Frequently Asked Questions

Enrolment & Learning Pathways

Mini Musos and instrumental lessons accept enrolments through out the year.
Intro to Music Course follows set intakes.
Our pathways are simply different ways to experience music at WCMS.
- Discovery Pathway includes our introductory programs such as Mini Musos and ITMC.
- Muso Pathway combines private lessons with workshops and performance opportunities.
- Solo Pathway focuses on private lessons for students who prefer individual progression.
Each pathway is designed to suit different goals, personalities, and stages of learning.
Our team will guide you. Some students thrive in our Hybrid Muso Pathway with workshops and performance opportunities. Others prefer focused private lessons in the Solo Pathway. We help you choose based on goals, personality, and learning style.
Yes. We welcome students from early childhood through to adulthood. Many of our adult students are returning to music after years away.
We welcome students ages 4 - adult.
Some classes and mentors do fill quickly. If your preferred time is unavailable, we will place you on a waitlist and notify you as soon as a position opens.
Time changes are subject to availability. Our team will always do their best to accommodate requests where possible.
Yes. Consistent practice at home is essential for progress. If you are unsure what to purchase, our team can guide you before you commit.
Yes. Many of our students begin feeling unsure or hesitant. We prioritise emotional safety and confidence building alongside musical development.
Enrolment operates on a month-to-month basis.
However, we strongly recommend committing to at least three months to allow meaningful progress and to experience the full benefit of our program.

Lesson Structure

No. WCMS operates on a 49-week annual program rather than a school term model.
This allows for consistent progress across the year, with short scheduled breaks and designated concert weeks built into the calendar. Your tuition reflects the full annual program, not individual term blocks.
Our full studio calendar is published in advance and updated regularly. You can view it here:
www.westcoastmusic.com.au/calendar
Our Hybrid Pathway combines private lessons with collaborative workshops and performance opportunities. It develops confident musicians, not just instrumental skills.
We follow a carefully developed in-house curriculum framework, but every lesson adapts to the student in front of us. We meet students where they are and adjust as needed.
This varies depending on age and pathway. Your mentor will recommend a realistic practice routine that supports steady progress without overwhelm.
Mentors provide regular feedback during lessons, and our team is always available to discuss progress or goals. Growth is both musical and personal, and we track both.

We track progress through our framework and reaching certain benchmarks within the curriculum.

Progress is always celebrated.

Performances & Events

Performance opportunities are offered throughout the year. Participation is encouraged, never forced.
We host 4 performances opportunities across the year.

Some lesson weeks pause to allow students to either perform or attend.

You can see which weeks in the year are dedicated to performances here:

www.westcoastmusic.com.au/calendar
Yes. Concert participation, event access, and studio resources are included in our all-inclusive tuition.

Scheduling and Attendance

We understand that life happens.
You can cancel and make-up up to 2 lessons every 6 months.
For younger students, we may invite parents in during the first lesson or two if needed. Ongoing observation is usually more distracting than helpful, but we always keep you informed about progress.
If we cancel a lesson, a make-up credit is automatically added to your account. You may use this credit to book a bonus lesson at a time that suits you.
If your lesson lands on a public holiday, a make-up credit is applied to your account. This can be used to book an alternative lesson time.

Due to the number of public holidays that fall on Mondays, Monday students may experience this more frequently throughout the year.
We require 30 days’ written notice to withdraw from lessons.
This allows for smooth transitions within our annual program structure.

Pricing & Payment

Tuition is billed monthly and reflects our annual program design.

Fees are all-inclusive and cover lessons, workshops (where applicable), concerts, studio resources, and support.
Our program is designed annually, not week-to-week. Concerts are part of the learning experience and are included within your tuition.
See our most up-to date tuition:
www.westcoastmusic.com.au/fees
Yes. We offer a three-month progress guarantee.
Music takes time, so we require a minimum of three months to allow genuine growth. If no progress is made during that time, all tuition fees paid within that period will be refunded.
Trial lessons are available and are paid sessions.
A trial allows you to experience our teaching approach and studio environment without committing to ongoing enrolment.
Yes!
We offer the following loyalty discounts:
- 3 months – 5%
- 6 months – 7.5%
- 12 months – 10%
Longer enrolments provide continuity and momentum, and we are pleased to reward that commitment.
Discounted enrolments are fixed for the selected period and must be completed in full. If you do not wish to continue beyond your selected term, we require 30 days’ written notice prior to the next billing cycle.

Neurodiversity & NDIS

Yes. We are an inclusive studio experienced in supporting neurodivergent and disabled students.
Yes. Please contact our team to discuss your individual plan.
NDIS funding at WCMS supports participation in our full music program, not stand-alone weekly lessons.
Our program includes private tuition, performance opportunities, concerts and, where applicable, workshops. Since October 2024, NDIS funding for music tuition requires participants to be enrolled in and actively participating in the complete program structure. Funding is not available for “lessons only” or week-to-week arrangements.
This is why tuition is billed as part of our annual membership model. Concert weeks and performance components are included within the program and are not optional add-ons. Participation in the broader musical experience is what makes the program eligible for funding.
You are not being charged for a ‘lesson’. WCMS is a membership approach.

Concerts form part of the educational program. Even if a student is not performing in a particular event, attendance supports development through listening skills, musical understanding, stage awareness and confidence building in a live environment.
If we cancel a session, a make-up credit is automatically added to your account. This can be used to book a bonus lesson at a time that suits you. Families are not financially disadvantaged when a cancellation is initiated by us.

Studio & Community

We currently support over 400 active students across Perth. Despite our size, our systems ensure students feel known and supported.
We are the only music school in Perth offering our unique Hybrid learning model. All curriculum is developed in-house, and our focus is on developing confident, well-rounded musicians in a safe and nurturing environment.
Our team brings a diverse range of professional backgrounds. Some hold formal tertiary qualifications, others hold examination board certifications, and many are actively performing musicians.
This breadth of experience allows us to create an adaptable, inclusive learning environment that meets students at every stage.
Yes. All relevant team members hold current Working With Children Checks.
No. Our focus is on education. We are not a retail or instrument hire provider.
If you need guidance selecting an instrument, our team is happy to advise.
Our Studio Management team is available to support you. We pride ourselves on responding promptly and addressing concerns with care.

You can reach us on 1300 421 555 or hello@westcoastmusic.com.au