Wednesday, August 5, 2020 by Averil Spence-Clarke | Uncategorized

To ASC Music Students & Parents:

Hello Everyone!!  It has been a while since I have seen you all.  I miss the smiles & hugs, stories & jokes.   My “Fist of Doom” has not had a workout in a long time and my "Treasure Box" is lost in the gloom of my basement!!  Unfortunately, this situation does not seem to be moving to a “less restrictive” perspective as yet. So, we have no choice but to continue in this mode for a while.

I have been following the news in regards to schools and their plans for the 2020-2021 year.  From what I can ascertain, no true consensus has been reached.  For myself, I have to continue to self isolate for the foreseeable future.  It is nearly impossible to sanitize instruments or the teaching environment and I would not want to create any risks for students and their families.  

For those who chose to move forward with virtual lessons in the spring, IT WORKED & CONTINUES TO WORK surprisingly well.  I was probably the most skeptical because technology and I are not even distant friends.   But other than “weather related” challenges, students have made excellent progress and I know that parents enjoy the ease of access with no interruptions for driving etc. J.  For those who have not tried it, I hope you have continued to practice and are moving forward at your own pace.  Do call if you would like any support or assistance in any way!

CONGRATULATIONS to   Divya, Kallie,  Mauli, Rishi & Sai  on successfully completing their exams and graduating to the next level of studies.

Wishing Much Success to  Andreas & Dhara  as they prepare to take their RCM "official" Level 8 Exam on August 15th.

So…….. as we approach mid-summer and are starting to think ahead to fall and the upcoming year,

Lessons will continue to be offered “virtually”.

SUMMER, FALL, WINTER SCHEDULE:

August:  Lessons continue on Mondays & Thursdays until, Monday August 17  ^th (last day of lessons for this semester).

Teacher Vacation:  August 18 ^th  – September 7th

September:  Lessons restart September 8 ^th  on Tuesdays & Thursdays  

Lesson times will be available for booking as of August 18 ^th .  In the eventuality that neither day works for your child(ren), please contact me for alternatives.

The Studio will be closed for the following Holidays: 

 Oct 12 ^th (Thanksgiving);  December 21 – January 4, 2021 (Christmas Holidays);  February 15,   2021 (Family Day); March 15 – 19, 2021 (March Break);   April 2 – 5, 2021 (Easter);   May 24 ^th , 2021 (Victoria Day)  

As we move forward and become accustomed to the “new norms”, 

please remember to take care and stay safe whatever you do.

Cheers

Mrs. A.

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” — Aristotle

Friday, June 26, 2020 by Averil Spence-Clarke | Uncategorized

Dear ASC Music Students & Parents:

It has been a while since we have been in touch.  I apologize for being MIA but it has been a challenge for me to keep my mother safe (she is doing very well!!), work with Christopher to enable his next steps (yes, he will definitely be heading to England in August ☺),    update myself on new technology (all of you know that I am the worst at this aspect ), and make the everyday changes needed to accommodate self isolation.  A huge  “Thank You” to all the parents/friends who have supported me and for your many acts of kindness and generosity.  It is truly appreciated!!

I am writing this letter in the hopes that I can help you understand where I am, as your music teacher as we continue to social distance, and where I hope we can meet.

There are no adjectives I can use to describe to you how awful, how painful, how unnatural this “distance learning” is for me, as much as I assume it is for you. I have no shame in sharing with you that I have had tears in my eyes on more than one evening since the studio closed simply because I miss seeing you at your lessons each and every day.

I became a teacher for many reasons, but mostly because I enjoy our interactions that help me teach you the knowledge you will need to become the best musician and person you can be, and in which you teach me to become a better instructor.

For those who accepted the invitations to distance learn, it has presented many challenges for all of us and for your families. The process of logging in to a device to access a lesson, submitting your work via a similar process & waiting for updates instead of immediate feedback can sometimes be frustrating. But please know that I am working to provide you with continued learning opportunities. I can only hope you will attempt to access and complete these in the best way you can.

I want you to know that I have been, and will continue, doing the absolute best I can to provide you with a meaningful music education from afar.  I miss you all terribly. Every teaching day is a challenge for me, much as it is for you.  So let’s continue to tackle this challenge together — I’ll keep posting lesson notes and assignments, and you do your best to complete them.   I’ll be available; however I can be virtually, to assist you.

As we move into Stage 2 for our city, for many of you, life will slowly start returning to more normal schedules.  Unfortunately, I am unable to move that quickly due to the limitations of providing acceptable health care for my Mom.  It will be a while before I can “safely” open the studio and I face similar challenges to those faced by schools – how to keep our students safe while continuing to provide the best lesson experience.  I don’t have a clear view at the moment but will keep you updated as we move to the next stages.  

Please remember: this is temporary. We will see each other in studio, as student and teacher, again. We don’t stop learning because we have stopped physically meeting for lessons. We only have our method of  interactions changed. And that is something we are better equipped to deal with as we move forward each and every day.

I will be posting a summer schedule shortly.  If you are not currently taking lessons, I would love to hear from you just to see how you are doing! ☺  I am hoping that by the end of July into early August, I will have a clearer idea of “the methodology or the how” we will operate for the fall semester.  If you have any suggestions or ideas, I would love to hear them.  All ideas gratefully received.  

We will be together in studio again. Keep up with your learning. Do your very best and I promise I will do my very best.  Once it is safe to do so again, you can expect an enthusiastic and congratulatory high-five from me!!

Sincerely, Mrs. A. 

Sunday, May 10, 2020 by Averil Spence-Clarke | Uncategorized

Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day!!

Vincent van Gogh once said, “great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” Along those same lines, Robert Collier noted that “success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

Mothers are past masters of the everyday “small efforts” that add up to the sum of who we are, who we become and what we share with those around us.  They do this unstintingly oftentimes with little regard for their own needs.  They do it with a smile, a laugh, sometimes with a yodel and a swat, but always with love in their hearts.

May we always celebrate them, each and every day, and especially TODAY amidst such a global crisis.  They are our true “heroes”.

Wishing you great enjoyment of your day with family & friends, together or virtually!

With Lots of Love,

Mrs. A.