Studio Policy & Code of Conduct

Freedom Vocals – Vocal Coaching by Molly McGee

Studio Policies

Welcome! Thank you for choosing Freedom Vocals. These policies are designed to ensure a safe, productive, and enjoyable learning environment for all students. Please read carefully.

1. Sessions, Payments & Fees

2. Sickness Policy

3. General Absences & Lesson Hold

4. Arrival & Lateness

5. Practice & Parental Support

6. Diversity Statement

7. Code of Conduct

8. Liability

9. Privacy

10. Communication

11. Terms, Breaks & Holidays

12. Discretion

1. Sessions, Payments & Fees

Session Durations

  • Billed at the appropriate hourly rate depending on enrolment type: casual, 4-week block, or full term.

Non-Refundable

All sessions are non-refundable. Payment secures your lesson time, preparation, and place in the studio schedule.

Payments & Invoice Terms

  • Payment due within 7 days of receiving invoice.

  • All lessons must be paid in advance.

  • Payment expected in full prior to the first lesson. Invoices cannot be split. Extensions can be arranged—contact the studio to discuss if needed.

Casual Sessions

  • Must be paid 24 hours in advance to secure the lesson.

  • Unpaid slots will be reopened for other students.

Block Packages

  • 4-Week Block – billed monthly.

  • Full Term – billed at the start of each school term

    • 10 sessions are billed per term

    • Shorter school term → sessions extend into holidays

    • Longer school term → only 10 sessions counted

  • Flexibility for rescheduling is at the discretion of the studio.

  • A single term enrolment block can't span across multiple terms. 

Consultations (Optional – New Clients Only)

  • 45 minutes

  • Includes a 30-minute lesson charged at the casual rate plus free 15-minute consultation/chat about goals, technique, or questions

Late or Mid-Term Enrolments

  • For late enrolments a four-week-block rate will be applied with the remaining sessions billed at the lower full-term hourly rate.
    In the case of three or fewer remaining sessions in the current term, sessions are charged at the casual rate. The student’s place is guaranteed for the remainder of the term.

Key Notes

  • Timely payment ensures smooth operation of the studio

  • Missed lessons without prior arrangement may not be made up

  • If multiple lessons will be missed, a 4-week block may be more suitable than full-term lessons

Notification of Re-Enrolment or Non-Return.

To ensure your lesson slot is held, full-term students must provide 4 weeks’ notice before the start of the next term to continue or withdraw enrolment.

2. Sickness Policy

  • Students are entitled to one catch-up per term with at least 24 hours’ notice. Without 24 hours notice students will forfeit the session.

  • Do not attend lessons if unwell; sick students will be turned away and the lesson forfeited.

  • Online sessions via Zoom may be offered if adequate notice is provided

    • Notify the studio before mid-day on the day of your lesson to arrange a Zoom link.

  • Sickness communication: Text 02040152499 with full name and scheduled session time, and if a zoom session is required

3. General Absences & Lesson Holds

Planned Absences

  • Online Zoom sessions are the preferred option

  • The studio aims to be flexible with rescheduling, but if the client cannot attend available slots during term or holiday catch-ups and does not wish to use Zoom, the lesson will be forfeited

Lesson Holds

  • Pre-purchased lessons may be put on hold for a maximum of three months for:

    • Long-term illness

    • Overseas/domestic travel for study

    • Bereavement (not holidays)

  • After three months, if no plan to resume is communicated, remaining sessions will be forfeited and not refunded

  • Under the circumstances of bereavement, illness, or unavoidable long term absence, remaining sessions may be transferred to a nominated party by negotiation with the studio.

4. Arrival & Lateness

Arrival: Please arrive on time. Early arrivals may need to wait due to previous clients or scheduled breaks. Text me if you arrive early and want to check if we can start sooner.

Lateness:

  • Late by more than 25% of lesson time may result in lesson cancellation unless communicated via text to 02040152499

  • Lessons start and end as scheduled; lost time is not made up.


5. Practice & Parental Support

Practice

  • Daily, structured practice is essential for consistent progress.

  • Focus on quality over quantity; a short, focused session is always going to be better than a long unstructured one.

  • Lessons alone are not enough to develop skills.

Parental Support

  • Active parental involvement is crucial for children’s musical progress.

  • Encourage practice, maintain motivation, and celebrate achievement.

  • Music can be frustrating; consistent practice builds skills, confidence, and pride.

  • Parents are not permitted to sit in on their child’s session unless under exceptional circumstances.

6. Diversity Statement

  • Freedom Vocals provides an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment.

  • All students are valued regardless of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, nationality, or political beliefs.

  • Every student’s unique gifts are recognised and celebrated.

  • The studio fosters a culture of respect, safety, and affirmation.

7. Code of Conduct

The studio reserves the right to terminate lessons for:

Student Behaviour:

  • Violence, aggression

  • Inappropriate language (including hate speech)

  • Defamation of character

  • Unwanted advances or harassment

  • Any other disrespectful or indecent behaviour

Parent Behaviour:

  • Inappropriate behaviour toward the instructor

Other Grounds for Termination:

  • Attendance while intoxicated

  • Failure to pay lessons without prior arrangement

  • Excessive absences, with or without notice

  • Refusal to follow professional advice or repeated unsafe vocal practices

Immediate Termination Without Warning:

  • Violence, threats, verbal abuse

  • Damage to studio property (clients liable for costs)

  • Sexual or other harassment

The studio may terminate lessons at any time. If no breach has occurred, unused lessons will be refunded.

8. Liability

  • Freedom Vocals and Molly McGee Vocal Coaching are not liable for vocal injury sustained by students.

  • I provide evidence-based coaching, follow guidance from voice professionals, and refer students as needed. 

  • This does not guarantee protection from injury outside lessons (e.g., shouting at sports).

  • Students must follow advice on vocal health and seek treatment when recommended; refusal may result in termination of lessons.

  • I am not a doctor; I cannot diagnose injuries, but I can offer guidance and refer to professionals.

9. Privacy

  • Personal information is collected solely for studio use.

  • Information is never sold and only shared when legally required to do so.

  • Photos and videos will only be taken with prior written consent from the student or parent/guardian if a minor.

Confidentiality & Safety:

  • Singing lessons may reveal vulnerabilities.

  • I am morally required to report suspected harm or risk (including abuse or domestic violence of minors) with student safety always taking precedence.

  • Parents/guardians are informed when safe and appropriate.

  • Adult students’ confidentiality is respected, unless immediate risk of serious harm exists.

10. Communication

  • Email: mollycatherinemcgee@gmail.com

  • Text: 02040152499 (include full name & session time for absences/lateness/sickness)

  • Instagram Studio DM: Only studio account

  • Calls: By request; text first unless emergency

Response Times:

  • Messages after 8:30pm → next day

  • Emails → up to five working days

  • Mark urgent in subject line for urgent matters

  • Weekend messages → generally no response unless urgent

  • Weekend absence texts still count as notice

  • I endeavour to respond promptly and in a timely fashion, however all response times are subject to availability within work hours. Leave, professional development and clients in session will take priority in most cases.

11. Terms, Breaks & Holidays

  • Sessions run primarily during the school terms

  • Holiday lessons may be booked at the discretion of the studio, subject to availability

12. Discretion

  • The studio may waive or adapt policies in exceptional circumstances