Minnesota School Of Music - June 2021

06.2021 763-432-9713 www.mnschoolofmusic.com

THE MONTHLY MUSICIAN

WELCOMING BABY NO. 5 AS THE WORLD FALLS APART

We’re happy to report that we’re inching back to normal and feel very optimistic about what the summer holds. (See Page 2 for a fun event in the works!) We’ve been offering in-person lessons since last June, making sure to take all the recommended safety precautions, from offering hand sanitizer, gloves, and masks to cleaning and disinfecting regularly. Students and parents who don’t feel comfortable returning to in-person lessons continue to have the option of online lessons as well. We want you to return when you feel ready, and we’re committed to making sure you have an option to continue your lessons that makes you feel safe. We’re actually in an even better position today than we were a year ago. Our enrollment rate is still very high, and we’re the No. 2 ranked music school in the country on Google. That’s all thanks to you, our wonderful students and parents, and our staff. As we roll into summer, you may be looking forward to a much-needed trip away. We understand that your summer schedule may look different than it does during the school year, and we get a lot of questions about how to hold your spot and your teacher if you’re going to be away this summer. See the flyer inside to learn more about four options you have to do this! And check out our article on Page 3 about a brand-new option: video lessons.

A RECAP OF THE LAST YEAR AND A HUGE THANKS TO YOU!

L ate last March, I was sitting by my wife’s hospital bed, holding her hand as she delivered our fifth child into the world. I had my phone in my other hand, looking at the latest news about the state going into lockdown and texting with my staff about the next steps for MnSOM. It felt like the world was falling apart, but at the same time, I was elated to become a father of five. This is the first newsletter you’ve seen from us for about a year (we’re happy to be back in your mailbox!), though many of you are familiar with my background and how MnSOM got started from previous years of newsletters. My staff and I had worked so hard to grow MnSOM to be able to serve as many students as possible, and our enrollment was at an all-time high. As everything began closing, I knew we needed to keep the school running, so we were on the leading edge of using Zoom to run remote classes. We had special meetings with staff to train them on delivering online lessons and how to troubleshoot the new technology, and they were up and running quickly. While sports and most extracurricular activities came to a halt, we were so happy to offer our students some consistency by keeping

their music lessons available via remote courses. That wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff, who took the extra initiative to learn quickly so we could continue delivering our services. Thank you so much for your hard work! I also have to thank the parents and students who stuck with us and came along for what sometimes was a bumpy ride! Parents have done an awesome job of making sure their kids are logged in for lessons on time and stay focused. (That can be tricky when learning from home!) And we’ve all been so impressed with how our students adapted and embraced this new learning opportunity. Even with the Zoom fatigue many of us are starting to feel, our students value their teachers and lessons enough to keep showing up. So, thank you so much for your understanding and support this last year. As a father of five, I know there can be considerable challenges to distance learning. Keeping your kids happy, healthy, and safe while also making sure they continue to learn and grow is exponentially more difficult during a pandemic when everything is topsy-turvy.

I hope your summer is off to a great start. Ours certainly is, thanks to you!

–Eric Nehring

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ORCHESTRATE YOUR WORKOUT PRO TIPS TO CREATE A MOTIVATING PLAYLIST

Whether summer temperatures drive you to work outside or simply make you want to move indoors where the air conditioner is blasting, having an upbeat playlist can help you quickly pass the time and feel good, too. There’s no better way to learn how to put together a motivational playlist than to ask a pro. Peloton’s bikes and treadmills are wildly popular, but now, users are working out through their app because of the high-energy instructors, many of whom have become known for their amazing playlists. Here are two instructors’ tips to put together a killer playlist. MIX IT UP Instructor Leanne Hainsby is known for the eclectic, feel-good songs that keep people pedaling hard in her cycling classes. Hainsby credits her vast musical tastes to her time as a dancer, which expanded her playlist for workout music. Which songs make the cut? Ones that inspire. “I think people will be so surprised by how much they will push themselves when they’re moved by the feeling of a song or how the music

makes them feel,” she says. It doesn’t

matter if it’s ambient electronic music or a lilting Johnny Cash tune, both of which can be found routinely on Hainby’s cycling playlists. MAKE IT THEMED Whether you’re obsessed with ‘90s pop, classic rock jams, or David Bowie, you can use a theme to create workout playlists you’ll love. This is a great trick pros like Peloton instructor Christine D’Ercole use. D’Ercole is beloved by many for her themed classes, which range from an indie rock beginners’ ride to a fan-favorite all ‘90s ride. She also has holiday-themed playlists, like the one for her Women’s History Month ride in March that featured only female artists. You can always hop onto Spotify and check out the Peloton page to see all of their instructors’ recent playlists. Use this for inspiration to create your own list or stream whichever compilation catches your attention for your next workout.

JOIN US FOR OUR FIRST EVER MUSIC IN THE PARK CONCERT!

It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to host a recital, and we know our students, parents, and teachers are ready for and deserving of an amazing music event. We’re happy to announce that one is on the way! Mark your calendar for June 27 for our first ever Music in the Park event. We’ll be gathering outdoors at the picnic pavilion at Tom Ryan Park from 12–4 p.m. for food, face painting, games, and, of course, musical performances from a variety of students and faculty. We have some other fun surprises in the works as well! This is our way of celebrating our musicians and all their hard work in the last year and providing a fun way for our community to gather and enjoy the summer. Bring your suntan lotion and lawn chairs and get ready for a day full of fun. When: Sunday, June 27 from 12–4 p.m. Where: Tom Ryan Park, 10802 Town Square Dr. NE, Blaine, MN 55449 Who: All MnSOM students and parents

Find more details at Facebook.com/MNSchoolOfMusic. We can’t wait to see you there!

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Summer means fun in the sun, a more relaxed schedule, new activities, and maybe even some travel this year! We’re all excited to take advantage of the beautiful Minnesota summer (or to get out of the state for a while!), and many parents have questions about how they can keep their teacher and time slot in the fall if they aren’t able to make their scheduled lessons every week in the summer. In the past, we’ve offered three great options: Small group makeup lessons, Zoom lessons (which we’re all used to now), or subleasing the spot to a family member or friend. These options are still available, and you can learn more about each in this month’s insert! But this year, we’re also offering a fourth option we’re really excited about: prerecorded video lessons. WHAT IS LESSONMATE? LessonMate is an easy-to-use online platform that allows students to take a prerecorded video lesson created just for them by their teacher. If you aren’t able to make the makeup lessons, don’t have Wi-Fi to log into Zoom at the designated time, or aren’t interested in subleasing your spot, this a great way to take a lesson at your convenience and keep your spot and your favorite teacher when fall comes around. As a bonus, you can rewatch the videos as many times as you like. This is especially helpful when reviewing for musical ladder tests. LessonMate allows us to have a hassle-free way to address missed sessions while making sure you get the most value out of your kids’ music lessons. HOW DOES IT WORK? Let us know you’re interested in a video lesson, and we’ll take care of the setup. When your lesson is ready, you’ll get an email notification with a direct link to your lesson and your own LessonMate account. This includes a dashboard that houses all your video lessons in one easy-to-access place. WHAT DO YOU USE TO ACCESS IT? You can use whatever device you’re most comfortable with. LessonMate works well with most smartphones, tablets, and computers. You’ll just need internet access! If you have any questions about how to make the most of your lessons this summer, give us a call at 763-432-9713, and we’ll help you find the right solution for you. INTRODUCING LESSONMATE! VIDEO LESSONS MADE JUST FOR YOU

London G. Daksh L. Kennedy B. Ava W. Cybil G. Haily B. Jacqueline B. Patrick N. Maxwell A. Brooke J. Adeliade J. Mike C. Ariana L. Mira L.

Aarohi K. Nate K. Lucas V. Sarah E. Micah L. Hudson S. Laurel C.

Elliot M. Ethan L. Aubrey L. Henrik L. Immanuel S. Chase C. Olivia F.

Do you consider yourself a budding comedian? Are you known for your sense of humor? Now Introducing CALEB’S COMEDY CLUB We will select a winner each month to have their joke printed in our newsletter! Winners will receive a Caleb’s Comedy Club T-shirt and sticker. For your chance to be featured in our monthly newsletter, send us your funniest kid-friendly joke to [email protected].

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3533 88th Ave. NE, Blaine, MN 55014 763-432-9713 www.mnschoolofmusic.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A Huge Thank-You to YOU! Pro Tips for a Motivating Workout Playlist June 27 Is Music in the Park! Welcome New Students Introducing Video Lessons With LessonMate

Are ‘Resort Bubbles’ Safe?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING YOUR TROPICAL TRIP ARE ‘RESORT BUBBLES’ SAFE?

As vaccination numbers continue to climb and experts gain a better understanding of COVID-19, more industries are adapting. Tropical resorts in Hawaii and the Bahamas have started to host visitors in “resort bubbles,” requiring travelers to complete a series of tests before full admittance. BUT ARE THESE TRAVEL OPTIONS SAFE? That depends on your comfort level and a resort’s adherence to the rules. According to Forbes, each resort that offers this travel package may have different rules, but the gist of each experience is the same. Each resort still requires masks, unless the visitor is in their room, dining, drinking, sitting at the beach or pool, or swimming. Then, at check-in, sanitation and temperature checks are required. After the checks, tourists are directed to an on-site clinic, where nurses ask a few questions and perform a rapid COVID-19 test. Guests are then sent to their rooms, where they must await the results. If the test comes back negative, the tourist will receive a key card and can commence with their vacation. (Some resorts set the price of lodging so that if

test results are positive, then the required flight home is part of the original cost, so it’s already paid for.) Other resorts require visitors to wear tracking bracelets for 72 hours upon arrival and a negative test result. After 72 hours and a second negative test, the guest is then permitted to leave the hotel grounds. This allows the hotel chain to track potential COVID-19 cases. These resort bubbles offer a potentially safe alternative for travel, but they don’t come without risks. A traveler could potentially contract COVID-19 while en route to the destination, and resorts that allow guests to leave the premises risk exposure. Furthermore, these precautions may not be 100% effective. However, if you are vaccinated, have COVID-19 antibodies, or feel safe to travel, resort bubbles offer a travel alternative that can be safer than traditional vacation stays. Perhaps no industry was hit harder during the COVID-19 pandemic than the travel and hospitality industry, but with the addition of resort bubbles, the travel industry looks to return to a new normal.

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