Griffin Violin Studio Remains Open Online … Lesson Prep … Free Online Violin Party for Students

GRIFFIN VIOLIN STUDIO REMAINS OPEN ONLINE and I will continue to be available to you throughout this challenging time. I am teaching 100% online from my HOME STUDIO until this situation passes. I do not plan on taking a spring break this year either. It has been a tough week, and I am so proud and encouraged by each of you more than ever as we do our best to protect each other, stay healthy and remain positive.

I have been thinking that with so many activities being cancelled for our kids that it might be fun to have an online violin party. This will be a first for me; and I have no idea how it will turn out. It could be wildly fun and successful … or it could be a big flop. But I do think it sounds like a lot of fun. On Monday, March 23, from 2:00-2:30 pm I am planning a “SODA POP UP ONLINE VIOLIN PARTY.” There is no cost; and all students are welcome. They can show up online with a soda pop, juice, water, or what ever their favorite drink is; and of course their violins. It is not a lesson, just fun play time. They can choose to play a song for the group, just listen, or maybe just chat a bit. I will send out an invitation to a link to join soon. If it turns out to be successful and something the kids enjoy, I will schedule 2 or 3 online parties a week for a while.

Yesterday I completed my third full day of teaching online from my home. For the most part, everything has been working out very well. As I get into the flow of things with these necessary changes, I am making some modifications in my teaching style. I started this week with with high hopes of emailing each of you practice notes and links to lesson videos at the end of the day. I soon realized that this may be a bit too much for me right now. The videos quickly exceeded my storage capacity and I have been unable to get them to you. If you still would like a video of the online lessons you have the option of recording them from your end and saving to your hard drive; but for now I will not be recording the lessons. And instead of my emailing you practice information I will be taking my own notes and asking students to take notes and write down their assignments at the end of the lesson. They will need to have a pencil and some blank sheets of paper in their binder or a notebook available to write in during their lesson.

Also, each student needs to have a music stand available at home. It is important for good posture and technique. If you don’t already have one in your home I recommend the Manhasset Music Stand. You can find it on Amazon here. https://www.amazon.com/Manhasset-Model-Sheet-Music-Stand/dp/B0002FOBJY/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3OYY0FZPSSLAO&keywords=manhasset+music+stand&qid=1584703362&sprefix=manha%2Caps%2C260&sr=8-2

A violin tuner is also good to have. I recommend the Snark clip on tuner.

https://www.amazon.com/Snark-SN5X-Guitar-Violin-Current/dp/B01H74YV56/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1OQY5QGD9CZ63&keywords=snark+tuner+violin&qid=1584703453&sprefix=snark+tuner%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-2

Spare strings are important as well. If you end up breaking a string I can walk you through installing a new string. Below is a link to my article about violin strings I wrote a while back and I thought it might be interesting to you.
https://griffinviolinstudio.blogspot.com/2019/11/have-you-ever-wondered-if-its-time-for.html

I appreciate you all so very much. Please email me or text me if you have any questions or concerns; or just need some encouragement.

Always with joy and gratitude (even in the midst of chaos),

Ms. Jill
Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffinviolinstudio/
Visit my website: www.griffinviolinstudio.com

San Diego is enforcing new mandates with regard to social distancing. In an effort to do my part to help keep each other healthy I will be conducting all my lessons online until the COVID-19 situation passes. I have set-up all lessons through Zoom and am in the process of contacting each of you individually with details to join your classes. This past Saturday I taught eight online classes which included one group class with five students and all went well. You will need to use a computer or device with a webcam for the lessons. Thank you for your understanding and help in keeping each other healthy. Please text or email me if you have any questions.

Ms. Jill

Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffinviolinstudio/
Visit my website: www.griffinviolinstudio.com

Social Distancing, Online Classes, and Certificate of Merit Results

It has been interesting times to say the least as we are all doing the best we can to stay healthy. I have had many requests for online classes. On Saturday, I taught 8 online classes over zoom, which included one group makeup class with 5 students. All went very well. If you are interested in setting your child up with online classes for the next few weeks while we ride out this coronavirus situation please let me know. It is easier if I know in advance so I can schedule the meeting and send you a link ahead of time. I have been keeping my studio wiped down and sprayed with Lysol and have hand sanitizer in the room if you choose to come into the studio.

On a happy note, I am so pleased to report that I received great news this morning that all my students that took their Certificate of Merit evaluations last month have passed, 15 students also received state honors. If you would like to know more about the statewide Certificate of Merit program for your child please let me know. Enrollment is once a year in October and evaluations are in February. 

Stay healthy!

Ms. Jill

Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffinviolinstudio/

Visit my website: www.griffinviolinstudio.com

Important Billing Information

As mentioned in my email sent out on March 2, 2020 I will be taking over billing for violin lessons. I need to have this all in place in the next couple of weeks so we are ready to go by April 1, 2020 when April billing will start.

I will need to set up billing accounts for each of my students. I take all major credit cards. I am using a secure payment processing platform through Bank of America and Clover. I DO NOT want to be personally responsible for storing any of your credit card information and need your help as I set up each of the accounts. The process is simple and only takes a minute or two.

Here are options and process:

1. You can come into the studio at the beginning of your child’s lesson with your credit card. We can set up your account and I can take your card information from my chip reader so your credit card will be securely stored. Everything is secure and nothing will be billed until April 1.
2. You can call me on the phone and give me your credit card details over the phone. I will not be writing it down; just entering it into the system. After it is entered I can’t see your credit card details. Again, everything is secure and nothing will be billed until April 1.
3. I can send you a text link through my merchant service and you can enter your credit card details so that I can set up your account. Again, everything is secure and nothing will be billed until April 1.

Thank you for your help. Please let me know if you have any questions … and please help me to get all of this set up as soon as possible so that I’m not having to do this all at the last minute and chase down payments.

With joy and gratitude,

Ms. Jill
Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffinviolinstudio/
Visit my website: www.griffinviolinstudio.com

COVID-19 Precautions and the Option of Online Lessons

With all this concern about the COVID-19 (Corona Virus) I wanted to reach out to you. The last thing that I want to do is add to the over information about the situation. I am not overly concerned; but I do want to be sure we are doing what we can to stay healthy.

Please make sure your child has clean hands before coming into the studio. I keep my room clean and have hand sanitizer in my room. I also spray the room with lysol at the beginning and end of the day.

I also wanted to remind you that I offer online lessons over Zoom. If your child is not feeling well and you are concerned about bringing them into the studio ... but they well enough for a violin lesson ... you have the option to meet with me online. I just need to know a bit ahead of time so I can prepare and send you the online link to meet with me.

With joy,

Ms. Jill
Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffinviolinstudio/
Visit my website: www.griffinviolinstudio.com

Announcing Griffin Violin Studio and US Music Lessons Partnership

Griffin Violin Studio (GVS) and US Music Lessons (USML) have an exciting announcement. It’s official! GVS and USML have formed an alliance and are now business partners. This is really good news and is a mutually beneficial agreement for both GVS and USML.

You may be asking how this partnership affects you. This collaborative partnership means enhanced programs and services; some of which you have already begun to see roll out. For example, theory study classes, online lessons, ensembles, recitals and US Musical MilestonesTM will be available to all GVS students.

Jill Griffin (aka Ms. Jill) will continue to teach out of USML studio’s room 9; and you will still have access to the beautiful waiting area, streaming videos and wifi. Tuition rates will remain the same; however billing for those currently being billed through USML will be billed through GVS beginning April 1, 2020. Nothing will change for the clients currently making monthly tuition payments directly to GVS. For others, GVS will be contacting you soon with instructions on transferring payments for violin lessons directly to GVS.

Ms. Jill has been teaching violin lessons through USML since 2015. It has been a great working relationship since day 1. The GVS/USML partnership is a natural progression and strengthens both parties. Vince Hanvey (USML Founder and President) says, “Jill has been the driving force behind the successful violin program at USML. I’m thrilled about this new partnership and look forward to what’s in store for USML and her students. USML will continue to support Jill in her efforts to provide an outstanding musical education and share her love of the violin to our community.” Ms. Jill adds, “I am so appreciative for the opportunities that working through USML for the past five years has provided me as a violin teacher. I’m excited about this new phase of our alliance and how it is going to help me to be even more creative in my teaching style and how that will benefit my students and families.”

At your service,

Jill Griffin, GVS                Vince Hanvey, USML

www.griffinviolinstudio.com

https://www.facebook.com/griffinviolinstudio/

Studio Updates ... Ensembles, Theory Study Hall, Calendar Information

I hope all are doing well on this beautiful but windy day. It's been a while since I have written to you. Here we are post recital and just days from the Certificate of Merit (CM) evaluations for those that are participating in the CM program this year. It has been a busy season for sure ... and incredibly rewarding.

Certificate of Merit evaluations are taking place this Saturday. Twenty-one of my students are participating this year and I am so proud of all of them. These students have been working so diligently for months preparing for this evaluation! I am sending them all good vibes, prayers, and best wishes! I am looking forward to hearing good results.

Please continue to read for more information regarding ensembles, theory study hall, calendar information and an invitation to come hear Ms. Jill play with the Kensington Baroque Orchestra and Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra on March 7th for our "Game of Tones" concert.

Ensembles:
The ensembles for the winter recital were so much fun. It was such a great learning experience for all of us; especially me. The most fun really was in the group rehearsals. I had the joy of watching as friendships were developed and memories were made. It was beautiful to see how the students encouraged each other and had so much fun as they played and made beautiful music together. The process was amazing and I would love to do more of it. Three weeks of rehearsals went by too quickly and I think we all wanted more time. This summer I would love to form some groups just to give students an opportunity to gather and play with other students. It is a skill set that is completely different than playing solo pieces and even than being in an orchestra. Please let me know if you are interested. The earlier you can let me know helps me greatly as I form groups and select a variety of music for them to play.

Theory Study Hall:
I started a series of Theory Study Halls back in November for students participating in Certificate of Merit. It was very successful and extremely helpful for students to have a place to study their theory while I was there to guide them and monitor their progress along the way. And when they were ready they had the opportunity to take practice exams provided to me by the Music Teachers Association of California. I will be continuing this program and plan to open it up to all of my students. For my Certificate of Merit students; this ongoing program will provide them with an opportunity to "stay ahead of the game" so to speak as they prepare for the next level. And for all my students; this type of learning really helps to build confidence and develop a good understanding of the principles behind making music. I will be resuming this program in April.

Calendar:

Certificate of Merit: (applies only for those enrolled in CM)

• Performance Evaluations: February 29, Cuyamaca College
• Theory Tests: February 29 & March 1, March 7 & 8, Cuyamaca College​
• ​(Note: if you plan on taking your theory test on March 8th you will need to make an appointment)

Group Makeup Classes: (Send Ms. Jill an email to sign-up)

• Mondays, 4:30-5:30 pm (Live Online Video over Zoom)
• March 14, 2:45-3:45 pm (Studio)​​

Studio Breaks:

• April 12 through April 18 (no classes)
• June 29 through July 5 (no classes)

Upcoming 2020 Student Recital Dates:

• June 14, 2020, 4:00-6:00 pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Escondido
• October 11, 2020, 4:00-6:00 pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Escondido

And lastly, I will be performing with the Kensington Baroque Orchestra and Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra on March 7th at 4:00 pm at Kensington Community Church and again on March 8th in South Pasadena. All are invited to attend. I would love to see you there.



Ms. Jill
Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffinviolinstudio/
Visit my website: www.griffinviolinstudio.com