Simone Collins offers private, one-on-one music lessons to children ages 5 and above – from complete beginners through to those taking exams at the highest levels – at her home studio in Canning Vale.
Each student receives personal one-on-one attention from Simone, with lesson books or music chosen according to the student’s ability, needs and preferences.
Not all learning is done at the keyboard. Since we are also learning theory and musicianship, we may work with theory books / worksheets, educational apps, a whiteboard, rhythm blocks and with percussive instruments to practise concepts such as rhythm, note naming etc.
We may also make use of the internet to explore performances on YouTube or take a look at other elements related to what is being studied.
Availability
Please note that the minimum lesson length is 45 minutes. 30 minutes is far too short to adequately cover everything. A longer lesson time makes for much better retention and faster progress. Because we switch up activities (especially for beginners, not all of this time is spent playing the instrument), students will not get bored.
- * Caladenia & Campbell Primary school students will have more options available as they can make 2:45 pm / 3:00 pm / 3:15 pm lesson times that are less in demand.
- * CVC students who come straight from school can easily make a 3:15pm start. I can also offer after-lunch lessons for Year 11 & 12 students who have lunch time finishes.
I currently have a small number of prime-time vacancies. Currently available for 2026 is:
* Tuesday afternoon
* Wednesday 5:00pm
* Thursday 3:15pm / 3:30pm
* Friday 4:15pm
* Saturday 9:45am
Preference is given to students willing to make a regular commitment to their learning.
Please note that for primary aged students with back to back lessons, a parent is required to attend to supervise the student who is waiting.
I do not give free trials. However I encourage you to make an appointment to meet with me at my studio at no charge so I can show you around and talk through how I work. That way we can both decide if we are a good fit.
If you would like to join my studio, please complete a registration form.
Lesson Fees
I do not charge on a per lesson basis.
Lessons occur year round, and a flat fee is charged per month which covers:
- * lessons over the course of the year (allowing for 8 absences)
- * lesson and theory books, and supplemental pieces
- * studio-based subscriptions to apps, including Piano Maestro and My Music Staff, that I pay for to enable students to make use of effective use of their home practice, and access to my Student Portal, which contains additional resources for students including sheet music.
- * 1 entry in the Australian Guild of Music & Speech Virtual Festival
The year’s worth of lessons and books / subscriptions is broken up into 12 equal monthly instalments. This makes it easier for you to plan, and gives me a more reliable income. There’s no need to worry about variations if there are 5 lessons in a month, or fewer lessons if you take a break over the summer holidays. Breaks / absences are built in.
Please see my billing page for a more detailed explanation of how the flat fee structure works, and how lesson payments and billing works in my studio.
This fee is worked out in line with the minimum fees that the WA Music Teachers’ Association recommends for Accredited Teaching Members. WAMTA members are all vetted as being qualified to teach, and Accredited Teaching Members need to have also demonstrated a history of successful teaching.
Other teachers who do not meet WAMTA’s criteria for membership may charge less. I aim to provide as much value as possible to my students, and have a track record of success.
| Lesson Length | Monthly Fee in 2026 |
| 45 mins | $365 |
| 60 mins (recommended for students doing Grade 5 and above) | $480 |
Exam and performance / eisteddfod registration fees are payable as required. Exams and other performances are not mandatory, though I do give students the option.
Lesson fees for the month ahead are payable prior to the 1st of each month. Should payments not process by the due date, a late fee of $10 will be applied for any payments that are overdue.
Your lesson time is reserved for you, and regular on-time payment is expected for you to keep your lesson slot. Lessons continue year round, including during the school holidays. If you will be travelling, please let me know. Students are able to access Piano Maestro while sick / away to be able to keep some practise up.
Missed Lessons
Choosing to miss a lesson for any reason does not require me to provide additional lesson time (a make-up lesson). I simply do not have additional room in my schedule for make up lessons. Absences are built into the flat fee instead. Please treat the music lesson as a priority / prior commitment.
- * If a student is unwell or isolating, or there is no one available to drive the student to their lesson, I can conduct the lesson online during their regular lesson time so that they don’t miss out and don’t need to leave home. The only thing needed is a device or computer by the piano which can run Zoom / FaceTime / Google Hangout / Whatsapp video so that the student can see me and talk to me.
- * If a lesson will be missed entirely, students can record a performance of what they are working on and upload it to the Student Portal. I can use the lesson time to watch / listen and provide feedback.
If the regular lesson time becomes unsuitable due to changes in your own schedule, please speak to me about whether we can find an alternative. This typically requires me finding other students able to permanently switch their lesson time. As such, this cannot be guaranteed.
If I am unable to go ahead with a scheduled lesson (e.g. if I become sick) I will arrange a make up lesson outside of my usual teaching hours.
See also The Importance of Communication … And Honouring Your Lesson Time Slot