Studio Policy
By paying for and attending Castle Music Studio music lessons you are agreeing to our terms and conditions:
Notice Period
Please give at least a 30-day notice if you wish to discontinue your lessons. This gives time for the timetable or classes to be adjusted, and to allow anyone on the waiting list to receive a spot. This notice period is enforced without exception.
Payments
School Tuition Payments
Tuition at Castle Music Studio is based on the full school year from August to June and includes 38 lessons and 2 online recitals. We offer multiple payment options to accommodate your needs:
1. Full Year (1 Payment): Pay the total tuition amount for the entire school year upfront.
2. Each Semester (2 Payments): Pay the tuition in two equal installments, one at the beginning of each semester.
3. Quarterly (4 Payments): Divide the tuition into four equal payments, due at the beginning of each quarter.
4. 10-Month Payment Plan: Payments are spread over 10 months and are due on the 1st of each month. There is a $10 late fee assessed one day before the first lesson of the month for late payments. If a payment remains outstanding by 24 hours of your first lesson of that month, the lesson for that week will be cancelled, with payment for the full month, including the late fee, still due.
To streamline the payment process, ALL invoices MUST be set up with automatic payments using a credit or debit card. This can be done through the auto-pay feature in your portal on www.mymusicstaff.com or within the invoice itself, by checking off “allow automatic payments.”
In the event that a payment is unsuccessful, we will continue to attempt to process it. Moreover, accounts with outstanding balances will NOT receive lessons and will NOT be allowed to participate in online recitals. Lastly, we kindly inform you that there are no refunds for any payments made. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Photographs
Castle Music Studio may occasionally take photographs/videos of lessons, and may use these in marketing materials and/or on social media. Please state specifically if you would prefer your child not to be in photographs/videos used for these purposes.
Portal
As a Castle Music Studio student, you will have access to your own online portal. This enables you to see your upcoming sessions, invoices, extra downloads, lesson notes, Castle Music Studio news, communications, and keep a practice log. Information may be communicated through this portal, so it is important that you check it on occasion. Important information will be e-mailed as well.
Absence and Lesson Cancellations
Your weekly lesson time has been reserved for you and is unavailable to any other student. Therefore, monthly payment is neither reduced nor refunded due to missed lessons. If there is an alternative to make up the missed class, we will do our best to accommodate you, but it is NOT guaranteed.
Make-up lessons are NOT offered to students that are in group piano classes. They are only offered to private students, and only when a student gives at least a 24-hour notice before a cancellation. Lessons that are missed without a 24-hour's notice or are “no shows” will not be offered a make-up lesson.
Students are allowed 2 make-up sessions per school year (August through June). If a scheduled make-up lesson is cancelled, another make-up option will not be offered.
If the studio cancels a lesson, we will work out a different lesson time, or add time over a few lessons within that year.
Communication
Communication with parents is extremely important to us. These are the ways in which we ensure we are communicating with you to maximize your child's experience with us:
Text Message: This is the most effective way to communicate, if there is a schedule change or an absence.
Online Portal: Through our portal we can send lesson notes if there is something noteworthy to tell you about you/your child's lesson. You will also receive automated e-mails and occasionally text messages* through our portal.
Data Protection and Online Security
In order to book lessons with us, you will need to provide us with your e-mail address, you/your child’s name, date of birth, and phone number. These details enable us to contact you regarding your lessons, add you/your child to class lists, and ensure that placement in the right class is correct.
We upload the information that you provide to a portal, managed by My Music Staff. If you would like to view the privacy policy of My Music Staff, please contact us.
Your data will never be passed onto anyone, ever.
We will use your contact details to communicate with you about your Castle Music Studio lessons, and for no other reason.
*You will only receive text messages if we have your phone number. Please check your preferences under Settings in your portal to update your contact details. Once you have added your mobile number, check the box to allow us to text regarding lesson cancellations.
Release of Liability
I hereby release, discharge, and agree not to sue Castle Music Studio, its directors, or employees for any injury, death or damage to or loss of personal property arising out of or in connection with my child's participation in any lessons or events from whatever cause, including the active or passive negligence of Castle Music Studio owners, staff, or any other participants of Castle Music Studio.
In consideration for being permitted to participate in group/private lessons, I hereby agree, for me/my child, my heirs, administrators, executors and assigns, that I shall indemnify and hold harmless Castle Music Studio from any and all claims, demands, actions, or suits arising out of our connection with me/my child's participation with Castle Music Studio.
For students under 18, I agree to permit Castle Music Studio to share and repost photographs taken by parents during lessons or staff during performance events without further recourse.
I understand that by voluntarily filling out the Castle Music Studio “sign up” form, I release any personal information contained in said form and permit Castle Music Studio to store it in a secure online database for the purposes of billing, scheduling, and organization.
I affirm that I have read, understand and agree to be bound by the term and conditions of this contract for music instruction through Castle Music Studio. I fully understand that failure to abide by this contract will result in termination of this agreement and lessons will be discontinued immediately. I understand that I can also review these policies any time online at www.castlemusicstudio.com.
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS RELEASE, HOLD HARMLESS, AGREEMENT NOT TO SUE, AND MEDIA RELEASE, AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT IT IS A FULL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY AND I SIGN IT FREELY.