Monday, September 13, 2021 | Announcement

I am excited to welcome you and your student back to the studio this week. As we begin the first week of lessons, I want to pass along important notes to keep in mind throughout the year. I plan to send regular studio updates, particularly when there is a forthcoming "Group Week" with open sign-ups. 

Lesson and Health Protocols

Group Week and Make-Ups: 

Please find the attached calendar which lists a schedule of the designated Group Week. Remember, there are no regular individual lessons during this week. However, Group Weeks can serve as times where you can schedule make-up lessons. Families/students are asked to reach out to me to schedule any make-up lessons. 

Lesson Drop Form:
https://forms.gle/aUvqJFjxDrpfrt7G8

Student Emails:

If your student happens to have an email they/you are willing to share, you can add their email address to their account to receive lesson reminders, notes and group week announcement. I will not put them on any other distribution list other than for these announcements.

As always, let me know if you have any questions. I am looking forward to a great year of working with your student!

Best,

BJ

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 | Announcement

Hello Studio Family!

I hope your summer has been one of adventure or perhaps even reconnecting.  I was fortunate enough to do some family camping on Orcas Island and just returned from a road trip down the spectacular Oregon Coast. I am looking forward to reconnecting with all of you and happy to announce that the studio's Enrollment Period is now open! In order to schedule lessons beginning next month, please review the linked policy documents (studio policy, calendar and tuition plans) and complete the online enrollment form using the link below.

Studio Policy - docs.google.com/document/d/11qIHvUKTzRuAoOlSVBF3rxZ6VYV_4eTMEOk_GDPT-vI/edit?usp=sharing

2021-22 Calendar - drive.google.com/file/d/1-GfVpEp6vhz-agTjYj1TQTyJc695XCt0/view?usp=sharing

Tuition Plans - docs.google.com/document/d/1HJihQ6JxqS40mi3aOPXB07ExYW0FlRguYEMCoeDODzY/edit?usp=sharing

Policy Changes/Highlights

• FiddleQuest for all! - The studio is assuming the subscription of all my student's accounts and will make FiddleQuest available to all my students.  As such, I will be charging an annual $75 registration fee (half of annual FiddleQuest subscription). If you'd like you can pay this fee as soon as your current subscription is scheduled to run out (just reach out and let me know when that is).
  
• 3+1 Group Week  - I am introducing a new teaching model that supports my core teaching values of social playing and creative expression while being a more effective teacher to your students. For each month, I am offering 3 weeks of individual 1:1 lessons. Then once a month host a "Group Week" which will provide all students with multiple group session opportunities via Zoom. All sessions will be recorded for review. Students will have opportunity for individual feedback during these group classes.
  
• In-Person/Zoom Lesson option - At the moment, I continue to welcome students back into the studio. Outdoor lessons will be offered until weather necessitates moving indoors. I will continue to review local and industry guidance regarding masks and update my protocols accordingly. Zoom lessons are always available as an option. More on this will be shared as we approach the first week of lessons in September.
  
• Virtual Open House - THURSDAY at 4:30 pm. I plan to discuss studio changes along with other exciting announcements during my Open House this coming Thursday 8/26 at 4:30 pm (program to begin at 5pm).  Please plan on joining us via zoom using this link. Come with any questions and feedback you might have. Also, I'll be inviting FiddleQuest founder, Duane Whitcomb to join me for some Q&A about what's going on in the FiddleQuest community.
  

Friday, May 14, 2021 | Announcement

I can't believe that we are near the end of the school year! What a year+ it has been. As is our tradition, I would love to celebrate your young violinist's progress by presenting my Year-End Showcase. The Showcase is scheduled for Saturday, June 12 and will again be a virtual event. I have started speaking to your student about 1 or 2 tunes to record as their showcase performance so they should start reviewing and polishing up these tunes. The showcase will be a live-streamed event where I will present each student's recorded videos.

  Virtual Year-End Showcase - Saturday, June 12 at 4pm  

Video Submissions - Similar to last year, I am asking parents to  a DRAFT version of the tunes by Sun 5/30. I would like to take a bit of burden of video recording off your hands and request that students come to the outdoor studio for their to record their FINAL video performance. This way I can accompany/duet with your student. We can do this during their regular lesson time during the last week (June 7-10). Or I will be offering some additional in-person availability on the weekend before the showcase (June 4-6). If you are not quite ready to come to the studio, you are welcome to record both draft and final videos and submit via the Lesson Drop Form.

Studio Challenge - Along with the individual student performances, I will also issue another Studio Challenge where students participate in a common tune that I will piece together in a composited video. This was so much fun to put together last year.

Thank you to all parents for allowing me to work with your budding musician. It's amazing how much they've grown musically despite the limitations. I can't wait to show off the fruits of practice and hard work. Please let me know if you have any questions. I will send more details about the livestream in the coming weeks. 

Take care,

BJ