2020 Wrap Up

Dearest Voice Lab family, 

Where do I begin when considering the whole journey of last year together? 

A few of us celebrating at the TVL 5+1 Anniversary Party

Through everything, our community embodies the human experience through voice and music. Our community, as Ariel so beautifully said at our anniversary party, has become a “vessel of transcendence” out of quarantine and into meaningful togetherness. I want to share some peace by giving thanks, and describing what this vessel of transcendence means for us.

I have always been inspired by our TVL family’s commitment to connection, and this has been especially poignant as we live through this ever-changing time. Even though we closed our Irving Park location, we still hope to welcome you back to the Myrold Studio this year. And even in a pandemic, we found ways to come together and share virtual space. We gathered for regular lessons (a feat in itself); we shared creativity in a songwriting camp; got dressed up for open mics and recitals, and loudly cheered each other on with big-time love, Voice Lab style! 

If TVL is a ship, the admin team keeps us afloat, every day. Last year, we welcomed two new members to our administrative team and celebrated another anniversary with this amazing collective of strategic customer service mages. Mariah, Janie, Alice, and Ariel: thank you for your leadership, compassion, and savvy. 

We also welcomed eight (EIGHT!) new teachers last year plus three (THREE!) more already this year. Our incredible team of teachers keeps this vessel well-lit with plenty of love, laughter, and compassion. Thank you, Alexandra, Amon, Dan, Danielle, Deonte, Erin, Emily, Felicia, Gene, Isabella, Juanita, Katherine, Kyra, Marisa, Olivia, Onella, Tristan and Vi. And a fond thank you and farewell to Amanda, Leslie, Margaret, and Jackie. We wish you the very best!

One of the most incredible things to come out of this year is the Pay-It-Forward Fund Scholarship, sponsored by fellow TVL students and community members, to promote and maintain accessibility to lessons through financial hardship. We received over $9,000 in donations this year and offered scholarships to twenty-four (24!) Voice Lab students. This deserves a special thank you. Whether it was a lifeline to stay or an invitation to start, the scholarship donors embody the essence of community and connection. 

The heartiest, deepest thank you goes to our students. Some of you have been with us for our entire six years, some of you just started lessons this week. It is for you that we continue to build the vessel while it sails. Thank you for your flexibility, optimism, ingenuity, and commitment to The Online Lesson Experience. We will continue this year to create and foster this community of, by, and for you. 

This letter has ended up feeling more like a toast, and maybe that’s perfect! A toast, then, friends. To transcending, to staying honest and authentic, and best of all: to making music together. 

All my love (your voice), 
​Liz