Terms & Conditions - Piano Lesson STM Music

1. Lesson contract

1.1. After either the student or their parents/caretakers (if the student is under 18 years old, the same shall apply hereafter) signs the lesson contract, the student will receive weekly lessons of the duration agreed upon in the lesson contract. Lesson fees are calculated based on the conditions laid out in section “3. Lesson fees” of this document.

1.2. Other arrangements, such as a different lesson schedule, can be specified in the lesson contract in special circumstances and are subject to the teacher’s discretion.

1.3. The lesson contract is valid until the student or their parents/caretakers decides to withdraw from the contract. Withdrawal from the lesson contract is subject to the conditions laid out in section “2. Withdrawal from the lesson contract” of this document.

2. Withdrawal from the lesson contract

2.1. Requests for withdrawal from the lesson contract have to be made in writing, via email to info@satomichihara.com, at least 4 weeks prior to the desired withdrawal date.

2.2. Requests for withdrawal from the lesson contract take effect four weeks after they are submitted in writing via email to info@satomichihara.com.

2.3. Withdrawal requests made less than 4 weeks prior to the desired withdrawal date will result in the billing of all lessons that would have regularly taken place in the 4 weeks following such a withdrawal request.

2.4. The teacher may withdraw from the lesson contract at any time, this withdrawal has to be made known to the student or their parents/caretakers and takes effect immediately. 

3. Lesson fees

3.1. Lessons fees are invoiced per month following the first lesson of each month, in writing via email to info@satomichihara.com.

3.2. Lesson fee invoices must be paid within 7 days of receipt of the invoice to the bank account mentioned on the invoice.

3.3. Lesson fees are calculated based on duration agreed upon in the lesson contract. Lesson fee calculations are based on “Table 1 - Lesson fees per duration of the lesson” below. For students over the age of 21 years old at the moment of the lesson, 21% VAT (BTW in Dutch) will be added on top of the fees set out in “Table 1 - Lesson fees per duration of the lesson”.

3.4. When there are multiple students taking lessons at the same house/family, the lesson fee will be calculated as the sum of the total lesson duration. For example, two students from the same family taking a 30 minutes lesson each will be billed as a 60 minutes lesson rather than two times 30 minutes (this is overall cheaper for the student.)

3.5. If lessons are conducted at the student's home, the travel costs will be added on top of the fees set out in “Table 1 - Lesson fees per duration of the lesson”.

4. Cancellation of lessons

4.1. Cancellation requests must be submitted by phone call, LINE, WhatsApp message, email (info@satomichihara.com), or in person. Cancellation requests are only valid once approved either verbally or in writing by the teacher. Any approved cancellations are subject to the conditions laid out in section “5. Refunds & Substitute lessons” of this document.

 4.2. There is no guarantee of an extension to the lesson time if the student has to leave early or arrives later than the agreed-upon lesson time. Similarly, no refunds under section “5. Refunds & Substitute lessons” of this document will be granted in such a situation.

4.3. Long-term plans impacting the lesson schedule (e.g. summer holiday, Christmas holiday, school events, etc.) must be made known to the teacher as soon as possible and are subject to the conditions laid out in section “5. Refunds & Substitute lessons” of this document. 

4.4. Regardless of national holidays, it is required to inform the teacher each time you wish to cancel a lesson.

5. Refunds & Substitute lessons

5.1. The teacher will strive to offer substitute lessons in case of any cancellation request. There is however no guarantee of a substitute as they are always subject to the teacher’s availability.

5.2. Substitute lessons are subject to the same conditions laid out in this document as regular lessons and are invoiced regularly.

5.3. If no substitute lesson can be mutually agreed upon and:

5.3.1 For the purpose of points 5.3.2 – 5.3.4, the time of the cancellation request will be regarded as the time of sending the email, LINE, or WhatsApp message, and in case of a phone call, the time the teacher takes the call.

5.3.2. If a cancellation request is made less than 24 hours before the lesson’s starting time, no refund will be issued.

 5.3.3. If a cancellation request is made no later than 24 hours and no earlier than 48 hours of the lesson’s starting time, 50% of the lesson fee will be refunded.

 5.3.4. If a cancellation request is made earlier than 48 hours of the lesson’s starting time, 100% of the lesson fee will be refunded.

5.3.5. Lesson fees are refunded, to the same bank account, the payment was made by the student, or their parents/caretakers, within 2 weeks of approval of the cancellation request by the teacher.

5.3.6. In the following special cases a 100% refund will be issued, no matter the time of the cancellation request:

5.3.6.1. When the student, or a family member living with the student, tested positive for Covid-19 and has not yet completed the Dutch government’s recommended quarantine time following a positive Covid-19 result.

5.3.6.2. When the student, or a family member living with the student, is in a Dutch government recommended quarantine following a possible contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19. (This applies also in case of school & daycare closures due to suspected Covid-19 cases)

5.3.6.3. When weather conditions are too extreme for safe travel and an official weather warning has been issued by the Dutch government.

5.3.6.4. In case of childbirth, traffic accidents, a death in the family of the student, or in case of other accidents leading to injuries requiring medical treatment.

5.3.6.5. If the teacher cancels the lesson.

6. Liability

6.1. STM Music is not liable for any accidents or damages that occurred either during the students’ travel to or from the lesson and accidents or damages that occurred during the lesson.

6.2. The student or their parents/caretakers may be made liable for damages STM Music incurred during the lesson (e.g. damage to an instrument).

7. Personal Information

7.1. STM Music strictly protects personal information and uses it only for the purpose of contacting the student, and/or their parents/caretakers, invoicing, and internal administration. 

8. Competitions and external music/piano exams

8.1. If the student wishes to participate in any music/piano competitions or music/piano grade exams (e.g. ABRSM, TRINITY), or any similar such competition or exam, the student, and/or parents/caretakers, must inform the teacher either by phone call, LINE, WhatsApp message, email (info@satomichihara.com), or in person at least 4 weeks prior to the application for the exam or competition.

9. Language

9.1. This Agreement is made in English and a version translated into Japanese is available on request. The English text is the original and the Japanese text is for reference purposes only. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these two texts, the English text shall prevail.