Terms & Conditions - Piano Lesson STM Music

1. Lesson Contract

1.1. After either the Student or their Parent/Guardian (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. Alternative arrangements, such as a different lesson schedule, may be specified in the lesson contract under special circumstances and are subject to the Teacher’s discretion.

1.3. The lesson contract remains valid until the Student or their Parent/Guardian decides to withdraw from the contract. Withdrawal 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 must be submitted in writing, via email to info@satomichihara.com, at least four (4) weeks prior to the desired withdrawal date.

2.2. Withdrawal requests take effect four weeks after they are submitted in writing via email to info@satomichihara.com.

2.3. Requests made less than four (4) weeks before the desired withdrawal date will result in billing for all lessons that would have taken place in the four weeks following such a request.

2.4. The Teacher reserves the right to withdraw from the lesson contract at any time, without prior notice, at their sole discretion.

3. Lesson fees

3.1. Lesson fees are invoiced monthly following the first lesson of each month, in writing via email.

3.2. Lesson fee invoices must be paid within seven (7) days of receipt to the bank account stated on the invoice.

3.3. Lesson fees are calculated based on the duration agreed upon in the lesson contract and according to Table 1 – Lesson Fees per Duration of Lesson. For Students aged 21 and older at the time of the lesson, 21% VAT (BTW in Dutch) will be added to the fees stated in the table.

3.4. When multiple Students from the same household take lessons, the fee will be calculated based on the total combined lesson duration. For example, two Students each taking a 30-minute lesson will be billed as one 60-minute lesson (which is overall cheaper for the family). This discount applies only if the Students are taking regular, ongoing lessons.

3.5. If lessons are conducted at the Student’s home, travel costs will be added to the fees stated in Table 1 – Lesson Fees per Duration of Lesson.

4. Cancellation of lessons

4.1. Cancellation requests must be submitted by phone call, LINE, WhatsApp, email, or in person. A cancellation is only valid once confirmed either verbally or in writing by the Teacher. Approved cancellations are subject to the conditions in Section 5. Refunds & Substitute Lessons.

4.2. If the Student arrives late or has to leave early, the lesson time will not be extended, and no refund will be given under Section 5. Refunds & Substitute Lessons.

4.3. Long-term schedule changes (e.g., summer holidays, Christmas holidays, school events) must be communicated to the Teacher as early as possible and are subject to the conditions in Section 5. Refunds & Substitute Lessons.

5. Refunds & Substitute Lessons

5.1. The Teacher will make every effort to offer substitute lessons in the case of cancellations. However, substitutes are not guaranteed and depend on the Teacher’s availability.

5.2. Substitute lessons are subject to the same conditions as regular lessons and are invoiced accordingly.

5.3. If no substitute lesson can be agreed upon:

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 the email, LINE, or WhatsApp message was sent, or the time the Teacher answered the phone call.

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

5.3.3. If the cancellation request is made between 24 and 48 hours before the lesson start time, 50% of the lesson fee will be refunded.

5.3.4. If the cancellation request is made more than 48 hours before the lesson start time, 100% of the lesson fee will be refunded.

5.3.5. Refunds will be issued to the same bank account from which the payment was made by the Student or their Parent/Guardian, within two (2) weeks of the Teacher’s approval of the cancellation.

5.3.6. The following special cases qualify for a 100% refund regardless of the timing of the cancellation request:

5.3.6.1. Extreme weather conditions making travel unsafe and an official weather warning has been issued.

5.3.6.2. Childbirth, traffic accidents, death in the Student’s family, or other serious accidents requiring medical treatment.

5.3.6.3. If the Teacher cancels the lesson.

6. Liability

6.1. STM Music is not liable for any accidents or damages occurring during travel to or from the lesson, or during the lesson itself.

6.2. The Student, or their Parent/Guardian, may be held liable for damages caused to STM Music property during the lesson (e.g., damage to instruments).

7. Personal Information

STM Music strictly protects personal information and uses it only for the purposes of contacting the Student and/or their Parent/Guardian, invoicing, and internal administration.

8. Competitions and external music/piano exams

If the Student wishes to participate in music or piano competitions, or external music/piano exams (e.g., ABRSM, Trinity), the Student and/or their Parent/Guardian must inform the Teacher at least four (4) weeks before the application deadline. Notification may be made by phone call, LINE, WhatsApp, email, or in person.

9. Health & Safety

In case of illness or contagious conditions that prevent in-person lessons, the Teacher may provide the lesson online or reschedule at their discretion.

10. Language

This Agreement is written in English. A Japanese translation is available on request. The English text is the original version and shall prevail in case of any inconsistency between the two.