Subject: January 2022 MCMA Newsletter

JANUARY 2022 STUDIO UPDATES

2022 is officially here! As we look back at 2021, we are incredibly grateful for all of those who have contributed to MCMA. It has been amazing to hear our halls filled with music. We are also very excited to welcome our newest Board member, Claire Donnelly, introduce our January student of the month and to give information about our recital at the end of January.

And as always, if you're interested in trying out a lesson to see if it's a good fit for you, please send us a message. We'd love to schedule you an introductory lesson!

MEET OUR STUDENT OF THE MONTH!

Sarah has been playing flute for many years and started trumpet lessons this past fall. Her Instructor Chris Pert writes: "Sarah has worked hard this semester to transfer her knowledge of music and playing the flute to the trumpet. She finds time to practice multiple instruments and makes progress while juggling a busy schedule. Sarah comes to every lesson prepared and ready to learn, and always asks the right questions to get the most of her lesson time. As an educator, it has been fun to see Sarah draw parallels between the flute and trumpet, often finding ways to overcome obstacles in her own unique way. I am excited to see what the future holds for this hard working and talented musician."

INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER - CLAIRE DONNELLY

Claire Donnelly (she/her) is a former Midcoast Music Academy student and joined the Board of Directors in 2021. She grew up in Southern Maine but has made Midcoast her home since 2008. She is dedicated to community development through live music and currently plays drums in the feminist punk band Bait Bag which has shared the stage with punk and indie legends Deerhoof, Screaming Females, and Rough Francis.

She holds a BS from the School of Film and Photography at Montana State University and an MS from the School of Design Strategies at Parsons School of Design. In 2011 she launched her own successful graphic apparel brand, Fox Island Printworks, which she sold in 2017. She then spent three years as a Community Development Officer at the Island Institute and is currently working as a freelance Marketing Director. She recently stepped off of the North Haven Economic Development Corporation board of directors and is excited to bring time and energy as a new board member to MCMA.

In consultation with our medical advisor and the Maine CDC, we have updated our COVID policies to reflect newest guidance amid the current surge of cases and hospitalizations in our area. Across the board, you have been extremely conscientious and respectful about safety at MCMA over the last two years, and we are so grateful. We know how important it is to be able to offer in-person lessons, and we want to be able to continue.

To read our updated policies, click here.

Spring registration:

It's time to think about spring registration! Our spring semester begins Monday, January 31st and runs until the end of June. In-house registration will be Monday, January 10th to Monday, January 17th. Current students have first choice to keep their current time slot - be on the lookout for an email from Maddy to confirm or update your schedule (if possible). Spring semester registration opens to everyone Monday, January 18th.

Upcoming Dates/Information:

January Recital:

Thank you to those of you who have signed up for our end of semester recital! We are working hard to determine whether an in-person, public event is still the best option at this time. Please know that the recital will still happen in one way or another at the end of this month. Stay tuned!

January 17th - MCMA will be closed for MLK Jr. Day. MLK Jr Day lessons will be held Friday, Jan 21st, at their regular times

MCMA sends out a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported local music education through our Annual Appeal! The response has truly been amazing. Thanks to your generous donations, we will be able to continue bringing music to life! If you would like to support our mission, please visit our site at www.midcoastmusicacademy.com

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Subject: January 2022 MCMA Newsletter

INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER - CLAIRE DONNELLY