Covid-19 Safety Plan

Music Lessons During COVID-19

With many schools resuming in-person lessons, many families have inquired when and how we will resume in-person lessons. The health and safety of our students, families and teachers has always been our top priority at Westlake Lessons.

As we work to begin resuming in-home music lessons, a number of challenges must be addressed in order to provide a safe environment in which students can learn, while at the same time mitigating the risk of infection to both our clients and teachers. We have prepared a comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Plan to outline the specific policies, guidelines, and procedures for those who are returning to their in-home music lessons this fall.

Lesson Policies

Online Music Lessons

We will continue to offer online music lessons as an option throughout the remainder of summer and into the new school year. This option will remain available to both students and teachers for however long they wish to continue. While online lessons are not ideal for every student, they remain the safest option to prevent the spread of infection.

In-Home Music Lessons

We are beginning to offer modified in-home music lessons as an option on a case-by-case basis, starting in September 2020. Please note that in-home lessons will not be available if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • If you have exhibited cold or flu-like symptoms within the past 14 days
  • If you have travelled out of the country within the past 14 days
  • If you have been in recent close contact with anyone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 or anyone who has travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days

We depend on families self-reporting such circumstances in a timely manner. Missed lessons due to illness may be rescheduled remotely, or in-person after 14 days symptom free.

Guidelines

Precautions and Safety Measures

Below is a list of guidelines and safety measures that will help reduce the risk of transmission as we return to in-home music lessons. Students and teachers should practice:

  • Wearing a mask and gloves during their lesson (frequent handwashing/sanitizing may be a suitable substitution for gloves)
  • Physical distancing as much as possible (avoiding handshakes, hugs, etc.)
  • Frequent hand washing and use of hand sanitizer during the lesson

In addition to the above, please consider the following:

  • Sanitizing pertinent surfaces prior to lessons if possible (chairs, keyboard keys, etc.)
  • Limiting exchange of materials, such as sheet music.
  • Providing a separate music stand for the teacher with duplicate materials to allow protective distancing.

Looking Forward

Our hope is that cases continue to decline, and resuming in-home lessons brings joy and normalcy to our students and teachers. Please understand that in-home lessons are being offered only by teachers opting to provide such services on a case by case basis.

If circumstances or personal preferences change, and your teacher chooses to no longer provide in-home lessons, that will be their prerogative while the pandemic persists. If your teacher chooses to no longer provide in-home lessons, you may switch to remote, or end lessons at no additional cost/notice period.