Question 1

How many lessons are included in the teaching year?

Accepted Answer

Students receive 34 private lessons throughout the September–June teaching year.
 
The studio calendar spans approximately 40 weeks and includes holidays, breaks, and built-in flexibility throughout the year for occasional schedule adjustments.
 
This structure helps create a sustainable and consistent teaching year while ensuring students still receive their full 34 lessons.

Question 2

If a lesson is cancelled by the studio, will there automatically be a make-up lesson?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily.
 
The yearly calendar already includes built-in flexibility to accommodate occasional schedule changes throughout the year. Students will still receive their full 34 lessons across the teaching calendar.
 
If additional make-up opportunities are available, they will be communicated directly.

Question 3

Are lessons held on holidays or school closures?

Accepted Answer

The studio calendar does not always exactly align with school cancellations or closures. Please note carefully the list of dates given in the contract, and use the google calendar for your reference throughout the year.

Question 4

What happens during snow days?

Accepted Answer

If it is a snow day for AVRCE, piano lessons are not necessarily cancelled.
If lessons need to be cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions, families will be notified as early as possible. The teaching calendar already includes built-in flexibility for occasional weather-related interruptions.

Question 5

How does lesson time selection work?

Accepted Answer

Students will receive access to the online lesson sign-up calendar on:
 
August 24, 2026 at 8am.
 
Lesson times are selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

Question 6

If I miss a lesson will there automatically be a make up lesson?

Accepted Answer

No.
Missed lessons by students are generally not rescheduled unless otherwise specifically arranged in advance.
 
If you will miss a lesson, please communicate as soon as possible.

Question 7

Illness Policy

Accepted Answer

Please do not attend lessons if you are unwell and miserable. I appreciate your consideration for me and the others in the studio as well as your understanding that lesson productivity is seriously impacted in this case.

When appropriate, virtual lessons may be offered during mild illness, weather events, or other circumstances.

Question 8

Make Up Lesson Policy

Accepted Answer

I have intentionally structured the year so that there are more lesson weeks than promised lessons, therefore:
Make up lessons are not automatically offered for every lesson that a student misses.
Make up lessons are not necessarily offered for every lesson that I need to cancel.

Question 9

2024

Accepted Answer

Tuesday January 16, 2024, 7:00pm
Double Double
Cindy Thong and Mary Castello, piano
Presented by InnerSpace Concerts, Halifax, NS
​
Thursday February 29, 2024, 1:00pm
Cindy Thong and Mary Castello, piano
Presented by Acadia University School of Music Concert and Lecture Series
Denton Hall, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Question 10

2023

Accepted Answer

Tuesday November 7, 2023, 7:00pm
Pierrot Lunaire
Presented by InnerSpace Concerts
Halifax, NS

Thursday October 5, 2023, 1:00pm
Rachel Desoer, cello and Mary Castello, piano
Presented by Acadia University School of Music Concert and Lecture Series
Denton Hall, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Acadia University School of Music Concert and Lecture Series
Thursday February 9, 2023
Denton Hall, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Eileen Walsh, clarinet and Mary Castello, piano

Acadia University School of Music Concert and Lecture Series
Thursday January 19, 2023
Denton Hall, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Marie Engle, mezzo-soprano and Mary Castello, piano 
with Jack Chen, flute

​

Question 11

2022

Accepted Answer

Songs from Near and Far
August 20, 2022
Watson Gallery, Stonington, ME 
Marie Engle, mezzo-soprano and Mary Castello, piano

​
Song Recital
June 26, 2022 
Acadia University, Wolfville, NS
Christianne Rushton, mezzo-soprano and Mary Castello, piano

​
Face Off!
May 3, 2022
InnerSpace Concerts, Halifax NS
Jack Chen, flute and Mark Lee, violin with Mary Castello, piano

Question 12

2021

Accepted Answer

More Than Ornaments
November 4th, 2021
Acadia University, Wolfville NS
Christianne Rushton, mezzo-soprano, & Mary Castello, piano

Beyond Les Six
March 31, 2021
St Andrews United Church, Halifax NS
Scotia Chamber Players Series
Jack Chen, flute, & Mary Castello, piano

Question 13

2019

Accepted Answer

20th Century Song Recital 
November 16th, 2019
Central Mennonite Church, Archbold OH​. 
Marie Engle, mezzo-soprano, & Mary Castello, piano

​
Saratoga Sings for Seniors
October 2019
Opera Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, NY
Outreach concert tour featuring opera and musical theatre favourites
​

A 30th Anniversary Cello Recital
October 8th, 2019
The Music Room, Halifax
Rachel Desoer cello, and Mary Castello, piano
Frank Bridge sonata

​
Nova Scotia Youth Choir Concert Tour
September 2019
Tatamagouche, New Glasgow, Halifax, NS
with guest conductor, Leonard Ratzlaff
​

Songs for women... and by women
September 12, 2019
Acadia University, Wolfville, NS 
Paula Rockwell, mezzo-soprano, & Mary Castello, piano
Music by Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, Libby Larsen
​

Just Jack!
April 23, 2019
InnerSpace Concerts
Jack Chen, flute, & Mary Castello, piano
​

An Evening of Contemporary Song and Cabaret
February 8, 2019
Cedar Centre, Windsor, NS 
Paula Rockwell, mezzo-soprano, & Mary Castello, piano
Music by Samuel Barber, Morten Lauridsen, William Bolcom

A Noon Hour Recital: Wie Melodien
January 16, 2019
Conrad Grebel University College 
Bethany Hörst, soprano, and Mary Castello, pianist
Featuring Lieder by Brahms and Wolf

Question 14

2018

Accepted Answer

Lieblingslieder
October 11th, 2018
Acadia University, Wolfville, NS 
Bethany Hörst, soprano, and Mary Castello, pianist, in recital with special guest Paula Rockwell, mezzo-soprano
Featuring Lieder by Brahms and Wolf
​

Melodies and Musings: A Collaborative Recital (part 2)
August 2018
Tour locations:
University Lutheran Chapel, Ann Arbor, MI
Central Mennonite Church, Archbold, OH
Lindale Mennonite Church, Linville, VA
Edgewood Free Methodist Church, Rochester, NY
Marie Engle, mezzo-soprano; Melissa Mashner, flute; Mary Castello, piano 
Featuring: Jake Heggie, Cary Ratcliff, Claude Debussy, C.M. Widor, Schubert Lieder & French Operetta selections

Series at Don Wright Faculty of Music
January 19, 2018
Western University, London, ON
Bethany Horst, soprano; Leah Giselle Field, mezzo soprano; Mary Castello, piano — German Lieder and duets. Selections by H. Wolf, R. Schumann and J. Brahms.

Question 15

2017

Accepted Answer

Melodies and Musings: A Collaborative Recital
July 2017
Tour locations:
Ann Arbor, MI​
Central Mennonite Church, Archbold, OH​
Stirling Ave Mennonite Church, Kitchener, ON
Marie Engle, mezzo-soprano, Melissa Mashner, flute, Mary Castello, piano 
Jake Heggie, Victor Hugo, J.S. Bach Erbarme Dich, Philipe Gaubert

Songs for Hope
July 7, 2017

A Benefit Concert for Bereaved Families of Ontario
January 22, 2017
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Kitchener, ON​
Lieder and song with Soprano, Bethany Horst and Mezzo-Soprano, Lea​h Giselle Field.

Upcoming Recital Projects

Past Performances