Terms of Service

Welcome to thecello.online ("Website"), owned and operated by The Cello Online / Clay McKinney ("we," "our," or "us").

By accessing or using this Website, purchasing products, booking lessons, or using any of our educational materials, you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree, please do not use the Website.

1. Educational Purpose

The Cello Online provides educational resources for learning the cello, including but not limited to:

  • Digital downloads

  • Practice guides

  • Studio Editions

  • Checklists

  • Video lessons

  • Online courses

  • One-on-one instruction

  • Video feedback services

  • Blog articles

  • Free educational content

All materials are intended for educational purposes only.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old, or have the permission of a parent or legal guardian, to purchase products or services from this Website.

3. Digital Products

Many products sold through the Website are digital downloads.

After purchase, you receive a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the materials for your own personal educational use.

You may not:

  • redistribute products

  • upload them to file-sharing websites

  • sell or resell them

  • give copies to others

  • modify and distribute them as your own

  • reproduce significant portions for commercial use

Ownership of all intellectual property remains with The Cello Online.

4. Online Lessons

Lesson purchases reserve instructional time with Clay McKinney.

Students are responsible for:

  • arriving on time

  • having a working internet connection

  • providing any required recordings before video feedback lessons

  • preparing materials before lessons

If technical issues on the student's end prevent the lesson from taking place, we cannot guarantee additional lesson time.

5. Video Feedback Services

Students purchasing video feedback services agree to submit recordings that they own or have permission to share.

Feedback is educational in nature and represents the instructor's professional opinion based on the submitted performance.

6. Scheduling and Cancellations

Lesson scheduling, cancellations, and rescheduling policies are described during the booking process.

Missed lessons or late cancellations may not be eligible for refunds or rescheduling unless otherwise stated.

7. Refund Policy

(See Refund Policy Page for Full Details)

Digital Products

Due to the nature of downloadable digital products, all sales are generally final once access has been provided.

If you experience technical problems accessing your purchase, or have purchased by mistake, please contact us and we will make reasonable efforts to resolve the issue.

Lessons

Refunds for lessons are subject to the cancellation policy in effect at the time of booking.

8. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, all content on this Website—including but not limited to:

  • videos

  • text

  • graphics

  • practice guides

  • downloadable materials

  • lesson content

  • photographs

  • logos

  • branding

  • course materials

is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

No portion may be copied, reproduced, distributed, or commercially exploited without prior written permission.

9. User Conduct

You agree not to:

  • violate any laws while using the Website

  • interfere with Website security

  • attempt unauthorized access

  • upload malicious software

  • use Website content for unlawful purposes

  • impersonate another person

10. User Submissions

If you submit comments, recordings, questions, testimonials, or other materials, you grant The Cello Online a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use those submissions for educational, promotional, or marketing purposes unless you specifically request otherwise in writing.

Private lesson recordings will never be publicly shared without your permission.

11. No Guarantee of Results

Learning an instrument requires consistent practice and individual effort.

While we strive to provide high-quality instruction and educational resources, we cannot guarantee specific musical results, examination outcomes, audition success, competition results, or performance achievements.

12. Disclaimer

All educational materials are provided "as is."

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we make no warranties regarding:

  • completeness

  • accuracy

  • suitability

  • fitness for a particular purpose

  • uninterrupted availability

13. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Cello Online, Clay McKinney, employees, contractors, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from the use of the Website, products, lessons, or educational materials.

Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount paid for the specific product or service giving rise to the claim.

14. External Links

The Website may contain links to third-party websites, including YouTube and other educational resources.

We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or policies of those third-party websites.

15. Privacy

Your use of the Website is also governed by our Privacy Policy.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time.

Changes become effective when posted on this page.

Continued use of the Website constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

17. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Missouri, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved in the appropriate state or federal courts located in Missouri.

18. Contact

Questions regarding these Terms may be directed to:

The Cello Online

P.O. Box 4312

St. Louis, Missouri 63006

Website: https://www.thecello.online