Studio Policy

Thank you so much for choosing Sofia's Voice Studio for your, or your child’s, vocal journey. By enrolling with me, you (the student or parent of a student) agree to abide by my studio policies below.

1. LOCATION
Singing lessons are offered in Glenview, Hamilton, New Zealand. If you live outside of Hamilton, I do offer lessons online via Zoom as well.

2. TERMS / BREAKS / HOLIDAYS
There are no lessons during school and public holidays. However, I reserve the right to offer catch up lessons if needed during these breaks, at my discretion.

3. TUITION
When you sign up for one of the Vocal Packages, you are committing to your contracted lesson times that includes a reserved weekly or bi-weekly time slot for you (or your child) and everything that goes into building the Sofia's Voice Studio experience such as materials, communication, lesson planning, workshop and group session planning, creating student and teacher resources, professional development, teacher training, studio software and finding new ways to make your or your child’s lessons more fun and enjoyable.

Voice Packages:

   - One by One: $90NZD/ 45-minutes: 

   Lessons are weekly or bi-weekly. 

   - Monthly Package: $324NZD/ 45-minutes: 

   $306 per month ($76.50 per lesson). 

   A 10% discount is applied if the Monthly Package is paid in full prior to the start of the month.

   For the Kids (7-18yrs):

   - One by One: $40NZD/ 30-minutes: 

   Lessons are weekly or bi-weekly. 

  - Per Term: $360 NZD/ 30-minutes: 

   A 10% discount is applied if the Per Term Package is paid in full at the beginning of the Term.

   Tune-Up Lessons:

  - One-off lessons: $100NZD/ 1 hour:

   A 10% discount is applied if you book in 2 or more Tune Up lessons at once.

Online Lessons - I currently do not offer online lessons for For the Kids & Tune Up packages as an option.  However, I am happy to discuss and arrange it as an option for you or your child upon request.

If you choose to stop tuition during the year, I require a 2-week notice. Unpaid fees may, at my discretion, result in the student being unable to continue lessons until the lessons are paid for. You agree to communicate any concerns or problems immediately to me in these matters. All paid fees are non-refundable.

It is important to note that tuition covers not only the actual lesson time spent with the student but time for preparing for each student as well.

Extra lessons can be booked and paid for separately if the student requires additional lessons at any point.

All payments must be paid 24 hours prior to your lesson time regardless of the Vocal Packages you choose. All paid fees are non-refundable. See the Vocal Packages page for more info on the price of the packages.

PLEASE NOTE that I am not a Doctor and am not qualified to give you a diagnosis if your voice is damaged. However, I can offer advice and support.

Also note that I do not offer examination programmes but I can help prepare the student towards their exams.

4. LATE FEES
Unfortunately, there have been times in the past where I've had to follow up on payments from students which is never nice, and it's time consuming. Therefore, all students are required to pay for their lesson in advance. If payment is not made within 7 days of the due payment, or I have to follow up with you twice for your payment, a 10% late fee will be added to your invoice.

5. COMMUNICATION
Studio communication will primarily go through e-mail at hello@sofiasvoicestudio.com. This ensures a clear record of communication and reduces the chances of misunderstanding and miscommunication. However I can also be contactable via Facebook Messenger over on the SVS Facebook Page.

Please note that I do have a day job so I may not be able to reply too quickly between the hours of 9am - 3pm. If you are running late or cannot attend the lesson due to sickness, please email or text me (022 430 0642) and I will get back to you ASAP.

6. PRACTICE AND PARENTAL SUPPORT
Practice - Sufficient scheduled practice time on a daily basis is the surest guarantee that students will experience consistent progress in vocal performance. Learning the necessary skills to become proficient with your instrument will not occur by simply going to lessons. It takes commitment to practice on a daily basis during the week to put the skills covered in the lesson into motion.

Parental support is an extremely important factor in musical training. Children whose parents take an active and honest interest in their child’s progress tend to be more enthusiastic and productive.

Music is not easy. At times, it can be downright frustrating. But I promise you we will make it fun. 

I'll give you little exercises to take home to practice which you can do anywhere (including the car!) 

We will try to be very specific about practice techniques to ensure that the student and the parent know what quality practice consists of. It is important to note that while I will do all I can to ensure students make satisfactory progress, this cannot be guaranteed.

Attendance- Regular attendance is crucial to vocal growth.

Productive uninterrupted lessons – If you arrive early to your lesson, please wait either in your car or on the outdoor seating outside the studio (weather dependent) until it is exactly your lesson time as I don’t have a covered waiting area. The studio is small!!

Lessons start and finish on time - If you arrive late, your lesson will finish at the scheduled time. If you are more than 15 minutes late, the lesson will be cancelled at your cost. Break times are designed to help me re-group, organise, breathe, and do other necessary things to assist me in teaching you (or your child) most efficiently. Because of this, I kindly ask that you not arrive early or stay later than your lesson time.

Lesson time wind down - Teaching time ends a few minutes before lesson ending time to allow for the conclusion of the lesson.

7. MISSED LESSONS AND CANCELLATIONS
There are no refunds for canceled or missed lessons. No allowances will be made for lessons missed by students except by special arrangements in case of prolonged illness. This includes cancellations for extended family holidays as well as school-related absences and will be strictly adhered to. If I have to cancel your lesson, I will guarantee an extended lesson or make-up lesson. There are no refunds or discounts given unless I am unable to teach the guaranteed number of lessons.

Missed lesson option: Online lessons can be in lieu of missed lessons due to illness.

8. ILLNESS (No Singing Lesson)
Please inform me as soon as possible when you know that you or your child will miss scheduled lessons due to illness, or any other reason. Due to the global pandemic, I have to be even stricter with my illness policy. If you have even the slightest signs of illness, please do not come to lessons (that includes siblings coming along to lessons). If you have had a cold, please stay home until you are free of ALL symptoms.

9. DIVERSITY STATEMENT
I am committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone in which each student's gifts are nourished. This means providing students of all ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, citizenships, and political leanings with a safe and loving space wherein they will be recognised and celebrated for who they are. All students will be expected to treat fellow students with love and kindness as part of their own commitment to the arts and this studio.

10. CODE OF CONDUCT
As a music instructor, I care for and support all of my students and their families in a very special way. One-on-one education is very concentrated, and the bond between teacher and student can grow quite strong. Nevertheless, the studio reserves the right to terminate a student’s lessons for the following infractions:
  * Inappropriate behaviour toward the instructor on the part of the student. This includes:
  * Violent lashings out
  * The use of profanity or swearing
  * Defamation of character
  * Unacceptable advances
  * Any other displays that fall outside the realm of common respect and decency
  * Inappropriate behaviour toward the instructor on the part of a student’s parent
  * Attendance at lessons in any type of intoxicated state.
  * Failure to pay for lessons in full, unless some sort of financial arrangement has been made
and agreed upon in advance
  * Excessive absences, with or without notice

11. REFERRAL BONUS
Referrals are appreciated, and as a way to thank clients who refer other clients to Sofia's Voice Studio, you are rewarded with a free 45-minute lesson when the referred client completes 4 lessons.

12. DISCLAIMER
Parking - please park on the street. It is a quiet little cul-de-sac so please be respectful of the neighbours in the area. I assume no responsibility for motor vehicle accidents or personal injuries sustained on the premises.

13. PRIVACY
Rest assured that any personal details you have provided when signing up for lessons  will only be used by Sofia's Voice Studio and will not be shared or sold to any third party at any stage. I will ask for your permission before I put photos of  students, or their work on the SVS social media or website.

14. DISCRETION
Discretion is held to waive any or all of the above stipulations in exceptional cases.

FINALLY - MY DOG DARCY - I have a very friendly Cavoodle dog named Darcy. She will want to say a big hello to you every time you arrive. She is Hypoallergenic and polite if you tell her to 'sit'. She'll most likely want to sit in on our lesson. However, if you do not want her around during your lesson time, please let me know in advance so I can leave her inside.

Please keep the gate closed AT ALL TIMES so that the dog doesn't accidentally run out. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and understand the studio policies. I look forward to our musical journey together!