Preface

Lessons in Tsugaru Shamisen are more than just learning an instrument - they are also an encounter with a living Japanese musical tradition. OpenRyū furthermore combines musical technique with cultural background and personal development.

A personal, respectful, and inspiring learning atmosphere is very important to me. The following guidelines are intended to ensure that lessons are reliable and pleasant for everyone involved.

Mutual Appreciation

The basic requirement for enjoyable lessons is mutual appreciation. This includes respectful behavior, a neat appearance, punctuality, and regular practice.

Trial Lesson

The trial lesson offers an affordable opportunity to get to know my teaching. It is non-binding, meaning no further obligations arise from it.

A maximum of one trial lesson is granted per person.

The fee must be paid at the beginning of the lesson.

Single Lesson

The lesson fee must be paid at the beginning of the session.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are personal and non-transferrable.

• 5-lesson packages are valid for 6 months
• 10-lesson packages are valid for 12 months

Unused lessons expire after the validity period.

It is the responsibility of the subscription holder to seek and visit lesson appointments. For this, the teacher guarantees at least 1 lesson per month to be available.

Group Lesson

Group lessons take place with the planned number of participants. If some participants are absent, the session may - subject to a corresponding price adjustment - be converted into:

• a group lesson with the adjusted number of participants, or
• a single lesson

This must be communicated and decided within the same timeframe as absence notifications (see “Cancellation Policy”).

Group Practice Sessions

Group practice sessions can only take place with sufficient registrations and subject to the teacher’s availability. There is no guarantee that they will be held.

Registration is required at least 2 weeks in advance. Any cancellations must be made at least 48 hours beforehand.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, the lesson will be charged (trial, single, and group lessons) or deducted from the subscription, as the time is reserved exclusively for participants.

If a participant arrives more than 10 minutes late after the lesson has started, the lesson cannot be conducted and will be charged accordingly.

If the teacher is unable to attend, an alternative date will be offered.

Lesson Times

Lesson times are arranged individually but are generally available on weekday evenings and Saturdays.

Location

Lessons take place at the premises of the Integrale Tagesschule Winterthur (ITW), located at Nelkenstrasse 1, 8400 Winterthur.

Instruments, Sheet Music, and Learning Materials

The purchase or rental of an instrument, as well as the acquisition of required sheet music, is the responsibility of the participants. Participants are also expected to take their own notes during lessons. In general, there is no entitlement to additional learning materials outside of lessons.

Learning materials provided by the teacher or recordings made during lessons may not be published or shared without the teacher’s consent. If permission is granted in exceptional cases, it applies only to that specific instance.