Last updated March 21, 2011

The following Terms and Conditions for private music lessons apply to all contracts between Gratia Stryker-Härtel and piano students. They also apply to future contracts.

Lessons can be booked in person, by telephone, by fax, in writing or by e-mail. Registrations for lessons will be confirmed in writing. This booking is binding and commits the student to transferring the lesson fees to Gratia Stryker-Härtel's bank account. The booking of lessons results in a contract between the student and Gratia Stryker-Härtel, a contract that is governed by these General Terms and Conditions.

The individual piano lessons will be given weekly at a prearranged time in the studio of Gratia Stryker-Härtel at Kolonnenstraße 34, 10829 Berlin.

Lesson tuition is calculated as an annual rate that is to be paid in monthly payments. The lesson tuition is also to be paid during vacation times – as detailed in the below agreement – when no lessons are held. Vacations are to be announced at least three weeks in advance.

Students can book lessons in the following increments:

60-minute lessons: € 160 per month (including all taxes)*, € 135 per month (incl. all taxes)**
45-minute lessons: € 120 per month (including all taxes)*, € 100 per month (incl. all taxes)**
30-minute lessons: € 70 per month (including all taxes)*, € 70 per month (incl. all taxes)**

*During the official school vacations set by the Land of Berlin, lessons will still take place. There will be six weeks’ vacation per year as set by Gratia Stryker-Härtel.
**During the official school vacations set by the Land of Berlin, lessons will still take place. There will be two additional weeks’ vacation per year as set by Gratia Stryker-Härtel.

Lessons will not be held on official holidays.

Payment for the upcoming month is due before the beginning of the month. No lessons will be given if the fee has not been paid. The fee for the coming month must be paid by the last lesson of the preceding month at the very latest.

If the student is late to the week’s lesson, the instructor cannot guarantee that the lesson will be extended to the full length.

If the student is unable to attend a lesson (due to a trip, doctor’s visit, etc.), the student must cancel or reschedule the lesson in advance – 24 hours in advance by telephone or 48 hours in advance by email – or that lesson will be forfeited. If a lesson is cancelled within the window of time, or if the instructor is prevented from coming, the lesson will be made up as soon as possible. If the student fails to attend two lessons consecutively, the third missed lesson will not be made up but instead will be considered forfeited.
There is no set termination date for this contract. Cancellations must be made at least six weeks prior to the end of a given month, at which point the cancellation will enter into effect. The first month of lessons serves as a trial period during which time either party can cancel with one week’s notice.

Studio policies

The student must come prepared to each lesson, and practicing daily is necessary to fulfill this requirement. Practicing daily for a shorter amount of time is many times more effective than practicing for a long time on only one day. In general, children between the ages of 5 and 10 should practice at least 30 minutes per day, children 10-13 at least 45 minutes daily, and anyone above 13 at least 60 minutes per day.

The student must have access to an instrument on which they can practice during the week. A piano is preferable to a keyboard. Keyboards have a different touch sensitivity than pianos do, and the pianist cannot achieve dynamic differentiations on a keyboard in the same way as on a piano.

The student should bring the following materials to every lesson:

• Notebook: For comments and practicing instructions for the week.
• Lesson books: The instructor will let you know what books to get. Any music needed for a lesson must be purchased before the lesson.

For younger students: Parents are highly welcome to sit in on lessons. Questions are welcome and encouraged, as parents play a key role in daily encouraging the student to practice. Siblings are welcome as long as they aren't disruptive to the piano lesson.

Agreements, alterations and amendments to this contract are only valid in writing. This paragraph regarding written changes can also only be altered or suspended with written agreement. In the event that any part of this agreement is invalid, the remaining portions of the contract remain unaffected.