Nieves Music Studio

Terms & Conditions for Virtual Lessons

Last updated: May 27, 2025

1. Welcome to Nieves Music Studio

At Nieves Music Studio, we’re committed to providing a positive and enriching musical experience for every student. Our policies are designed to ensure a smooth, fair, and respectful learning environment for students, families, and teachers.

By following these guidelines, we can focus on what matters most—helping students grow and succeed in their musical journey.

For questions about these policies or your enrollment, please use the contact information below.

Contact Information

Email: office@nievesmusicstudio.com

Phone (Call): 352-282-0771

Phone (Text): 352-282-0771 or 352-251-2619

Scope of Agreement

These Terms & Conditions apply to all students enrolled in virtual music lessons via Zoom at Nieves Music Studio, as well as their account holders.

By submitting the enrollment form and/or activating a student account, families agree to abide by these policies on behalf of each enrolled student.

This policy is intended to stand alone for fully virtual students. If a student participates in any additional studio services—such as, but not limited to, in-person classes, recitals, or hybrid events—additional terms will apply.

2. Lesson Agreement & Scheduling

Lessons continue on an ongoing basis according to your selected enrollment plan—monthly by default, or termly for Step Up for Students recipients or other special arrangements. Enrollment automatically renews each billing cycle unless an official Unenrollment Form is submitted in accordance with our policy.

The student or their account holder will be notified of their lesson day, time, and start date prior to their first lesson. Confirmation is typically sent by email and/or SMS, but may also be provided by phone or in person. It is the responsibility of the account holder to review and respond to scheduling details. Once sent, lesson confirmations are considered official unless a conflict is communicated in advance.

Tuition and billing policies are covered comprehensively throughout these Terms & Conditions, particularly in Section 3.

Zoom Lesson Expectations

Students must be logged in and ready to begin at their scheduled time.
Late arrivals will not receive extra time.
If a teacher experiences a technical issue, the studio will reschedule the lesson or issue a credit (see Section 4b).
If a student experiences a technical issue, they should:
- Restart their device or the Zoom app
- Try an alternate internet connection (e.g., mobile hotspot)
- Contact the studio immediately by text or email

Make-up eligibility will be determined by the nature and timing of the disruption.

Equipment Requirements

A working device with a camera and microphone
A stable internet connection
A quiet, well-lit, distraction-free environment
Headphones or external microphones are encouraged but not required
For students under age 9, an adult must be present or nearby unless otherwise approved by the teacher

Instrument Requirements

Instrumental students are expected to have their own instrument—either purchased or rented and must maintain it throughout their time as a student. (Our studio is happy to recommend beginner-friendly options.)

Instruments should be kept tuned and in good working condition to effectively support practice.

Scheduling Must Go Through the Studio

All scheduling requests or changes must go directly through the studio office—not through your teacher. Contact the office by email or text for any updates.

3. Tuition & Billing

By enrolling at Nieves Music Studio, the account holder agrees to the tuition, billing, and payment policies outlined below. These terms apply to all students, whether on a monthly or term-based plan. Tuition is required to secure a student’s lesson time and must remain current for continued enrollment.

Tuition secures your weekly lesson time. It is a flat, prepaid fee. The number of lessons each month may vary depending on holidays and the studio calendar.
The full tuition amount for the selected membership (monthly or term-based) is due prior to the student’s first billable lesson. Students may not attend lessons until payment is received. The student’s lesson time is not guaranteed until payment is received and processed.
If enrollment begins mid-month, tuition will be prorated for that month only. After that, standard billing applies.
Tuition is billed on the 1st of each month or term via AutoPay using the payment method on file. An active credit card or bank account must be maintained unless tuition is paid through an approved third-party scholarship (e.g., Step Up for Students).
Payments are processed securely through Stripe.
A $10 late fee applies to any tuition not received by the 15th of the month. If tuition is not received by that time, the student’s membership may be suspended, and their reserved lesson time may be released without further notice.
Declined or failed payments are considered late. If the account remains unpaid, the balance may be subject to additional recovery efforts at the discretion of the studio. This may include the use of third-party collection services, and any associated fees may be added to the outstanding balance. Re-enrollment will only be permitted once the balance is paid in full and is subject to availability.
All tuition payments are final, non-refundable, and non-transferable. Refunds are considered only in limited cases—such as documented medical emergencies or unresolved studio cancellations—and are issued solely at the discretion of the studio. Approved refunds will be processed within 30 days from the date of approval, unless otherwise required by law. For details on make-ups or cancellations, see the “Studio-Initiated Cancellations” section.
Students and/or account holders may also be responsible for purchasing lesson materials, such as books or accessories, as needed for their program.

4. Unenrollment

To unenroll, the account holder must submit an official Unenrollment Form (electronically, in person, or via text/email).

a. Standard Unenrollment (Submitted by the 15th)

Unenrollment must be submitted by the 15th of the month to avoid being charged for the following month.

b. Late Notice Unenrollment (Submitted After the 15th, Before the 1st)

Requests submitted after the 15th but before the 1st may still be processed for the upcoming month.
However, due to weekends, holiday breaks, or limited admin hours, tuition may still be charged automatically on the 1st.

If the unenrollment was submitted on time and the charge was due to a studio delay, a full refund will be issued.
If tuition is charged due to a late unenrollment, a $15 late notice cancellation fee will apply if a refund is granted.

In either case, the student will be unenrolled immediately, and their lesson time may be reassigned.

c. Post-Charge Unenrollment (After the 1st of the Month)

Tuition is non-refundable after the 1st. The student may continue attending through the end of the month; however, if they indicate on the Unenrollment Form that they will not attend any remaining lessons, their spot will be released for scheduling after their last confirmed lesson date.

d. Incomplete Unenrollment (Verbal or Unconfirmed)

Unenrollment is not considered official until the Unenrollment Form is submitted.

If a student or account holder notifies the studio of their intent to stop lessons but does not complete the form, the studio will consider the most recent written communication as the final attendance date and may release the student’s spot thereafter.

Nieves Music Studio is not responsible for holding lesson times or issuing refunds if the unenrollment process is incomplete. It is the account holder’s responsibility to complete the Unenrollment Form in a timely manner.

5. Attendance & Cancellations

Definitions

What is an Absence?

A lesson is considered an absence if any of the following occur:

The student does not log in at all during their scheduled lesson time.

The student logs in more than 10 minutes late without prior notice.

The student leaves early or is unable to participate due to technical issues on their end (device, internet, etc.).

The student cancels the lesson in advance (with at least 24 hours’ notice)—this still counts as an absence, though it may qualify for a credit or video.

Lessons missed without communication are marked as no-shows and do not qualify for a make-up or video.

What is a credit?

A credit represents one missed lesson owed to the student and is automatically issued whenever the studio cancels a class without a substitute. It will appear in your student portal as “1 credit” or something similar. Credits are not refunds and do not reduce tuition. Instead, they provide the opportunity to schedule a make-up lesson, if one becomes available. If no make-up is scheduled, the credit may be applied as a partial tuition adjustment, or—if the student unenrolls before it’s used—a refund may be requested within 30 days.

What is a LessonMate?

LessonMate is a tool teachers use to create short, personalized practice videos for their students. These are not full lesson replacements but are designed to support continued progress at home.

All LessonMates are curated to the individual students personal needs and are shared via email to the address the account holder has on file.

a. Student-Initiated Absence

If a student provides at least 24 hours’ notice, they may choose either a LessonMate (a short recorded video lesson shared via email) or a make-up lesson credit to be used later, subject to availability.

Only one make-up credit may be active at a time. If a credit already exists and the LessonMate is not selected or is declined, both options will be forfeited for that absence. Credits remain valid for 60 days or until unenrollment, whichever comes first.

Late cancellations (less than 24 hours’ notice) do not qualify for a video or a credit. Group Zoom classes are not eligible for videos or make-ups.

Make-up lessons must be scheduled through the studio—not directly with the teacher. A self-booking link may be provided when available.

How to Cancel

Cancellations must be made through the Student Portal or by contacting the studio directly. Please do not message your teacher privately—only cancellations submitted through official channels are eligible for a video supplement.

Extended Absences
If a student expects to miss more than 3 consecutive weeks, we ask that you notify the studio in advance. Extended absences without communication may result in automatic unenrollment and loss of the reserved lesson time.
For more, see our Extended Absences & Interruptions policy.

Tuition for Missed Lessons
Tuition remains the same regardless of attendance. No refunds or credits are given for student absences.

b. Studio-Initiated Cancellations

If Nieves Music Studio cancels a scheduled Zoom lesson—due to a teacher absence, scheduling error, or technical issue—a studio cancellation credit will be issued automatically. This credit may be used to reschedule the missed lesson with the original teacher or a qualified substitute.

We aim to reschedule within 30 days, but delays may occur during weather events or broader studio disruptions. If a make-up is scheduled and the student does not attend or cancels with less than 24 hours’ notice, the credit will be forfeited.

If no make-up can be scheduled, the credit may remain on file and be applied as a manual proration to a future billing cycle. Studio-issued credits do not expire while the student is actively enrolled. All make-up credits issued will appear on the student portal.

Applicability
This policy applies only to unexpected, studio-initiated cancellations. It does not apply to:

Scheduled studio closures (posted on our calendar)
Weather-related closures, which follow a separate protocol and do not qualify for credits unless otherwise noted

c. Extended Absences & Interruptions

At Nieves Music Studio, we understand that life happens—whether it’s travel, illness, or unexpected emergencies. However, consistency is key to progress, and extended absences may impact your membership status.

Vacations & Planned Absences

We no longer offer a formal Summer Hold policy. If a student will be away for vacation or other planned time off, we kindly ask for prior written notice.

With advance notice, we will hold the student’s regular lesson spot during their absence.
The studio reserves the right to temporarily schedule another student into that spot for the specific dates the student will be absent.
No tuition discounts or credits will be given for missed weeks due to travel or vacation.
Standard student absence policies apply, including how absences are handled for group vs. private lessons.
Without prior communication, absences longer than 3 consecutive weeks may result in un-enrollment and forfeiture of the student’s time slot.

Medical & Emergency Situations

In the event of extended illness, injury, or hospitalization, please contact the studio as soon as possible.

Make-up materials or lesson accommodations may be provided at the studio’s discretion.
Credits or refunds may be considered only in cases of documented medical emergencies.

Uncommunicated Absences

Any student who misses more than 3 consecutive weeks without notice or communication may be unenrolled automatically, with their spot released to another student.

Ongoing enrollment requires clear and timely communication with the studio.
If special circumstances arise, we encourage families to reach out to discuss options in advance.

Questions?

If you have any questions about credits, make-ups, or cancellations, feel free to reach out to us at office@nievesmusicstudio.com. We’re happy to help.

6. Holiday & Scheduled Closures

Nieves Music Studio observes its own holiday & scheduled closure calendar and does not follow the Marion County Public Schools calendar for holidays (e.g., MLK Day, Presidents Day, etc.).

The studio will be closed for select holidays and seasonal breaks throughout the year. These dates will be shared in advance through our website, newsletters, and/or sms/email announcements.

Regular lessons continue on some school-observed holidays unless otherwise noted. Please refer to our official calendar or contact the studio for current closure dates.

For holiday closures, please refer to the designated Studio Calendar on the studio website.

https://www.nievesmusicstudio.com

7. Inclement Weather & Emergency Closures

Nieves Music Studio generally follows Marion County Public Schools for inclement weather closures but may make independent decisions depending on the situation. Closure decisions are based on studio operations, teacher availability, and the safety of our students and staff.

Account holders will be notified of closures via email, text, or phone call as soon as possible.
Lessons canceled due to inclement weather will not be refunded or rescheduled.
Supplemental group experiences may be offered in the event of extended emergencies.
Participation in any supplemental experiences is optional and may be offered based on space and teacher availability.

8. Behavior, Safety & Supervision

Students are expected to:

Log in on time
Dress appropriately
Remain focused and respectful throughout the lesson
Have their instrument and materials ready

Students under 18 who cannot remain focused without support should have an adult nearby.
Students under age 9 must be supervised in the same room or close enough to assist, unless otherwise approved by the teacher.

The studio may discontinue lessons due to repeated behavioral or safety concerns.

9. Technology Responsibilities & Online Safety

Students and/or account holders are responsible for maintaining the technology necessary to access Zoom lessons, including a working device and reliable internet.

Zoom lessons take place in the home environment. Families are responsible for supervising and ensuring student safety, focus, and appropriate internet usage before, during, and after lessons.

We recommend:

Monitoring student device usage during lesson times
Enabling parental controls or safe browsing tools
Keeping lesson areas free from distracting or inappropriate content

Nieves Music Studio is not responsible for:

The student’s use of websites, software, or other applications before, during, or after lessons
Any activity occurring outside of scheduled Zoom sessions
Inappropriate behavior, internet access, or security issues related to the household’s devices or network

Teachers may end a lesson early if a student is engaging in unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate activity.

10. Lesson Recordings & Privacy

All Zoom lessons are recorded for safety, teacher training, and quality assurance. Recordings are securely stored and accessible only by Nieves Music Studio staff.

Families may not opt out of recording.
Zoom recordings will never be used for promotional or public content.

11. Practice & Preparation

At Nieves Music Studio, we strive to support every student’s musical journey and provide the tools needed to succeed. We believe that lessons offer guidance, but real improvement comes through consistent practice at home.

Regular weekly practice is essential. While occasional missed practice is understandable, consistent effort leads to meaningful progress.

12. Emergency Contact Information

To support student safety, all families—minors and adults—are encouraged to provide an emergency contact for our records. This contact should be someone other than the primary account holder who can be reached in urgent situations.

Emergency contact information can be submitted during enrollment or added later by contacting the studio. While not currently mandatory, it is strongly recommended.

13. Optional In-Person Events

Students enrolled in Zoom-based lessons are welcome to participate in optional in-person events such as:

Recitals
Workshops
Studio Showcases

Participation is entirely optional and does not affect enrollment status. Additional fees may apply for event registration, materials, or other associated costs. Invitations to specific events may vary based on age, playing level, or other factors.

Please note that in-person events are offered at the studio’s discretion and may not be available during every term or season.

If a student attends, other Terms & Conditions will also apply during the event.

14. Behavior & Conduct

Right to Refuse Service
Nieves Music Studio reserves the right to discontinue lessons for any reason, including but not limited to:

A teacher determines that a student is not a good fit for their teaching style.
Disruptive, disrespectful, or inappropriate behavior from a student, parent, or guardian.
Failure to comply with studio policies, payment obligations, or agreements.
A teacher feeling unsafe or uncomfortable continuing lessons. Teachers and staff reserve the right to end any lesson immediately if they feel unsafe or threatened.
Actions that compromise the safety, integrity, or learning environment of the studio—including virtual learning spaces.

For group classes:

Students are expected to participate respectfully.
Repeated disruptive behavior, refusal to engage, or actions that interfere with the learning experience of others may result in removal from the class. In such cases, tuition is non-refundable.

If a student is removed from lessons due to misconduct, policy violations, or disruptive behavior, no refunds or credits will be issued.
Re-enrollment after removal is not guaranteed and will be considered at the sole discretion of Nieves Music Studio.

If lessons are discontinued by the studio, refunds will not be issued unless granted solely at the discretion of Nieves Music Studio.

All decisions regarding refusal or discontinuation of service are made at the sole discretion of Nieves Music Studio and are final, with no exceptions or appeals.

15. Discontinuation of Classes by Studio

Nieves Music Studio reserves the right to discontinue or make schedule changes to any class (group or private) due to low enrollment or teacher availability.

Every effort will be made to notify students and/or their account holder as early as possible, but changes may occur at any time.

If a class is discontinued or rescheduled:

Students and/or account holders will be offered the option to transfer to another available class or lesson time
If no suitable alternative is available, or if an offered alternative is declined, a refund may be issued at the studio’s sole discretion.

Note: Refunds are not issued in the event of teacher replacements. If a class continues with a different teacher due to staffing changes, this does not qualify as grounds for a refund.

16. Teacher Continuity & Reassignment

While we aim to maintain consistency for every student, teacher assignments are not guaranteed. From time to time, teachers may change due to staffing, scheduling, or other studio needs. Nieves Music Studio reserves the right to assign or reassign teachers at its discretion. Continued enrollment constitutes acceptance of this policy.

17. Legal Policies

a. Injury Waiver & Liability Release

By enrolling in lessons at Nieves Music Studio, students and/or their account holders acknowledge and voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation in virtual music instruction and any related activities.

Nieves Music Studio, its owners, employees, instructors, and affiliates shall not be held liable for any injuries, damages, or losses that may occur during or as a result of virtual lessons or studio-related activities conducted online. Students and/or account holders are responsible for ensuring a safe and appropriate learning environment for the student at home.

Students and/or their account holders agree to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Nieves Music Studio from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, including those arising from accidents, negligence, or unforeseen incidents that occur during virtual participation.

For minors, parents or guardians assume full responsibility for their child’s conduct and safety before, during, and after all lessons—whether in-person or virtual—including arrival, departure, and any time spent in the waiting area or home learning environment.

Nieves Music Studio is not responsible for disputes, conflicts, injuries, or damages arising from interactions between students, siblings, or others in the home environment. Any behavioral concerns should be reported to studio staff immediately, but the studio assumes no liability for personal conflicts.

Nieves Music Studio is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items, including but not limited to instruments, books, technology, or other belongings. Students and account holders are responsible for their own property while participating in lessons.

Students participating via Zoom are responsible for ensuring their learning space is safe and free from physical hazards. Nieves Music Studio is not liable for injuries that occur in the home during virtual lessons.

Nothing in this waiver is intended to release the studio from liability for willful misconduct or gross negligence as defined by Florida law.

b. Jurisdiction & Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions, and any disputes arising from or related to these terms or the services provided, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

By enrolling in lessons at Nieves Music Studio, students and/or their account holders agree that any legal actions or proceedings arising out of or connected with these Terms & Conditions shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Marion County, Florida. Students and/or their account holders consent to the jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objections to the venue of such courts.

For students who reside outside of the United States, please note that by enrolling in our virtual lessons, you agree to comply with the legal jurisdiction specified above. This includes the agreement that any legal process must be conducted in Marion County, Florida, under Florida law.

c. Policy Enforcement & Changes

Nieves Music Studio reserves the right to update, modify, or amend these policies at any time. Families will be notified of significant changes via email or posted announcements. Continued enrollment constitutes acceptance of updated policies.
Failure to comply with any Nieves Music Studio policies may result in discontinuation of lessons at the studio’s discretion, without refund.

18. Additional Terms for Step Up For Students Scholarship Recipients

Students and their account holders using Step Up for Students (SUFS) are subject to all Nieves Music Studio policies, including those related to attendance, scheduling, behavior, and extended absences. The following additional terms apply specifically to scholarship-funded students:

Funding Requirements

Scholarship funds must be reserved in the EMA Portal and approved by Nieves Music Studio before the student’s first paid lesson.
To maintain enrollment, funds should be reserved by the account holder at least 15 days before the current term ends. Failure to do so may result in a lapse of service or loss of the reserved lesson time.

Payments, Refunds & Credits

SUFS recipients are not billed directly by Nieves Music Studio.
All payments made through the EMA Portal are non-refundable and non-transferable once processed.
Payments may not carry over from one term to the next.
If the studio cancels a lesson and no substitute is provided, a credit will be issued to the student’s account in accordance with our studio-initiated cancellation policy.
If a student un-enrolls before using a credit, the account holder may request that any unused credit be returned to Step Up for Students. Refunds cannot be issued directly to students or their account holders, as the funds are held and managed by SUFS. All refund requests must be made within 30 days of unenrollment and will be handled through the EMA Portal, subject to SUFS and EMA policies.

Unenrollment & Spot Release

Tuition remains non-refundable if a student un-enrolls early.
To un-enroll before the end of a funded term, the account holder must submit an official Unenrollment Form.
Upon receiving written notice, the final confirmed lesson date becomes the student’s last scheduled day. The student’s spot will be pre-released for scheduling after that date.
The unenrollment decision is final once submitted and cannot be reversed or adjusted.

Additional Costs
While tuition covers regular weekly lessons, scholarship funds do not cover additional costs such as instruments, instructional books, accessories, or tickets to recitals and special events.

These costs are the responsibility of the account holder, or may be purchased through the EMA Portal if the product or offering is available.

Extended Absences

Standard extended absence policies apply. If a student is absent for more than three consecutive weeks without notice, the student may be unenrolled, and their reserved spot will be released.

19. Severability

If any provision of this policy is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

20. Policy Acknowledgment & Agreement

By enrolling in virtual lessons at Nieves Music Studio, the student and/or their account holder confirms that they have read and agree to all policies outlined in this document. This includes, but is not limited to:

Tuition, payment, and unenrollment terms
Attendance, cancellation, and illness policies
Safety and supervision expectations for minors
Liability waivers and release of responsibility
Studio behavior expectations and right to refuse service

I understand that these policies are subject to change, and that continued enrollment signifies my acceptance of any future updates shared by the studio.

For digital enrollment:
By clicking “Agree”, enrolling online, or continuing to use our services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted the policies outlined in this document.