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Welcome to Layston Music

Updated: Jun 1


Your Musical Journey Starts Here


Thank you so much for your interest in lessons with us here at Layston Music. I am genuinely delighted that you’re considering us as part of your (or your child’s) musical journey.


Layston Music is run by myself, Talena, and my husband, Paul. I believe music should be nurturing, confidence-building, and tailored to the individual. Whether you’re taking your very first steps or returning to music after a break, I am here to support you every step of the way.



What We Teach


We offer lessons across a wide range of instruments and styles, with a focus on building confidence, creativity, emotional release as well as musical technique with musicality.


Instrumental teaching includes;


  • Vocals

  • Piano

  • Keyboards

  • Acoustic Guitar

  • Electric Guitar

  • Bass Guitar

  • Ukulele


Our 1:1 Lessons take place either in person at our family home in Flint Cross, South Cambridgeshire, or online via Zoom, depending on what works best for you.



What Our Lessons Cover


Teaching is flexible and student-led, meaning lessons are shaped around your goals, interests, and learning style. Areas we commonly work on include:


  • Music reading & theory

  • Technique, confidence & improvisation

  • Songwriting & composition

  • Performance preparation

  • Aural & technical skills

  • Recording & audition coaching

  • RSL (Rockschool) graded exams

  • Music mentoring & song therapy


We aim to build not just musical skill, but confidence, creativity, and a healthy relationship with music.



🐾 A Note About Our Studio Space


As we teach from our home, you’ll occasionally be joined by our friendly cats, Dave, Leone, Zazu & Inky. They’re usually curled up quietly nearby, but if you or your child has allergies or would prefer a pet-free environment, just let us know and we’ll happily accommodate where possible.



Pricing & Lesson Structure


Ad-Hoc Lessons

For students who do not require a regular reserved lesson slot:

  • £60 per hour

  • Subject to availability

  • Lesson times are allocated on a first come, first served basis

  • Regular weekly times are not guaranteed


All resources required for lessons will be provided, however ongoing access to additional learning resources and Tuition Plan benefits may be more limited.


The Layston Music Tuition Plan

At Layston Music, regular lesson spaces are offered through the Layston Music Tuition Plan.


The Tuition Plan spreads the cost of lessons evenly across the academic year through fixed monthly payments, while reserving a dedicated lesson slot specifically for each student.


Rather than monthly invoices changing depending on holidays or the number of lesson dates in a month, your payment remains consistent throughout the year, making budgeting simpler for families.


This structure provides:

  • Easier budgeting

  • Consistent monthly payments

  • Guaranteed lesson times

  • Simpler administration for families

  • A stable and supportive long-term learning experience


How Lessons Are Structured


The academic year is structured around:

  • 6 half terms

  • An aim of approximately 4–7 lessons per half term depending on calendar dates and scheduling

  • Additional make-up/exam weeks throughout the year

  • 1 weeks of lessons during the middle of the summer holidays to help students maintain momentum and musical progress


This provides:

  • 34 x 30-minute lessons per academic year for weekly students

  • 17 x 30-minute lessons per academic year for fortnightly students


Your lesson slot is reserved exclusively for you throughout the academic year.


Prime Time Tuition Plan

Weekdays 4pm–9pm & Saturdays 8:30am–12:30pm


Weekly Lessons

  • £77.91 per month

  • 34 x 30-minute lessons per academic year

  • Total yearly tuition: £935


Fortnightly Lessons

  • £38.95 per month

  • 17 x 30-minute lessons per academic year

  • Total yearly tuition: £467.50


Prime Time lessons are charged at approximately £55 per hour.


Basic Tuition Plan

Weekdays 12pm–3pm


Weekly Lessons

  • £73.66 per month

  • 34 x 30-minute lessons per academic year

  • Total yearly tuition: £884


Fortnightly Lessons

  • £36.83 per month

  • 17 x 30-minute lessons per academic year

  • Total yearly tuition: £442


Basic Tuition Plan lessons are charged at approximately £52 per hour.



Included Within Your Tuition Plan

All students receive access to the Layston Music MyMusicStaff Portal, including:

  • Lesson scheduling

  • Invoices and payment tracking

  • Practice notes

  • Homework and lesson resources

  • Downloadable materials where appropriate

  • Important holiday dates and studio information

  • Lesson reminders


There is also a 5-minute changeover between lessons to ensure sessions do not overlap and everyone has a calm, focused experience.


I continue to provide as many learning resources as possible at no additional cost, including:

  • Sheet music

  • Practice resources

  • Backing tracks

  • Lesson materials

  • Technique exercises

  • Digital resources through MyMusicStaff where appropriate


If students decide to take graded music exams, please note that exam entry fees are an additional cost.


Performance Opportunities

All students receive:

  • Two free Layston Music performance opportunities per year

These events are designed to be supportive, encouraging and confidence-building experiences for performers of all ages and abilities.


These are the:

  • Summer Shindig

  • Winter Shindig


Advanced students may also be offered additional opportunities throughout the year, including:

  • Guest performance spots at community events

  • Opportunities to perform at Sing for Your Supper

  • Featured student showcases

  • Local live music events

  • Paid performance opportunities where appropriate


These experiences help students develop real-world performance confidence and musical professionalism within a supportive environment.


Important Information


Dedicated Lesson Slot

Your weekly or fortnightly lesson time is reserved specifically for you throughout the academic year.

Tuition Plan payments secure this dedicated lesson slot, therefore all scheduled payments remain payable whether the student attends lessons or not.

Where possible, support may still be provided during absences through:

  • Practice guidance

  • Homework

  • Lesson videos

  • Technique exercises

  • Digital learning resources


Teacher Cancellations

If I ever need to cancel a lesson, a replacement lesson will be offered during dedicated make-up/exam weeks and your yearly lesson allocation will not be affected.


Additional Lessons

If students exceed their yearly lesson allocation, additional sessions are charged at the standard ad-hoc rate.


Payment In Advance

Monthly invoices will be issued on the first of the month for the next months fee's, payment terms within 14 days. For example, January's payment plan fees are invoiced on 1st December and are due by 14th.


Notice Period

One full calendar month’s notice is required to cancel Tuition Plans and stop lessons.


Joining Midway Through the Academic Year

New students joining partway through the academic year will have their Tuition Plan adjusted based on the number of lessons remaining in the year.


The remaining yearly lesson total will be calculated and then divided into equal monthly payments across the remaining months of the academic year.


This allows new students to still benefit from:

  • Fixed monthly payments

  • A reserved lesson slot

  • Full access to Tuition Plan benefits

  • A clear and predictable payment structure


Example

A student joining in January for:

  • Weekly 30-minute lessons

  • Prime Time Tuition Plan

may have approximately:

  • 21 lessons remaining in the academic year

21 x 30-minute lessons = £577.50 remaining yearly tuition


This would then be divided into:

  • 7 monthly payments of £82.50

  • January through to July


Exact lesson totals and payment plans may vary slightly depending on the point of entry into the academic year and lesson scheduling.


Please note:

  • One full calendar month’s notice is required to cancel Tuition Plans and stop lessons.



Getting Started: Consultation First


Before committing to lessons, we begin with an online consultation via Zoom. This is a relaxed, friendly chat where we:


  • Talk through your goals and expectations

  • Get to know each other

  • Make sure we’re the right fit for you


If you’d like to book a consultation, simply reply to your enquiry email with your general availability and we’ll take it from there.



Availability & Waiting List


At present, I have a couple of "Prime Time" slots available for Piano and/Or Singing but we are fully booked on guitar.


Waiting List

After your consultation, we’ll check our joint availability. If we don’t have a suitable slot, you’re very welcome to join our waiting list. When a new space becomes available, we contact people in order of joining. If a slot doesn’t work for you, we simply move to the next person and keep you on the list.


Teaching Days/Hours

Ad-Hoc lessons

Mondays: 12pm to 3pm

Mondays 8:15 - 9pm

Thursdays 8:15 - 9pm


Prime Time

Mondays 3:40 - 8:15pm

Thursdays 3:40 - 8:15pm

Fridays 4:15 - 7:10pm

Saturdays 8:15am - 1pm



Help Us Get to Know You


While you’re waiting, we’d love to learn more about your (or your child’s) musical tastes, experience, and goals. Send us an email OR,


You can fill in our Client Details Form here:👉 https://www.laystonmusic.co.uk/contact-us



Terms & Conditions – Must Read Before Starting Lessons


Before beginning lessons with Layston Music, it’s important that all clients take the time to read through our Terms and Conditions:


I am deeply passionate about teaching and genuinely care about every student I work with. At the same time, Layston Music is a small, independent business, and having clear terms in place helps ensure lessons run smoothly, fairly, and consistently for everyone.


The Terms and Conditions outline key information such as:

  • Lesson scheduling and cancellations

  • Payments and notice periods

  • Holidays and term dates

  • Expectations for students, parents, and teachers


By familiarising yourself with these details before starting, we can begin lessons with shared understanding and mutual respect — allowing us to focus on what really matters: great lessons, creativity, and musical growth.


If you have any questions after reading through the terms, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I'm always happy to clarify anything before lessons begin.



Stay Connected


For updates on lesson availability, studio news, and music inspiration, you can follow us on Instagram or Facebook.


For discounts and weekly updates, sign up to my email list.




Commitment to Care & Quality


We take my responsibility to students and families seriously. We hold:


  • Full DBS certification

  • NSPCC safeguarding training

  • Extensive SEND experience & qualifications


I am a proud member of the Musicians’ Union and The Complementary Medical Association, with insurance cover through MU and Westminster Business Insurance.

Our home studio is a safe, inclusive, and nurturing space, where creativity is encouraged and every student is supported as an individual.


We can’t wait to support your musical adventure and look forward to welcoming you into lessons as soon as space allows.


Warm wishes,

Talena Cuthbert BA MCMA

Founder of Layston Music

UK Vocal Coach | Song & Sound Therapist | Music & Health Practitioner

 
 
 

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