Music Lessons Contract Template

Music Lessons Contract

1. 1. 1. Parties and Student Information

   This Music Lessons Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into on [EFFECTIVE DATE] between [TEACHER OR STUDIO NAME], located at [TEACHER ADDRESS] (the "Teacher"), and [CLIENT NAME], residing at [CLIENT ADDRESS] (the "Client"). Lessons will be provided to [STUDENT NAME], age [STUDENT AGE] (the "Student"). If the Student is a minor, the Client is the parent or legal guardian and is personally responsible for all obligations under this Agreement. Emergency contact for the Student is [EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE]. Communications about scheduling and billing will be sent to [CLIENT EMAIL AND PHONE] and [TEACHER EMAIL AND PHONE].

2. 2. 2. Lessons, Instrument, and Location

   The Teacher will provide private instruction on [INSTRUMENT OR VOICE] at a level of [SKILL LEVEL, e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced]. Lessons are [LESSON LENGTH, e.g., 30, 45, or 60 minutes] and occur [FREQUENCY, e.g., weekly] on [DAY] at [TIME]. Lessons take place at [LESSON LOCATION, e.g., the studio of the Teacher, the residence of the Client, or online by video]. For online lessons, the Client will provide a stable internet connection, a device with working camera and microphone, and a quiet space with the instrument positioned so the Teacher can see hands and posture; a lesson lost to a connection failure on the side of the Client is not automatically rescheduled. The lesson time is reserved exclusively for the Student for the duration of the enrollment period described in Section 3.

3. 3. 3. Term, Enrollment Period, and Withdrawal

   This Agreement begins on [START DATE] and continues [TERM, e.g., month to month / for the semester ending on a stated date] until terminated. The lesson slot is held for the Student for the full enrollment period. To withdraw, the Client will give at least [WITHDRAWAL NOTICE, e.g., 30 days] written notice, and tuition remains payable through the end of the notice period whether or not lessons are attended. Withdrawal mid-semester from a semester enrollment does not entitle the Client to a refund of tuition already paid, except where the Teacher is unable to continue teaching or as required by applicable law. The Teacher may terminate this Agreement on [TEACHER NOTICE, e.g., 14 days] notice and will refund any prepaid tuition for lessons not taught. Either Party may terminate immediately for a material breach, including nonpayment or conduct that makes teaching untenable.

4. 4. 4. Tuition and Payment

   Tuition is [TUITION AMOUNT] per [LESSON / MONTH / SEMESTER], billed [BILLING CYCLE, e.g., monthly in advance on the first of the month] and due by [DUE DATE]. Monthly tuition is based on the average number of lessons per month across the year and is the same each month regardless of whether a month contains four or five scheduled lessons. Payment is made by [PAYMENT METHOD]. Tuition unpaid after [GRACE PERIOD, e.g., seven days] incurs a late fee of [LATE FEE], and the Teacher may suspend lessons while the account is past due, with the reserved lesson slot released after [SLOT RELEASE PERIOD, e.g., 21 days] of nonpayment. Returned payments are subject to a fee of [RETURNED PAYMENT FEE]. Tuition rates may be adjusted no more than [RATE CHANGE FREQUENCY, e.g., once per 12 months] on at least [RATE CHANGE NOTICE, e.g., 30 days] written notice.

5. 5. 5. Attendance, Cancellations, and Makeup Lessons

   The reserved lesson time is charged whether or not the Student attends. A lesson cancelled by the Client with at least [CANCELLATION NOTICE, e.g., 24 hours] notice is eligible for a makeup lesson, subject to availability, and the Teacher will offer up to [MAKEUP LIMIT, e.g., two] makeup lessons per [PERIOD, e.g., semester]. A lesson missed without that notice, or a no-show, is forfeited with no makeup and no credit. Makeup lessons must be used within [MAKEUP EXPIRY, e.g., 30 days] of the missed lesson and are not refundable or transferable, and unused makeup credits expire when this Agreement ends. If the Student arrives late, the lesson still ends at the scheduled time. If the Teacher cancels a lesson for any reason, the Teacher will provide a makeup lesson or credit the tuition for that lesson. Lessons falling on [HOLIDAY LIST] are not scheduled and are already reflected in the tuition calculation.

6. 6. 6. Practice, Materials, and Instrument

   The Client will ensure the Student has regular access to a suitable instrument in playable condition, tuned and maintained as needed, including [INSTRUMENT REQUIREMENTS, e.g., an acoustic piano or weighted-key digital piano with a bench at proper height]. The Student is expected to practice approximately [PRACTICE EXPECTATION, e.g., 20 to 30 minutes per day, five days per week] and to bring assigned materials to every lesson. The Client will purchase required method books, sheet music, and accessories, estimated at [MATERIALS BUDGET] per year, and the Teacher will provide a list before each purchase. Copies of copyrighted sheet music will not be reproduced except as permitted by law. If the Student consistently arrives without materials or without having practiced, the Teacher may adjust the lesson plan and may recommend a change in lesson frequency or a break from lessons.

7. 7. 7. Recitals, Performances, and Examinations

   The Teacher holds [NUMBER] student recital(s) per year, currently scheduled for [RECITAL DATES OR PERIOD]. Participation is [PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT, e.g., strongly encouraged but optional]. A recital fee of [RECITAL FEE] per participating Student covers venue, program, and accompanist costs and is due by [RECITAL FEE DUE DATE]; the fee is non-refundable once the venue is booked. Students entering festivals, examinations, or auditions such as [EXAM OR FESTIVAL EXAMPLES] are responsible for entry fees, accompanist fees, and travel, and may require additional lessons billed at the standard rate. The Client authorizes the Teacher to record or photograph the performance of the Student at a recital for [RECORDING USE, e.g., studio archive and promotional use] and may revoke that authorization in writing at any time before the event.

8. 8. 8. Parent Involvement, Supervision, and Pickup

   For Students under [SUPERVISION AGE, e.g., 8 years old], a parent or guardian will remain on the premises during the lesson. For older Students, a parent or guardian may observe with the agreement of the Teacher and Student. The Client will drop off the Student no more than [ARRIVAL WINDOW, e.g., 10 minutes] before the lesson and will collect the Student promptly at the end; the Teacher is not responsible for supervising a Student outside the lesson time, and a late pickup fee of [LATE PICKUP FEE] may apply after [LATE PICKUP GRACE, e.g., 15 minutes]. The Student may be released only to the Client or to a person named in writing at [AUTHORIZED PICKUP LIST]. The Teacher will notify the Client immediately of any injury, illness, or safety concern occurring during a lesson.

9. 9. 9. Studio Rules, Health, and Conduct

   The Student and any accompanying adult will treat the studio, instruments, and other students with care and respect. Food and drink other than water are not permitted near instruments, and hands will be washed before touching studio instruments. The Client will not bring the Student to a lesson while the Student has a fever or a contagious illness; a lesson cancelled for illness with notice before the lesson time will be treated as an excused cancellation eligible for a makeup, notwithstanding the notice period in Section 5, up to [ILLNESS MAKEUP LIMIT] times per year. Damage to studio instruments or equipment caused by the Student beyond ordinary use is the financial responsibility of the Client. Disruptive, disrespectful, or unsafe behavior may result in the lesson being ended without refund and, if repeated, in termination of this Agreement.

10. 10. 10. Independent Contractor Status and Substitutes

    The Teacher is an independent professional and not an employee of the Client. The Teacher determines the curriculum, repertoire, teaching method, and pace of instruction, and is solely responsible for income and self-employment taxes, business licensing, and any insurance carried. The Client will not receive tax withholding, benefits, or workers compensation coverage from this arrangement. If the Teacher is unavailable, the Teacher may arrange a qualified substitute instructor at no additional cost to the Client, and will notify the Client in advance. Where lessons are provided through a studio, the studio is responsible for the engagement of its instructors, and the Client will direct all scheduling and billing questions to the studio rather than to the individual instructor.

11. 11. 11. Media, Recordings, and Privacy

    Lessons may be recorded by the Student for personal practice use with the prior consent of the Teacher, and recordings will not be published or shared publicly. The Teacher may record portions of a lesson for teaching feedback and will delete recordings within [RECORDING RETENTION, e.g., 30 days] unless the Client agrees otherwise. The Client grants or withholds permission for the Teacher to use photographs, video, or audio of the Student in studio marketing here: [MEDIA PERMISSION: GRANTED / WITHHELD]. The Teacher will keep contact details, payment information, and any information about the Student confidential and will not share them except as needed to run the studio or as required by law. Online lessons will be conducted on [PLATFORM] and will not be recorded by either Party without notice to the other.

12. 12. 12. Liability, Insurance, and Assumption of Risk

    The Client acknowledges that playing an instrument involves physical activity and repetitive motion, and that the Student should report discomfort or pain to the Teacher and a physician promptly. The Teacher maintains [INSURANCE, e.g., general liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence] where lessons are taught in a studio open to students, and will provide evidence on request. The Teacher is not responsible for personal property left at the studio, for injuries occurring before or after the reserved lesson time, or for the outcome of any audition, examination, or competition. Except for gross negligence or willful misconduct, total liability under this Agreement will not exceed the tuition paid in the [LIABILITY CAP PERIOD, e.g., three months] before the claim, and neither Party is liable for indirect or consequential damages. Nothing here waives a right that cannot be waived under applicable law.

13. 13. 13. Weather, Closures, and Force Majeure

    If the Teacher closes for severe weather, illness, or an event beyond reasonable control, the lesson will be offered online where practical, rescheduled, or credited at the option of the Client. If public authorities restrict in-person instruction, lessons will continue online at the same tuition rate for the duration of the restriction, and neither Party will be in breach for that change in format. If the Client is unable to attend because of weather while the Teacher remains open, the standard cancellation policy in Section 5 applies unless the Teacher waives it. Extended interruptions of more than [EXTENDED INTERRUPTION PERIOD, e.g., 30 days] allow either Party to terminate without penalty, with prepaid tuition for untaught lessons refunded within [REFUND PERIOD, e.g., 21 days].

14. 14. 14. Governing Law, General Provisions, and Signatures

    This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [GOVERNING STATE], and any dispute will be brought in the courts located in [VENUE COUNTY AND STATE] after the Parties first attempt informal resolution. This Agreement is the entire agreement between the Parties, replaces all prior studio policies and verbal arrangements, and may be amended only in writing signed or confirmed in writing by both Parties. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder stays in effect. TEACHER OR STUDIO: [TEACHER OR STUDIO NAME]. Signature: ______________________. Date: [DATE]. CLIENT OR PARENT OR GUARDIAN: [CLIENT NAME]. Signature: ______________________. Date: [DATE]. STUDENT IF 18 OR OLDER: [STUDENT NAME]. Signature: ______________________. Date: [DATE]. Electronic signatures and counterparts have the same effect as originals.

15. 15. Disclaimer

    This template is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Rules on prepaid tuition, refunds, automatic renewal, cancellation rights for services sold to consumers, and background check requirements for those working with minors vary by state and sometimes by city. Review and adapt this document for your own studio and jurisdiction, and consult a licensed attorney before relying on it. Use of this template does not create an attorney-client relationship with ScanContract.