A growing band of angry parents and students are threatening to withdraw from a City of Richmond piano program unless their teacher is re-instated.
City bosses hit the wrong note with some of those enrolled in Lydia Kays piano classes after they axed the long-serving Russian-trained instructors contract.
With just a few weeks notice and with no reason, Kay who has around 65 loyal students and a waiting list at the Richmond Cultural Centre program was told her rolling seasonal contract was not being renewed after seven years.
Some of the outraged parents, led by adult student Teresa Jordan, armed themselves with an 80-signature petition and protested the decision at Monday nights city council meeting in council chambers.
I think shes brilliant and she has a very holistic approach, said Jordan, whos been a student of Kays for one and a half years.
She also teaches students with physical disabilities, many of whose parents didnt believe they could ever play the piano.
She first taught my grandson who said he did not want to practise; but he took to Lydia and he ended up really enjoying her lessons.
I told city council that I think what theyre doing is very irresponsible. (Kay) has 70 students, with many more on the waiting list.
City officials have told Jordan they cant discuss Kays contract, which she fully understands.
But this is all bureaucratic nonsense. It seems to me there has been a personality clash of some kind.
Surely they can work something out because shes amazing and theres going to be some very angry parents, I can tell you.
Although being denied an explanation for her contract not being renewed, Kay admitted to the News it may have something to do with a few run-ins with the program coordinator and even a blast at the mayors office.
It was like a guillotine coming down on me, said Kay.
Sunday was my last day. I was given no reason and was only told, as a contractor, we dont have to give you a reason.
It was very hurtful. I had done this for seven years and always had a waitlist here.
I did speak loudly to the program coordinator many times and I even went to the mayors office one day to complain. Maybe its a personality thing? I dont know, because they wont tell me.
What Kay does know is that her students and their parents are far from happy, many of whom she understands are going to follow her to Fraserview Church, where theres a fantastic grand piano.
Ill be running summer classes there, she added.
Along with Jordan, mom of two Yum Leung whose daughter, 12, and son, 10, are both students intends to follow Kay.
I will be taking my children out of any new city program and following Lydia, said Leung.
The way shes been treated is terrible and shes a wonderful teacher. Many of the parents think the same.
City spokesperson Ted Townsend said a decision was made to go in a different direction with this program.
We will be continuing the program in the fall with new, qualified instructors who will provide the high standard expected by our students, parents and the community.
Because Kay was a contractor, Townsend said the city cant discuss personnel issues publicly and cant go into the reasons for the change.
