Terms and conditions (online) vocal and piano lessons Irene de Raadt

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I consider it important to present my terms and conditions in a clear and honest way. Although they are less strict than other music schools, I would like to kindly ask you, for a pleasant relationship, to read the terms and conditions below. Thank you!

Trial Lesson

The trial lesson is considered a standalone lesson and is subject to the same rates.

Lesson Subscriptions

With a lesson subscription, the student attends lessons weekly or biweekly at a fixed day and time. In advance, the student chooses a fixed payment frequency: once every four, ten, or twenty lessons, per half year, or per year. The subscription is automatically renewed unless it is cancelled. A notice period of two months applies; the invoices that would be issued during these two months must also be paid.

Subscription Enrollment

Students with a subscription receive several extras, such as additional lesson materials, a reduced rate for online courses, and temporary free access to online courses.
Enrollment for a subscription by scheduling an appointment and payment and/or completing the online registration form is considered a “Distance Purchase” (“Koop op Afstand”).
The student has the right to terminate the agreement within 14 calendar days after concluding the subscription without specifying reasons. After this period, there is no right to termination without observing the two-month notice period. There is also no right to termination without notice if lessons have already commenced before the 14-day term has expired. The subscription is entered into with a mutually agreed lesson and payment frequency, with an automatic renewal between terms. If one forgets to fill out the registration form, the payment of the invoice, which communicates the notice period, is considered acceptance of the terms and notice period. Of course, the trial lesson is not subject to a notice period since it is considered a standalone lesson.

Termination of the Subscription and Notice Period

A request for termination must be made in writing (by separate email clearly mentioning the request in the title, with proof of receipt or by registered letter, click here for the address). To comply with the law, we provide you with a sample letter here. However, a letter or email with name, termination, and date are generally sufficient. The date and time of receipt are decisive. There is a two month notice period. The agreed payment frequency remains valid during the notice period, as with any subscription. This means that invoices falling within the two months after the termination date must still be settled. Refund of lesson fees is not possible, nor is the transfer of paid lessons to another person. It is also not permitted to use the once–per-semester allowed lesson cancellation during the notice period.

Single (Standalone) Lessons

Lessons are always provided in subscription form. In exceptional cases, a few single lessons can be booked, for example, for tutoring, auditions, and exam preparations. The notice period does not apply to individual lessons. Students with individual lessons are not always entitled to free access to online courses nor to the extra study books and workbooks. Single lessons can only be planned here if space is available. Please contact us to see the possibilities.

Cancellation of a Lesson by the Student

The student has the right to cancel one lesson per semester, provided it is communicated at least 48 hours in advance through the cancellation form. The canceled lesson can be rescheduled at one of three times offered by the teacher, taking into account the student’s schedule as much as possible. This rescheduling can occur at a different time during the week or during the 12 weeks of holiday period. If it is not possible for the student to make up the canceled lesson at one of those times, the right to reschedule expires.

Conditions for rescheduling a canceled lesson are as follows:

The cancellation is communicated at least 48 hours in advance.
The cancellation is done through the cancellation form on the website, which you can find here. Using the form has the advantage of easily checking when cancellations occurred, providing both the teacher and the student with a confirmation of cancellation, and maintaining a focus on the content, quality, and enjoyment of the lessons.
Only once per semester, from the start date of the lessons.
The student can avail three rescheduling opportunities offered by the teacher.
If these options are not suitable, the right to reschedule expires, and the lesson will be billed (including trial lessons or individual lessons).

Rate changes

The rates are increased annually in accordance with inflation and/or market dynamics.

Cancellation of a lesson by the Teacher

If the teacher has to cancel one or more lessons, these will be rescheduled at a later date. The teacher will offer three options for making up the lesson(s). This may be at a different time during the week or during any of the 12 weeks of the holiday period. If the student is unable to attend the cancelled lesson at any of the offered times, the right to a make-up lesson lapses and the lessons will still be charged to the student.

Liability and damaging of property, a safe studio

Irene de Raadt is not liable for injury to the student sustained during or on the road to class. Irene de Raadt is not liable for damage, loss or theft of property of a student’s properties, including bicycles. The student is expected to use the sound equipment and piano for which they are intended and to treat them as if it were his or her property. Damage to the piano’s, sound equipment and/or interior or exterior of the studio resulting from improper use will be recovered from the student or parent/guardian of the student. Students are kindly asked to not park the bycicles next to the cars, but in the front or side of the house near the entrance).

Making music is an activity where a respectful, safe place needs to be maintained. If the teacher senses any unrespectful behavior, or feels unsafe, she can decide to stop the continuation of the lessons. There will be no restitution for the lessons not consumed.

Illness

If a student has a serious contagious illness, lessons cannot take place in the studio.

The piano is a contact instrument that is played by many people. Singing without using the voice is not possible. Lessons are attended by young and strong individuals as well as by people with a reduced immune resistance. We ask for respect for all of them, so that everyone feels safe in the studio. Furthermore, more than half of the singers are professional musicians who have no income when they are ill. This also applies to the teacher and to other students who visit the studio. In addition, the teacher is exposed to dozens of students per week, all of whom have lessons in close proximity. During piano lessons, students are seated at a distance of less than 10 cm from the teacher, and the same instrument is played together. During singing lessons, the projection of the voice and breathing causes aerosols from contagious students to be directed toward the teacher dozens of times per week. This can be compared to an office job, where one typically stays in one place and does not come into close contact—within one meter—with many different people on a daily basis for extended periods of time (rather than just briefly). Singers are also particularly susceptible to viruses that affect the voice. Having to cancel concerts because of a different virus every week is highly disruptive, and illnesses such as pneumonia can occur, potentially preventing the teacher from working for weeks at a time.

Are one or more of the following applicable?

he student is demonstrably ill (flu, throat infection, or another contagious illness).
The student has a severe cold: coughing, sneezing, sore throat, a runny nose, or a hoarse voice.
The student has an elevated temperature or fever, headache, diarrhea, or a general feeling of malaise.
The student has another contagious condition, such as scabies, head lice, molluscum contagiosum, a fungal infection on the hands, a contagious skin condition, or similar.

The student waits to come to the lesson until they are symptom-free. The teacher reserves the right to refuse a student at the door who does not adhere to the conditions. Please note that such a lesson will always be billed.

How do we keep the studio safe together?

• Hands are washed before piano lessons, upon arrival.
• Coughing or sneezing (not applicable for online lessons but in case of an occasional tickle:) is done in the elbow.
• Teacher and student do not touch their face, ears, or mouth during piano lessons.
• Paper towels are available to dry hands.

Never Having To Miss A Lesson With The Online Alternative

What to do with any of the above symptoms

Fortunately, this does not mean that the lesson cannot be attended. There are two options:

The student can cancel the lesson, a maximum of 1 times a semester and 48 hours in advance via the cancellation form, and make it up at a later time, see above.
The student can attend the lesson online. Only Zoom needs to be installed, and login with the code provided, or even Whatsapp or Facetime will work fine.

The online alternative cannot be taken infinitely. The student may request an online lesson for a maximum of 3 times every semester and the request must be done before 9 a.m. of the day of the lesson, so preparations can be made in the studio.
In case of doubt, the rule is: online lesson or cancelling the lesson. We kindly request not to send emails but to use the cancellation form. The student decides for themselves if they are ill and does not consult with the teacher. This is to prevent unnecessary (lengthy) emails and unpleasant situations.

Lesson Times

Lessons are given during daytime from Monday to Saturday. Evening lessons can be scheduled by exception, sometimes.
The lesson time includes arrival and departure. Unfortunately, there is no waiting area. Even if there are no other students, you are kindly requested not to ring the bell earlier than the lesson time. Thanks for understanding!

Payment Method

All lessons must be paid in advance, either in cash or by bank transfer, but always before the start of the first lesson of that period. If payment is not made on time, a reminder will be sent. With a second reminder, administrative costs will be added. These costs are typically the statutory 10% of the invoice. If an invoice remains entirely unpaid, a debt collection agency will be engaged. Payment of an invoice of a term that starts after the summer holiday need to be paid before that holiday. Trial lessons are kept in option for two days, confirmation of the reserved trial lesson day and time is only given after receipt of payment.

Communication

Communication regarding the content of the lessons takes place during the lesson. Information about holidays, cancellations, etc., can be found on the website. Only in cases where a question cannot wait until the next lesson or a cancellation, you can email your question. If urgent telephone consultation is needed and cannot wait until the lesson, the student can request a call back in the email.

Workshops

For workshops, cancellation is allowed within 14 days after registration (Distance Purchase), after which it is not possible. If the workshop is conducted within 14 days after payment, no refund will be provided in case of cancellation. Singing workshops are non-transferable, just like private lessons.

Gift Vouchers

are valid for 3 months. Furthermore, for some gifted lessons, the same conditions apply as for subscriptions (cancellation and fixed day and time), except, of course, the notice period.

Holidays

During the holidays, students are welcome and allowed, but not obliged, to attend lessons. We follow the school holidays of the Amstelveen-Noord region, which are listed here.

Portrait Right

Students automatically agree to the use, including publicity purposes, of photo and audio /video material of activities in which students of Irene de Raadt participate audibly and / or visibly. For example: student concerts, group lesson activities, workshops, studion recordings.

If you object to this automatic agreement, you must notify us in writing when registering. If you fail to do so, you will not be entitled to any reimbursement after publication. If you object in a timely manner, we will make every effort during student concert registrations to comply with your request, but we can never guarantee that you will not be visible in the group photos and videos.
You cannot object to the publication of recordings made in the recording studio.
Of course, we will not take photos or videos of you in the privacy of the private lessons, without you permission.

Intellectual and Industrial property

It is not permitted, in any way, to copy, reproduce, disclose or exploit acts, studio recordings (both by Irene and students), websites (both content and layout), system designs, teaching and working methods, advice, training, courses, workshops, (model) contracts and other intellectual products of Irene de Raadt. All of this is protected by the Dutch Copyright Act and in case of infringement with this act, legal procedures will be put into action, resulting in fines and compensation.
This is also applicable to www.irenederaadt.com and www.mastertheartofsinging.com.
Both websites are change logged and the content is kept in depot with a notary. The content and ideas are also registered with the BIOP.

Terms and conditions Irene de Raadt 2026 (you can click and download the file for future reference)