"If I don’t practise for one day, I know it; if I don’t practise for two days, the critics know it; if I don’t practise for three days, the audience knows it." Ignacy Jan Paderewski

Policies

Regular Tuition

• ISM* agreements and invoices are provided for regular ongoing classes.
• Lesson fees are lower with an agreement for regular tuition than for consultation and irregular lessons.
• The term frames are January - April, May - August and September - December for pupils whose schedules allow predictable regularity.
• A block of at least 10 lessons can be booked either within or outside of these periods depending on pupils' regularity patterns.
• A regular slot is provided on the same day and at the same time including the flexibility to reschedule lessons with at least 3 days' notice. When this is impossible different times/days can be arranged in advance (subject to availability).
• The fees are paid via bank transfer in advance either for the whole term before the first lesson of the block or on monthly basis by the 1st of each month.
• Cash payments are accepted in exceptional circumstances but not in the case of pupils waiting to finalise the set up of a UK bank account; international transfers are also possible.
• Before the first lesson of the each term, the teacher will give the pupil (or the pupil's parent or guardian) written confirmation of (i) the dates and times of all lessons in that term.
• Lessons can take place during holidays and on public holidays.
• The pupil will not be entered for any examination, competition or public performance without the prior consent of both the teacher and the pupil (and with the pupil's parent or guardian, where appropriate).
• The teacher will charge for any scheduled lessons which the pupil does not attend, unless the teacher chooses not to do so because of exceptional circumstances. If the teacher cancels a scheduled lesson, the pupil (or the pupil's parent or guardian) may choose between (i) carrying the lesson forward; (ii) receiving a replacement lesson; or (iii) receiving a refund of the lesson fee.
• Regular pupils have access to the lending library as well as a structure of materials' pages on the website and can play in the regularly organised Piano Hours.
• Pupils must come for their lessons prepared; the amount of homework is tailored individually and will always be realistic; however, if in the course of the initial term homework is continuously and holistically ignored in its entirety the contract will not be renewed for another term.
• Very young children must practice between the lessons under the supervision of an adult whose attendance is required during the lessons.
• Short trimmed nails are a necessity.
• Pupils (or their parents, guardians or carers) will have the right to cancel the agreement within 14 days' from the day after the date of this agreement by giving written notice of cancellation to the teacher. If the agreement is then cancelled within the 14 day cancellation period, pupils are required to pay the fees for any lessons delivered and any other fees paid to the teacher will be refunded.
• Students are expected to behave appropriately according to the regulations of this country; continuous misconduct as well as unethical or unsafe behaviour will result in the immediate termination of tuition.
• In the case of pupils' engagement in actions such as harassment, mobbing, bullying, gas lighting, sexual harassment, racist or ideological discrimination the teacher reserves the right to take legal action.
• The agreement may be ended by mutual consent at any time by both signatories to it signing and dating a written statement to that effect.
• Where the fees are not paid on time, the teacher reserves the right, entirely at the teacher's discretion, to terminate this agreement with immediate effect by giving written notice of termination to the pupil or pupil's parent or carer. This right to terminate is without prejudice to any other rights the teacher may have.
• Either signatory to this agreement may terminate the agreement by giving notice in writing to the other signatory at least one month before the end of a term for the termination to take effect at the end of that term. Such termination may take effect at the end of a term only and not at any other time. If the teacher gives notice to terminate tuition at the end of a term in accordance with this condition the teacher will continue to provide lessons until the end of that term.
• Unless terminated under the above condition, the agreement shall continue from term to term.
• If the pupil stops attending lessons while a series is ongoing, the pupil (or the pupil's parent of guardian) is not entitled to a refund of any fees paid for that series. The pupil is entitled to attend any lessons paid for.
• If the teacher stops lessons without giving the correct notice specified above the teacher shall refund any fees already paid for any lessons not given.
• If the teacher, in his or her reasonable opinion, feels unable to continue tuition on account of unreasonable conduct by the pupil or anyone connected with the pupil, the fees for any outstanding lessons will not be refundable. The teacher will not proceed without legal confirmation to avoid misuse.
• If the teacher chooses to waive any right or remedy under this agreement or otherwise (for example, if the teacher chooses to waive fees for any lessons which the pupil does not attend) this shall not mean that he or she must do so in future or that he or she waives any other rights or remedies, unless agreed in writing.
• This agreement shall be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction of the location for the lessons (specified above) and the signatories to this agreement agree that any dispute relating to the subject matter of this agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that jurisdiction.

Extra tuition

• Regular pupils can book any amount of additional classes at the same fee as for regular tuition.
• The same conduct conditions as above apply.
• ISM* invoices are provided for extra payments.
• The dates and times of all lessons will be confirmed in writing.

Irregular Tuition

• Irregular classes can be booked in advance on an ad hoc basis without further commitment.
• Irregular pupils do not have access to Piano Hours, the borrowing library or the non-public sections of the website.
• Irregular tuition applies to booking just one or a block of less than ten classes which are booked in advance.
• ISM invoices are provided for payments.
• Irregular classes are paid for in advance via bank transfer; international transfer details are provided for pupils without a UK bank account.
• Students are expected to behave appropriately according to the regulations of this country; continuous misconduct as well as unethical or unsafe behaviour will result in the immediate termination of tuition.

Consultation Lessons

• Consultation lessons are booked and charged in advance in the same way as irregular lessons.
• ISM invoices are provided for payments.
• Consultations are offered to individuals who come for classes with the aim to learn to play the piano and develop their understanding of music et al. but not for any other disconnected or inappropriate purposes.

Skype Lessons

• Skype lessons can be booked and charged in advance on an ad hoc basis like irregular lessons or with an agreement for regular tuition.
• ISM invoices and agreements are provided for payments.
• Students are expected to behave appropriately according to the regulations of this country; continuous misconduct as well as unethical or unsafe behaviour will result in the immediate termination of tuition.
• Further details on Skype lessons can be found on this page.