Group ukulele classes, virtual concert opportunities, AOS in the news, & student spotlight
Academy of Sound innovates during a historic year
Spring 2021 Virtual Recital
The 19th annual Academy of Sound Spring Recital will be presented virtually, with a premiere on Friday, May 14, 2021.
More information on registration and viewing will be announced soon.
Buy a ukulele & get 5 free group lessons
Next class begins February 23
You'll learn songs, chords and basic techniques with other kids who are also beginners.
This class meets virtually on Tuesdays from 4:15PM to 5PM
Registrations due by February 8th.
More info & registration HERE
Make Music Oregon
Make Music Oregon is a community music-making event for everyone!
We will be celebrating music education and lifelong music making by presenting a March "Music In Our Schools Month" Virtual Community Concert.
The concert will be broadcast by OCA Media, and will include OSD students, families, alumni, educators, and Oregon area community members.
Recordings due February 28, 2021.
Click here for more information on Make Music Oregon, including dates & submission guidelines for participation.
Mariposa Learning Center open despite COVID-19
"What was once a partnership idea that existed inside the minds of two educators is now a reality despite a pandemic that rages onward. Last spring, the partners were unsure of how their vision would come to fruition, even with Mariposa Learning Center deemed an essential business under the state’s Safer at Home orders." “It was always meant to be,” Chisman said of opening Mariposa despite the small lapse in timing. Read the article in its entirety here.
Student Spotlight: Diego Wooldridge
Diego's teacher, Nancy Cox, says:
Diego's ability to master and perform technically demanding pieces is memorable. Even more noteworthy, he works tirelessly to improve his performances. He accepts suggestions that may seem like obstacles at first. These obstacles lead him to a higher level of mastery and musicianship when completed. Diego is a tireless pianist, driving himself to new levels of accomplishment with his chosen pieces. His December recital piece, "Interstellar," was beyond awesome. He continues his studies by improving and polishing his performance of Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C-minor. Diego is both a challenge and a joy to work with.
GREAT WORK, DIEGO!
Teacher Spotlights
Nancy Cox
Ms. Nancy had the good fortune to benefit from the video and musical production talents of her friend and First Presbyterian Church choir director, Tom Mielke. She helped create a holiday themed piano recital of pop favorites. They shared this recital with her brother, who lives in Santa Rosa, CA. "It was difficult to think of something I could give my brother in these times of limited access due to COVID-19 restrictions," Ms. Nancy remarked. She was told that he truly enjoyed the virtual piano recital and the memories it inspired of their lives growing up on the farm in Monticello, MN. Kirstin Roble
Ms. Kirstin is currently participating in the Midwest Institute of Opera, a virtual role study program where she is playing Cherubino and Marcellina, (from Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro).
In addition, she runs a party princess company called Royal Fairytale Events, which is offering socially distanced in-person and virtual events.
Important dates to remember
Academy of Sound Main Location (Oregon) will continue to operate virtually (online lessons only) through May 2021. Academy of Sound at Mariposa Learning Center will continue to operate in person and utilize online lessons as needed for any closings or quarantines.
Sunday, February 28: Make Music Oregon videos due
March 27 through April 4: CLOSED. No lessons (Main Location)
Wednesday, March 31: Solo & ensemble videos due
Friday, May 14: Spring recital (online/virtual) premiere
May 17-21: Conference lessons (Main Location)
You can always see the latest and sync with us at academyofsound.org/calendar for the main location, and academyofsound.org/mariposa for Mariposa.
Keeping in Touch
Now, more than ever, it is important that we stay in touch. Since we don't have a chance to connect with you each week in the waiting area, please remember that we are here via email, phone, or video chat, for any questions, concerns, or things you just want us to know throughout the week. Join our Facebook group to connect with other AOS families!
Add some music to your social media feed!
Follow and Like us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.
And we always appreciate reviews on Facebook, Google, or Yelp!
Refer a friend and receive a $25 credit for each student who signs up for lessons!
Support Academy of Sound Foundation
0.5% of your purchase totals at smile.amazon.com will support music scholarships through the Academy of Sound Foundation. There's no extra cost, and you will be helping area students in need to access music lessons!
Click the link or logo to begin shopping.
Reporting absences
Write to office@academyofsound.org or call us at (608) 371-9030 to report absences.
Have a great day!