Long-Term Online Violin Lesson Terms and Conditions
Introduction. This is an Agreement between Sumina Studer (also referred to as “Teacher”) and the Client (also referred to as “Student”), for Online Violin Lesson Services. This Agreement has been reached after an offer and acceptance was made to Client, in exchange for adequate consideration, made effective on the date of purchase, and sets forth the expectations and responsibilities of both parties relating to and throughout the Term of this Agreement
1) Quantity & length of lessons. This agreement is effective from the signed date to either the termination of this agreement (see Section 3) or until the purchased lesson cycle has finished. Each individual lesson has a duration of 1 hour. By purchasing a lesson or multiple lessons, Student agrees and understands that being accepted to the quantity of violin lessons for this contract does not entitle the Student to being accepted for more lessons in the future. Continuance of future lessons will be evaluated separately.
2) Student expectations. It is expected of the Student to be timely and prepared to scheduled lessons. Preparedness is defined by the practice of the instrument to the student’s best abilities, having a working wifi connection, audio & video equipment setup, a charged device to conduct the online lesson with for the duration of the lesson, and having all of the sheet music of the student's current repertoire within reach at the time of the lesson. If a lesson needs to be rescheduled on the Students' part, it shall be communicated in written form at least 24 hours before the start of each affected lesson (see more details in paragraph 6). The Student is not allowed to screen-record, video record, or voice record any lesson/sessions without the consent and knowledge of the Teacher. Any annotated sheet music provided to the student by the Teacher shall not be published or shared with members unrelated to the teaching studio. A Student being late to a lesson will not lead to extended lessons (after the designated 1-hour lesson time).
3) Termination of Agreement. Teacher is committed to providing a quality educational experience to all of her Students. However, from time to time, situations arise that require the Teacher to terminate the Agreement before the Term ends. As such, Teacher reserves the right to terminate the Agreement “for cause” at any time during the Agreement, which includes, but is not limited to, the following causes: a) Student fails to follow lesson guidelines; b) Student or Student's Legal Guardian is abusive or harasses Teacher; c) Student refuses to pay or does not pay as outlined in Section 5) below; d) Student or Student's Legal Guardian proves to be difficult to work with; or e) for any other legitimate purposes in the best interest of Teacher. If any of the following causes trigger Teacher to terminate the Agreement, Student is still liable to pay the entire cost of the Agreement as specified in Section 5). In case of termination of a long-term arrangement, there shall be no further monthly payments made (see paragraph 5) but the Teacher shall keep any payments that have been previously made as a redeeming fee for inconvenience.
4) Legal guardian responsibilities. This paragraph addresses the legal guardian of Students of ages up to 18 years old. Legal guardian understands the responsibilities to adequately prepare and oversee Student’s practice prior to the lesson. Legal guardian understands that he/she/they needs to support and help the Student to find daily practice time free from other commitments, noise and distractions. It is the legal guardian's responsibility to have the Student be on time to lessons. Section 2 “Student expectations” are the legal guardian's responsibility as well.
5) Payment & Refund Policy. A one hour lesson costs 150 US Dollars and will be paid through Paypal or Stripe, as indicated and at Student’s discretion through the Teacher’s website. Any service fees and transaction fees are the Student's responsibility to cover. If the Student requests to use another payment method, the Teacher retains the right to refuse the lesson. All sales are final. Due to the inherent nature of educational programs and the electronic transmission of same, there are no refunds.
6) Rescheduling. If a lesson needs to be rescheduled, it shall be communicated at least 24 hours before the start of the lesson (see Sections 2 and 3). If a Student wants to reschedule a lesson, it has to be rescheduled to a date within two weeks after the initial lesson date, at the convenience and availability of the Teacher. Rescheduling is made in good faith and therefore, reasons such as lack of practice or scheduling conflicts at Student’s choice are not being granted. The Teacher is not obligated to accommodate to rescheduling for a Student, however, reasons for rescheduling that will be accommodated to are: physical injury affecting the ability to play the violin, chronic physical and mental health struggles supported by a medical certificate, or mourning. Requesting to reschedule a lesson without communicating a new rescheduling date (“holding a lesson”) is not permitted. Delayed written response (more than 5 days) of the Student to reschedule a lesson is considered “holding a lesson”. Exceptions of this time frame only apply to health struggles supported by a written medical testimony, or mourning. If a Student's reason for rescheduling is not communicated with the teacher, the Teacher retains the right not to reschedule a lesson. Lesson dates that already presented a potential conflict at the time of scheduling for the Student (such as exam periods, vacations or festivities) are not granted due to their foreseeable nature. If the Teacher needs to reschedule a lesson, the Teacher retains the right to privacy and is under no obligation to share the reason of rescheduling with the Student.
7) Disclaimer. By signing up for lessons, the student fully understands that lessons are conducted for music education purposes and that the Teacher is not an employee, social media marketing or networking contact, psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, counselor or lawyer. Student understands that working with the teacher means that the teacher helps the Student think through and analyze decisions affecting their musical practice and performance, and to assist the Student with finding his/her/their own direction and purpose relating to music. The Teacher may offer her opinion regarding decisions, but it is the responsibility of the Student to make the final decision and choose the best option for himself/herself/themselves. Teacher’s responsibilities do not include introduction of student to Teacher’s professional network and business relationships or performance opportunities for the Student as well as any type of social media exposure. Student hereby acknowledges that any type of improvement on a musical instrument is heavily based off of their own efforts (such as time spent on proactive research and regular practice) and that lessons with the Teacher serve as a supplemental guide consisting of professional advice and experience. Student understands that a big component of success is their own discipline and commitment.
8) General Terms. In the unlikely event that there would ever be a legal action relating to this Violin Lesson Contract, this document will be interpreted and governed by the laws of the State of New York and the venue of any dispute over this Agreement will be in the County of New York City in the State of New York. If any portion of this Violin Lesson Contract would be held illegal, invalid, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be considered ineffective only to the extent of that invalidity without invalidating the entire Violin Lesson Contract.
9) Entire Agreement. This Violin Lesson Contract and any attachments thereto constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes prior discussions, agreements, or commitments by either party. Any modification of this Violin Lesson Contract and any attachments thereto must be in writing and signed by both parties.
It is recommended for the Student to download and/or print this webpage for their personal reference. This Agreement may be updated or renewed every few months and therefore might not apply to the Student’s next purchase.