We have made the decision to continue teaching online exclusively, at minimum, through the end of 2020. We will constantly be reevaluating as information becomes available through the fall and into the winter as we can only base our decision on what we currently know. While we remain hopeful for a vaccine that could eradicate this disease, we are equally hopeful for effective treatments to be discovered and social behaviors which will minimize the rate of infections.
COVID-19 is spread largely through aerosols which are transmitted through coughing, sneezing, loud talking, singing, etc… For us and for you to be in our confined teaching space for extended periods of time amidst an ever-increasing viral load throughout the course of a teaching day would bring the risk factors for everyone involved too great to even consider. Furthermore, the long term effects of COVID-19 to the lungs and heart are still being revealed. Contracting this illness for a singer could have potential long term effects which could permanently and severely limit one's ability to sing. The online format works. While we realize this is not a preference for many of you, nor is it ours, we are witnessing tangible and consistent results among all of our students who have committed to continue their studies through the virtual format. And please remember, this is not forever. Again, we are hopeful by adjusting our behavior, we are contributing to a pattern that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19. We have been vigilantly reading scientific research and studies since March to facilitate guiding our decisions. While information was largely confusing and conflicting in the early weeks, most recently there has been unerring consistency in the danger of being in enclosed spaces for extended periods of time. We will continue to research and base our decisions on current science, CDC, and VA Public Health guidelines. For more information on why we have come to this conclusion, here are some of the sources we found to be the most helpful and clear: Professional Organization Resources ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) COVID-19 Resources: linked Here Chorus America COVID-19 Resources: linked Here NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) COVID-19 Resources for Music Educators: linked Here Journal Articles, Research Studies, and Related News Media “Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Theoretical Considerations and Available Evidence” [Michael Klompas, Meghan A. Baker, and Chanu Rhee/JAMA Network]: linked Here “Coronavirus autopsies--A story of 38 brains, 87 lungs and 42 hearts: What we’ve learned from the dead that could help the living” [Ariana Eunjung Cha/Washington Post Article]: linked Here “COVID-19 Risks and Precautions for Choirs” [Juliette O’Keefe/ National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (Canada)]: linked Here “CU Boulder Professors: Coronavirus is Airborne” [Katie Langford/Boulder Daily Camera]: linked Here “Dr. Malcolm Butler: Why You Should Wear A Mask (It’s the Air You Share)” [Dr. Malcolm Butler/The Wenatchee World]: linked Here “Innovations and Experimentations in Distanced Choral Singing” [Fahad Siadat/NewMusicUSA]: linked Here “Safer Singing During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: What We Know and What We Don’t” [Voice Foundation/Journal of Voice]: linked Here “The Future of Work—The Good, The Challenging, & The Unknown” [Jared Spataro/Microsoft 365]: linked Here “Unprecedented International Coalition Led by Performing Arts Organizations to Commission COVID19 Study” / “Performing Arts Aerosol Study Preliminary Findings” [Mark Spede and James Weaver, et. al./National Federation of State High School Associations]: linked Here & Here “When Will It Be Safe to Sing Again?” [Alex Marshal/New York Times]: linked Here
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