Sunday, March 15, 2020 by Averil Spence-Clarke | Uncategorized

To All ASC Music Students & Parents:

There is a quote which says “May one live in interesting times”.  Like it or not, we are living in interesting times.  Today it is a time of uncertainty with the advent of COVID 19 and its surrounding challenges.  Unprecedented is the closure of schools across the board and its subsequent ramifications.  Balancing work/life/safety issues has had to become the focus for everyone. 

I know that I have had many enquiries from parents and students about lessons in studio, safety, especially with air vectored instruments such as the flute and just basic safety for every person that passes through the studio.  I have been giving the subject a lot of thought as to how best to proceed in order to keep everyone safe and still deliver an uninterrupted schedule of lessons towards planned outcomes.

I have decided to follow a two pronged approach until further modifications have to take place.  For those who are currently reasonably comfortable, in-studio lessons will still be offered with changes to how a lesson will be conducted.  If not wanting/willing to have in-person lesson, then I am able to offer on-line lessons (details below).  I will continue to monitor changes to the status/impacts of the virus and modify lesson delivery as needed.

In-Studio Lessons beginning Tuesday, March 17 ^th :

• On entry, each student will be asked to wash their hands for at minimum of 20 seconds (sing Happy Birthday or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to ensure that you have washed long enough) before coming into the studio area
• I will be sanitizing the keyboard between students; please make sure to remind students to wait until I have done so before getting seated at the keyboard
• Each student will be requested to bring their own pencils, binders, music etc. to minimize the amount of shared material contact
• If a student has a cough/sniffles/or other sign of a cold, please make sure to keep them at home.  No problems with cancelling on short notice (better to be safe).
• If there are any other precautions that you would like to see instituted, please notify me at your earliest convenience.

On-Line Lessons beginning Tuesday, March 17 ^th :

• The vehicle that I use for On-line lessons is Skype.  In order to access an on-line lesson, you will have to have a Skype account. If you have an account and would like to book on-line lessons, all you need to do is forward your Skye username to me. If you do not have an account, then you would need to download Skype, create a username and then forward that username to me.
• You will also need a device (computer, laptop or other device) that can be close to the keyboard or to the standing flute player with video/audio capabilities.
• Once you have determined that you would like on-line lessons and have sent me the information, then I will forward detailed instructions as to how the lesson will be conducted using the on-line method.

Working towards safety while retaining forward momentum is the current goal!  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Mrs. A.