Lesson Info
What to expect in your lessons
For Adults
You can expect your singing lessons to be tailored to your individual goals and needs. Generally, we will start each lesson with a chat about how your singing is going and establish some goals for the lesson. After a vocal warm-up, we then move on to singing the song/s that you’re working on. Once I listen to you sing, I can then provide vocal exercises and other tools to help with any areas we need to focus on. This could include building your vocal technique - e.g. breathing, awareness of how your body is used in singing, resonance, ability to transition smoothly between registers. It could also include focusing on stylistic elements - e.g. developing your pop or musical theatre belt. Or on performance skills like using a microphone, connecting with your audience, and interacting with a band. My goal is to make sure you’re singing in your own beautiful, unique voice with confidence, ease & efficiency.
For Teens AGED 13-17
Lessons for teens follow a similar structure as above, with adaptation to ensure they are appropriate to the age and developmental stage of each student. When we sing, we use a range of delicate muscles, cartilage and ligaments that are contained within a structure called our larynx - you might have heard this referred to as your “voice box”. As the vocal muscles of teens are still developing, it is important that we apply the same care for singing as we would for any other sport or physical activity. This means that while lessons will aim to focus on the songs/styles that each teen is interested in, I will also recommend songs that I think are suitable for each of their unique voices, and adjust the “key” of songs so that they sit within a comfortable singing range. Lessons will aim to build healthy vocal technique, knowledge and skill in a variety of contemporary music styles, e.g. pop, soul, R&B, musical theatre, country, rock, jazz, blues etc. Music theory and musicianship skills will be incorporated into each lesson. We will also work towards any specific goals such as school performances, talent shows, eisteddfods, AMEB exams, auditions, university entrance exams, etc.
I am excited to be offering tuition in the new Rockschool syllabus from AMEB which is perfect for aspiring pop, R&B and rock singers. For students who love musicals, I am also able to provide tuition in the Musical Theatre, while Singing for Leisure is a great option for students who would like to study a broader range of contemporary and traditional repertoire. Parents, please note that your teen will need to have developed a solid level of ability in the fundamentals of singing before working towards an AMEB exam, along with meeting the minimum recommended age for each level.
The parent/guardian of the teen must attend the first lesson so that I can meet you and provide info about lessons. You are welcome either to observe the lesson or to relax in our comfortable waiting area. The parent/guardian is also responsible for providing supervision while students are waiting for and leaving their lessons (I am unable to provide supervision during these times as I will be teaching other students).
For Children Aged 7 to 12
Lessons for children aged 7 to 12 are focused on developing an overall appreciation and understanding of music, exploration of the voice, and a love for singing. Lessons generally start with some fun warm-ups and games where we sing simple melodies to develop fundamental musical elements such as pitch, melody, beat, rhythm, dynamics, articulation etc. Songs at this age will include simple pop, folk and musical theatre repertoire, depending on the interests of each student. Music theory and musicianship skills will also be incorporated into each lesson, e.g. learning to sing scales, learning to read basic music notation etc. This is generally found to be beneficial in complementing classroom music programs or choirs that your child may be involved in. I can also assist your child to prepare for events such as school performances, talent shows, eisteddfods etc.
If you would like your child to work towards an AMEB exam, this can be facilitated where they have developed a solid level of ability in the fundamentals of singing and are at the minimum recommended age for contemporary vocal exams - generally 10 years of age for Preliminary, 11 years of age for Grade 1, and so on, with some variance based on each child’s individual voice and development (i.e. some children may need to wait until they are older).
Parents/guardians of children aged 7 to 12 are required to attend their child/ren’s first lesson, and to remain on-site in our comfortable waiting area for all subsequent lessons. This provides me with an opportunity to get to know both you and your child/ren, and to ensure the most supportive environment possible. You are welcome to observe your child/ren’s lessons at any time.
Trial Lesson
My vision is for all of my students to develop a lifetime love of singing. To start this journey, I provide all new students with a no-obligation trial lesson. As singing is a very personal experience, this provides you with an opportunity to try a lesson before deciding whether you’d like to book in on a regular basis. I will hold your preferred lesson day/time for five (5) business days from the date of your first lesson, which gives you time to decide if you’d like to keep going with lessons.
Regular Lessons
I hope that you will love your first trial lesson and decide to continue regular singing lessons with me! If this is the case - I look forward to singing with you! I will confirm your regular appointment day/time by email. This appointment will be reserved for you on an ongoing basis, and your lesson will take place on the same day/time every week, except for the Studio Closure Periods listed below.
Please note if you need to reschedule a lesson, or pause your lessons for a while, you must follow the instructions in the Rescheduling Policy and Pausing Lessons Policy sections below.
Lesson Pricing
During your first trial lesson, I will undertake a full assessment of your voice, goals and learning needs. Once I have undertaken this assessment, I can then provide a quote for lessons which best suits your needs. Lesson pricing will therefore be provided in person at the end of your first trial lesson. Lessons are priced on either a Pay-As-You-Go basis, which varies depending whether you opt to have Regular or Casual lessons, or they can be packaged into a block of ten (10) pre-paid lessons to provide a more cost-effective option. Pre-paid lesson blocks are ideal for parents who would like to structure their child/ren’s lessons around the school term.
Payment
There are two options for payment. If you would like to Pay As You Go - i.e. pay for one lesson at a time - you will be asked to make payment at the end of each lesson using the mobile EFTPOS facility that we have on-site. A receipt is then provided by email following your lesson.
Alternatively, I am able to provide competitively priced lesson packages consisting of a block of lessons (lesson block) which are paid for upfront. In these cases, an invoice will be issued and payment can be made by direct deposit or EFTPOS. Full payment must be received before commencement of lesson blocks.
Lesson Length
Lessons can be 30 minutes, 45 minutes or 60 minutes in length depending on your needs, availability, and of course your budget. Your first trial lesson will be 45 minutes duration, and you can then decide whether a shorter or longer lesson time will better suit your needs. I often get asked what is the best lesson length, and the answer is that it depends on each individual’s needs, age and stage of singing development, and your budget. I can provide a recommendation regarding lesson length after your first trial lesson.
No matter the duration, your lessons will always be structured to make sure you get a optimum learning, progress, fun and improvement out of each one. Often students find that having regular, 30 minute lessons on a weekly basis, is more important to their progress than lesson duration - consistency is key!
Studio Closure Periods
The studio operates during the Queensland school term only, and is closed during school holiday periods. The studio is also closed on all Queensland and National Public Holidays.
Studio Location, Parking & Security
As my professional home studio is located in a quiet residential area, I will provide the studio location to you by email at the time of confirming your first trial lesson. To ensure consideration for neighbours, please park in my driveway, in front of the carport. In the unlikely event you find both parking spots are occupied, please park off-street directly outside my house.
Please note, to ensure the security of studio premises, and students/staff of Affinity Vocal Studio, the studio is monitored 24/7 by a CCTV system. Students/visitors must stay within the designated waiting room and studio areas while they are on the premises. If a student/visitor is observed engaging in inappropriate activity or behaviour while on the premises, they will be asked to leave. I reserve the right to refuse to provide lessons or to cease lessons for any reason.
Lesson Policies
Arriving on time for your lesson
It is important that you arrive on-time for your lesson, so that your full lesson time can be provided. I understand that sometimes unexpected events may cause you to be late for your lesson. If this is an infrequent occurrence, and I do not have another student immediately after your lesson, I will endeavour to extend your lesson finish time as a goodwill gesture. Otherwise, unfortunately the time is forfeited. Repeat late arrivals will not be offered make-up time.
Rescheduling Policy - Lesson Blocks
To reschedule a lesson which is part of a lesson block, please email me at singing@reneejurymusic.com by 5pm the day before your lesson. I will respond with a list of available lesson days/times for you to choose from. Where we can’t find a mutually agreeable day/time for you to attend, I will offer a lesson credit for a make-up lesson which can be redeemed at a later, mutually convenient day/time.
I understand that sometimes unexpected events can occur - for example, waking up sick - which may result in you missing the 5pm cut-off. If this is the case, please make sure you still email me, even if you have missed the 5pm cut-off. I can generally work something out as long as you have communicated with me.
Unfortunately, if you do not provide me with the notice requested above, I am unable to offer a make-up time and your lesson will be forfeited with no refund available.
Rescheduling Policy - Pay as you go
For students who pay as you go, please follow the same procedure detailed above to reschedule your lesson i.e. email me at singing@reneejurymusic.com by 5pm the day before your lesson. Unfortunately, if you do not provide me with the notice requested above, it will be considered a No-Show and you will incur a fee of 50% of the lesson price, as explained below.
No-Show Policy: Lesson Blocks
I understand that sometimes unplanned events can disrupt our schedules. However, I also need to be mindful of business considerations and providing a consistent service to you and other students. This means that unfortunately, if a student does not show up for a lesson that’s part of a lesson block, and fails to provide the required notice as per the Rescheduling Policy above, they will forfeit the lesson with no refund or make-up lesson available.
No-Show Policy: Pay as you go
For the same reasons above, if a student fails to show up for their regular pay-as-you-go lesson, and fails to provide the required notice as per the Rescheduling Policy, a penalty of 50% of the lesson price will be added to the fee for their next lesson, and must be paid by EFTPOS on that day. Please note where students fail to show up for their lesson on a repeated basis, I will no longer be able to offer a regular lesson day/time.
Pausing Lessons Policy
I understand that sometimes you may need to pause lessons for a period of time, for example if you are away on holiday. I am able to pause your lessons for a maximum of four (4) weeks while still holding your regular appointment day/time. I am unable to hold your regular appointment beyond this period of time.
To pause your lessons, please email me at singing@reneejurymusic.com at least two weeks before your absence is due to commence.
Rescheduling by Teacher
If I am unable to hold your lesson for any reason (e.g. illness, performance commitments), I will let you know as far in advance as possible, and aim to reschedule to a mutually convenient day/time.
Any other questions?
Got questions that weren’t answered above? Please drop me a line at singing@reneejurymusic.com