SUMMER Is Here!

Our efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19:

The health and safety of our students is always our first priority.  We are offering in-person lessons or Zoom lessons from June-August.  If you opt for in-person lessons both student and teacher should wear masks.  Door handles and the like will be disinfected between students.  Only 1 student and up to 1 parent may attend the in-person lesson and additional family members are asked to wait outside or in the studio gardens.

​

We hope to be able to provide a sense of stability and normalcy to our students in these confusing times and are proud to be here to teach your music lessons. Music is an important part of our culture, our growth and learning, and our coping mechanisms are strengthened by practicing our instruments.  Music heals.  Adam and I are here for you.  

​

ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCES

• Download Zoom at https://zoom.us

• Select the FREE version

• Amelia Thornton will send an invitation to a Zoom meeting via your email.

• Please have Zoom installed on your computer or large tablet so you have a large screen, and have the camera and microphone connected so we can see and hear each other.  A simple webcam+mic will work for PC users, or Mac users can use the camera+mic that is built into your laptop, desktop computer, or iPad.  

• Zoom is the preferred online lesson platform!

​

SKYPE

• Download Skype at https://www.skype.com

• Add Amelia Thornton as a contact:  athornton1

• Make sure you have your computer's built-in mic and camera, or webcam+mic selected in your audio hardware options.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

​

Do's, Don'ts, and May's for disinfecting things:

Please DO wash your hands a lot and have general attention to hygiene! 

DO wash your hands before you practice your instrument (in fact, always a great idea!). 

DO wash hands after your rehearsals and being around other musicians and sharing pencils.  

DO cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, into your elbow.

DO feel free to disinfect your orchestra pencils that you share!

​

DON'T !!!! spray or wipe any disinfectant, water, or alcohol on your violin, for the love of music, DON'T!!!  This will destroy the varnish on your violin, causing it irreparable damage and a loss in value.  These cleaners are NOT meant as instrument cleaners or polishing agents, and could destroy a good antique or quality student violin.  Even (especially) water will damage your instrument too!

Any moisture other than average air humidity is bad for a stringed instrument.

DON'T spray any disinfectants on your piano!  The moisture and chemicals can cause major damage to real pianos and even to the electronics in your keyboard!

​

You MAY and SHOULD, always use a DRY lint-free cloth like a super soft microfiber cloth to dust off the rosin and violin neck and chin rest after practicing.  A cut out square from an old t-shirt can work too!  DRY!

To clean your piano/keyboard keys, you MAY use a lint-free microfiber cloth that is lightly damp with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts warm water.  Wipe the keys forward and backwards, not side to side to avoid getting any moisture down between the keys, then use a soft dry cloth to dry the keys. 

HERE is a great article on care of your piano!

___________________________________________________________________________________

​

What better thing to do in a quarantine than practice your music?

Practicing music is a calming, meditative, relaxing thing to do.  Playing music for your family will make them smile!  Use this free time to write your own songs, compose a short piece, listen to music on Youtube or Spotify or Apple music, open a music book and sightread through some of the songs you've never played before.  You will accomplish so much on your instrument, and you will feel better playing music.

Art is also a wonderful activity!  And don't forget to get some nice exercise in and take some hikes or walks in the hills.  Get inspired by nature and then go home and make art and write music!  Now is the time for creativity!

___________________________________________________________________________________

​

Check out some fun pics from this school year's events!

GALLERY SLIDESHOW