When life gives you lemons, you … go online! Like everyone else, the Joy of Music School has adapted to the new reality this spring. Our teachers halted all face-to-face lessons in March but the music continues! We are teaching most of our students “virtually,” using the online video program Zoom. At the moment 122 students are learning online, with help from 54 volunteer instructors and three paid part-time teachers (the latter are leading group classes). We feel good about those numbers. That’s 62 percent of students and 67 percent of teachers, and we’re continually adding to those numbers. Even our group classes—choir, baritone ukulele, and general music—have gone online. “Several of the parents told me it went really well and they thought it was a great thing,” says Julie Carter, our Director of Music Education. “The teachers are enthusiastic too, even though it’s a bit like herding cats virtually!”In late April, the University of Tennessee’s string pedagogy class—whose students teach our kids as part of their coursework—hosted an online recital featuring three Joy of Music performers. There have been some technical challenges, for sure. Not all of our students and volunteer teachers have the equipment they need to make it work. But we are helping. Ed Sublett, our Volunteer and Facilities Manager, has been “investigating workarounds,” notes Julie. We lent a laptop to one volunteer teacher and a keyboard to another, for example. We have helped families with limited internet access set up wifi hotspots. (See this issue’s Letter from the Executive Director on page 3 for more on this topic.)It’s springtime and that means our annual spring recital, the high point for many JoMS families and kids. We know a live recital is not possible, but we’re assembling the next best thing. This year it’s a YouTube “Premiere” presentation of performances edited together and appearing on a date to be announced. The kids are submitting home performances—with many dressing for the occasion—on video. Some are even taking bows in their own living rooms! Andy Jeffers, friend of the School and owner of Sports & Entertainment Media, has edited the videos together, along with some special features. The event will be promoted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and, of course, YouTube. Tune in and enjoy the show! After the live premiere, it will be available for future viewing indefinitely.

Our headquarters building has been a busy hub of excitement lately as students and volunteer teachers reconvene with staff members to kick off another school year.