Studio Policies

1. Enrollment & Registration

• Registration and payments are handled through our secure online portal (My Music Staff) — hassle-free and convenient.
• A non-refundable registration fee of $25 per student ($50 maximum per family) is charged at the time of registration for studio-year classes.
• There is no registration fee for summer sessions, camps, or special events.
• When a session or camp is finished, you do not need to un-enroll. You will not be charged again until you select another class.
• Tuition does not include books, sheet music, or required materials. These are billed separately or purchased by the family as advised by your teacher.
• Recitals and special events may carry a separate participation fee, communicated in advance.
• Placement is based on age and level. We reserve the right to place each student in the class best suited to them.

2. Tuition & Payment

• Tuition is due in advance of the semester or billing month and is non-refundable.
• You may pay per semester or monthly. Monthly invoices are issued automatically on the 1st of each month through the portal.
• We encourage enrolling in auto-pay (processed by PayPal, our payment processor), especially where monthly payments have previously been late.
• Summer camps are charged on the first of the month in which the camp takes place. Special events are charged the day of the event.
• Private (one-on-one) lesson tuition is set by consultation.
• For students enrolling in multiple classes, each additional class is discounted 15%. We also offer a family discount of 10% off tuition for members of the same family.
• A late fee of $15 applies to payments not received within 5 days of the due date. Declined or returned payments incur a $30 fee.
• Tuition rates may change. We will give at least 30 days' notice of any change.

3. Withdrawal & Notice Period

• Our studio is not contract-based. We hope your student will be able to learn with us for the entire studio year, but if for some reason you must withdraw during the year, we ask for one month’s notice: simply email us at fogmusicschool@gmail.com by the 25th of the month, and the following month will be your student’s final month of enrollment and final tuition charge. This gives us time to adjust the timetable and offer the spot to families on the waiting list.
• Current-month tuition is non-refundable.

4. Lesson Types

4a. Group & Class Lessons

• Group lessons follow the published semester schedule. Students are expected to attend consistently and to practice between lessons.

4b. Private (One-on-One) Lessons

• Each private student is assigned a weekly time slot reserved exclusively for them.
• To discontinue lessons, please email us by the 25th of the month; the following month will be your final billed month (see Section 3).
• No make-up lesson or refund is given for missed lessons or no-shows.
• Lessons begin and end at their scheduled time. Time lost to late arrival cannot be made up or added to the lesson.
• Make-up lessons are a courtesy, not a guarantee. They hold no cash value and expire at the end of the semester in which they are earned.

4c. Voice Lessons

• Voice lessons are offered to students aged 12 and older. Younger singers are welcomed following an individual assessment, as the young voice is still developing and is taught with extra care.
• For vocal health, students should arrive well-rested and hydrated, and avoid shouting or straining the voice before a lesson.
• If a student arrives with a sore throat, laryngitis, or illness affecting the voice, the lesson may be adapted to music theory, listening, or repertoire study rather than singing. Lessons shortened or missed due to illness follow the Absence policy and are not refunded.
• Regular practice of assigned warm-ups and repertoire is expected for healthy vocal progress.

5. Attendance, Absences & Make-Up Lessons

• If a student cannot attend for any reason, the lesson is not refunded. Please let us know in advance and we will do our best to offer an alternative where possible.
• If a teacher cannot attend, we will arrange a substitute where possible. If a lesson must be cancelled by the Studio, we will notify you by email and text, and provide a credit toward your next invoice or a refund.

6. Inclement Weather & Studio Closures

• The Studio observes national holidays and the published semester calendar of closures.
• In severe weather or unsafe conditions, lessons may be cancelled or moved online. We will notify families by email and text as early as possible. Where reasonable, an online or make-up option will be offered for Studio-initiated closures.

7. Drop-Off, Pick-Up & Supervision

• Parents and guardians are expected to remain on-site for the duration of young children's lessons. In particular, if your child is not yet able to use the restroom on their own, a parent or guardian must remain on-site during the lesson. If you must step away, please leave another responsible adult in loco parentis.
• Please drop off and collect your child promptly. A late-pickup fee of $10 per 15 minutes may apply after 15 minutes past the scheduled end time.
• Please keep your authorized pick-up list and emergency contacts current in the portal. Children will be released only to authorized adults.

8. Student Conduct & Lesson Expectations

• We want every lesson to be positive and productive. If a child finds it difficult to settle and becomes disruptive, we will first talk with parents to find a solution; ultimately, and as a last resort, a child may be asked to discontinue without a refund.
• We ask that parents, guardians, and students treat our staff and other families with courtesy and respect.

9. Health, Safety & Illness

• Please do not bring a child who is unwell, feverish, or contagious. Lessons missed due to illness follow the Absence policy.
• Inform us in writing of any allergies, medical conditions, or special needs so we can support your child safely.
• By enrolling, you authorize the Studio to seek emergency medical care for your child if you cannot be reached in an emergency.

10. Child Safeguarding

• The safety of children is our highest priority. Teaching staff are subject to background checks before working with students.
• One-on-one lessons are conducted with appropriate visibility—for example, open doors or windows, or with a parent nearby.

11. Recitals & Performances

• Students may have opportunities to perform in recitals and events. Participation is encouraged and may carry a separate fee, communicated in advance.
• Photography and video are common at these events; please see Section 12 regarding consent.

12. Photographs & Media

• The Studio may occasionally take photographs or videos of lessons and events and use them in marketing materials and on social media.
• Please tell us in writing if you prefer your child not to appear in such media. We do not publish children's full names alongside their images.
• For children under 13, we follow applicable U.S. children's privacy guidelines (COPPA) when collecting information or images online.

13. Parent Portal

• Each family has access to an online portal (My Music Staff) showing timetables, invoices, downloads, lesson notes, Studio news, and a practice log.
• Important information may be shared through the portal, so please check it regularly. Time-sensitive items will also be emailed.

14. Communication

Communication with families is very important to us. We stay in touch in the following ways:

• Portal: lesson notes when there is something noteworthy to share, plus automated emails and occasional text messages.
• Watching week: each semester you are invited to observe your child's lesson and speak with the teacher.
• Semester feedback: at the end of each semester we share feedback on your child's progress toward the objectives for their level.

Please contact Dr. Heabin Kwon at fogmusicschool@gmail.com / 919-800-9378 with any questions or concerns.

15. Privacy & Data Protection (U.S.)

• To enroll, you provide your name, email, phone number, and your child's name and date of birth. We use these details only to administer lessons—contacting you, building class lists, and placing your child appropriately by age and level.
• Information is stored in our portal, managed by My Music Staff; payments are processed by PayPal. The privacy policies of these providers are available on request.
• We will never sell your data or share it with third parties for their own marketing. We use your contact details solely to communicate with you about your lessons.
• For children under 13, we limit collection to what is necessary and handle it consistent with COPPA.

16. Liability & Assumption of Risk

• Families participate in lessons and activities voluntarily. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Studio is not liable for injury, illness, or loss or damage to personal property occurring on the premises or during Studio activities, except where caused by the Studio's gross negligence or willful misconduct.
• The Studio is not responsible for personal items left on the premises.

17. Termination by the Studio

• The Studio reserves the right to discontinue lessons for a student in cases of non-payment, repeated disruption, or conduct by a student or family member that is unsafe or disrespectful. Fees are handled in accordance with the Payment policy.

18. Governing Law

• These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, and any dispute arising under them will be handled in the appropriate courts of North Carolina.