Music Lesson Agreement
Luton Music Academy LLC
LESSON FEES AND PAYMENTS
Lessons are charged at $70 per hour due by the first of each month. Payments can be made online using a credit or debit card. Autopay is available. Cash is not accepted. Each payment by check will incur a $10 processing fee.
Payments are due on the 1st of the month for all regular lessons that month. You will be invoiced approximately 1 week prior to the due date. You will be charged for all regular lesson slots, even if they are canceled ahead of time (see Cancellations and Planned Absences).
LATE PAYMENT AND PARTIAL PAYMENT
We may suspend or terminate lessons due to late or incomplete payments. If payments are 4 or more days late, we may charge a $40 late fee. If you have questions about a payment or are unable to complete payment on the due date, please contact us before payment is due.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY
Students are to purchase and bring their music books and lesson materials to every lesson, unless instructed otherwise. Your teacher will inform you of required books and materials, which may include a notebook for recording assignments and piano method books. Students are expected to practice regularly throughout the week to solidify new concepts they’ve learned in their lessons and to promote healthy progress. Teachers will set practice expectations, keeping in mind student age, skill level and progress goals. The student is responsible to fulfill the practice expectations throughout the week. At lessons, students are expected to maintain focus, calmness and respectfulness during lessons and while on the premises of Luton Music Academy, LLC. Disruptive behavior during private lessons or group classes will be addressed by the teacher and/or management.
Teachers and/or Luton Music Academy, LLC representatives will inform students/guardians if basic expectations are not being met in regards to good behavior, attendance, practice and bringing of materials to class. Negligence on the part of the student or guardian may be grounds for termination of lessons.
LESSON SCHEDULE
A weekly lesson time is agreed upon between the student/guardian and the scheduling coordinator. The student/guardian is responsible for timeliness and regular attendance, and to notify the scheduling coordinator of all changes to the schedule with as much notice as possible. Excessive absences or tardiness will be addressed by the management, and could result in termination of lessons.
CHANGING REGULAR WEEKLY LESSON TIME
At any time, you may request to reschedule your weekly lesson time. Our office will inform you of alternate times, if any are available. If we are not able to find a suitable alternate time, you may choose to be placed on a waiting list and/or withdraw from lessons (see below).
SCHEDULE CHANGES BY THE STUDENT
All cancellations and changes to the schedule must be made either by the student/guardian via the parent/student online portal, or through direct communication with the scheduling coordinator. Any scheduling change that you discuss with your teacher must be approved by the scheduling coordinator.
CANCELLATIONS AND PLANNED ABSENCES
Planned absences are treated as cancellations, except in the case of long vacations (see below).
You will be charged for lessons that you cancel, but you qualify for a free makeup lesson if you give sufficient notice. You must cancel a lesson at least 48 hours prior to your lesson time in order to be given a makeup credit which can be used to schedule a free makeup lesson. Makeup lesson credits expire 8 weeks after being awarded.
If the student or family members attending a lesson are sick and contagious, you are required to cancel the lesson.
Our cancellation policy is designed to ensure that teachers receive steady pay. It also allows other students the opportunity to sign up for a makeup lesson during your lesson slot, or for the scheduling coordinator to adjust the schedule to eliminate gap time for the teacher. If you are unable to give 48 hours notice of a cancellation, we still appreciate you letting us know. Makeup lesson credits may be issued at the discretion of the scheduling coordinator with less than 48 hours notice on a case-by-case basis, but not more than once per calendar month for each student.
HOLIDAYS, ACTS OF NATURE AND LESSONS CANCELED BY LUTON MUSIC ACADEMY, LLC
If Luton Music Academy, LLC has to cancel a lesson for any reason, we will do so as soon as the conflict is known. You will not be charged for lessons canceled by the studio, for example, holidays, teacher away dates and acts of nature. You may opt to schedule a makeup lesson, which you will be charged for.
If there is an act of nature or extreme event that prevents any lesson from taking place, the studio will reach out immediately to inform you of any lesson that will not be held. Examples of such events include inclement weather, power outages, or local/national emergencies.
If the studio gives less than 48 hours notice of a cancellation in the absence of an act of nature or extreme event, you will be given a free makeup lesson credit, in addition to not being charged for the lesson.
MAKEUP LESSONS
You may use makeup lesson credits to schedule makeup lessons. Makeup lesson credits expire 8 weeks after being awarded. We aim to provide makeup lesson slots at times that work for most families. However, we do not guarantee that you will be able to find a suitable lesson slot to schedule your makeup lesson, or that we will have sufficient makeup lesson slots for all students. We do not guarantee makeup lessons.
Our teachers may schedule a limited number of dedicated makeup lesson slots depending on their availability. In addition, canceled lessons become makeup lesson slots. The student/guardian is responsible for monitoring the availability of makeup lesson slots on the parent/student portal, and scheduling the makeup lesson. Our office is available by phone, text and email to help schedule makeup lessons.
You may cancel makeup lessons, but if for any reason you cancel a makeup lesson with less than 48 hours notice, you will lose your makeup lesson credit.
You may have partial makeup lesson credits on file. For example, if you have a makeup lesson credit for your normal lesson time of 60 minutes, and you have a 30 minute makeup lesson, you will still have a 1/2 credit on file.
INTRODUCTORY PERIOD
When you begin piano lessons with the studio for the first time, we allow an introductory period of four lessons (the intro lesson, plus the following three lessons). During the introductory period, you may decide to switch to another teacher, dependent on scheduling availability. In this case, you will begin a new introductory period of four lessons with your new teacher.
During your introductory period, if you cancel at least 72 hours prior to your fifth lesson, we will cancel all future lessons and reimburse you for any unused future lessons you have been charged for (except makeup lessons and lessons scheduled to occur 48 hours or less from the time of cancellation). You will forfeit any unused make up lesson credits.
WITHDRAWAL
If you wish to withdraw from regular weekly lessons for any reason after the introductory period, we must be given 15 days of notice. We can cancel charges for remaining lessons scheduled 15 days out or more, but you will be charged for any lessons scheduled within 14 days of the day of withdrawal. Students who withdraw at any time will forfeit any unused make up lesson credits.
If a student is completely withdrawing, failure to attend lessons does not qualify as notification. Failure to notify Luton Music Academy, LLC does not release a student from his/her financial obligation and is not an acceptable form of notification of intent to withdraw. If a student has four consecutive no call/no shows, we will terminate the student’s lessons, we will release the student’s spot in the schedule, and the student will be charged for all missed lessons.
LONG VACATIONS
You are responsible for informing the studio of all planned absences and cancellations. If you inform us at least 15 days prior to a planned absence and will be absent for 3 or more consecutive weeks, your absence will fall under our long vacation policy. You will not be responsible for paying for weekly lessons during this period. You are required to give us exact dates in writing: your last lesson date prior to your planned absence, and the date you wish to return for lessons.
We will save a record of unused makeup lesson credits, but they are prone to expire over the period of your vacation. During the school year we will not reserve your spot, but we will contact you prior to your requested return date. If your lesson slot is open, we will reinstate your weekly lessons and send you a notification. If your lesson slot is no longer available, we will inform you of any alternative available times. If none are available, you will be placed on the waiting list.
If you decide you do not wish to return to your weekly lesson slot, you will be responsible for giving advance notice that you wish to reschedule your weekly lesson time or withdraw from lessons, according to our relevant policies listed in the sections above.
If your vacation is during summer recess for St John’s County Public Schools, you may reserve your weekly lesson slot for the coming school year. In order to reserve your slot, you will be required to make a deposit equal to the cost of four regular lessons. We will reinstate your lessons at the regular weekly time, starting on your next weekly time after the first day of scheduled classes at St John’s County public schools. We will send you a reminder before lessons resume.
Your deposit is refundable. If you decide not to resume lessons, you are responsible for informing us as soon as possible. This will be considered a withdrawal, and 15 days of notice is required (see above).
TERMINATION OF CLASSES BY LUTON MUSIC ACADEMY, LLC
When possible and when appropriate, Luton Music Academy, LLC will offer alternative arrangements before terminating classes for a student. But when we deem it necessary, we may terminate classes at any time. Possible reasons include inability of the studio to continue lessons (e.g. sudden loss of studio space or illness of a teacher) or due to continued disruption or negligence of responsibility on the part of the student/guardian. In the case of termination, all future lessons and charges are canceled, and all makeup lesson credits are forfeited by the student. At the time of termination, you will be charged for any past debits and/or refunded for any past credits on file. You will not be refunded for any scheduled makeup lessons.
USE OF TOUCH
Playing instruments, including one's voice, is a highly complex, physical activity. Even the smallest habitual problem with tension, posture or misalignment can over time lead to debilitating performance-related injuries such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and focal dystonia, as well as contributing to shoulder and spinal problems.
Touch is used to identify tension, correct alignment, and help students develop their own kinaesthetic awareness. This work is crucial for beginners, and essential where players have developed physical habits which require somatic (movement) retraining. It is also important for refining technique in more advanced students.
The purpose of touch is always explained when physical contact is necessary, so that the student is able to engage positively and effectively in learning.
Instructors check before using touch in their instruction, obtaining on-the-spot permission in addition to the general permission granted by acceptance of this Policy.
Physical contact is never used unnecessarily, inappropriately, or without consent.
RECORDING OF LESSONS TO ENSURE SAFETY
Luton Music Academy, LLC prioritizes the safety and security of its instructors, students, and their family members. To this end, we hereby notify that Luton Music Academy, LLC reserves the right to conduct audio and video recordings within every lesson room across our premises. These recordings are strictly for the purpose of enhancing safety, monitoring instructional quality, and ensuring the security of all individuals within the academy.
The recorded material will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and will only be accessed by authorized personnel of Luton Music Academy, LLC as necessary. Such access will be for internal use only, except as required by law enforcement or pursuant to a valid court order.
By agreeing to this policy, students, guardians, and instructors acknowledge and consent to the recording of lessons. This consent is part of our broader efforts to maintain a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for everyone involved with Luton Music Academy, LLC.
PHOTO & VIDEO RELEASE
Choose one:
I do not grant permission for Luton Music Academy, LLC, its agents or its employees the right to record photo, video or other media of myself or members of my family, other than for the purposes of safety, security and the monitoring of instructional quality. I understand that by not giving permission, my family members and I may be barred from participating in certain events, performances and other activities.
I grant permission for Luton Music Academy, LLC, its agents, and its employees, the unrestricted right to record, edit, use, reproduce, publish and distribute by way of photographs and/or video images and all other media (electronic or otherwise) taken of me, or members of my family, for the purpose of publication, promotion, illustration, advertising, or trade, in any manner or in any medium. I understand that there shall be no payment for this release. I understand that no royalty, fee or other compensation shall become payable by reason of such use.
I hereby release Luton Music Academy, LLC and its legal representatives for all claims and liability relating to said images, audio and/or video.
I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time by notifying the releasee in writing. The revocation will not affect any actions taken before the receipt of this written notification. I also understand that this revocation may affect my or my family’s ability to attend certain events, performances and other activities.
LIABILITY
I release, indemnify and hold harmless Luton Music Academy, LLC, its managing member(s), owner(s), directors, managers, employees, contractors and agents (“Luton Music Academy, LLC Parties”) from and against any and all liability, claims, demands and causes of action whatsoever, arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, that may be sustained by the student and/or the undersigned, while in or upon the premises or any premises under the control and supervision of any of the Luton Music Academy, LLC Parties en route to or from any said premises.
REVISION OF AGREEMENT
Luton Music Academy, LLC reserves the right to amend, modify, add, or remove terms of this agreement at any point. Such amendments will be effective only upon providing reasonable notice to the student and/or their guardian. The nature and implications of such amendments will be communicated in writing to the affected parties. Acceptance of the amended terms must also be in writing, signifying the student and/or guardian's agreement to the changes. Failure to provide written acceptance of the amended terms within the notice period provided may result in termination of this agreement at the discretion of Luton Music Academy, LLC.