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Group Classes have been a great success at the Mike Risko Music Virtual Music School. Many said it couldn't be done because people can't sing or play together on Zoom, but this challenge made it even more exciting to set up this virtual program. During the stay at home orders, we wanted to be able to bring people together to sing and make music and so we re-invented our group program to work in this new normal. There are some challenges to setting up groups on a virtual platform but with a little creativity and some innovation, anything is possible. When circustances allow, we now even bring the groups in to do some in-person work which gives it a nice hybrid approach.
Mike Risko Music Virtual Music School offers group lessons on all instruments and voice and virtual Rock Band Classes. How does it work? Classes are kept small so that the instructor can focus on each participant. The lessons are taught using the same principles as private lessons in which students are all working from the same curriculum. Students log in from home and meet their virtual classmates and teacher in their virutal group studio, just like they would in person. These synchronous classes allows the instructors and students to gather and learn skills in real time and to also engage, review and discuss materials and assignments.
As different skills are covered during the lesson, class or workshop, students can mute their mic to try it and then unmute to demonstrate what they have just worked on. The ability to mute the mic and try something actually enables group classes to be much less distracting than in-person classes since the students don't hear multiple students playing until the teacher asks each one demonstrate. During virtual classes, students also have the opportunity to learn from each other as well as the teacher which can be very inspiring. Students learning from the comfort of their own home using their own instruments is also an added bonus while still getting to meet other musicians. Group classes are 45 minutes and meet once each week for a session of 6-8 classes.
Our Rock Band Classes have also transitioned smoothly to the virtual platform and although we have resumed in-person classes, we can still offer rock bands in this format. Just like our in-person rock bands, bands are formed either by us or you can come to us with your band. Bands are usually made up of guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals but any instruments are welcome to register. Bands are scheduled to meet for a session virtually. Parts of songs are taught by the band leader and by muting the mic, students are able to try different things along with other members of the band. Each week they work on learning their part and demonstrating for each other. When and if possible, we schedule one in-person outside rehearsal and then we record the show. We can also do a live show in a safe environment or we schedule a watch party for the band and their friends and family to enjoy thus enabling bands to make music, connect, grow and perform. During the cold weather bands continue to meet and we find new and innovative ways for them to perform. For more information, fill out the feedback form here or call us at 914-762-8757.
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| Virtual adult group guitar is lots of fun and very convenient since it can be taken from home. |
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