Music Education Facts in Canada:

The Truth About Music Instructors:

Currently in Canada there is no licensing required by either the Province nor the Federal Government regarding who is considered qualified to teach music privately or commercially, (in a music store). This poses a serious problem as to the requisite of what the proper credentials would be for any individual who feels they want to teach music. Many of the advertisements you might see in the Yellow Pages for music lessons state, "Certified Instructors." There is NO SUCH certification currently offered by any Government or Private Facility regarding a music teaching credential. In simple terms this title is an invented one. Another common term used is, "Professional Instructors." This term is nothing more than an advertising  generalization. Once again, anyone can call themselves or their teachers, "Professional." Many music stores and private individuals who teach music have little to no actual qualifications. This means, no University or College music training on the part of the instructor. The result, in many cases, is a very poor quality of knowledge for the student at the end of a semester of classes. Music Reading, Music Theory, Harmony, Improvisation and overall Musicianship is very weak in many private students repertoire due to the lack of  basic knowledge an untrained instructor delivers during  lessons. Even worse is the huge amount of inaccurate information and bad playing habits which are passed along to unknowing students by these untrained instructors. It can sometimes take years of un-doing and re-learning to gain proper techniques which could have easily been avoided with instruction provided by a trained and properly educated teacher.

  Ask a teacher about  their Professional, University, or College training, as well as their Live Performance experience. Make sure they are graduates of recognized institutes. Ask about their teaching experience. A minimum of 8 to 10 years teaching experience is average for a professional instructor charging the going rate of approx. $20.00 - $25.00 per 30 min. of a teachers time. Uneducated or amateur teachers will charge for what they feel they are worth. This usually is approx. $10.00 - $15.00 per 30 min.

  Ask for a free meeting/consultation and spend time getting to know if this persons teaching style is relaxed and patient. Find out how well they can communicate a few musical ideas to you. How good are they at notation, transcription, improvisation and theory topics?

In Canada, there is NO TAX on music lessons. Music lessons hold tax exempt status under both Provincial and Federal governments, (no G.S.T. or P.S.T). If you know of someone charging tax on lessons, it is a misrepresentation of Revenue Canada's Income Tax Act regarding Education Tax Exemption.

Claiming lessons as a personal tax deduction is only available through a music school which holds the certification of a, "Certified Educational Institute." This title is very specific and is offered to only a select few organizations. It is a title which authorizes an educational center amendments to the Income Tax Act for the purpose of allowing students enrolled in a Federally qualified educational program to receive Tax deductions. These deductions are authorized through a roll number filed in Ottawa. The roll number is checked against any Tax deduction claims made by a student for tuition, books or extra curricular material(s). The qualification of, "Certified Educational Institute," is for tax registry associated to a specific curriculum only. It holds no association to the qualification of instructors teaching any programs at a certified institute.

Generally an individual may qualify for a tuition tax credit if...

  The student is 18 yrs. of age and is enhancing or working toward a professional career as a musician. They student must be enrolled at a, "Certified Educational Institute." A signed "Tuition Certification Letter," from the institution must accompany the claim. The student must have spent over $100.00 to qualify. Please contact Revenue Canada Taxation for an up-to-date Interpretation Bulletin regarding tax deductions at Certified Educational Institutions.

Many private instructors, and many more commercial locations charge a, "Registration Fee." They range in price from $20.00 up to $40.00. The $20.00 fee at Creative Guitar Studio is for the "New Student Materials Package." Many pages of material covering the specific needs of new students is part of the package. Plus, all manuscript paper is always free at the studio to any student, (far exceeding $20.00 during a semester).

Be sure to ask, "What the Registration Fee is For?" Find out if the fee being charged is actually for anything specific, (i.e.Music Related Materials). Or is it a way to simply raise sales figures at someone's store. Get the details. Don't fall for free merchandise or store related gimmicks you get for enrolling or for staying enrolled. Remember music stores receive manufacturers giveaway product, (junk), all the time. Store giveaways such as; free batteries, stickers, guitar picks, or a new strap and guitar polishing cloth DO NOT turn you into a better player! An educated teacher and a solid music program will!
 

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