Terms and Conditions

1. Description of Service
a) Bright Star Vocals provides singing and performance tuition to individuals aged 5 years and above.
b) For children, 30 minute lessons are recommended for children aged 5 – 12, and 45 minute lessons are recommended for children aged 13 – 17. These recommendations are simply a guide and different lesson durations can be arranged at Ms Butler’s discretion.
c) If a lesson duration put forward to Ms Butler for a child by a parent or guardian is inappropriate for the student in question, Ms Butler reserves the right to refuse her service.
d) For adults, 30 minute lessons are recommended for casual singers or absolute beginners, 45 minute lessons are recommended for singers looking for more extension, and 60 minute lessons are recommended for singers working towards specific goals (ie. auditions, professional singing career etc.)
e) If a student is very advanced in their technique, Ms Butler may refer the student to another teacher, if she feels the student has surpassed any tuition she can provide.
f) For students under the age of 18, lessons are held during school terms, and do not run during the school holidays.
g) For students aged 18+, lessons are held each week all year, except the two weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year.

2. Pricing
a) For children, 30 minute lessons are $40 each, and 45 minute lessons are $55 each.
b) For adults, 30 minute lessons are $50 each, 45 minute lessons are $65 each, and 60 minute lessons are $80 each.
c) Multiple lessons can be purchased at once, however lessons can only be purchased until the end of the current calendar year (December 31).
d) If five or more lessons are purchased at once this will be counted as a bundle, and the cost will be reduced by 10%.
e) Lessons purchased in a bundle (as outlined in Section 2, Subsection d) must be redeemed in consecutive weeks, unless otherwise arranged by Ms Butler. They cannot be spread throughout the year.
f) Siblings of current Bright Star Vocals students will receive a 5% discount on their lessons.

3. Payment
a) If purchasing individual lessons, you will be sent an invoice within 48 hours of the conclusion of each lesson.
b) If purchasing a lesson bundle (as outlined in Section 2, Subsection d), you will be sent an invoice within 48 hours of the conclusion of the first lesson.
c) Any invoices must be paid within 7 days of the date of issue, which will be stated on the invoice. Failure to pay the outstanding amount within 7 days will result in a reminder email to pay the invoice within 7 days from the date of issue of that email. Failure to pay the outstanding amount within this 7 days will result in termination of any future lessons booked, and a second and final reminder email. Failure to pay the outstanding amount within 30 days will result in a Letter of Demand, and a refusal of future service.
d) If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact Ms Butler to work out a payment plan.

4. Absences
a) If the student will be absent for a scheduled lesson due to travel (holiday, school camp etc.) or a clashing commitment, a minimum of 48 hours notice is required.
b) If the student will be absent due to illness, direct notice must be given prior to 9am the day of the lesson.
c) Failure to notify by the time frames outlined above (Section 4, Subsections a and b) will result in a cancellation fee equivalent to the full lesson price. 
d) Ms Butler may waive the cancellation fee at her discretion.

5. Cancellations and Withdrawal
a) If, due to extenuating circumstances, Ms Butler must cancel a lesson, she may offer a make up lesson at her discretion.
b) Make up lessons may be offered at a different time to your regular time slot, or at time outside of Bright Star Vocals’ regular operating hours.
c) In the event the student is not able to attend the make-up lesson offered, and has paid in advance as part of a bundle, they will be entitled to a refund for the lesson missed.
d) If the student wishes to withdraw their enrolment at Bright Star Vocals, an email request must be submitted a minimum of three days before the next scheduled lesson.
e) Failure to notify by the above time frame will result in a 'late notice withdrawal fee' equivalent to the full lesson price.
f) Enrolment is ongoing, until such time as the student (or parent/guardian of the student if under the age of 18) notifies of their intention to withdraw.
g) There is no minimum commitment period at Bright Star Vocals, although it is strongly recommended to continue lessons for at least 10 weeks to allow any adjustments to technique to settle in.

6. Resources and Practice
a) Students are to bring to each lesson either:
    i) a display folder (to house any sheet music or lyric sheets given out) with a pencil (to notate their sheet music or lyric sheets) or
    ii) an iPad or tablet to display digital sheet music or lyric sheets, preferably with a stylus or Apple pencil for notation purposes.
b) Students are to bring a water bottle, as it is important for singers to keep their voices hydrated, however if they do not have one, water will be provided upon request.
c) Students will be provided with one copy of the sheet music or lyric sheet for the song they are working on, free of charge.
d) Should the student lose or damage their sheet music or lyric sheets, additional copies will be provided for a fee of $2.
e) Should the student forget to bring their display folder with their sheet music or lyric sheets, or their iPad or tablet, they will be able to borrow a paper copy of their song, but they will not be able to notate it or take it home.
f) Older students are encouraged to record their sessions on a phone or audio device to aid with their practise at home.
g) Students are encouraged to practise at home 2-3 times a week. The more practise is done, the faster the student will progress.
h) Students will be sent a link to a Google Sheet, where their lesson notes and things to practise will be recorded.