Michael Hegeman — Specialist Violin and Viola Consultation Services and Private Violin Lessons
Last updated: September 2026
1. About the Services
Michael Hegeman provides specialist consultations for violinists and violists experiencing physical problems, discomfort, tension, or other physical difficulties connected with playing the violin or viola.
Michael Hegeman also provides private violin lessons for students of different ages and playing levels.
The services are intended for violinists and violists of all levels, including beginners, students, advanced players, professional musicians, teachers, and soloists.
Consultations may take place in person or online, including with clients located internationally.
Violin lessons may take place in person or online, subject to availability and the arrangements agreed with the student or, where applicable, their parent or legal guardian.
The consultation service is based on Michael Hegeman’s 45 years of experience playing and teaching the violin, including extensive experience with the physical aspects of violin and viola playing and the problems that can arise.
Business location: Ede, The Netherlands
For security and privacy reasons, the full geographical business address is not displayed publicly on this website. Where required for a consumer agreement, the full geographical business address will be provided to the client as part of the pre-contractual information before the client is bound by the agreement.
2. Nature and Scope of the Services
The specialist consultation is a consultation concerning physical problems and difficulties experienced when playing the violin or viola. It is intended to examine problems in relation to violin and viola playing, including movement, physical coordination, posture, instrument support and use, and playing habits that may contribute to the problem.
The consultation is not a medical consultation, medical examination, diagnosis, physiotherapy treatment, chiropractic treatment, or other healthcare service.
Michael Hegeman does not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medical treatment.
Private violin lessons are conventional individual violin lessons concerned with playing, technique, musical development, repertoire, practice and related aspects of violin playing.
3. Use of the Website and Information
Information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied upon as a substitute for appropriate professional healthcare where this is required.
Information about physical problems, violin and viola playing, and related research is provided in the context of the specialist consultation service. Individual circumstances vary, and information on this website may not be complete, current or appropriate for every individual situation.
Information about violin lessons is provided for general information about the teaching service. Individual lesson arrangements, availability and applicable fees are confirmed before the lesson agreement is concluded.
You are responsible for how you use information obtained from this website. Nothing on this website excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable law.
4. Enquiries, Appointments and Formation of an Agreement
The initial contact with Michael Hegeman is an enquiry and does not itself constitute a booking or service agreement.
Michael Hegeman reserves the right to decline an enquiry, to decide not to enter into a lesson or consultation agreement, or, where no ongoing contractual commitment requires him to continue providing the service, to decide not to provide further violin lessons or specialist consultations. This includes the right to decide, following a trial lesson or during a regular monthly violin lesson arrangement, not to continue providing lessons. He is not required to give a reason for such a decision, subject to any rights or obligations imposed by applicable law. For specialist consultations, this may include situations where the requested consultation concerns a matter that is outside the nature or scope of the specialist consultation service, including circumstances where the information provided indicates that the matter requires medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment rather than specialist playing-related guidance.
For specialist consultations, the client should provide a brief description of the physical problem experienced when playing the violin or viola. This information helps Michael Hegeman understand the situation and prepare for the consultation.
Clients should not provide medical records, detailed medical histories, detailed diagnostic reports, medication lists or other health information that is not necessary for the consultation.
For violin lessons, the prospective student or, where applicable, their parent or legal guardian may provide relevant information concerning playing level, age and the type of lesson arrangement requested.
Appointment arrangements are handled by email.
Before an appointment is confirmed, the client or student will receive the agreed service details, applicable fee, relevant pre-contractual information and payment instructions, including the geographical address information required by applicable consumer law where applicable.
Submission of an enquiry, acknowledgement of these Terms & Conditions, or receipt of payment instructions does not by itself constitute acceptance of an appointment or conclusion of a service agreement.
For a specialist consultation, the consultation agreement is concluded when the consultation date and time, applicable fee and relevant terms have been agreed with the client and the required consultation fee has been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
For a regular monthly violin lesson arrangement, the lesson agreement is concluded when the lesson arrangement, applicable fees and relevant terms have been agreed and the required first payment has been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
For a one-year violin lesson commitment, the agreement is concluded when the one-year lesson arrangement, applicable fees and relevant terms have been agreed and the required first payment has been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing. The one-year commitment then continues for the agreed 12-month period, with the subsequent monthly payments made in advance as described in Section 6.
For a single trial lesson, the trial lesson agreement is concluded when the trial lesson has been agreed and the required payment has been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
The appointment or lesson arrangement is then confirmed and the client or student will receive confirmation of the agreed details by email.
Where the client or student is a consumer entering into a distance contract and a statutory right of withdrawal applies, that right applies from the date on which the relevant agreement is concluded, subject to Section 8 and any other mandatory rights applicable by law.
5. Consultation Fees
The current consultation options are:
Initial Specialist Consultation — 75 minutes — US$195
The recommended starting point for a new client. This consultation is complete in itself.
After the initial consultation, the client can choose any of the following three optional follow-up routes:
- Single Follow-Up Consultation — 60 minutes — US$150
- Programme of Three Follow-Up Consultations — US$425
- Programme of Six Follow-Up Consultations — US$800
The Single Follow-Up Consultation is to continue working on the client’s individual physical problems after the initial consultation.
The Programme of Three Follow-Up Consultations consists of three 60-minute consultations to continue working on the client’s individual physical problems after the initial consultation.
The Programme of Six Follow-Up Consultations consists of six 60-minute consultations to continue working on the client’s individual physical problems after the initial consultation.
Fees are stated in USD.
The applicable total price, including any taxes or other charges that are required to be included by applicable law, will be communicated to the client before the consultation agreement is concluded.
6. Violin Lesson Fees and Payment
The current violin lesson prices are:
- 30 minutes — US$45
- 45 minutes — US$65
- 60 minutes — US$85
All regular violin lessons are paid monthly in advance.
The regular monthly arrangement is based on 40 lessons per year at the regular lesson rates. This is the annual pricing basis for the regular monthly arrangement and does not constitute a fixed commitment to purchase or complete 40 lessons.
The annual number of lessons is spread across 12 monthly payments. The monthly arrangement does not mean that exactly four lessons must take place in every calendar month.
The regular monthly arrangement does not include the 10% discount that applies to the one-year commitment.
The regular monthly arrangement does not require a long-term commitment and may be ended by the student by giving one month’s notice by email.
The current regular monthly payments are:
- 30-minute lessons — US$150 per month
- 45-minute lessons — US$216 per month
- 60-minute lessons — US$283 per month
Students who choose the one-year commitment receive a 10% discount on the regular lesson rates.
The one-year commitment consists of 40 lessons over a 12-month period.
The discounted annual fee is paid in 12 equal monthly payments:
- 30-minute lessons — US$135 per month
- 45-minute lessons — US$195 per month
- 60-minute lessons — US$255 per month
The one-year commitment is a fixed 12-month arrangement and is intended to provide 40 lessons during that period. The lessons are spread over the year and do not have to take place at exactly four lessons in every calendar month.
If a lesson included in the annual basis cannot be provided because of illness, unforeseen circumstances, or cancellation by Michael Hegeman, reasonable efforts will first be made to reschedule or make up the lesson.
If such a lesson cannot reasonably be rescheduled or made up, an appropriate credit or refund will be provided.
Lessons that count as provided under the cancellation and rescheduling provisions in Section 9, including lessons cancelled by the student with less than 48 hours’ notice or missed without the required notice, are not treated as undelivered lessons for the purposes of a credit or refund.
For the one-year commitment, any necessary reconciliation of lessons provided, rescheduled or remaining undelivered will normally be made at the end of the relevant 12-month period. Where a refund is due, it will normally be made within 14 days after the end of the relevant period once the number of lessons provided and any outstanding make-up arrangements have been established.
The one-year commitment does not include a monthly cancellation right.
At the end of the one-year commitment, any continuation of lessons will be agreed under the arrangements and prices then applicable. The one-year arrangement does not automatically renew for another fixed one-year period unless expressly agreed.
If the regular monthly arrangement ends before a full 12-month period has elapsed, any necessary reconciliation of lessons provided, rescheduled or remaining undelivered will be made when the arrangement ends. Where a refund is due, it will normally be made within 14 days after the end of the arrangement once the number of lessons provided and any outstanding make-up arrangements have been established.
Trial Lesson
A 45-minute trial violin lesson is available for US$45.
The trial lesson is a single introductory lesson and does not automatically create an ongoing lesson arrangement.
If the student wishes to continue after the trial lesson, the applicable regular monthly arrangement or one-year arrangement will be agreed separately.
The trial lesson is paid in advance unless otherwise agreed in writing.
The cancellation and rescheduling provisions applicable to violin lessons also apply to the trial lesson.
Other lesson lengths and arrangements may be agreed on request.
The applicable total price, including any taxes or other charges that are required to be included by applicable law, will be communicated to the client or student before the lesson agreement is concluded.
7. Payment
Payment must be made according to the payment instructions provided by email.
Payment may be made by PayPal or bank transfer.
An appointment or lesson is confirmed only after the required payment has been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Michael Hegeman may decline or postpone a consultation or lesson if the required payment has not been received.
For violin lessons paid monthly in advance, the applicable monthly payment must be received before the lessons covered by that payment are provided, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
For programmes, any applicable programme terms or expiry period will be communicated at the time of purchase.
If a payment becomes overdue, Michael Hegeman may send a reminder and may suspend further lessons or consultations until the overdue amount has been paid.
Where permitted by applicable law, statutory interest and reasonable collection costs may be charged in relation to overdue payments.
8. Statutory Right of Withdrawal
If you are a consumer and you enter into a consultation or violin lesson agreement online or by another method that qualifies as a distance contract, you may have a legal right to cancel the agreement within 14 days without giving a reason.
For a service, the 14-day period normally starts on the day the agreement is concluded.
This 14-day withdrawal period may apply whether the agreement is for a specialist consultation, a trial lesson, a regular monthly violin lesson arrangement, or the one-year violin lesson commitment.
Payment and the withdrawal period
Consultations and violin lessons are normally paid for in advance, as described in Sections 5, 6 and 7.
Payment in advance does not by itself remove or restrict any statutory right of withdrawal that applies to the consumer.
Starting the service during the 14-day period
If you want a consultation or violin lesson to take place before the 14-day withdrawal period has ended, you must expressly request that the service begin during that period.
Before the service begins, you will be informed of the consequences of requesting that the service begin during the withdrawal period.
If you subsequently exercise your right of withdrawal after the service has begun, you may be required to pay for the part of the service that has already been provided, in accordance with applicable law. Where payment has already been made, any amount that is required to be refunded will be dealt with in accordance with applicable law.
For the one-year violin lesson commitment, exercising a statutory right of withdrawal within the 14-day period is separate from the agreed 12-month duration of the lesson arrangement. The one-year commitment does not remove or extend the statutory 14-day withdrawal right.
Once the 14-day withdrawal period has expired, the agreed terms of the one-year commitment apply, including its fixed 12-month duration and the absence of a monthly cancellation right, subject to any mandatory consumer rights applicable by law.
Where a service has been fully provided during the 14-day withdrawal period following the consumer’s prior express request and the required acknowledgement, the statutory right of withdrawal may cease in accordance with applicable law.
Any express request to begin a consultation or lesson during the 14-day withdrawal period, together with any acknowledgement required by law, will be obtained before the service begins.
How to cancel
If you have a statutory right of withdrawal and wish to use it, you can cancel by sending a clear statement to:
info[at]michaelhegeman.com
You do not have to give a reason for cancelling.
If you have already paid and the law requires a refund following withdrawal, the applicable refund will be made in accordance with the statutory requirements.
You may use the model withdrawal form below, but you do not have to use this form.
Model Withdrawal Form
If you wish to withdraw from the agreement, you may use the following wording and send it by email:
“I hereby give notice that I withdraw from my contract for the provision of the following service:
Service: Michael Hegeman Specialist Violin and Viola Consultation / Private Violin Lesson
Date of agreement: [insert date]
Name of consumer: [insert name]
Address of consumer: [insert address]
Email address of consumer: [insert email address]
Date: [insert date]
Signature of consumer (only if this form is submitted on paper): [signature]”
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude or restrict any mandatory consumer rights.
9. Cancellation and Rescheduling of Violin Lessons
Cancellation or rescheduling requests must be made in writing by email.
Verbal requests, telephone calls, text messages, social-media messages or other forms of communication do not constitute a cancellation or rescheduling request unless expressly confirmed by email.
The date on which the cancellation email is received will determine the applicable cancellation period.
Where a student cancels or requests rescheduling more than 48 hours before the scheduled lesson, the lesson may be cancelled or rescheduled without charge, subject to availability and the terms of the applicable lesson arrangement.
Where a student cancels less than 48 hours before the scheduled lesson, the lesson will normally count as a lesson provided and will not normally be refunded or rescheduled.
If a student fails to attend a scheduled lesson without providing the required notice, the lesson will normally count as a lesson provided and will not normally be refunded or rescheduled.
If a student is late, the lesson will normally still end at the scheduled time. The lost time will not normally be added to the end of the lesson.
Exceptional circumstances may be considered at Michael Hegeman’s discretion.
Nothing in this section is intended to exclude or restrict any mandatory consumer rights, including any applicable statutory right of withdrawal.
10. Cancellation and Rescheduling of Specialist Consultations by Client
Cancellation or rescheduling requests must be made in writing by email.
Verbal requests, telephone calls, text messages, social-media messages or other forms of communication do not constitute a cancellation or rescheduling request unless expressly confirmed by email.
The date on which the cancellation email is received will determine the applicable cancellation period.
Where a client cancels or requests rescheduling more than 48 hours before the scheduled consultation, the consultation may be cancelled or rescheduled without charge. Where applicable, payment may be refunded or transferred to the rescheduled consultation.
Where a client cancels less than 48 hours before the scheduled consultation, the full consultation fee will normally remain payable and will not normally be refundable.
If a client fails to attend a scheduled consultation without providing the required notice, the full consultation fee will normally remain payable and will not normally be refundable.
Exceptional circumstances may be considered at Michael Hegeman’s discretion.
Nothing in this section is intended to exclude or restrict any mandatory consumer rights, including any applicable statutory right of withdrawal.
11. Cancellation or Rescheduling by Michael Hegeman
Michael Hegeman may need to cancel or reschedule a consultation or lesson.
If this occurs, the client or student will be informed by email as soon as reasonably practicable.
Where possible, an alternative date and time will be offered.
If the client or student does not wish to reschedule, or if an alternative appointment cannot reasonably be arranged, any payment made for the cancelled consultation or lesson will be refunded or credited as appropriate.
No charge will be made for a consultation or lesson that Michael Hegeman does not provide.
If Michael Hegeman causes a significant delay to a consultation or lesson, reasonable efforts will be made to make up the affected time where practicable. If this is not reasonably possible, an appropriate alternative arrangement may be made.
Reasons for cancellation or rescheduling may include illness, emergency, serious unforeseen circumstances, technical problems, travel disruption, government restrictions or other circumstances making the consultation or lesson impossible or impractical.
Neither party is required to perform an obligation that has become impossible or unlawful because of circumstances beyond that party’s reasonable control.
Reasonable efforts will be made to minimise inconvenience to the client or student.
12. Force Majeure
Neither Michael Hegeman nor the client or student will be considered responsible for a failure or delay in performing an obligation under an agreement where the failure or delay results from circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the party concerned and which cannot reasonably be prevented or overcome.
Such circumstances may include, where applicable, sudden illness or incapacity, serious accident, natural disaster, fire, war, civil emergency, government measures, interruption of essential utilities or communications, significant internet or technical failure affecting an online consultation or lesson, or other comparable circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the party concerned.
Where a force majeure situation affects a scheduled consultation or lesson, the parties will, where reasonably possible, seek to reschedule the appointment.
Where rescheduling is not reasonably possible, or where the force majeure situation continues for a significant period, the parties’ rights and obligations will be determined in accordance with applicable law and the other provisions of these Terms & Conditions.
Nothing in this section limits any mandatory rights of the client or student under applicable law.
13. Three-Strike Rule and Termination by the Teacher
Michael Hegeman expects students and clients, and where applicable their parent or legal guardian, to communicate and behave appropriately and respectfully.
Michael Hegeman expects students to approach their lessons with reasonable preparation, participation and commitment. Where a student has been given clear instructions about preparation or work to be done between lessons, but does not make a reasonable effort to follow those instructions, this will constitute a strike. A strike will also be given where a student’s participation or cooperation during a lesson is insufficient to make the lesson reasonably productive. Each such occurrence will constitute a strike, except where the circumstances reasonably explain why the student was unable to prepare or participate as expected.
The purpose of the three-strike rule is to ensure that lessons remain productive and that both the student and teacher are able to work effectively together. It is not intended to penalise a student for occasional difficulties, slower progress, or circumstances that reasonably affect their ability to prepare or participate.
The three-strike process is as follows:
- First strike: a formal written warning will be sent by email identifying the problem and explaining that another qualifying occurrence will result in a second strike.
- Second strike: a further formal written warning will be sent by email explaining that another qualifying occurrence will result in a third strike and may result in termination of the lesson arrangement.
- Third strike: following a third qualifying occurrence, Michael Hegeman may terminate the lesson arrangement.
Warnings will normally be sent to the email address used for the student or client arrangement, or, where applicable, to the email address of the parent or legal guardian responsible for arranging or paying for the service.
Inappropriate or disrespectful behaviour or communication, repeated breaches of these Terms & Conditions, or other serious conduct that materially affects the professional relationship may result in termination of the lesson or consultation arrangement. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the conduct, Michael Hegeman may issue a warning or may terminate the arrangement immediately, subject to applicable law and any mandatory consumer rights.
During a one-year violin lesson commitment, Michael Hegeman may also terminate the remaining lesson arrangement where he reasonably concludes, taking into account the circumstances of the teaching relationship, that continuing to provide lessons is no longer productive or appropriate.
The fact that a student is making slower progress than expected does not by itself mean that the student has breached these Terms & Conditions. The decision to terminate under the preceding paragraph concerns whether, in the circumstances, continuing the teaching relationship is reasonably productive and appropriate.
If Michael Hegeman terminates an arrangement, any prepaid unused lessons or consultations will be refunded on a pro-rata basis, subject to amounts properly due for lessons or consultations already provided, late cancellations, or other amounts lawfully due.
If Michael Hegeman terminates a one-year violin lesson commitment, the one-year commitment and its 10% discounted pricing will end from the termination date. Lessons already provided will not be retrospectively repriced solely because Michael Hegeman terminates the arrangement.
For the regular monthly violin lesson arrangement, the student may terminate the arrangement by giving one month’s notice by email. The regular monthly arrangement is not a fixed one-year commitment.
For the one-year violin lesson commitment, the arrangement is fixed for the agreed 12-month period and does not include a monthly cancellation right. Michael Hegeman may nevertheless terminate the remaining lesson arrangement in the circumstances described above, subject to any mandatory consumer rights applicable by law.
A student or client may terminate a specialist consultation arrangement by notifying Michael Hegeman in writing by email, subject to any agreed fixed-term arrangement and any mandatory consumer rights applicable by law.
Termination of an overall lesson arrangement is separate from cancellation or rescheduling of an individual lesson under Section 9.
For a one-year violin lesson commitment, termination is subject to the agreed fixed-term arrangement, the termination provisions in this section, and any mandatory consumer rights applicable by law.
14. Online Lessons and Consultations
Online lessons and consultations are available internationally.
The client or student is responsible for having a suitable internet connection and appropriate equipment, including a suitable device with a camera and microphone where required.
For online consultations, the client is responsible for having a suitable violin or viola, bow, playing space and any relevant equipment normally used during the consultation unless otherwise agreed.
For online violin lessons, the student is responsible for having a violin, bow, suitable playing space and any books or sheet music required for the lesson unless otherwise agreed.
Michael Hegeman is not responsible for problems caused by the client’s or student’s equipment, internet connection, software, technical environment or other circumstances outside his reasonable control.
If a technical problem on the client’s or student’s side prevents or materially interferes with a consultation or lesson, the circumstances will be considered and the normal cancellation and rescheduling provisions may apply.
If a technical problem on Michael Hegeman’s side prevents or materially interferes with a consultation or lesson, reasonable efforts will be made to reconnect and continue the service. If this is not reasonably possible, the consultation or lesson may be rescheduled or an appropriate alternative arrangement may be made.
If a general platform, internet or technical outage affects the service, reasonable efforts will be made to arrange an appropriate alternative.
15. In-Person Lessons and Consultations
In-person lessons and consultations are available where appropriate.
The client or student is responsible for arriving at the agreed location at the agreed time.
For specialist consultations, the client should bring their violin or viola, bow and any relevant equipment normally used when playing.
For violin lessons, the student should bring their violin, bow, books or sheet music and any other equipment normally required for the lesson.
The location and other practical details will be provided when the appointment or lesson is arranged.
Clients and students are responsible for taking reasonable care of their own instruments, bows, books, sheet music and personal belongings.
16. Student and Client Responsibilities
The client is responsible for providing accurate and relevant information concerning the problem they wish to discuss.
The client is responsible for bringing and maintaining the violin, viola, bow and other personal equipment required for the agreed consultation.
The client is responsible for decisions concerning their violin or viola playing during and after the consultation.
If significant pain, worsening symptoms, dizziness, loss of strength or other concerning symptoms occur during playing, the client should stop or modify playing as appropriate and seek medical advice where necessary.
The student is responsible for providing accurate and relevant information concerning their playing level and lesson requirements.
The student is responsible for bringing and maintaining the violin, viola, bow, books, sheet music and other personal equipment required for the agreed lesson.
The student is responsible for decisions concerning their violin or viola playing during and after the lesson.
For violin lessons, students are expected to participate appropriately and to practise or work on material as reasonably agreed or instructed during the lessons.
The student or client should communicate any significant limitations or circumstances that may affect their participation in the lesson or consultation.
17. Minors
For specialist consultations, another adult must be present during the consultation. This may be a parent, legal guardian, teacher or another adult agreed in advance with Michael Hegeman.
For students or clients under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be involved in arranging the service and providing any consent required by law.
For specialist consultations, the parent or legal guardian remains responsible for providing any consent required by law for the minor to participate in lessons or consultations.
For violin lessons, the parent or legal guardian is responsible for arranging the lessons, agreeing to the applicable lesson terms, providing any consent required by law, and making the required payments, unless otherwise agreed in writing. A parent or legal guardian does not automatically have to be present during every violin lesson unless this is agreed or considered necessary in the circumstances.
The parent or legal guardian remains responsible for providing any consent required by law for the minor to participate in lessons or consultations.
The same confidentiality and recording provisions set out in these Terms & Conditions apply to any person present or participating in a lesson or consultation.
Nothing in this section affects any mandatory rights or legal requirements applicable to minors.
18. Confidentiality
Client and student confidentiality is an important part of the services.
Information disclosed by a client during a consultation will be treated as confidential, subject to applicable law and any circumstances in which disclosure is legally required.
The same privacy and confidentiality apply to every client and student, regardless of their level of playing or professional circumstances.
The specialist consultation is intended to provide a private and confidential environment in which a violinist or violist can discuss physical problems or difficulties experienced when playing without concern that the information will be disclosed publicly.
Claudia Hegeman assists with appointment scheduling, booking administration and payment administration. She maintains the same privacy and confidentiality when handling personal information.
19. Recording, Reproduction and Publication
Michael Hegeman may, where appropriate, make an audio or video recording of a specialist consultation or violin lesson for his own professional use, provided that he has obtained the consent of the client or student and any other person present or participating in the consultation or lesson whose consent is required for the recording.
Any recording made by Michael Hegeman under this provision is for his own professional use. The client or student does not acquire any right to receive, access, use, copy, reproduce, publish, distribute, transmit or otherwise make such recording available unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing.
The client, student and any other person present, participating or otherwise accessing a consultation or lesson may not, without prior written permission from Michael Hegeman, record, photograph, screenshot, copy, reproduce, capture, store, livestream, transmit or otherwise record or reproduce any part of the consultation or lesson, whether in person or through an online or other electronic connection.
This prohibition applies regardless of the device, technology or method used and includes saving or storing any recording, photograph, screenshot, copy or other captured material on a computer, phone, tablet, USB device, memory card, hard drive, cloud-storage service, online storage service, server or any other physical or electronic storage medium.
The client or student may not permit, arrange, request, instruct, assist or facilitate any other person or third party to record, capture, reproduce, store, transmit or otherwise make a copy of any part of a consultation or lesson without prior written permission from Michael Hegeman.
The client or student may not publish, post, upload, distribute, transmit, broadcast, share, sell, license or otherwise make available to any third party any recording, photograph, screenshot, transcript, extract, copy or other reproduction of a consultation or lesson without prior written permission from Michael Hegeman.
Permission must be expressly granted in writing in advance. No verbal, implied or assumed permission is sufficient.
Unauthorised recording, reproduction, publication, distribution, transmission, storage or disclosure constitutes a breach of these Terms & Conditions. Michael Hegeman reserves the right to terminate the lesson or consultation arrangement and to take any appropriate legal action, including seeking compensation or other remedies available under applicable law, subject to applicable law and mandatory consumer rights.
20. No Guarantee of Results
The purpose of a specialist consultation is to understand the problem in the context of the client’s playing and explore practical ways of addressing it.
The purpose of violin lessons is to support the student’s musical and technical development.
No specific result or outcome is guaranteed.
In some situations, a useful change or approach may lead to an improvement relatively quickly. In other situations, the client’s body and playing may need time to adapt to changes or adjustments identified as part of working on the problem.
The time required for such adaptation can vary considerably from one person and one problem to another. It may depend on the nature of the problem, how long the client has been experiencing it, the changes or adjustments involved, and how quickly the client’s body and playing adapt.
Discomfort, tension or pain may not disappear immediately when a contributing factor is changed or a useful approach is identified. In some situations, adaptation and improvement may take several weeks or longer.
The effectiveness of any suggestions may depend on the nature of the problem, the individual circumstances of the client, how recommendations are implemented, existing playing habits, practice and other factors outside Michael Hegeman’s control.
Violin lessons can support the development of playing habits, coordination and technique, but no guarantee is given that lessons will prevent physical problems or other difficulties.
21. Professional and Specialist Information
Guidance provided during specialist consultations is based on Michael Hegeman’s experience and specialist knowledge of violin and viola playing.
It does not replace appropriate healthcare assessment or treatment.
Professional violinists and violists remain responsible for deciding whether and how to incorporate recommendations into their professional playing.
22. Intellectual Property
The website and services contain original content and materials created or used by Michael Hegeman. This includes website text, explanations, methods, exercises, demonstrations, written materials, diagrams, terminology and other original materials relating to the services, unless otherwise stated.
Such original content and materials remain the intellectual property of Michael Hegeman unless otherwise stated or unless rights belong to another party.
The client or student may use materials provided during a consultation or lesson for their own personal learning and practice.
The client or student may not reproduce, publish, distribute, sell, license, teach, commercially exploit or otherwise make such original content or materials available to third parties without prior written permission, except where a limitation is imposed by mandatory law.
This provision is separate from and in addition to the prohibition on recording and reproducing consultations and lessons set out in Section 19.
23. Professional Conduct
Clients and students are expected to behave respectfully and appropriately during all communications, consultations and lessons.
Michael Hegeman may terminate a consultation, lesson or future service where there is abusive, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, disruptive or otherwise inappropriate conduct.
Serious misconduct or a material breach of these Terms & Conditions may result in termination of the service, subject to applicable law and any mandatory consumer rights.
24. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Michael Hegeman will not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential or other losses arising from a consultation, lesson or from the use of recommendations provided during a consultation or lesson.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by applicable law.
The client or student remains responsible for deciding whether and how to apply any recommendations.
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions affects statutory rights that cannot legally be excluded or limited.
25. Privacy and Personal Information
Personal information is handled in accordance with applicable data-protection and privacy law.
Personal information may be used for arranging appointments and lessons, processing payments, communicating with clients and students, providing consultations and lessons and maintaining appropriate business records.
A brief description of the physical problem provided through the enquiry form may contain information concerning the client’s health. Such information is handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection law.
Personal information will not be publicly disclosed except where permitted or required by law or with the client’s or student’s consent.
Further information is provided in the Privacy Policy.
26. Changes to These Terms and Future Prices
These Terms & Conditions may be updated when necessary to reflect changes to the website, services or applicable legal requirements.
The version applicable to a consultation or lesson agreement will normally be the version in force when the relevant agreement is concluded, subject to applicable legal requirements.
The current version is available on the website.
Future or new consultation arrangements and lesson arrangements may be offered at prices different from those currently stated on this website.
For an existing consultation or lesson arrangement, the applicable price is the price agreed when that arrangement was concluded, subject to any lawful price-change provision and applicable consumer law.
Where a price change to an ongoing consumer arrangement is permitted by applicable law and the agreed terms, the client or student will be informed in advance of the new price and the date on which it will apply.
Nothing in this section gives Michael Hegeman an unrestricted right to increase prices during an existing arrangement.
27. Acceptance
By submitting an enquiry through the website, the prospective client or student confirms that they have had an opportunity to read these Terms & Conditions.
The acknowledgement made when submitting an enquiry does not itself create a consultation or lesson agreement and does not constitute confirmation of an appointment.
A consultation agreement is formed only when Michael Hegeman has agreed the appointment with the client and the required consultation fee has been received, as described in Section 4.
A violin lesson agreement is formed only when the lesson arrangement and applicable terms have been agreed and the required payment has been received, as described in Section 4.
Where the client or student is a consumer entering into a distance contract and a statutory right of withdrawal applies, the consumer’s statutory rights under applicable consumer law remain unaffected.
Where a client or student requests that a service begin before the end of an applicable statutory withdrawal period, the client or student must provide any express request and acknowledgement required by applicable law before the service begins.
By entering into a consultation agreement, the client also acknowledges the provisions of these Terms & Conditions concerning:
- the nature and scope of the consultation;
- appointments and formation of the consultation agreement;
- consultation fees;
- payment;
- statutory withdrawal rights;
- cancellation and rescheduling;
- online and in-person consultations;
- client responsibilities;
- minors;
- confidentiality;
- recording, reproduction and publication;
- the absence of any guarantee of results;
- professional and specialist information;
- intellectual property;
- professional conduct;
- limitation of liability;
- privacy and personal information; and
- governing law and jurisdiction.
By entering into a violin lesson agreement, the student or, where applicable, the parent or legal guardian also acknowledges the provisions of these Terms & Conditions concerning:
- the nature and scope of the lessons;
- lesson fees and payment;
- the trial lesson where applicable;
- statutory withdrawal rights;
- cancellation and rescheduling;
- termination and the three-strike rule;
- online and in-person lessons;
- student responsibilities;
- minors;
- confidentiality;
- recording, reproduction and publication;
- intellectual property;
- professional conduct;
- limitation of liability; and
- privacy and personal information.
These Terms & Conditions apply subject to any mandatory rights provided to the client or student by applicable law.
28. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Netherlands.
Any dispute concerning these Terms & Conditions, a consultation or a lesson will be submitted to the competent courts of the Netherlands, subject to any mandatory rules concerning jurisdiction and any mandatory consumer rights.
29. Contact and Complaints
Questions or complaints concerning these Terms & Conditions, a consultation or a lesson should first be raised with Michael Hegeman, preferably by email.
A complaint should contain enough information to allow Michael Hegeman to understand the issue and respond appropriately.
Michael Hegeman will aim to respond within a reasonable period and will consider the complaint fairly and in accordance with the applicable agreement and law.
Making a complaint does not remove or restrict any statutory rights available to the client or student.
Michael Hegeman
Specialist Violin and Viola Consultation Services and Private Violin Lessons
Ede, The Netherlands
info[at]michaelhegeman.com
michaelhegeman.com