2024/2025 Important Dates
Tuesday September 3: First Day of Instruction
Saturday/Sunday September 28/29: Building open, office closed (lessons/classes run at the teachers’ discretion, please check with them directly)
Monday September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (building closed)
Saturday/Sunday October 12/13: Building open, office closed (lessons/classes run at the teachers’ discretion, please check with them directly)
Monday October 14: Thanksgiving (building closed)
Saturday/Sunday November 9/10: Building open, office closed (lessons/classes run at the teachers’ discretion, please check with them directly)
Monday November 11: Remembrance Day (building closed)
Sunday December 22 – Sunday January 5: Winter Break (building closed: weekends, December 24-26, 31st and January 1st).
Saturday/Sunday February 15/16: Building open, office closed (lessons/classes run at the teachers’ discretion, please check with them directly)
Monday February 17: Family Day (private lessons only, no classes in session, office closed)
Monday March 17 – Sunday March 30: Spring Break (building open)
Friday April 18: Good Friday (building closed)
Saturday April 19: Building open, office closed (lessons/classes run at the teachers’ discretion, please check with them directly)
Sunday April 20: Easter Sunday (building closed)
Saturday/Sunday May 17/18: Building open, office closed (lessons/classes run at the teachers’ discretion, please check with them directly)
Monday May 19: Victoria Day (private lessons only, no classes in session, office closed)
June 30: Academic Year Ends
*Summer Closures: VAM is closed (with no access) Sat/Sun/Mon of all long weekends in July & August.
Fees
Registration Fee: $75 per academic year for each student
In addition to covering administrative costs, the registration fee includes membership in the Vancouver Academy of Music Society with eligibility to vote in the Annual General Meeting.
The Registration Fee is non-refundable or transferable.
Private Lessons:
VAM’s lesson packages include 18 lessons each semester (36 per academic year). Flexible options are available at the teacher’s discretion, and must be sanctioned by the instructor prior to registration, otherwise it is expected that a student enroll for the entire year.
Minimum registration for adult students post-trial lesson: 4 lessons.
Trial Lessons are charged at the per-lesson rate and are non-refundable.
Fees are due within 5 days upon receipt of invoice, prior to the start of the first unpaid lesson.
Fees:
Lesson Fees: from $86 per hour
Adult Lesson Fees: from $76 per hour
Department Head Lesson Fees: from $90 per hour
Private, Semi-Private, and Small Group Classes: (select subjects only)
VAM’s private, semi-private, and small group class packages include 16 lessons each semester (32 per academic year). Flexible options are available at the teacher’s discretion.
Semi-private Class of 2 students: from $48 per hour
Semi-private Class of 3+ students from $32 per hour
Small Studio Class (arranged by private teacher) of 4+ or more students: from $24 per hour
Chamber Ensemble of 2 students: from $48.00 per hour
Chamber Ensemble of 3 students: from $32.00 per hour
Chamber Ensemble of 4+ students: from $24.00 per hour
Fee Deadlines:
Fees are due within 5 days upon receipt of invoice or you risk your registration being removed and spot(s) given to another student.
Payment plan options via post-dated cheques are assessed on a case-by-case basis for private lessons only. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Payment Options
You may choose either of the following payment options:
1. Credit Card – online and at the front office
2. Exact cash (limited) or cheque – at the front office
3. Debit Card – at the front office
Cheques may be made payable to VAM.
Financial Aid
Bursaries
Bursary applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are dependent on the amount of funding available at the time the application is received.
A complete bursary application consists of the following:
- A complete bursary application form
- A pending invoice in the VAM account
- Tax documentation
- Student evaluation form, to be submitted by a professional musician (e.g., teacher or performer)
Completed bursary applications should be submitted to:
Vancouver Academy of Music
Attn: Nicole Hurst, Director of Enrolment
1270 Chestnut St
Vancouver, BC V6J 4R9
Scholarships
VAM offers scholarships in the form of competition prizes. For information on how to enter VAM competitions, click here.
Policies
PRIVATE LESSONS
Lessons are offered:
- During the full academic year (36 weeks)
- Private lessons are scheduled at the mutual convenience of the teacher and student
- A trial lesson may be scheduled based on the hourly lesson fee rate
LESSON ATTENDANCE
- Student Absences
Missed lessons by the student will only be made up under special circumstances at the discretion of the teacher.
- Instructor Absences
If an instructor is absent, every effort will be made to reschedule the lesson at a time that is suitable for both the instructor and student. If the instructor is unable to make up a lesson, the student will receive a refund or credit to be applied to future lessons or classes.
CHANGING INSTRUCTORS
It is highly recommended that students do not change instructors during the middle of a term. In such cases, two weeks’ notice or two lesson forfeit is required and must be discussed with both the instructor and the Director of Enrolment before any transfer can be made.
WITHDRAWALS AND REFUNDS
Fall/Spring Group Classes/Ensembles: No refunds will be issued after the fourth week of class instruction. Refund schedule: 90% refund after 1 week, 80% after 2 weeks, 65% after 3 weeks and 40% after 4 weeks. All notices of withdrawal must be submitted in writing to the Director of Enrolment within the first four weeks of the term. Registration fees are non refundable. Material fees, including Smart Start Licensing fees are only refundable prior to the start of the semester.
No refunds or credits will be issued for classes missed during the term for any reason. Proration for late-entry to be discussed with the Director of Enrolment.
Summer Classes: A full refund/credit will be granted when withdrawing prior to the start of the program. There will be no refunds/credits granted for those withdrawing after the start of class.
To withdraw from private lessons, two weeks’ notice is required in writing, to both the instructor and the Director of Enrolment. The student may either take the two weeks worth of lessons, or forfeit them. Remaining lessons can be credited or refunded after being discussed with the Director of Enrolment.
If a student’s behaviour is deemed consistently disruptive to a class, the instructor will have the right to deny entry into the class after consultation with the parents.
The Registration Fee is non-refundable or transferable.
For detailed information regarding withdrawals, refunds & credits, please contact the Director of Enrolment: [email protected]