Online Studio Policy

Last updated: May 25, 2025

Working Together - What to Expect

Welcome to the Trumpet with Paul studio!

I'm excited to work with you to help you become not only a better trumpet player, but also a more creative and successful musician. This studio policy outlines how we can work together to make your learning experience positive and productive. I've written this in plain language because I believe in clear communication from the start. Please scroll through this policy to read the entire document.

Let's Meet First

I strongly encourage all new students enrolling in online lessons to schedule a FREE 15-minute trial session with me before purchasing a lessons package. This gives us a chance to meet, discuss your goals, explore scheduling options, and make sure online lessons will be a good fit for you.

Lesson Options

I offer two convenient ways for students to sign up for lessons:

A La Carte (One Time Purchase)

Purchase lesson credits in flexible packages. Credits are valid for 12 months from date of purchase and can be scheduled based on our mutual availability. This model works great for students who want to do a series of targeted lessons (audition prep, address a specific issue) or who aren't yet able to commit to regular ongoing lessons. Interest-free payment plans via Afterpay or Klarna may be available at checkout to help spread the total cost over several payments.

Weekly Lessons (Monthly Billing)

Sign up for regular weekly lessons with a reserved lesson time, my most affordable lesson rates, and simple monthly billing. Subscription students receive 4 lesson credits each month, and the plan flexes up or down to accommodate months that have more or fewer weeks. This flexible subscription model accommodates occasional missed lessons due to holidays, illness, or the occasional scheduling conflict, with any missed lesson credits eligible to be scheduled as makeup lessons. Pause or cancel your subscription anytime as needed. For example, many school aged students pause their weekly lessons over the summer, and resume again in the fall. Any unused credits remain valid for 12 months from date of last billing. This flexible subscription plan is ideal for ongoing instruction with predictable monthly payments.

What You'll Need to Get Started

Your instrument
Computer or tablet with Zoom installed
"Original sound" turned on in Zoom audio settings - I can help talk you through this.
A quiet space with reliable internet connection

Scheduling Your Lessons

For students enrolling in a subscription plan, we'll establish your regular weekly time slot at our first meeting. You'll have priority access to that time slot throughout your subscription period.

For students purchasing a-la-cart lesson credits, you can view and schedule your sessions by logging into your account at www.trumpetwithpaul.com/login.

Please schedule lessons with at least 24 hours notice. Most students prefer a regular timeslot, so let's work together to find a consistent day and time that works well for both of us.

When I'm Available

To preview my current availability, visit www.trumpetwithpaul.com/lessons and click the "SCHEDULE FREE TRIAL LESSON" button.

School Year (September-June): I'm typically available on weekday afternoons/evenings and Sunday mornings.

Summer (mid-June through August): Please note that my availability for lessons is more limited during the summer months, though I try to keep some availability in the afternoons and evenings.

Rescheduling and Missed Lessons

Rescheduling It's good practice to provide plenty of notice if needing to reschedule. You can reschedule any lesson with at least 24 hours' notice using the website or the link in your confirmation email. Occasional rescheduling with plenty of notice is absolutely fine!

Last-Minute or Frequent Rescheduling When you schedule a lesson session, I set aside that time specifically for you. While I understand that life happens occasionally, no-show lessons, cancellations or frequent rescheduling changes with less than 24 hours' notice will result in a forfeited lesson credit.

If Paul Needs to Reschedule I rarely need to reschedule, but if I do:

I'll contact you as soon as possible
We'll work together to find an alternative time that works for you
I'll make sure you receive the full lesson you paid for

Lesson Credits

Lesson credits can be used within 12 months from the date of issue. Please be sure to schedule your lessons (or makeup lessons) before your credits expire.

Working with Younger Students

For students under 18 years of age, I require a brief meeting with a student's parent(s)/guardian(s) during the first lesson to discuss expectations and to get to know each other. For students under 13 years of age, a parent or guardian must be present during the entirety of each lesson. These requirements help ensure a safe, productive learning environment and keep parents/guardians informed about their child's musical development.

Zoom Audio Settings

Unfortunately, Zoom's default audio settings block loud instruments like the trumpet. Therefore, it's important to enable the "Original Sound" feature on your computer or "Original Audio" feature on your tablet to ensure your trumpet can be heard clearly. This is a two-step process, don't worry if this feels overwhelming now, Paul can walk you through it at our first meeting:

Enable "Original Sound" in Zoom audio settings
Next, you'll need to "Turn on Original Sound" or your computer or "Original Audio" on your tablet during the Zoom meeting.

Video Tutorial for Computer How to enable ORIGINAL SOUND FOR MUSICIANS on a COMPUTER

Video Tutorial for iPad or Tablet How to enable ORIGINAL AUDIO for Zoom on a TABLET

Lesson Notes

For your convenience, Zoom's "AI Companion" records sessions for the purposes of generating automatic lesson notes. While these notes aren't perfect (and are occasionally hilariously wrong), many students have found the notes useful for keeping track of what we discussed during lessons, and for supporting practice between lessons. If you prefer not to use this recording technology, please just let Paul know, and we can disable the feature for your lessons.

My Promise to You: 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

I stand behind the quality of my teaching and want you to feel confident in your decision to work with me.

Refund Policy

Unused lesson credits are eligible for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. Unused subscription packages are eligible for a full refund within 30 days of most recent billing.
Once we've had a lesson or a lesson credit has been forfeited, it's considered used and isn't eligible for refund
For partially used lesson packages or partially used subscription months, I offer pro-rata refunds within 30 days (e.g., if you've used 2 lessons from a 10-lesson package, you'll receive a refund for the 8 unused lessons. If you've used 2 lessons during a monthly subscription, you will be refunded the remaining amount after those 2 lessons have been deducted.)

How to Request a Refund

To request a refund within 30 days of purchase, email [email protected] with:

Your email address
Your purchase date (lesson credits) or most recent billing date (subscriptions)
The product you'd like refunded

My team will process your refund request.

After 30 Days

After 30 days from purchase, I am unable to offer refunds. I encourage you to reach out with any concerns before this period expires.

Questions?

If you have any questions about anything we've covered here, please don't hesitate to reach out at [email protected].

Updates to this Agreement

I may occasionally update this studio policy to better serve you and reflect changes in my teaching practice. The latest version will always be available on my website.

Even More Fine Print

Congrats if you've read all the way through! Taking the time to understand these terms shows your commitment to working well together. If you want to read even more (and I'm sorry, but my lawyers say I have to include these), please review the Website Terms and Conditions and Website Privacy Policy. You may also wish to review the Community Guidelines for participating in our online community forum.

Thank you again and welcome!!!