October and November. Students can choose to take exams outside of these times for an additional fee set by the AMEB.

Piano Repertoire Face-to-face exam

This exam is available from Preliminary Grade to Grade 8, is conducted at the AMEB venues, and follows the same schedule as the Piano Comprehensive F2F exam. It requires students to present ONLY the pieces, selected from the AMEB Comprehensive Piano syllabus , without the other components found in the Piano Comprehensive exam, which are as follows:

• FOUR pieces for Preliminary to Grade 4

• FIVE pieces for Grade 5 to Grade 8

Piano For Leisure Comprehensive Face-to-face examination

This exam is available from Preliminary Grade to the Certificate of Performance, is conducted at the AMEB venues, and follows the same schedule as the Piano Comprehensive F2F exam. In this exam, students will need to present a wide range of technical exercises, 3 pieces from the AMEB Piano For Leisure syllabus, a choice of either the sight reading or the aural skills, and general musical knowledge. 

Piano For Leisure Repertoire Face-to-face examination

This exam is available from Preliminary Grade to Grade 8, is conducted at the AMEB venues and follows the same schedule as the Piano Comprehensive F2F exam. In this exam, students will need to perform 4  pieces from the AMEB Piano For Leisure syllabus, without any other components found in the Comprehensive exams.

Piano Repertoire Video examination

This exam is exactly the same as the Piano Repertoire F2F exam outlined above. The only difference is that this exam is done by recording the performance at the teacher's studio or the student's home, hence the name is "Video Examination".

Just like the Comprehensive Piano Exams, this exam is also available TWICE a year: 

• 1st session: Enrolment between January and June.

• 2nd session: Enrolment between July and October

The videos must be submitted within 21 days of enrolment.

Piano For Leisure Repertoire Video examination

This exam is exactly the same as the Piano For Leisure Repertoire F2F exam outlined above and  follows the same schedule as the Piano Repertoire Video Examination.  

Which exams should I choose for my children?

The best exams for your children will depend on their current skill level, interests, and goals. It's also important to consider the type of music they enjoy and the flexibility of the exam schedule. Video exams have become very popular among students due to their less demanding preparation and greater scheduling flexibility. However, Piano Comprehensive exams can provide a more well-rounded musicianship, especially to those who plan to pursue music as a career.  

Can I sit in on the lessons?

Yes, absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend that parents attend and observe the lessons, as there are many advantages to this:

• Parents can gain a clearer understanding of their child's progress, strengths, and areas that need improvement.

• Parents can provide additional practice support at home, reinforcing what the teacher has covered during the lesson.

• Parents can directly communicate with the teacher about goals, challenges, and any concerns they may have.

• Parents can identify any misunderstandings or issues right away, which helps in addressing them promptly.

• Children whose parents are involved in their musical journey often have significantly quicker progress than those who are not. 

Do I need to buy books or any learning materials?

Yes, you need to buy all the necessary learning materials, including books for your children. Occasionally, students will be given supplementary materials to learn, which maybe supplied by the teacher in the form of photocopies.