Academic Music School, Inc.

Terms and Conditions

We have an agreement that we ask you to sign that spells out the terms and conditions under which we provide music lessons. Most of them are common sense, but there are some areas where we do things different than other schools.

The following explanation of our terms and conditions does not cover everything in the agreement, but does provide you with the areas we feel are the ones you need to understand before enrolling with our school.

Enrollment

To enroll for any class requires a $20 minimum deposit which is not refundable. The reason is that we used to get many people who would sign up for a class and then not show up. We have already asked a teacher to be here for the time and we owe the teacher for that time. If we don't collect a minimum deposit, we are left paying for a teacher that we received no payment for services.

Because enrollment can change during the year and those changes can affect the viability of providing a class on a particular day or at a particular time, the school reserves the right to change or cancel any class at any time. If this creates a problem for you such that you can not attend, we will refund any monies not earned.

Enrollment can take place at any time during the year unless it is a group class that requires a student to move along at the same pace as others in the class.

In-Home Instruction

In-home instruction presents some special concerns. Because of the travel time needed on the part of the teacher, in home instruction will also include a travel fee.

As well, since we can not monitor the teacher ourselves, we require that you agree to having someone responsible who is 18 or older in the room where the teacher is teaching for the duration of the lessons.

Tuition Payment

Tuition is due and payable on the first of every month. We do not give lessons and then bill later. The reason for this is quite simple.

Many times there are situations that come along that a lesson is missed. If you have not already paid for the lesson, there are some who feel that they should not pay for the lesson.

If a student does not show up for a public school or college class, the teacher is still paid and you have still paid your taxes or the tuition.

Our agreement with our teachers states that they are paid for their time the same as any teacher in a private or public school. If a student does not show up, we are still obligated to pay the teacher. We feel that is only fair to the teacher. Hence, if you miss a class there is no refund.

Missed classes are addressed below under the topic of Attendance.

Cancellation Due to Non Payment of Tuition

Should a payment not be received before the 15th of the month for any reason, a letter is sent to remind you that a payment is past due. If payment is still not received by the 21st, you will receive a letter canceling any lessons scheduled. The appointment time scheduled is then open for anyone else to register for that time.

Payment Methods

The school collects tuition fees on the first of every month by means of post-dated cheques, pre-authorized payment by credit card, or pre-authorized debit from your bank account through Paypal. This is the most efficient way for us to collect tuition and creates less hassle for you and for us.

We do not take payment in any other form, except at the time of registration. Then, and then only, we will accept cash for the first payment or for the entire term.

To process well over a 100 fees every month is very time consuming. With the electronic means available to us it simply does not make sense to deal with each client on a one to one basis at the beginning of every month. It also means we are not having to bother you every month to collect money.

Trial Classes

If you want to just try a class, we are happy to provide you with 3 lessons for only $35 with absolutely no obligation and no contract. This gives you and the teacher enough time to see if this will work for you. If you want you may even try 3 teachers and 3 instruments during this period.

Cancelling Classes

We require a minimum of 2 months of classes and then any class may be canceled by the student by giving us 30 days written notice after the first month of class.

As well, if there is a behavioural problem with a student, or anyone connected with the student in any way, the school reserves the right to cancel all classes immediately. Any monies not earned will be returned within 30 days.

Fees for Problem Payments

A five dollar($5) administrative fee will be charged to the Student for any cheques or automatic credit card or bank withdrawals returned to the school NSF (non-sufficient funds). Full payment of the NSF amount plus the five dollar ($5) fee must be received within ten (10) days of notification.

As well, any charges we receive from our bank as a result of the above will be passed along to the Student.

Materials for Classes

For a beginning student we generally charge a fee for the first book and all other materials, including notation books at our cost. Some classes, the teachers like to find out the best course to pursue for you and then have you purchase materials. We do not provide books beyond the first one. You may obtain any books and other materials from any music store you like. We have addresses and phone numbers of stores available for you.

Personal Information

Personal information gathered by the School is kept in confidence. Our staff and volunteers follow safety measures to ensure the protection of your personal information. Access or information is given only as necessary to allow them to perform services for which the information was gathered or for the service which was contracted. We also take measures to ensure that the integrity of this information is maintained and to prevent it being lost or destroyed.

Any credit or banking information is input into the credit or bank processing software which is only available to your credit card company or bank.

Attendance

We recognize that family events, emergencies, and illness can cause a student to miss a class. We don't care what the reason is, we provide two free lessons during the school year. There are no free lessons in July and August during summer school.

The teachers are also paid for the two lessons you receive free.

If you want a make-up lesson for a missed class beyond the two free classes we charge the normal fee. However, if you know you are going to be gone, let us know and we will try to book you in when a teacher has an opening in her regular schedule. But keep in mind that if the teacher has to come in early or stay after the normal schedule, then we must charge you an extra fee in order to pay the teacher.

If an instructor cannot attend a class, the School reserves the right to use a substitute teacher. If a substitute is not available the lesson will be made up by the regular teacher at a time that is convenient for the student and teacher.

Semi-Private and Students studying in a group setting, will not receive a makeup lesson for absences. However, to ensure consistent progression in the group, the Student may pick up the homework sheet of the missed lesson in the teacher's file at the reception desk.

In cases where the School or the instructor cancels due to weather, the Student will receive a makeup lesson.

You may call the school after 12 p.m. for the status of lessons during bad weather. We put the responsibility on the Student to ensure the school is open before attending lessons. We simply can't call everyone to notify them in the amount of time available

Pictures and Videos

We take photographs and/or videos of the Students to use in brochures, websites, posters, advertisements and other promotional materials the School creates. If you don't want these used by us, we will take this out of your agreement.

If you have other questions not answered above, please call us at 519-858-2805 and someone will explain anything you would like to know.

We would love to have you join us. We love what we do and we think you will find it shows as you attend classes.

SBI!