Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions give students and parents clarity about the lessons, and enable School of Pianists to operate smoothly. This is the English version; a Dutch version is also available. In the event of any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Dutch text prevails.

Article 1 — Definitions

In these terms and conditions the following definitions apply:

• School of Pianists / the school: the music school operated as a sole proprietorship (ZZP), registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 88409392, with registered address Naarderstraat 29E, 1211 AH Hilversum.
• Teacher: any music teacher who teaches on behalf of School of Pianists. All teachers of the school apply these same terms and conditions.
• Student: the person attending the lessons.
• Parent/guardian: the legal representative of a student who is a minor.
• Lesson agreement: the agreement between the school and the student or their parent/guardian.
• School year: the teaching period that, according to the lesson schedule, comprises 38 lessons.
• Trial lesson: a one-off, free 30-minute introductory lesson without any obligation.
• Lesson set: a pre-paid package of individual lessons.
• Lesson fee: the amount payable by the student or parent/guardian for the lessons.

Article 2 — Applicability

These terms and conditions apply to all offers, lesson agreements and lessons of School of Pianists, irrespective of which teacher delivers the lessons. Deviations from these terms are valid only when agreed in writing or by e-mail between the school and the student or parent/guardian. By registering, the student or parent/guardian accepts these terms and conditions.

Article 3 — Registration, trial lesson and formation

New students may take a free, no-obligation 30-minute trial lesson. No obligations arise from the trial lesson. Registration takes place via the registration form on the website or by e-mail. A student who is a minor is registered by their parent/guardian. The lesson agreement is formed once the school confirms the registration by e-mail. Where applicable, a fixed lesson day and time are agreed at that point.

Article 4 — Right of withdrawal

For an agreement formed at a distance (for example via the website or by e-mail), the consumer has the right to cancel the agreement within 14 days of formation, without giving any reason. If the student begins lessons within these 14 days at their own request, a proportionate part of the lesson fee is payable for the lessons already given. The right of withdrawal lapses once the agreement has been fully performed at the student’s express request.

Article 5 — Lessons offered

School of Pianists provides lessons in the disciplines of piano, composition and conducting. Lessons are offered in the following formats:

• Individual lessons of 20, 30, 45 or 60 minutes;
• Parent-child lessons in the same durations as the individual lessons;
• Group lessons of 45 or 60 minutes.

Lessons are taken on the basis of an annual agreement of 38 lessons per school year, or by means of a pre-paid lesson set. A lesson set is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. These terms and conditions apply in full to all disciplines and lesson formats.

Article 6 — Duration, renewal and cancellation

The annual agreement applies per school year (38 lessons) and is tacitly renewed at the end of the year, unless cancelled in good time. Cancellation must be made in writing or by e-mail to info@schoolofpianists.com. A notice period of one calendar month applies, commencing on the first day of the month following the cancellation. Example: if cancellation is made on 4 April, the agreement continues up to and including 31 May. During the notice period the lesson fee remains payable and the student retains the right to lessons.

A lesson set ends automatically once it has been used up or after the 12-month validity period has expired; no cancellation is required for this. After this period has expired, no refund is given for unused lessons, save in the event of force majeure on the part of the school. In exceptional cases, such as serious misconduct or persistent non-payment, the school may terminate the lesson agreement immediately and unilaterally. Immediate cancellation by the student is not possible.

Article 7 — Lesson times, holidays and public holidays

Lessons are in principle held on a fixed lesson day and time at the lesson location, Muziekcentrum Zuidoost in Amsterdam. Lessons follow the Dutch school holidays for the North region (Amsterdam), as published annually on schoolofpianists.com. No lessons are given during school holidays or on official public holidays. The school year of 38 lessons already takes these holidays and public holidays into account.

Article 8 — Student absence and make-up lessons

Any inability to attend must be reported to the teacher as early as possible. Per school year, a maximum of 2 lessons may be cancelled or rescheduled free of charge, provided the cancellation is given at least 3 hours before the start of the lesson. The school will make an effort to find a suitable new lesson time, in so far as the schedule allows. Beyond this, missed lessons remain payable and there is no right to a refund or a make-up lesson. For group lessons, making up missed lessons is not possible.

Article 9 — Teacher absence

In the event of the teacher’s illness or unavailability, a substitute is arranged or the lesson is made up at another time. If neither a substitute nor a make-up lesson is possible, the lesson concerned is credited. The school guarantees at least 90% of the agreed lessons per school year (rounded, at least 34 of the 38 lessons). Lessons that fall below this number due to teacher absence and cannot be made up are credited.

Article 10 — Lesson fees and payment

The lesson fee for the annual agreement is invoiced in monthly instalments. On registration, the student or parent/guardian chooses 10 or 12 equal monthly instalments. Invoices are sent by e-mail at the beginning of each month. The payment term is 14 days from the invoice date. Payment may be made via Wero, bank transfer or cash. A lesson set is paid in advance and in full.

VAT: lessons for students under 21 years of age are exempt from VAT. For students aged 21 and over, 21% VAT applies. The current rates are stated on the school’s website.

Article 11 — Late payment

In the event of late payment, the student or parent/guardian receives a payment reminder. If payment is still not made, the student or parent/guardian is in default and statutory interest and (extra)judicial collection costs may be charged. The school is entitled to suspend access to lessons for as long as the payment obligation has not been met; the payment obligation continues to apply during such suspension.

Article 12 — Price changes

The school is entitled to adjust its rates annually. A price change is announced by e-mail at least one month in advance. In the event of a substantial increase, the student has the right to cancel the agreement, observing the notice period.

Article 13 — Force majeure

Force majeure means any circumstance beyond the school’s control that wholly or partly prevents performance, including in any event: illness, government measures, pandemic or lockdown, extreme weather, failure of utilities, strikes, and the loss or unavailability of the lesson location.

If, due to force majeure, lessons cannot take place on location and the school does not find a replacement location within one month, or in the case of measures such as a lockdown, lessons are continued online. These online lessons count as regular lessons and the lesson fee remains payable. If the student chooses not to attend the online lessons, no refund is given. In the event of force majeure, the school is entitled to reschedule lessons rather than refund them, in so far as this is reasonable. In the event of a teacher’s prolonged unavailability that cannot be covered by a substitute and cannot be made up, the lessons not delivered are credited.

Article 14 — Liability

The school is not liable for damage of any kind, except in the case of intent or gross negligence on the part of the school. The school is not liable for loss, theft or damage to property at the lesson location. In so far as the school is liable, such liability is limited to the amount of the lesson fee paid for the relevant period, or to the amount paid out by the insurer in the case concerned. The student or parent/guardian is responsible for providing a suitable practice instrument at home.

Article 15 — Code of conduct and confidential contact person

School of Pianists places great value on a safe and respectful learning environment. Students, parents/guardians and teachers are expected to treat one another with respect. For questions, concerns or reports of undesirable behaviour, confidential contact may be made with the school’s confidential contact person. This role is fulfilled by the owner of School of Pianists, who can be reached at info@schoolofpianists.com. Reports are handled confidentially and with care.

Article 16 — Privacy and image material

The school processes personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the school’s privacy policy, which is available on the website. The school’s image consent form applies to the making and use of photographs and videos. Consent is voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time.

Article 17 — Complaints

Complaints about the lessons or the organisation may be reported as soon as possible to info@schoolofpianists.com. The school aims to respond within 14 days and to reach a suitable solution together with the student or parent/guardian.

Article 18 — Governing law and disputes

These terms and conditions and all lesson agreements are governed exclusively by Dutch law. Disputes are submitted to the competent court of the District Court of Midden-Nederland, without prejudice to the consumer’s right, within one month after the school invokes this provision, to choose resolution by the court that is competent under the law.

Article 19 — Amendment of the terms and final provisions

The school may amend these terms and conditions. Amendments are announced at least one month in advance by e-mail or via the website. These terms have been drawn up in Dutch and English. In the event of any discrepancy between the two language versions, the Dutch text prevails. If any provision of these terms is null or voidable, the remaining provisions remain in full force.

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School of Pianists
Registered address: Naarderstraat 29E, 1211 AH Hilversum
Lesson location: Muziekcentrum Zuidoost, Amsterdam
Chamber of Commerce (KvK): 88409392 · info@schoolofpianists.com