June 1st, 2020

June News

Hello everyone! Welcome to the 2020 Summer Semester here at NSMA. While the second half of the Spring Semester didn’t go as planned, I truly appreciate all of my students who are weathering this COVID-19 storm with us. We are now slowly starting to re-open to in person lessons over the summer, but all of that is dependent on how the numbers do in Juneau, so let’s all work together to create safe places for us all to help keep that curve low! Here are some important updates and reminders for this month:

Thank You: I wanted to say this at our May Spring Recital this year, but will have to make do with this email instead. I want to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for choosing to make music a part of your lives and for letting me be a part of that experience. In July I will mark my 10th full year in business as North Star Music Academy, and it certainly could not have happened without you and the support of my wonderful clients. Especially in these difficult times, music can bring joy and a sense of purpose and normalcy to our lives which have been up-ended and completely disrupted by this pandemic.

As a small business owner, I have been fortunate and privileged to make it this far in a business that can be challenging to maintain over the long term. I have to admit, I was terrified when this pandemic hit our country and what that would mean for my livelihood, but you have lifted me up and made it possible for me to continue doing what I love best – bringing the joy and healing powers of music to others. I feel that I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude, but please know that your support has not gone overlooked and will be forever appreciated by me and by my family. I promise to pay that forward with supporting other local small business owners as much as possible during these times. So thank you, so very much.

2020 Summer Schedule: Lessons will be held online on Sundays and Mondays 12:00-7:30pm. Lessons will be held in person (on a limited basis) Tuesdays 12:00-7:30pm. There will be 15 minute intervals in between lessons for sanitizing. All persons entering the studio must wear a face mask and immediately wash hands in the studio bathroom, persons entering the studio are limited to students and one parent/guardian (please no siblings or other family members). We will have extra reusable face masks for those who do not have any or forget theirs, those will be sanitized each evening.

YES Lessons: We DO have lessons on Father’s Day Sunday June 21st. Please let me know if you/your student will not be attending lessons that day, the normal cancelation policy will still apply.

New Students: We do have limited openings for online lessons for new students for the Summer Semester and have a wait list started for lessons for the 2020 Fall Semester. Please contact us at megan.e.felts@gmail.com for more information.

2020 Fall Semester: Our Fall Semester will begin Sunday August 16th. Fall registration will begin July 1st as always. The hope is that we will be back to in person lessons by then, but again, it's just a wait and see game!

Tuition Payment Reminder: Please note: When possible, please use the online bill pay option link on your emailed invoice. I would like to cut down trips to the bank to deposit checks, so I would greatly appreciate that for the time being. Tuition payments are due the first lesson of every month with a grace period until the 10thof the month. If tuition is received after the 10thof the month, a $25.00 late fee will be assessed. Please drop off your payment with your student at lesson, send the payment in the mail or you can drop it off any time in the secure white drop box attached to the mailbox post. Please do not come up to the studio to drop off payment if it is not your student's lesson time, and please do not come up to the main house for any reason. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Music Around Town: I normally have a section where I list all of the musical and performing events around town, but sadly none of these are currently being held. I look forward to the future when we can all enjoy musical events together again.

In parting, I again want to thank all of my clients for your continued support and understanding as we work through these times together. Music is a special gift to all of us, and I thank you all for continuing to make music an important part of your life!!