Dd was successful in getting into a Junior London conservatoire last September, so is just completing her first year. She is first study flute (grade eight), second study singing (grade eight) and third study piano (grade five after one year of study). Due to our low income she was successful in being awarded a full bursary in the shape of a D of Ed Award for Music and Dance, which, when I read the confirmation letter, said that the amount 'covered her tuition' there.
We did not receive any bill or financial statement from them over the year, until yesterday, when I was querying another matter with the junior department, and they mentioned I had an outstanding bill. When I asked them for more details it was for a considerable amount of money, and there is no way I can pay it at the moment. Apparently the bursary did not cover her fees in full, but no one had ever told me this, and we had gone the whole year just assuming the costs were covered. The department admit it is their fault, but said I still had to pay, which is bad enough, but of course it will now affect next year for my poor dd, who is really upset that she cannot carry on the lessons she has made such good progress in this year. As I understand it, the flute lessons are safe, but the singing lessons are only partly covered, and the piano lessons not covered at all. The rest of the bursary covers Musicianship, Music Theory, Choir, Ensemble, and Orchestra/Band (although dd has never had this).
Trying to solve the problem I asked her if she would consider giving up singing and piano there, and we could maybe find something locally, but although dd said she would if she had to, she is devastated at the thought of giving up the quality tuition she gets there, and really likes the teachers, who all say she is making great progress.
I feel so angry that they can make a mistake like this, and dd has to suffer the consequences. I would never have asked for the 'extra' lessons there if I knew how much I would end up paying for them, and I was led to believe they really wanted to make music accessible to all, not only being able to pursue one's talent if you are well off.
Don't get me wrong - I am grateful for the bursary and dd loves her time there, but I really want to see her fulfill her obvious talent, and feel we have been treated badly by the conservatoire. Can anybody give me any advise on how to proceed from here please?
