FAQS - Karen Knowles

Karen Knowles Singing School

Where do I start?
Ho w will I know my placement is confirmed?
I‘m a new student. What do I need to know?
I am a continuing student. What do I need to know?
How do I pay for lessons?
Enrollment Terms and Conditions
Privacy – what do you do with my information?
When will I be ready for the “Working with Musicians Workshop”?

Where do I start?

For children:

A child under 6 is generally best to start in a small group preferably when they are able to read and have sufficient focus. A child over 7-8 may start individual coaching if they wish to learn vocal technique. If they are interested in singing more from a social enjoyment angle then creating or joining a group class with children of similar ages is best. Where we are not currently running a group class for the student’s age group sometimes the student commences individual classes and can swap back to the group class when new students of the same age are enrolled

For adults:

It depends on how advanced you are and what your previous experience is. Generally we start with vocal technique and a few “get to know you” sessions that allow us to understand the type of voice you have, what your aspirations are and what you would like to take from classes. We build in performance skills, developing your own style after a thorough grounding in technique. In this way you have all the support and skills you need so it’s all second nature when it comes time to perform. We suggest the working with musicians workshops are a great adjunct to regular classes – it gives students the ability to take their sole focus on the vocals into the real world of singing and working with a live band, building their skills working with a microphone and working with dynamics and other layers of expression that are as important as the vocals.

How will I know my placement is confirmed?

A student’s place will be confirmed once full payment has been received.

In order to be assured of a place please arrange confirmation of your booking to be received three weeks in advance of classes or workshops commencing.

Existing term class students are invited to re-enrol for their existing place during the previous term. In order to have their existing place confirmed for the following term,

Confirmation of their place must be received at the office halfway through the preceding term in order to confirm the space. This also ensures the smooth running of the school’s timetables.

For new individual and small group class students we will liaise with you regarding the confirmed time within 7 to 10 days once full payment has been received.

I’m a new student. What do I need to know?

Individual classes and small group classes for children are offered per term and weekly individual lessons for adults are offered weekly throughout the year.

Once students have decided to move into a regular ongoing annual booking, we issue students with an invoice. Discounts are available for regular annual bookings when fees are paid annually (5%) or bi-annually (2.5%). In order to ensure the smooth scheduling of classes, venue and teacher contracting, we request a yearly commitment for all individual and small group classes (as for most private schools). Where students commence at the start of the year, the structure of our enrollment is in two installments annually. To enable smooth scheduling, all classes require payments for two terms upfront so fees remain one term in advance. Alternatively, students can utilize our monthly agreement option with an agreed regular direct debit option set up directly with their bank. Please email us or call us during office hours (03 9898 5051) for details regarding monthly agreements.

To confirm your ongoing booking with us for 2018 please contact us (as soon as possible to enable scheduling).

We look forward to getting to know you and being an important part of your musical journey.

I am a continuing student. What do I need to know?

Individual classes and small group classes for children are offered per term and weekly individual lessons for adults are offered weekly throughout the year.Once students have decided to move into a regular ongoing annual booking, we issue students with an invoice. Discounts are available for regular annual bookings when fees are paid annually (5%) or bi-annually (2.5%). In order to ensure the smooth scheduling of classes, venue and teacher contracting, we request a yearly commitment for all individual and small group classes (as for most private schools). Where students commence at the start of the year, the structure of our enrollment is in two installments annually. To enable smooth scheduling, all classes require payments for two terms upfront so fees remain one term in advance. Alternatively, students can utilize our monthly agreement option with an agreed regular direct debit option set up directly with their bank. Please email us or call us during office hours (03 9898 5051) for details regarding monthly agreements.

To confirm your ongoing booking with us for 2018 please contact us (as soon as possible to enable scheduling).

We look forward to getting to know you and being an important part of your musical journey.

Due to scheduling of teachers and venues, payments are requested to be received in advance for new students (ie: one month prior to term classes or workshops commencing). Students will not be permitted to commence training where fees remain unpaid.

How do I pay for lessons?

Payments are preferred via EFT (Internet banking).
Our EFT Details are:
Bank: Westpac A/c Name: Karen Knowles Enterprises Pty Ltd
A/c No: 258 594
BSB: 033 172

Payment can also be made using credit cards at checkout via either Paypal or Stripe

When forwarding payments please send us an email (singingschool@karenknowles.com.au) to confirm which time slot you have enrolled in or your suggested options for suitable time slots and provide your contact details (telephone, email and mailing address) and best times to contact you. You may email us at any time. If you wish to speak to us, please leave us a message with suitable times to return your call (see Contact Us for details).

Enrollment Terms and Conditions

Refund Policy: All fees are non refundable except where: (i) a class is cancelled by the Karen Knowles Singing School in circumstances where an alternate teacher or alternate class is not offered by the School within a reasonable time frame. In the latter case a full refund will be provided; (ii) a student withdraws from tuition due to illness or injury that prevents the student from completing the course; or (iii) exceptional circumstances prevent the student from completing the course (eg: unplanned move interstate, prescribed care taking of family member (father, mother, spouse/partner, child) due to illness or injury). In the last two cases all fees are refundable except a $120 administration fee and a credit (minus the administration fee) can be held on file for future classes. Payments for enrollments will not be refunded due to a change of mind. All group classes require a minimum number of enrollments in order to run. Should a course not be able to commence due to insufficient numbers or teacher unavailability you will be advised as soon as possible and if an alternate teacher or alternate class cannot be provided within a reasonable time frame all fees will be refunded.

Make Up Class Policy: A maximum of two make- up classes are permitted per term for Individual lessons only. In order to qualify for a make -up class see non-attendance policy below. Please note make-up classes for individual classes must be completed within the term that they relate to. Times for make-up classes are to be agreed with the student and teacher directly and are to be made up within the same term. Arrangements can be made for long-term illnesses or lengthy vacations exceeding 3 weeks. Make-up classes are not applicable for group classes (such as adult group, small group and Saturday afternoon or Sunday breakfast club) as the class will still run in the students absence with teacher and venue costs still incurred. However, group class participants who miss a class may attend an alternate group class at another venue or time slot to make up a missed class.

Changes of class times, venue or teacher:
Class times and teachers are subject to change (eg: teachers’ illness/availability and/or venue availability). All reasonable care will be taken to give sufficient notice to students in such circumstances.

Missed Lesson/Non-Attendance Policy: Students will forfeit classes they are unable to attend unless students are able to inform the School at least 48 hours before the class of their intended absence. In this circumstance, subject to teacher and time availability, an arrangement for a make-up class may be organised but cannot be guaranteed. All last minute class cancellations will have to be forfeited due to venue fees and payment for teacher’s time. No make-up classes apply for group classes as the class will run in any event. Thank you for your co-operation.

Privacy – what do you do with my information?

WE VALUE YOUR PRIVACY

The Karen Knowles Singing School acknowledges and respects the privacy of individuals. We advise that much of the information that you may have provided to, or may be asked to provide, to the Karen Knowles Singing School is ‘personal information’. As a general rule, personal information is not released by the Karen Knowles Singing School to other organisations, except in response to legal requirements such as a subpoena, and information regarding an individual will not be disclosed to a third party without the individual’s consent, except where the third party is a teacher, engaged as one of our administration contractors or directly acting as our agent.

WHY DO WE COLLECT YOUR INFORMATION
This information is collected for the purposes of processing your enrollment or inquiry for singing lessons at the Karen Knowles Singing School. Information that we collect will be used for keeping you informed of upcoming classes or events, improving the student experience and assisting us in improving and marketing our services to you.

HOW DO WE COLLECT YOUR INFORMATION
Information the Karen Knowles Singing School collects is used only for the purpose stipulated at the time that the information is collected. The Karen Knowles Singing School is required by law not to reveal, disclose, sell, distribute, rent, license, share or pass on to any third parties, any personal information that you may have provided to us unless we have your express consent to do so.

Exceptions to this include:

Where there are reasonable grounds to believe that disclosure is necessary to prevent a threat to life or health; and;
Where the Karen Knowles Singing School is required to provide information in response to Subpoenas or Warrants or other legal process.

When will I be ready for the “Working with Musicians Workshop”?

You don’t need to be an advanced student to participate in the working with musicians workshop. You will need to know 3 songs well that we can work on with the band. It’s a very nurturing environment, a small group and loads of fun. All participants say they learn so much every session and every session is different. So just bring an open mind, a willingness to play and make sure you know 3 songs well so you feel free to adapt to new ideas in the session. This workshop is not a performance so there is no sense of “doing it right” – instead it’s all about learning and exploration. We look forward to working with you!