"The true beauty of music is that it connects people."
– Roy Ayers

November 23, 2020

Dear Students and Parents of Students,

Can you believe it is Thanksgiving week?! It is definitely going to be a different season this year, but there is so much that we can still accomplish and so much music that we can still enjoy!

If you are interested in contributing, I am offering scholarship aid for dedicated students who are having difficulty continuing in lessons due to the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Contact me for more information if you're able to donate!

- Aubrey

Winter Lesson Procedures:

Since the Coronavirus developments in Chicago are constantly changing, I'm going to be closely monitoring what the Mayor and Governor advise and following their guidelines.

For now, all lessons are ONLINE.
I use Skype, Facetime or Zoom for lessons. Each family has a different preference and let's use what works best! Please make sure you're near your router, there is no other streaming happening at the same time, and if possible, that you're plugged into the ethernet! (This is not possible with Facetime.)
Please make sure you have all necessary materials ready, that your ipad or computer is placed far enough away from the piano that there is no feedback, that your surrounding environment is as quiet as possible, and that I can see both the student and the parent (if applicable) on screen!
Group Classes will continue on Marco Polo weekly, with an online check-in once a month. Don't miss those--they're fun!

If you plan on leaving Chicago during this time with a keyboard, please remember your accessories so that lessons can continue easily!

RECENT PICTURES

Congratulations to Amy and Viviene on graduating from Suzuki Piano Book 1!
Also, Halloween was a blast this year--here are some amazing characters playing the piano!

(Click through for performances from Amy, Viviene, and Anthony!)

IMPORTANT ITEMS OF NOTE

Our Annual Winter Studio Recital is December 11th at 6:30pm. Videos are due by the 1st of December. Details about streaming or our Zoom meeting are forthcoming. Please make this a special occasion by having a tasty snack of some sort while watching! I think my tasty treat is going to be a margarita. ;)

I will be subscribing to the acapella app through the winter quarter, so if you're interested in doing some distance-ensemble work, let me know so we can make it happen!

We're planning a movie-music recital for early March. Music from the movies should be a fun winter project!

You will get a separate email with the group class schedule for the winter quarter. The Twinklers have been working on beat, rhythm and melody! The Book 1 kids are learning how to read music! And the Book 2 kids are mastering the Baroque period!

Stay tuned for a couple of Book 1 recitals coming up!

And lastly, do you have any items to donate? Adjustable benches, Suzuki Piano CDs, parenting/pedagogical books, etc? Let me know and I'll get them passed on to someone who needs them!

Upcoming Dates
(see website for regularly updated information)

Nov 24       Lessons By Appointment Only
Nov 25       Thanksgiving Break (Lessons Resume December 1)
Dec 1 Recital Videos Due
Dec 11       Winter Studio Recital, 6:30pm, Online!
Dec 15       Sonata/Sonatina Fest Registration
Dec 21/22   Lessons by Appointment Only
Dec 23       Winter Break (Lessons Resume January 5)
Jan 15/16   No Lessons. I’m teaching a Workshop that weekend.
Feb 9 Royal Conservatory Registration Deadline
Feb 14       Gold Medal Recital for Sonatina Festival
Feb 16-20   No Lessons!