Lesson Policies
At Horizon School of Music, our lesson policies are designed to create a positive experience for both our students and teachers. The summaries below outline our most important policies. Once you register, you’ll also receive our complete Reserved Lesson Policy and Drop In Lesson Policy, which explain everything in greater detail. If you ever have questions, we’re always happy to help.
1. Invoicing
2. Refundable Deposit
3. Payments
4. Cancellation Policy
5. Makeup Credit Usage
6. Refund Policy – FTPME
Invoicing
Invoices for upcoming lessons are sent 7 days before the beginning of each month and are due by the 7th of the month.
Keeping your account up to date helps us reserve your preferred lesson time and allows us to focus on what matters most: making great music together.
If you ever need a little extra time or have questions about your invoice, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We understand that life happens, and we’re always happy to work with you whenever possible.
Refundable Deposit For New & Returning Students
To reserve a recurring lesson time, we require a $70 refundable deposit when you register. This deposit helps us support our month to month lesson system while reserving a dedicated lesson time just for you.
If you decide to discontinue your Reserved Lessons, simply let us know by email. Your refundable deposit will be returned promptly, and any prepaid, unused lessons will also be refunded.
Waiving the Refundable Deposit
If you choose to enrol in automatic monthly payments by credit card, we’ll gladly waive the refundable deposit requirement.
Payments
We accept payment by e-transfer and credit card.
E-transfer
Please send e-transfers to billing@horizonschoolofmusic.ca and include the student’s first and last name in the message or notes.
Credit Card
Credit card payments can be made securely through your Student Portal. A 3.2% processing fee is applied to all credit card transactions to cover our payment processor’s fees.
Automatic Payments
You can also choose to set up automatic monthly payments through your Student Portal. Students enrolled in automatic payments are not required to pay the refundable deposit.
Cancellation Policy
When you reserve a weekly or biweekly lesson time, that time is held exclusively for you each week. Because your teacher has committed that time to your musical journey, it is no longer available for another student to book.
Our cancellation policy is designed to balance flexibility for students while respecting the time our teachers have reserved for you.
7 or more days’ notice
If you cancel with 7 or more days’ notice, you will not be charged for the lesson. No makeup credit will be issued.
Between 48 hours and 7 days’ notice
If you cancel with at least 48 hours’ notice but less than 7 days’ notice, you will receive a makeup credit that can be used for another lesson, subject to our Makeup Credit Policy.
Less than 48 hours’ notice
Lessons cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice are charged in full and are not eligible for a makeup credit.
For complete details, including annual cancellation limits, extended absences, and makeup credit eligibility, please refer to our Reserved Lesson Policy, which is provided to all enrolled students.
Our Policy Philosophy
Reserving a weekly lesson is much like reserving a table at your favourite restaurant. That time has been set aside specifically for you, and because it has been reserved, it is no longer available for someone else to book.
Your teacher has also committed that time exclusively to your musical journey by preparing for your lessons and being available for you each week. Our cancellation policy is designed to respect that commitment while providing flexibility when life doesn’t go according to plan.
Makeup Credit Usage
We understand that life doesn’t always go according to plan. Our makeup credit system is designed to provide flexibility while encouraging consistent lesson attendance.
Eligible makeup credits may be used:
In person or online.
With any available Horizon teacher.
For any instrument or subject offered by the school.
Please note:
A maximum of 4 active makeup credits may be held on your account at any time.
Makeup credits expire after 12 months from the date they are issued.
Makeup credits cannot be applied toward future invoices or exchanged for cash.
Makeup lessons are subject to teacher availability.
Makeup credits are intended to support an ongoing Reserved Lesson schedule. They cannot be used after Reserved Lessons have been discontinued. Any unused makeup credits will remain on hold and become available again if you resume Reserved Lessons in the future.
For complete details regarding eligibility, cancellation timelines, annual cancellation limits, and Reserved Lesson requirements, please refer to our Reserved Lesson Policy, which is provided to all enrolled students.
Drop-in students are considered ‘Active Students’ ONLY when they have another scheduled, billable drop-in lesson booked. Drop-in students who cancel their only scheduled lesson are not considered active and are not eligible to use makeup credits.
Refund Policy: Fast Track Premium Music Experience
The Fast Track Premium Music Experience (FTPME) is a three‑month, high‑commitment, high‑support program. Because we invest significant time up front in consultation, planning, and reserving instructor time, the refund policy for this program is different from our regular month‑to‑month lessons.
Refund Scenarios – Upfront Payment
1. After Consultation & Roadmap, Before First Lesson
If you have paid the full program fee, completed your onboarding consultation, and received your personalized roadmap but have not yet attended your first lesson and wish to cancel, you are eligible for a partial refund.
- We will refund the full program price minus the value of the consultation, roadmap, and related planning work (2 hours x $80/hr = $160)
- With the program priced at $999, the refund amount in this scenario is $839
2. After First Lesson, During the First Month
Once you have attended your first lesson, the first month is a firm commitment.
- There are no refunds available during the first month after your first lesson.
- If you feel unsure at this stage, we treat it as a support conversation—not a cancellation. We may offer:
- A follow‑up check‑in to clarify expectations
- Adjustments to your goals or practice structure
- A teacher change if style or fit seems off
Our goal is to help the program work for you, not to end the process before you’ve had a real chance to experience it.
3. After the First Month
If, after one month of genuinely participating in the program, you feel that FTPME is not the right fit, you may request a partial refund.
- In this case, the refund amount is $499.
- This reflects the value of the consultation, roadmap, lessons already taken, reserved instructor time, and ongoing support delivered in the first part of the program.
Refund Scenarios – Payment Plans
For students on the 3 x $360 payment plan, refund terms differ slightly because Horizon assumes more financial risk:
- Before First Lesson (after consult & roadmap):
- The 1st payment is non-refundable.
- The 2nd and 3rd payments are cancelled, and no further charges are made.
- After First Lesson, During the First Month:
- No refunds are available on payments made during the first month.
- Support options (teacher fit, expectations, practice structure) are available as above.
- After the First Month:
- If you choose not to continue after one month, your 3rd payment will be cancelled.
- The 1st and 2nd payments are non-refundable once you’ve taken your first lesson.
If you have any questions about how this policy applies to your situation, please contact us. We’re happy to walk through your options and make sure you feel clear and supported.