Terms & Conditions

This page lists the terms and conditions by which we offer private music lessons at the Ripley Sounds Studio. Further information can also be found in our Studio Policy and our F.A.Q.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS

The intention of providing this list of definitions is to help explain or clarify some terms or expressions that may be found in this Agreement. It is not meant to be a definitive an exhaustive or complete list.

‘We / Us’ – refers to Ripley Sounds Studios (also referred to as ‘The Studio’) and its staff, both teaching and administrative.

‘You’ – refers to the individual who is engaging in music tuition with Ripley Sounds (also referred to as ‘The Student’) and / or their parent or guardian, if the student is under eighteen years old.

‘Regular Students’ – refers to students who have committed to a regular time slot and lesson frequency (weekly or fortnightly), which are invoiced and paid for monthly in advance. These are known as ‘Regular Lessons’.

‘Ad-hoc Students’ – refers to students who book lessons as and when they wish to take them, with flexible time slots and frequency. These are known as ‘Ad-hoc Lessons’.

‘My Music Staff’ – is the online studio suite through which lesson bookings are managed. Students receive direct access through their own personal login. This is also known as the ‘Student Portal’.

‘Make Up Credit’ – is a credit raised in My Music Staff when a student has been unable to attend a scheduled lesson (and has provided due notice). The credit allows students to reschedule the lesson within the next three months. Make Up Slots on the Studio Calendar will automatically use Make Up Credits (and can’t be booked without one) but we can also allocate your Make Up Credit to any booking that is in addition to your usual provision.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Ripley Sounds Studios provide private music lessons at the Ripley Sounds Studio, or online lessons via Zoom, Skype or FaceTime, on either a regular or ad-hoc basis.
We offer a comprehensive music education experience, with lessons centred around the student’s individual musical interests, unique challenges and desired improvements.
Students should practice at their own pace, maintaining a relaxed yet purposeful attention on achieving their goals. It is expected that instructions given in lessons will be followed from week-to-week.
Students are encouraged to practice on a decent instrument. Whilst any instrument can be a good starting point, the love of an instrument grows with the skill to play, and over time a sub-standard instrument could begin to hinder development. Details of what to look for can be found in our F.A.Q. and we are happy to help in selecting an appropriate instrument.
A standard lesson is 45 minutes long. Where alternate lesson lengths are desired by, or recommended for the student, this will be arranged by prior agreement.
Guide prices are available on our website, and you can email info@ripleysounds.co.uk for a full list of our current prices, promotions and packages, and the terms and conditions attached to them. We reserve the right to amend or withdraw promotional offers at any time.
All lessons must be paid for before they take place.
Ad-hoc lessons should be paid for by bank transfer, at time of booking. Any booking that has not been paid for, is not guaranteed.
Regular lessons are a commitment to a guaranteed time slot, either weekly or fortnightly, paid monthly in advance.
Students will be notified of any increase in our standard rate, no later than one month before said changes take effect.
Invoices for regular lessons are issued on or around the 20th of each month.
Payments for regular lessons are due by the 28th of each month prior to lessons being given. For example, October lesson payments are due by September 28th; November lesson payments are due October 28th, etc.
The number of lessons billed is based on the number of lessons for your given day in the next month, e.g., If your lesson day is Wednesday and there are four Wednesdays in the month, you will be billed for four lessons; if there are five Wednesdays in the month, you will be billed for five, etc. The number will be adjusted accordingly for fortnightly lessons and to account for any periods of studio closure.
Students should check the dates and times of upcoming lessons on their invoice and notify us of any planned absences (such as holidays) so that we can amend the number of lessons and adjust the invoice accordingly. The number of lessons cannot be reduced after the invoice has been paid (however additional lessons can be booked and paid for ad-hoc if required.)
Students who regularly adjust their schedule to less than two lessons per month may forfeit the regular student discount.
Lessons are non-refundable. If a student is unable to attend their regular lesson, they will be issued with a Make Up Credit. The Credit can be used to reschedule the missed lesson any time within the next three months. The Make Up lesson must be in addition to their regular bookings for that month.
Regular students must give 30 days’ notice if they wish to terminate their lessons.
Ad-hoc lessons can be cancelled at any time up until 24 hours before the designated start time, with no charge. After this time, the following cancellation fees are applied:

Between 24 hours and 12 hours before the lesson start time, 25% of the lesson fee is charged.
Between 12 hours and 1 hour before the lesson start time, 50% of the lesson fee is charged.
Less than 1 hour before the lesson start time, 100% of the lesson fee is charged.

Ad-hoc students that need to reschedule will be offered a Make Up Credit in lieu of any cancellation fees, provided that the lesson has already been paid for.
Students are requested to notify the studio as soon as possible of any cancellations, so that their slot may be offered to someone else. Lessons can be cancelled through the Student Portal, where a brief explanation can be provided. Alternatively, contact info@ripleysoounds.co.uk regarding any schedule changes.
Booking, invoicing and general enquiries should be sent to info@ripleysounds.co.uk. We aim to respond as quickly as possible, usually within one working day. Musical queries can be sent directly to Cal, via students@ripleysounds.co.uk. Please note that due to his busy teaching schedule, these queries may take longer to receive a response.

Students should arrive promptly for their lessons, but no more than five minutes before the designated start time. Late arrivals will result in reduced lesson time, as we usually cannot allow lessons to overrun, due to other students and commitments.
There is no guaranteed parking at the studio, so it is advisable to factor in parking time when attending by car. There may be space for one car on the driveway. Street parking is usually available, but kindly show consideration for our neighbours and avoid blocking entrances.
Last-minute cancellations or lateness should be reported directly to Cal by SMS, to ensure that the message gets through in time.
Lessons missed without any notice will be forfeited, and no Make Up Credit will be issued. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances, at our discretion.
If we need to cancel a lesson, due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, we will notify the student as soon as possible, and offer them an alternative slot. If a mutually agreeable slot is not available at the time, a Make Up Credit will be issued, to rebook the lesson at any time within the next three months.
Studio and staff holidays can be found in the calendar on My Music Staff, and you will also be notified in advance of any upcoming closures.
Students should not attend the studio if they are feeling unwell, have symptoms, or are recovering from an illness. Lessons can easily be moved online, if the student feels well enough to proceed. We reserve the right to refuse entry to the studio, or to stop a lesson, if a student is clearly unwell.
We reserve the right to amend these terms and conditions as and when necessary. Current terms and conditions will be accessible via our website, and can also be issued on request.