MPS Studio Policy 2025 - Terms & Conditions

All students automatically accept these Terms & Conditions stipulated upon enrolment.

MPS (Michelle’s Piano Studio) expects students and parents of students to make a serious commitment to their music education. It is a rewarding investment, but dedication and practise are key. Students are to complete regular home practise for their level, be adequately prepared for their next lesson, and be receptive to feedback. Parents are encouraged to come in once a month during lesson time to receive feedback.

DECORUM

We expect correspondence & conversations between all parties to be polite and respectful. Our teachers are trained professionals who care about students’ music education. MPS has a zero-tolerance policy for rude and disrespectful behaviour towards any staff member or teacher in all our communications. Lessons may be terminated immediately if such behaviour is demonstrated.

Please be respectful of music instruments and supplies on site. All damages are billable.

FLU & COVID SAFETY

MPS is a FLU & COVID Safe business registered with NSW Health. Please use your discretion and wear a face mask, use the provided hand sanitiser, and follow health and safety guidelines as required.

ENROLMENT

Private lesson duration is determined by age and skill level. This benchmark is set to ensure the lessons given are optimal for the age and level of maturity of the student and that they will fully benefit from the duration of the lesson. If a student is sitting for exams but not doing the duration of the lesson expected, a premium lesson fee will be charged.

60 mins – Adults and ages 12-17
45 mins – ages 9-11
30 mins – ages 5-8

Two Weeks Deposit

Payable upfront. This is held in trust by MPS and released upon termination of enrolment (if 4 lessons written notice is given) less any amount for lessons owing.

Annual Fee

$45 annual fee is billed on enrolment and every year thereafter to cover insurance, scheduling and misc. costs.

Your private teacher will also advise as to any books and other materials required.

DROP-OFFS AND PICKUPS

Parents/guardians should prepare drop-off and pick-up arrangements for their children. MPS is not responsible for minding children who are dropped off earlier than scheduled or picked up late.

PAYMENT OF PRIVATE LESSON FEES

Full monthly fees are payable in advance by the 1st of every calendar month. Tax invoices are emailed 1-2 weeks before due date. No partial payments permitted without authorisation from Management.

Recommended payment methods: Bank or Internet bank transfer; Credit/Debit card (surcharges apply). Term lump sum payments can be arranged with Management.

MPS can redeem Active and Creative Kids vouchers for individual students after the first month of lessons.

Private lesson rates and Theory class fees are subject to review at least once a year due to inflation, cost of materials, or labour market changes. This way, MPS can employ the best possible teaching staff. Studio decision is final.

Direct debit

To opt into direct debit, please request a Credit Card/EFTPOS Authorisation for Monthly Payment digital contract from the admin team. MPS will debit a nominated card for the student’s monthly fees by 5th of the month. Please ensure sufficient funds in the nominated account on 1st of the month to avoid bank dishonour fees. A small surcharge is payable for direct debit facility.

December and January fees will continue to be invoiced together at the end of the year.

Late fee

Please respect our prompt fee payment policy. A flat $50 late fee will be incurred per student on their next monthly invoice if no payment is received by 5th of the month close of business. Teachers do not handle payment disputes; please email Management. If you anticipate a delay in payment, contact Lisa Yeoh via text/call to avoid a late fee.

ABSENCES, MAKE-UP LESSONS & RESCHEDULING

Minimum 24 hours’ written notice must be given to MPS for a lesson that has been missed (for any reason) to be made up. MPS provides strictly one (1) make-up lesson per student per Studio Term. Make-up credits cannot be rolled over to the next Studio Term. Make-ups must be completed within the year and cannot be rolled over to the new year. Lessons may be voluntarily forfeited but are non-refundable and non-transferable. Make-ups are discretionary by MPS Management.

A Studio Terms Calendar 2025 is displayed at Reception and a PDF copy can be provided on request.

Absence for medical reasons

Please inform MPS by email, SMS, or phone before 9AM day of absence with a follow-up medical certificate stating the date of absence. Make-ups for medical absence may be completed by a relief teacher.

Going on holiday or extended break

MPS can reschedule up to the Studio Term Limit (1 per student per Studio Term) on the student’s return with the convenience of the teacher as a priority. Full advance payment of the student’s fees must be made before leaving for holiday or extended break.

Group class absences

Theory students may sit in on an alternative Theory class if available; contact Admin to arrange. Absences from a group course (Music Explorers, Intro to Guitar) cannot be made up.

Teacher absences

Regular lessons may be covered by an experienced relief teacher or moved temporarily to an alternate day if the scheduled teacher is ill or unavailable. In the event that a teacher cannot teach a lesson and less than 24 hours’ notice of absence is given to the student by MPS via phone, email or SMS, this lesson may be credited on your next invoice.

TERMINATION OF ENROLMENT

Any request to stop lessons must be given with four (4) lessons written notice, from the day after the termination notice is submitted to the date of the final lesson. Please email MPS to document an official Notice of Termination and Admin will advise the final lesson date.

All make-ups should be completed before the student’s final lesson. Any incomplete make-ups remaining after the student has had their final lesson are forfeited. Be aware that every effort is made to accommodate make-ups and these opportunities provided by the Teacher, if not accepted, will deem the make-ups forfeited.

Your Two Weeks Deposit may be refunded if adequate notice is given to MPS less any amount for lessons owing. Please provide details of a nominated bank account for your deposit to be returned. Refunds will be made by Management as soon as possible. Outstanding make-ups are non-refundable and non-transferable upon termination.

We cannot pause or suspend unpaid lessons; such requests will be considered termination on short notice.

USE OF IMAGES

Photos and videos taken in and around MPS, at events and courses held off premises may be used by us for advertising, publicity, or other business and marketing purposes. To have a published image of you/your child taken down, please advise Management via email.

STUDIO HOLIDAY CLOSURE

Easter weekend

MPS will close over Easter weekend: Good Friday (18th April 2025), Easter Saturday (19th April 2025), and Easter Monday (21st April 2025). The studio will reopen on 22nd April 2025.

NSW school term holidays

Lessons run as usual throughout school holidays. Make-up policy applies to absences taken.

Summer holidays (Christmas and New Year)

MPS is closed 4 weeks from Sunday 21st December 2025 and will reopen Monday 19th January 2026. To guarantee students’ enrolment slots in the new year, fees for December 2025 and January 2026 lessons must be paid together.