Fall 2020 Update and Registration
August 31, 2020
Hello, everyone! It is time for an update on all things happening at the studio for this 20-21 school year. There have been some interesting changes; as if we haven’t had enough of those this year. LOL.
First, since I have not been able to hold in person, indoor, lessons since early March, and I don’t have a clear picture on when that will be feasible and comfortable for the majority of my students and myself, I made the difficult decision to not renew my lease for my studio in downtown Sandy. I still feel twinges of sadness about that decision, but not so much about the building, but all of the amazing memories and relationships that have been built in that quirky little space. I just loved it. However, from a business standpoint, it makes no sense to pay for a space that I cannot use and don’t know when I’ll be able to use any time soon.
So, because we have transitioned to a strictly online format for now, it won’t matter where you are! As long as you have great internet and wifi, we can continue lessons together.
The other thing that makes me sad is that we were unable to have our spring recital- the first time in 31 years. Everyone worked so hard and it’s like the big game getting cancelled. My plan for this school year is to host a Zoom recital if it is still unsafe to have larger gatherings. I know that it’s not ideal, but if we all work together on this one, it will give our students an opportunity to shine and us the opportunity to cheer them on.
Here are as many details as I have right now for Fall Session and the rest of the school year. Keeping in mind that this is just my best guess for what comes after Fall, here is the lineup:
Fall Session:
The week of October 5th through the week of December 6th.
December 6th will be recital in some form.
The week of November 23-27 is Thanksgiving Break- No lessons
I will be booking for Tuesdays and Wednesdays to get started and will possibly open up others if those days fill up.
Weekly 1/2 hour lessons will be $240 for the 8 week session.
Weekly 1 hour lessons will be $480 for the 8 week session.
Students will be responsible for purchasing or ordering their own instructional books. I will give the info on the method books we are using. I supply project songs.
To begin with, I will be booking appointments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I will add more days if the schedule fills up.
Private lessons will run from 1pm with the last student starting at 4:30pm.
Returning students need to register with tuition paid in full by September 11.
New students can begin registering on September 12th and will need to schedule a Zoom meet and greet with me before locking in their weekly appointment time.
Tentative Dates:
Winter Session 2021: 10 weeks
January 11 through March 19
Spring Session 2021: 10 weeks
March 29 through June 6
I can’t wait to jump back in and help my students with their musical goals. I have missed you all so much! Contact me to claim your weekly spot.
Best Wishes,
Lisa Page
503-708-3401
lisapagemusicstudio@gmail.com
VIDEO CONFERENCING SETUP:
1. Internet Connection. You need a stable internet. Also, please make sure that you close all extra browser windows and programs running in the background that could potentially slow things down.
2. MAKE SURE YOUR DEVICE IS FULLY CHARGED OR PLUGGED IN!
3. Lighting. Please have your space well lit so that image quality is the best we can get it. There should be some sort of light source between you and your camera. You can pick up a usb ring light for very inexpensive from Amazon. I have found that they make a huge difference!
4. Background noise. This is SUPER IMPORTANT. When you are in your own home, it’s easy to forget that it’s lesson time for the rest of your house. Please make arrangements to have quiet in your space during your lesson so that you will be able to concentrate on teaching time and I will be able to hear you accurately.
5. You will receive an email from me with the link you will use to be admitted to your lesson. I am using the Zoom platform so that no matter what device you are using, you will be able to access the lesson.
6. Home printer. During this time, it will be important to have access to a printer because I will be sending sheet music, chord charts, handouts, etc via email to students.
7. For piano students. Please set your device on something stable near your left hand when you are playing. That is where I normally sit during our in person lessons and this gives me the best view. Please position your device so that the camera can see your hands, the keys and a profile shot of your face. That allows me to not only observe your playing technique, it also helps me check on how well you are reading and following your music.
8. For all young or beginning students. Having an adult on hand will be very helpful. When I have a young student with me, I am able to serve as a “pointer” and help their eyes track their reading of the music notes. Much like we all were when we were learning to read, we would use our own fingers to point to the words we were trying to sound out, I help the students’ eyes do that as they are learning to read all over again and their own fingers are busy playing notes and holding position. This is really the only thing that I can’t help with when we are doing lessons via the internet, so this is pretty important.
9. For vocal students. You will need TWO devices. You will need the first device for the actual video conference and you will also need a secondary device that will play the accompaniment or karaoke tracks to your projects and exercises that we are using. You do not need to have a microphone but are welcome to use them if your own space is set up for that. When positioning your device for video, please position so that I can see you from the waist up when you are standing. I would like to be able to monitor your breathing and posture as well as see your sweet faces as you stand and sing.
10. For flute and ukulele students. Please ensure that I can see your face and your whole instrument as you play.
11. Being prepared for video conference. Before each lesson begins, a student should have:
• books and binder
• lesson sheet with homework assignment from the previous lesson pulled for reference
• pencil
• highlighter
