SOUND ALCHEMIST COMMUNITY AGREEMENT

Last updated: April 3, 2025

Welcome to our community of craftspeople bringing the Violoncello da Spalla back to life. This agreement helps us maintain the integrity and spirit of our shared journey.

The Spirit of Our Collaboration

The Violoncello da Spalla isn't just experiencing a renaissance—it's being transformed by people like you. As we share this knowledge that took 20+ years to develop, we're creating a framework that honors both your creative freedom and the expertise that makes these courses valuable.

Article 1: Our Community

The Sound Alchemists community welcomes instrument makers from around the world. This agreement applies to all courses, workshops, and resources offered through The Sound Alchemists. By joining us, you become part of a tribe dedicated to bringing extraordinary instruments to musicians and audiences worldwide.

Article 1a: Age and Experience

Our community is designed for those with sufficient maturity to appreciate the craft. Participants should be at least 16 years old for digital courses and 18 years old for personalized training, coaching, and workshops. This isn't about restriction—it's about ensuring everyone can fully engage with and benefit from the sophisticated acoustic principles we explore together.

Article 2: Joining Our Tribe

When you enroll in any Sound Alchemists offering, you're not just purchasing access—you're joining a movement of like-minded craftspeople. Your enrollment signifies understanding and acceptance of this community agreement as we embark on this journey together.

Article 3: Investment Values

Our course prices reflect decades of research, development, and refinement. All prices are listed in euros including applicable taxes. While prices may change over time as we enhance our offerings, your investment is always locked in at the rate published when you join.

Article 4: Secure Transactions

Your security matters. Payment processing happens through trusted partners with bank-level encryption. This allows us to focus on what we do best—guiding your transformation into a Sound Alchemist—while ensuring your financial information remains protected.

Article 5: Your Learning Journey

5.1 Your Transformation Timeline

• Foundations Package: A monthly guide to begin your journey

• Spalla Alchemist's Path: A full year of exploration and growth

• Spalla Alchemist's Inner Circle: A year of personalized mentorship and mastery

5.2 Your Personal Portal

Your access credentials are your key to the exclusive knowledge shared within our community. These credentials are for your personal transformation only and may not be shared with anyone else under any circumstances. Sharing your access credentials constitutes a serious breach of this agreement and will result in:

• Immediate termination of your access without refund

• Potential legal action for intellectual property infringement

• Forfeiture of any certificates or credentials earned

This strict protection ensures the value of your investment and maintains the integrity of our community of committed craftspeople.

5.3 Being Known

To fully welcome you into our community, we need to know who you are. Please provide your actual name, location, and reliable contact information so we can support your journey effectively. Providing false information may result in termination of access without refund.

Article 6: Knowledge Sharing Principles

Article 6: Knowledge Sharing Principles (Revised) 6.1 The Source of Wisdom

The measurements, techniques, and insights shared in our courses represent decades of research and refinement. They embody countless hours at the workbench, performances on international stages, and collaboration with the world's leading musicians. This knowledge is shared with you as a valuable trust to empower your craftsmanship.

6.2 Creating vs. Distributing

As a Sound Alchemist, you're empowered to:

• Use everything you learn to craft individual instruments through your personal craftsmanship

• Apply these principles to create unique expressions of your artistry

• Develop your reputation as a skilled Violoncello da Spalla maker

To protect the value of this knowledge for everyone in our community:

• Please use these designs for your personal instrument making, not for mass production

• The course materials (videos, documents, templates) are for your personal learning and not for redistribution

• These designs are meant for your hands, not for factory outsourcing

6.3 Identity and Attribution (Revised)

For Foundations Package and Spalla Alchemist's Path members:

• You may proudly state: built using measurements and techniques learned through the Sound Alchemists program

• This designation is created to help you make as many great violoncellos da spalla as possible and sell as many as possible, build your brand as a luthier, hopefully becoming our next big success story.

Important distinction:

• We ask that you not claim to be using the "Badiarov model" or to have been trained personally by Dmitry Badiarov, if you haven't been and haven't actually received my model. Unfortunately, in the past few years I noticed many luthiers falsely claim this in order to sell their instruments, even if we have never met, I don't know who they are, they certainly were not trained by me in any form or shape, and even if they may have been learning from my YouTube or Facebook videos, they cannot be considered truthful. These distinctions are reserved for Inner Circle members who have received direct training and the actual model.

For Inner Circle members:

• You may state you were trained by Dmitry Badiarov

• You may describe your instruments as following the "Badiarov model" or "Badiarov design"

• Please include "Crafted by [Your Name]" alongside any Badiarov references to highlight your craftsmanship

• This enhanced attribution is designed to maximize your marketing potential and instrument sales.

Article 6.4 Protected Identity (Revised)

The terms "Badiarov Violins," "Sound Alchemists," "Spalla Alchemists," "Old Masters T.O.N.E.S. Technique," and "Dmitry Badiarov" are registered or unregistered trademarks. No right to use these marks in commercial activities is granted without explicit written permission.

Unauthorized use constitutes trademark infringement subject to possible legal action. Unfortunately, in the past 20 years we have seen it all. Including luthiers using pictures of my work to sell their own instruments that do not look and do not sound anywhere as good.

To protect both our reputation and your investment in authentic training:

• Never use images of Badiarov instruments to promote your own work

• Ensure any references to our methods are accurate and authorized

• Respect the distinctions between different membership tiers as outlined in section 6.3

This protection maintains the integrity of our community and ensures that musicians and collectors can trust the authenticity of instruments claiming connection to our methods.

Any violation of these intellectual property provisions will result in immediate termination of access without refund and may be subject to legal action for damages.

6.5 Sharing Your Transformation

Your success stories inspire others while respecting intellectual property:

• You may share photos of YOUR completed instruments (not the design templates)

• You may discuss general concepts learned (not specific measurements)

• You may share your personal experience and results

• You grant Sound Alchemists permission to feature your success stories and instrument photos in our materials.

Article 7: Our Mutual Commitment (Revised)

7.1 Investment Protection Policy

Our Inner Circle tier delivers proprietary designs, measurements, and materials immediately upon enrollment. Because you receive this valuable intellectual property from day one, we cannot offer refunds for Inner Circle purchases.

For Foundations Package and Spalla Alchemist's Path tiers, you may cancel your subscription at any time to prevent future charges. While we don't offer refunds for past payments, we're committed to ensuring your experience meets your expectations.

7.2 Your Path to Success

By joining any Sound Alchemists program, you're embarking on a journey of craftsmanship excellence. We recommend:

• Reviewing all course descriptions to find your perfect fit

• Assessing your own experience level and readiness

• Understanding the craftsmanship experience required for implementation

• Reaching out to us with questions before enrolling if you're uncertain

7.3 Our Commitment to You

In return for your commitment, we promise:

• To provide the exact measurements and techniques described in our materials

• To maintain the quality and integrity of our community

• To honor the feedback and support channels specified for your membership tier

• To treat you as a valued colleague in our mission to bring these extraordinary instruments to life

This mutual commitment ensures our community consists of dedicated craftspeople who value this rare knowledge and are serious about their transformation into Sound Alchemists.

Article 7.4 Limited Refund Policy

For Foundations and Path Packages: In the unlikely event you are not satisfied with the quality of information or professional advice given, you may claim a refund for the Foundations and Path packages up to 7 days after purchase. Simply contact us at tribe@thesoundalchemists.com with your feedback and refund request.

For Inner Circle Tier: Our Inner Circle tier delivers proprietary designs, measurements, and materials immediately upon enrollment. Because you receive this valuable intellectual property from day one, we cannot offer refunds for Inner Circle purchases. This premium tier is designed for seriously committed luthiers who are ready to implement these professional-grade designs.

Article 8: Understanding Our Shared Path (Revised)

8.1 The Nature of Craftsmanship

Every craftsperson's journey is unique. We provide precise measurements and techniques that have proven successful for world-class performers, while honoring that your implementation will always carry your personal signature and artistry.

8.2 The Possibility of Excellence

The transformations shared by our community members—like €80,442 in new orders or waiting lists of eager musicians—represent what's possible when these principles meet dedicated craftsmanship. Your journey will be uniquely yours, with its own remarkable achievements.

8.3 Focusing on Creation

Our collective energy is best spent creating extraordinary instruments, not on disputes. Our liability is limited to the amount you invested in the course—allowing us all to focus on what matters: bringing remarkable instruments to life.

8.4 Workshop Wisdom

Instrument making involves inherent risks that are part of our craft. Each Sound Alchemist assumes responsibility for safely implementing the techniques taught, just as you would in any workshop environment.

8.5 The Power of Engagement

Your transformation comes through active engagement with the materials and community. The course provides the blueprint—your implementation brings it to life. Each membership tier includes specific feedback channels designed to support your level of commitment.

Article 9: Your Personal Information

9.1 What We Gather

To support your journey, we collect necessary information including your name, contact details, and course interactions. This information remains within our community.

9.2 How We Use It

Your information helps us deliver your course materials, provide appropriate support, and share relevant insights that enhance your learning experience.

9.3 How Long We Keep It

We maintain your information while you're an active community member and as required by relevant regulations.

9.4 Your Control

You can access, correct, or remove your personal information by contacting tribe@thesoundalchemists.com.

9.5 Staying Connected

Our emails contain valuable insights for your journey. You can adjust your communication preferences at any time through the unsubscribe link in our messages.

Article 10: Navigating Together

10.1 The Sound Alchemist's Way

In the rare event of disagreement, we approach resolution the same way we approach instrument making—with patience, mutual respect, and a focus on harmony. Direct communication typically resolves any concerns that may arise.

10.2 Formal Framework

Our agreement is governed by Dutch law, with disputes ultimately subject to the courts of The Netherlands should informal resolution prove impossible.

Article 11: Sharing Our Message

The Spalla Alchemists' Partner Program allows members to introduce others to our community while being recognized for their contribution. Partners receive commissions for completed enrollments according to the specific terms of their partnership agreement.

Article 12: Finding Us

The Sound Alchemists is a part of Badiarov Violins
Jan Van Beersstraat, 137 The Hague, 2523JT Netherlands VAT number: NL002479806B64 Company number: 60588403 Contact: makeithappen at badiarovviolins.com

Article 13: Final Provisions

13.1 Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for failures or delays in performance caused by circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, governmental restrictions, power failures, or internet disruptions. In such events, both parties will make reasonable efforts to adapt and continue our shared journey when circumstances permit.

13.2 Severability

If any provision of this agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full effect. The invalid provision shall be replaced with a valid provision that most closely matches the intent of the original.

13.3 Modifications

The Sound Alchemists may update these terms from time to time. We will notify you of any changes via the email address you provided during enrollment. Your continued use of our services after such notification constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

Sound isn't just something you hear—it's something you become. Welcome to the journey.