Since I last posted, things are just a little different. Vaccines have rolled out in Alaska, and at this writing everyone age 16 and above can get the Covid-19 vaccination. Alaska has done very well in making the vaccine available!
More people vaccinated means lessons in the studio, as opposed to lessons online, also become closer. Not yet, but I can see the light at end of the tunnel! I can't say exactly when I will reopen the studio, but it's definitely something to look forward to.
Why not now? Well, there aren't enough people vaccinated yet. If I start giving lessons now, I will have to deep clean the studio in between every half hour lesson. Obviously that is an impossible task. When everyone who comes in is vaccinated (or as close to that as we can get), then I can reopen.
Will I stop giving online lessons? No way! I've been doing distance lessons for at least a decade. There are places in Alaska, and in the world, where distance lessons are the only lessons possible. So if that's more convenient for you, worry not. Distance lessons will always be available.
Recital!
Usually we have a fun recital in May, and in December. I have forgone doing recitals because of the obvious problems of gathering people together. However, I'm thinking that I will set up a Virtual Recital for the end of May that we can do on Google Meet. Students want and need to see what other students are doing, plus it feels great to show off! True, we will miss the potluck and fun visiting portion that follows the music program, but I'll see what I can do to make the recital fun for everyone. I'm not setting a date yet but I'll send out emails and post updates here and on Facebook. It's a step toward getting back to the normal!
So far, so good. Are things going to be exactly like they were before this pandemic? Probably not, but I think some of the changes we have made are for the better.
You may remember that long before the pandemic I asked people to wash their hands, or use the hand sanitizer on the desk before coming in for a lesson. Because if Miss Jean gets sick, then nobody gets a lesson! Fast forwarding to today, and that doesn't seem odd at all, does it?