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About Your Teacher

Karen Kyriakou is a qualified and fully registered teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Masters of Music Education. Karen currently writes education programs for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Musica Viva Australia and the Melbourne Recital Centre, and runs the Community Engagement Program at the Australian National Academy of Music. 

 

Karen has played the violin since she was 6 years old, and loves playing lots of different styles of music, including classical music, folk music from around the world, and contemporary styles. She has written books for teachers that enable creative music making in instrumental lessons, and encourages students to be creating their own music as much as possible!

 

Having worked in special schools for over a decade, Karen has vast experience teaching students of all abilities, and enjoys working with culturally diverse communities. She has taught at Independent and Government schools and is also an Auslan (Australian Sign Language) user, and has been teaching music at a school for Deaf children for 15 years. 

Lesson & Enrolment Information

Lessons are offered in the Northern Suburbs and take place during Government school terms.

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Lessons take place Wednesday after school 

Barry Road Community Activity Centre

Thomastown

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To enrol for lessons please fill out the online enrolment form.

 

It is important that you read and understand the studio policies.

Please feel free to email Karen with any questions.

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Please fill out the online enrolment form to secure your place in the program

  • Why Music Lessons? 🎵
    Music is a gift that keeps on giving! There is no downside to learning to play music. Music teaches us skills for life, patience, goal setting, organisation, and provides many avenues for self expression, entertainment and brings cultural and artistic expression into our everyday life.
  • Why group lessons?
    Making music and learning music in groups is an enriching experience where peers can learn from each other and strive towards a common goal. Group lessons provide extra motivation as learning with our friends and peers is fun! They provide a holistic opportunity to explore music as melody, harmony and part-playing can be utilised and valuable ensemble skills learned.
  • Do you provide individual lessons too?
    I do provide individual lessons. The fee structure is different for individual lessons, and you can find out more about that below.
  • Are the violin lessons inclusive?
    It is important that all members of the community can access learning to play an instrument should they wish to. Some students may identify with disability or experience other challenges. A disability will not exclude anyone from accessing lessons. Karen is an experienced teacher and has worked with students of all levels and abilities, including working in Special schools for 15 years!
  • What lesson length should I choose?
    A 30 minute lessons for beginners and young learners in primary school, either individual or group lessons (if an appropriate group is available) is a suitable length. 30-45 minute lessons for high school students and any student wishing to partake in examinations, recitals or join ensembles in schools or the community. The more advance or the higher one’s goals, longer lessons are recommended. 60 minute lessons are suitable for advanced high school students, and adults of all levels. These are recommendations only. The length of lesson can be negotiated.
  • How much do lessons cost?
    Lesson Fees All lessons are inclusive of GST Group Lessons (maximum 4 people in a group) 30 minutes - $37.50 per student 45 minutes - $52.50 per student 60 minutes - $67.50 per student Individual lessons: 30 minutes - $62.70 45 minutes - $82.50 60 minutes - $99.00
  • Fees for Group Lessons
    The fee covers the experience of learning an instrument. Each student receives a tailored 30 minute lesson for their group. Should one person leave the group, fees do not change for the remaining parties. The value of a group lessons provides opportunities for playing harmonies and learning important ensemble skills. Music lessons become social and there is an increased motivation for practice and music-making outside of the lesson. Group lessons are capped at 4 students at a time.
  • How many lessons do I pay for?
    Lessons are designed to average 8 lessons a term, or 32 lessons per year, depending on when in the year lessons start. Some terms are long than others, so you will be billed accordingly. You will never pay for teacher absences. Payment for lessons is once a term at the beginning of each school term. Students cannot start lessons for the term unless fees are paid. You will be billed for the estimated lessons per term that will take place, and no more than 32 lessons for the year unless by arrangement. If a lesson is cancelled at short notice by the student, the lesson will instead be video recorded and a link sent via email (or agreed platform) for viewing before the following lesson. No make up lesson will be owed in this instance. If the lesson is cancelled by the teacher, no make lesson is scheduled unless the student is falling short of meeting the 32 lessons per year.
  • How are lessons scheduled?
    Time-slots are allocated by: Teacher discretion - making the schedule work for as many students as possible A first come, first served basis - earlier enrolments are prioritised Compatible group arrangements - we want everyone to be in the best group for their learning and enjoyment Failure to pay fees may see time slots re-allocated. Scheduling allocation preferences will be taken into consideration, but the teacher will make the final decision on scheduling.
  • Payments and Late Payments
    Fees paid a term at a time in advance. Fees are due before the beginning of each school term. Failure to pay fees may see time slots re-allocated and lessons may cease. It is understood that there will be times that fees might be unmanageable for a short period of time. This should be discussed with the teacher before the fees are due. A solution may be implemented at the teachers’ discretion.
  • Withdrawal from lessons
    One terms notice in writing will be required for leaving the program. Early withdrawal without notice will not incur a refund. Refunds will not be given for unexplained absences or early departure from the program. Exceptions to the above may be offered on compassionate grounds at the teachers discretion.
  • Can I change my group?
    Sometimes established groups may need to be re-allocated. This could be for several reasons, including disparity between ability of group members, incompatible learning groups, a change to a family schedule, etc. This situation will be resolved on a case by case basis, and unless a situation change is required urgently, any changes will take place at the start of a term.
  • Annual Performances
    An informal performance will be held each year where students can present their music making skills to family, friends, and each other. A small fee may be required to cover venue and accompaniment costs. Concerts present excellent milestones and motivational goals, provide important experiences and opportunities for students, and they allow others to support ones musical journey. They also offer the important opportunity to watch others perform and learn from this too. It is highly encouraged that all students participate in performances.
  • What if I need to cancel a lesson?
    It is understood that cancellations need to occur from time to time, and make-up lessons will not always be possible. You will never be charged for teacher absences. All students will be guaranteed the equivalent of 8 lessons per school term, or 32 lessons per school year, unless there are extended absences (see below). Extra lessons by negotiation. Lessons follow the dates of Victorian government school terms. There are no lessons on public holidays.
  • Missed Lessons (Short Notice) - Groups
    If you miss a lesson, the lesson you missed will be video recorded for you to view and practise to before your next lesson. No make up lesson will apply in this instance. The link of the recording will be sent to within 24 hours of the missed lesson. It is the expectation that the video will be watched and the student will participate in ‘playing along’ with the recording before the next lesson.
  • Missed Lessons (Short Notice) - Individual Lessons
    Missing lessons at short notice is bound to happen from time time. If a student misses a lesson with short notice (less than 24 hours), that time slot cannot be re-allocated, and the lesson will not be refunded. The teacher instead will record a video lesson during the missed time-slot and email the link within 24 hours. There is an expectation that all video lessons will be watched before the next scheduled lesson.
  • Extended Absences
    There might be times when extended absences are unavoidable; a family holiday, a broken arm, or for caring and compassionate reasons. Those in group lessons can have recordings of missed sessions sent to them. Those who have individual lessons may be required to pay a holding fee to keep ones place in the program. This will be negotiated on a case by case basis.
  • Practice
    The only way to succeed in learning a musical instrument is to spend time practicing at home. To practice at home, a student will need access to a music stand and a distraction-free space. The more regular the practice the more successful the student will become! Success is no accident! Research has shown that the more interest parents have in their child’s practice, the more inclined children will be to do their practice. What a wonderful cycle of success!
  • Can I observe my childs' lesson?
    Parents of young students are encouraged to stay and observe lessons. This is not essential but it does help as parental support at home is invaluable. Please do not take phone calls in the room or use any devices making sounds in this environment. It may not always be appropriate to have other small children in the lesson. Please discuss this with the teacher to work out the best situation for everyone. Parents of older children and teenagers may stay for lessons if all parties agree that this is the best situation for the student and their learning.
  • Do I need to provide my own instrument?
    In short, yes. It is the responsibility of families to ensure every student has an instrument that is operational for lessons and so that practice at home can be accommodated. If an urgent repair is required and an instrument is unavailable for a lesson, please be in touch as soon as possible so that arrangments can be provided for the time that the regular instrument is out of action. If you opt not to purchase an instrument, you may wish to rent one. This is a contract that takes place between you and the supplier and is an outside agreement, seperate to the Violin Studio. We recommend Bows for Strings, who have a rental agreement at approximately $25 per month, with an option to purchase - and any previous fees will be deducted if purchased within the first six months. A 'working' violin consists of: Violin and Bow Secure case Full set of strings (already on the violin). Spare strings and highly recommended but can be purchased as required. Rosin
  • Will I need to purchase other equipment?
    Students will need to purchase music tutorial and technical books. These books will be necessary for participation in the lessons and to ensure practice at home. Unless a students is doing exams, each book will last approximately one or two years. At times other music will be provided at lessons at no cost to students. Students will also need to have a music stand to place at at home.

Contact

Please feel free to email Karen with any questions or enquiries.

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