Dear NMS families and friends,
This morning, Los Angeles officially entered the yellow tier of the state's reopening plan. Last Month, LAUSD reopened the schools, and I am so excited to report that we are in the process of reopening NMS, as well! While we will be reopening the school to in person classes, we will also be maintaining online lessons for students and teaching artists who choose to stay remote until the pandemic is officially under control.
The first phase of this has already begun. Teachers and staff have been getting vaccinated, and we have been putting the final touches on getting the house ready to receive students and teaching artists. We are so excited! This includes updated electric throughout the house, new carpeting throughout the house, a new phone system, and a new internet provider so the signal will allow for our teaching artists to teach remotely from the school!
(Please note: ***Teaching Artists are not required to return to NMS to teach in person, so please know this is for us to understand your preference, and does not ensure that your student will return to in-person instruction immediately.)
In June, we will begin inviting students to return to the school. Policies and precautions will be in place, as demonstrated in
this video(which is also embedded at the end of this newsletter).
Introducing our Summer week-long camps!
This summer, we will be hosting summer classes in a new way: as week long Summer Camps! We will have in-person and Online offerings, and the space for in-person camps are VERY limited, so reserve your spot!
The summer camps are open to students aged 8-17, and has a capacity of 5 in-person students per week. Hours will be from 10am-2pm, Monday-Friday, with the Friday session culminating in a performance that we will livestream for our parents and participating partners! In person tuition is $125 per week and enrollment opens on May 14th!
Week 1 June 21st-June 25th: Music is Colored Time- great for all ages!
Join Teacher Tany and guest artists as we explore and experiment with music through drawing, coloring, physical movement, rhythmic play, vocal sound effects, and found instruments.
Week 2 June 28-July 2: Warm up Techniques: Join Teacher Caster and guest artists to learn how to warm up effectively daily. This will enhance the variety of warm up techniques as well as finding suitable methods to help starting each practice sessions achieve musical goals. Efficient warm up will help one to overcome technical and musical problems in both short and long run musical journey.
Week 3 July 5th-9th: Ukulele with Tany!
Learn essential chords, basic note reading, rhythmic strumming and more in this class for new-to-uke students. No previous musical experience is required!
Week 4 July12th-16th: Drums with Gerardo!
In this class, you will learn how to keep the beat on a drumset, learn various techniques and more! No previous experience required!
Week 5 July 19th-23rd: Jazz Ensemble with Logan, Balam and Gerardo!
We all need some jazz in our life! Join Balam, Logan and Gerardo to explore playing together as a jazz ensemble!
Online Courses (dates/times TBD)
Musicianship through rhythmic and melodic solfege: Basic Practices
Led by Teacher Rafael, Natalia, Elisa, Tany and other guest artists, this course aims at developing any musician’s (vocalist or instrumentalist, in any level) ability to look at their own sheet music and, through audiation and solfege, be able to recognize and anticipate basic rhythmic and melodic patterns.
More to come!!!
Opportunities
Russell Thomas Youth Artist Training Academy:
LA Opera Connects is thrilled to announce a special program we hope you will share with your community of students and alumni.
Russell Thomas Youth Artist Training Academy
(students will receive a scholarship stipend for participation)
Applications due: Saturday, May 15, 2021
About: Open to high school students from Los Angeles County communities underrepresented in the arts, this program provides long-term vocal and performance training to prepare them for future careers in opera. New to opera? That’s okay. This program is designed for students who have a talent for singing, a desire to explore opera, and a willingness to work hard.
More information can be viewed here.
Work at NMS!
We currently have openings for Teaching artists and LA County Interns- check it out an apply! You can read about our open positions
here.
Reopening and Looking Ahead
We recognize that, while trends continue to improve, we are still in the midst of a pandemic, and everyone's safety is our number one priority. We will continue to offer online classes (even after the pandemic) both from the NMS house and the homes of our teaching artists.
Returning to the NMS house will include the protocols that we shared last July(when we initially intended to reopen) and are described in the video at the end of this message.
Send in Showtime! videos!
Please keep your Showtime! videos coming! They bring such joy and showcase your awesome development! For the month of December, please share your favorite holiday tradition in your introduction! Please Email videos to office@neighborhoodmusic.org.
Subscribe to our
Youtube Channel and follow us on
Instagram and
Facebook! Each day, we are posting new music and performances on our social media- check it out!
Join us for Self-Care Saturday Yoga with Jeanette!
Each Saturday morning at 9am, NMS is hosts a free yoga class for our whole community. This is a great opportunity to come together and move, as we move through the challenges, stressors and weight of this time. This class is great for all ages and all levels. RSVP to info@neighborhoodmusic.org and we will send you the link! Namaste!
Be well and make beautiful music,
Karen, Jeanine, Liz and Melissa
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When we do return to NMS in person, the following policies and procedures will be in place. You can also watch this video !
Policies and procedures:
The following policies and procedures were created with guidance from and direction from City, County and State. If you are unable to comply with theses procedures, we encourage you to enjoy online lessons until the pandemic is under control.
- All students must enter and exit through the back door.
- Students may be accompanied by one adult to enter the building, if they require assistance getting to their classroom.
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We will require all teaching artists and students to wear masks while at the school. This is for the physical and psychological health of all. Until there is a vaccine or successful treatment of COVID-19, we run the risk of infecting the vulnerable without these precautions in place.
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Temperatures will be taken(with a digital, forehead thermometer) upon entering the school. If one is running a fever, they will be asked to return home immediately and seek medical advice.
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Handwashing and sanitizing after using the restroom, and before touching an instrument, will be mandatory.
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Maintaining a social distance of 6 feet or more with all staff, teaching artists and non-familial community is mandatory. Guests and parents are no longer able to observe classes from the inside of the classroom.
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Indoor waiting areas will be largely off-limits. We will create seating outside, as much as we are able.
