Terms and Conditions
The Joyful Music Tutor
These Terms and Conditions set out the agreement between The Joyful Music Tutor and the student, parent, guardian or client booking music lessons, consultations, workshops, online lessons, or related services. Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully. They explain the practical arrangements for lessons and form the legal relationship between us. In these Terms and Conditions, “we”, “us”, “our” and “the Teacher” refer to The Joyful Music Tutor. “You”, “the Student” or “the Client” refer to the person booking, paying for, or attending lessons. Where the student is under 18, “you” also refers to the parent or guardian responsible for the booking and payment.
1. Business Details
Business name: The Joyful Music Tutor Teacher: Joo-Lee Lewis Address: 10 Brancepeth Close, Durham DH1 5XL Email: hello@joyfulmusictutor.com Phone / WhatsApp: 07719 174544
2. Agreement
Tuition will usually be given on a regular basis, with the day, time, frequency, location and fees agreed between the Teacher and the Student, parent, guardian or client in advance. Lesson arrangements will be confirmed in writing by email. Our acceptance of your booking takes place when we confirm the lesson arrangement by email. At that point, these Terms and Conditions form a legally binding agreement between us.
3. Lessons
Lessons may take place in the Teacher’s music room at: 10 Brancepeth Close, Durham DH1 5XL Lessons may also take place online, or in another agreed location, where this has been confirmed in writing. The date, time, frequency and length of lessons will be agreed in advance between the Teacher and the Student, parent, guardian or client. Lessons may include piano, flute, music theory, performance preparation, exam preparation, consultation lessons, mentoring, practice support, or other music-related tuition agreed in advance.
4. Lesson Series, Fees and Payment
Lessons are usually booked and paid for as a series of lessons, unless otherwise agreed. The Student, parent, guardian or client will pay for each series of lessons on or before the first lesson of that series. Fees, payment dates and lesson arrangements will be confirmed by email. If payment has not been received by the agreed date, the Teacher reserves the right to pause or cancel lessons until payment has been made. The Teacher may increase tuition fees from time to time. At least one month’s written notice will be given before any fee increase takes effect.
5. Missed Lessons and Cancellations by the Student
The Teacher will charge for any scheduled lesson that the Student does not attend unless one of the following applies: The Student has rescheduled the lesson with the Teacher’s agreement. The Student has given at least 48 hours’ written notice by email. The Teacher chooses not to charge because of exceptional circumstances. Notice should be given by email wherever possible. If a lesson is missed without the required notice, the lesson fee remains payable and the Teacher is not obliged to provide a replacement lesson or refund.
6. Rescheduling Lessons
Where possible, the Teacher will try to help rearrange a lesson if the Student gives enough notice. However, replacement times are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If a replacement lesson is offered and agreed, it will count as the scheduled lesson. Repeated cancellations or frequent requests to rearrange lessons may result in the regular lesson time being reviewed or withdrawn.
7. Cancellation by the Teacher
If the Teacher cancels a scheduled lesson, the Student may choose between: receiving a replacement lesson; or receiving a refund for that lesson. The Teacher will give as much notice as possible if a lesson needs to be cancelled or rearranged.
8. Late Arrival
Students should arrive or log in on time for lessons. If the Student arrives late, the lesson will still finish at the scheduled time, unless the Teacher chooses otherwise. The full lesson fee remains payable if the Student is late. If the Teacher is running late, the lost time will either be made up, added to another lesson, or refunded, as appropriate.
9. Online Lessons
Where lessons take place online, the Student is responsible for having a suitable device, internet connection, instrument, music, and quiet space for the lesson. The Teacher is not responsible for technical problems caused by the Student’s internet connection, equipment, software, or home environment. If the Teacher’s own internet connection or equipment prevents the lesson from taking place properly, the Teacher will offer a replacement lesson or refund.
10. Health, Comfort and Suitability
The Teacher is not a medical professional and cannot provide medical advice. Students should tell the Teacher about any physical discomfort, injury, health condition, disability, anxiety, learning need, or other concern that may affect their lessons, where this is relevant and helpful. This information allows the Teacher to make appropriate adjustments where possible. Students are responsible for practising and playing in a way that feels safe and comfortable. If pain, strain or discomfort occurs, the Student should stop and seek suitable advice if needed.
11. Practice and Progress
The Teacher will provide guidance, support and lesson notes where appropriate. However, musical progress depends on many factors, including regular attendance, suitable practice, communication, and the Student’s own goals and circumstances. The Teacher does not guarantee any particular exam result, performance outcome, rate of progress, or achievement. Lessons are designed to support the Student’s musical development with care, skill and professionalism.
12. Examinations and Performances
The Student will not be entered for any examination, festival, audition, competition or performance without the prior agreement of the Teacher. Where an examination or performance is agreed, the Student, parent, guardian or client is responsible for paying any external fees, unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Teacher may advise whether a Student is ready for an exam or performance. The Teacher reserves the right not to support an entry if, in the Teacher’s professional opinion, the Student is not suitably prepared.
13. Student Conduct
Students are expected to behave respectfully during lessons. If the Teacher, in her reasonable opinion, feels unable to continue tuition because of unreasonable, unsafe, aggressive, inappropriate or disruptive conduct by the Student or anyone connected with the Student, the Teacher may end the lesson or terminate tuition. In these circumstances, fees for any outstanding lessons will not normally be refundable.
14. Parents, Guardians and Students Under 18
Where the Student is under 18, the parent or guardian is responsible for booking lessons, paying fees, communicating with the Teacher, and supporting the Student’s attendance and practice. A parent or guardian should remain in the music room during the lesson. The Teacher may communicate with a young person about lesson-related matters where appropriate, but important arrangements about payment, scheduling, cancellation or concerns will usually be handled with the parent or guardian.
15. Personal Belongings
Students are responsible for their own belongings when attending lessons. The Teacher is not responsible for loss, damage or theft of personal belongings brought to lessons.
16. Materials and Intellectual Property
The Teacher owns or is licensed to use the teaching materials, lesson notes, exercises, resources, recordings, videos, written content and other materials used or provided during lessons. These materials are provided for the Student’s personal learning only. You must not copy, reproduce, publish, share, sell, distribute, upload, teach from, or make available to any third party any materials provided by the Teacher without prior written permission. This includes lesson notes, written resources, exercises, handouts, videos, audio recordings, online content and teaching methods.
17. Recordings
Students may not make audio or video recordings of lessons without the Teacher’s prior permission. The Teacher may occasionally make recordings for teaching, feedback, demonstration, marketing, safeguarding, or professional purposes, but only with appropriate permission. Any agreed recording is for personal learning use only and must not be shared publicly or privately with others without written permission.
18. Data Protection
We comply with data protection laws in relation to your personal data. Please see our Privacy Policy for details of how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information.
19. Website, Booking Links and Third-Party Services
Our website may include links to third-party services such as booking systems, payment providers, email platforms, videos, social media platforms, examination boards, or other resources. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms and conditions of third-party websites or services. You should read the privacy policies and terms of any third-party service you use.
20. Consumer Cancellation Rights
Where you book services online, by phone, by email, or away from the Teacher’s premises, you may have a legal right to cancel within 14 days of the contract being formed. If you ask us to begin providing services during the 14-day cancellation period, you agree that we may start providing the service before the end of that period. If you then cancel after lessons or services have begun, you agree to pay for any services already provided. If the service has been fully provided within the cancellation period, and you agreed for the service to begin during that period, you may lose the right to cancel once the service has been completed. This does not affect your statutory rights.
21. Termination of Tuition
This agreement may be ended by mutual consent at any time, provided this is confirmed in writing by both parties. Either party may terminate tuition by giving written notice by email. If the Student gives notice to terminate and a lesson is scheduled to take place within 48 hours of that notice, that lesson must still be paid for. Where fees are not paid on time, the Teacher reserves the right to terminate tuition with immediate effect by giving written notice to the Student, parent, guardian or client. The Teacher may also terminate tuition if the working relationship is no longer suitable, if communication becomes unreasonable, if attendance is unreliable, or if the Teacher feels unable to continue teaching safely or effectively.
22. Refunds
Refunds are not offered for missed lessons, late cancellations, unused lessons, or lessons cancelled by the Student with less than 48 hours’ notice. Where the Teacher cancels a lesson and no replacement lesson is arranged, the lesson fee will be refunded. Any refund due will be made using a reasonable payment method agreed between us.
23. Liability
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any matter for which liability cannot legally be excluded or limited. The Teacher will provide services with reasonable care, skill and ability. Other than this, all warranties and representations are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. We are not liable for any indirect, special, consequential, financial, business, professional, academic, examination-related, performance-related or reputational loss arising from lessons or services. Our total liability in connection with these Terms and Conditions will be limited to the total amount paid by you for lessons or services in the 12 months before any claim.
24. Events Outside Our Control
We will not be liable for any failure or delay in providing lessons or services caused by events outside our reasonable control. This may include illness, accident, severe weather, transport disruption, internet failure, power failure, family emergency, building problems, government restrictions, or other circumstances beyond our control. Where possible, we will offer a replacement lesson, online lesson, alternative arrangement, or refund, depending on the circumstances.
25. Communication
Important notices, agreements, changes, cancellations and termination of tuition should be confirmed in writing by email. Text message or WhatsApp may be used for practical day-to-day communication, but email should be used for formal notices and agreements. Please make sure we have your current email address and contact details.
26. Changes to These Terms and Conditions
We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The Terms and Conditions that apply will usually be those in force at the time you book or renew a series of lessons, unless a change is required by law or for the safe and practical running of the service. If we make a significant change, we will give reasonable notice where possible. If the Teacher chooses to waive any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions on one occasion, this does not mean that the Teacher must do so again in the future.
27. Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with any lesson arrangements confirmed by email, form the entire agreement between us. They replace any previous written or verbal agreements relating to the same lessons or services.
28. Severance
If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that part will be removed or adjusted as necessary. The remaining Terms and Conditions will continue to apply.
29. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them, are governed by English law. Any dispute or claim will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
30. Complaints
If you have a concern or complaint, please contact us so that we can look into it properly and respond fairly. Please see our Complaints Procedure for more information.