Hooray and congratulations!!! As the uninitiated may imagine, bodily proximity has historically been a pretty key facet of any music instruction. As the novel coronavirus descended upon us, unceremoniously banning the most basic element of ‘the music lesson’, the hopes and dreams of music students and teachers alike cried out as one.
Rather than admit defeat we’ve risen to the challenge, slogged through endless search bar rabbit holes, and have found the means to make it happen.
With that in mind, our musical growth this year has been amazing! Early in the year some of us had our first experience going through the process of the ABRSM piano exams, returning with merit and distinction for our troubles (pictured here on our Instagram feed). We had a fabulous first round of monthly group classes. We played music games, sang through intervals, learned about key signatures, chords, efficient practice strategies, leaving time for good food and hanging out at the end.
On a professional note, I’ve recently been elected the 2020/2021 Board Secretary for the Seattle Music Teachers Association (SMTA). In addition to that I’ve accepted the role of ‘Studio Tech Chair’ for the WSMTA Education Board. Within the SMTA I’ve been facilitating a seminar on the tech and technique of online lessons, which has been an opportunity to land somewhere between collaborator and commiserator with a bunch of talented teachers. All of this is exciting, albeit a challenge, at least offering good cause to write some articles while exploring the different technology options that abound.
Thank you so much to my students, you’re all the best and I can’t wait to get back to it come August. Take care, be kind, and we’ll meet again some summer day.