Vanessa Simmons Piano Tuition
Terms and Conditions of Vanessa’s Piano Tuition 2022/2023
Amended: 11/5/22 for 01/09/22 tuition period onwards.
Lesson Registration and GDPR:
Your name, email address and a contact number will be stored on a web application called
‘My Music Staff’. It is hosted securely online. This is so I can contact you with lesson notes, newsletters, and concert notifications.
If you wish to take formal examinations, your details will also be shared with the examination board (ABRSM/Trinity).
Student achievements are posted on my Facebook music page, using a student’s first name only.
Payment Terms:
Payment is due monthly in advance. It is calculated at (lesson price) X 39 weeks of tuition divided by 12 months. If you leave lessons within this 12-month period, you will receive a final invoice for the remaining amount including a months’ notice.
Half hour lessons are £37.50 a month
45-minute lessons are £55.25 a month
Hourly lessons are £75 a month
Please set up a direct debit for first of the month
These prices are fixed until January 2023.
Failure to pay by the chosen date may result in your place being given to someone on the waiting list.
After School slots and in school slots are subject to that arrangement only. However, if you require daytime tuition and want a more bespoke arrangement, subject to my availability and a different pricing structure, please speak to me.
You can have 3 cancelled lessons with 24 hours’ notice within this 12-month period which will not be charged for. You will be credited the following month. If I must cancel a lesson, you will be credited automatically. Lessons beyond the 3 cancellations will be charged for. Thank you.
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My bank details are:
TSB Bank
Sort code: 77-71-41
Account no: 21864068Further lessons will not be available to those with missing payments
Instrument requirements:
Students must have access to a suitable instrument, which is properly maintained (i.e., tuned regularly) or a touch-sensitive and weighted full size electronic keyboard or digital piano. Please ensure this is on a keyboard stand, if portable, so it is used at the correct height with a stool. This hugely impacts technique and therefore lesson progress.
Additional Expenses:
Method books and exam books will be required through the year at an approximate cost of £60 a year. If you wish to do piano exams these cost about £70 to £100 per grade plus materials. This is a cost from the exam board, I do not profit from this.
In-person lessons:
There is no provision for in person tuition for after school lessons.
In School lessons are charged at £10 for a 20-minute lesson which is payable monthly in advance.
Online lessons:
Online lessons use Zoom, a web platform. It is also helpful if you buy a tripod to hold your device appropriately so I can see your keyboard (hands and fingers).
Due to child protection laws, ALL communication with students under the age of 18 must only be initiated by the adults and with supervision and/or consent by parent or care giver. Please be present during online lessons for this reason and to provide guidance where required.
Lesson dates:
Lessons take place in term time. I believe this will give students a better focus than continuing for the whole year and give me time for lesson development and exam preparations etc. Use your My Music Staff student ID to look at the studio calendar any time to keep updated with term dates.
NEW Cancellation policy:
Occasionally I may need to cancel a lesson due to personal reasons. I will try to avoid this whenever possible, offer an alternative and will give as much notice as possible. If you’re unable to take the alternative slot I will credit you a lesson for the following month.
To ensure we have a productive relationship between teacher and student/student’s family, I reserve the right to stop tuition at any time if I feel this is in the best interests of student or teacher. You will receive a refund for any remaining lessons you’ve paid for if this happens.
If you wish to cancel lessons, I require a month notice period by email please.
You can have 3 cancelled lessons with 24 hours’ notice within this 12-month payment period which will not be charged for. You will be credited the following month
For school-based tuition, please do not attend if you are sick but let me know as soon as possible.
If you wish to cancel piano lessons, please let me know with a months’ notice. Thank you.
Concerts:
There are usually 4 concerts a year for each season. Concerts are online using zoom and you do not have to take part. It is great experience as a performer, and everyone is invited regardless of ability.
Exams:
Piano exams are optional but I can enter you for Trinity or ABRSM exams up to grade 5. After this grade you can take exams and higher-level tuition with a fellow teacher who I work alongside. This is because my specialist experience is teaching beginner to intermediate. You will need to pay the exam fee to the exam board directly plus buy any materials required. I will prepare you using my experience and expertise. We will also use applications from exam boards to train you. I cannot offer a guarantee that you will pass an exam. I will also provide you with a mock exam, led by an experienced fellow teacher, who will provide expert exam feedback after many years of coaching advanced students for piano exams.
You must be prepared to practise at least 30 minutes every weekday if you want to do an exam.
Respect and Responsibility:
Parents/older students: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY To ensure practise is being done and to positively encourage practise as advised.
AND TO RESPECT decisions for exam entry by the teacher, and to respect teacher methods.
Progress is all about practise. A piano lesson alone will not create a pianist and will not achieve grades!
I promise to give interesting, supportive lessons in a relaxed environment. I will teach students piano skills and how music works.
Please respect my payment policy as I have made the decision to dedicate my life to teaching piano and therefore, as it is my only means of paying bills. If students are not taking and paying for regular lessons the studio will have to close.
By taking lessons you adhere and agree to these terms and conditions.
Thank you
Vanessa Simmons 4th May 2022