Dearest Voice Lab Community,
Take a deep breath and get excited about learning online!
Wednesday, June 3
Dear Voice Lab community,
We haven’t seen you in the studio since March, and we miss you a lot. We are now at the point where we can consider opening back up, since the City of Chicago is about to enter Phase 3.
In the midst of this pandemic, we also acknowledge the realities of the current political climate. We must stand in solidarity with the protestors in our city and across the country fighting for justice and equality. We are heartbroken for the Black community. Although we are currently unable to gather to process, grieve, and build strength in our communities in person, The Voice Lab stands with you. We are collecting resources and will be posting them on our social media.
You are probably wondering when we will be able to come back to the studio for lessons and events. We urge you to read this email thoroughly, as it contains important information.
At this time, we will remain online. And here’s why:
Over the last few months, we have learned more about the ways that COVID-19 behaves in the world. Recent research indicates that one way COVID-19 is spread is by aerosols or airborne droplets. These are the droplets of liquid that come out of our nose and mouth when we exhale. We know that the droplets can remain in the air for up to two hours and can travel up to 16 feet through sneezing, coughing, loud talking, heavy breathing, and singing.
Distribution of virus particles through these droplets is affected by a number of factors, including humidity, temperature, ventilation, and activity. Aerosols are tiny and their concentration drops off exponentially as you get farther from the source (especially with good ventilation). It’s also important to know that not every droplet will contain the virus, and even if it does, it may not be enough to transmit disease effectively.
All of this means that we need more information in order to establish best practices within the studio to keep everyone safe.
We are taking great care to review the research about COVID-19, especially as it pertains to your lessons, performances, and community events.
We are excited to continue serving you online. We are working creatively to expand our offerings and we invite you share your voice, opinions, and ideas in this survey HERE.
We have had such an outpouring of support for our Pay-It-Forward Fund since its launch, and we are thrilled to announce that the application is now open! Learn more here.
We will see you online at your next lessons, open mic night, Trans Voice Tune-Up, Queer Hangout, recital, and songwriter’s showcase.
We miss you and we are eager to be together again soon!
Sincerely,
Liz, Alexandra, Mariah, and the Voice Lab team
Dear Voice Lab community,
We haven’t seen you in the studio since March, and we miss you a lot. We are now at the point where we can consider opening back up, since the City of Chicago is about to enter Phase 3.
In the midst of this pandemic, we also acknowledge the realities of the current political climate. We must stand in solidarity with the protestors in our city and across the country fighting for justice and equality. We are heartbroken for the Black community. Although we are currently unable to gather to process, grieve, and build strength in our communities in person, The Voice Lab stands with you. We are collecting resources and will be posting them on our social media.
You are probably wondering when we will be able to come back to the studio for lessons and events. We urge you to read this email thoroughly, as it contains important information.
At this time, we will remain online. And here’s why:
Over the last few months, we have learned more about the ways that COVID-19 behaves in the world. Recent research indicates that one way COVID-19 is spread is by aerosols or airborne droplets. These are the droplets of liquid that come out of our nose and mouth when we exhale. We know that the droplets can remain in the air for up to two hours and can travel up to 16 feet through sneezing, coughing, loud talking, heavy breathing, and singing.
Distribution of virus particles through these droplets is affected by a number of factors, including humidity, temperature, ventilation, and activity. Aerosols are tiny and their concentration drops off exponentially as you get farther from the source (especially with good ventilation). It’s also important to know that not every droplet will contain the virus, and even if it does, it may not be enough to transmit disease effectively.
All of this means that we need more information in order to establish best practices within the studio to keep everyone safe.
We are taking great care to review the research about COVID-19, especially as it pertains to your lessons, performances, and community events.
We are excited to continue serving you online. We are working creatively to expand our offerings and we invite you share your voice, opinions, and ideas in this survey HERE.
We have had such an outpouring of support for our Pay-It-Forward Fund since its launch, and we are thrilled to announce that the application is now open! Learn more here.
We will see you online at your next lessons, open mic night, Trans Voice Tune-Up, Queer Hangout, recital, and songwriter’s showcase.
We miss you and we are eager to be together again soon!
Sincerely,
Liz, Alexandra, Mariah, and the Voice Lab team
Monday, March 16
Even though we are walking through uncertainty ahead, what we have learned in our 5 years with you is that we are nothing without our community. The joy, playfulness, focus, and creative learning we get to witness every day with you is such a treasure! Because we cherish y’all so much, we want to keep the health and well-being of you, our students, as well as our teachers, audiences, and friends at the very top of our priorities. And we wouldn’t be The Voice Lab if we didn’t do that in fun and nerdy ways, right?
This email is an update to our plan for maneuvering COVID-19. We are going to make the most of this opportunity to build and strengthen our community, and we’ll have so much fun connecting with you!
As of Tuesday, March 17, all private lessons will be online through Zoom (like Skype, but better). We will follow the guidelines from the CDC and Chicago Department of Public Health and assess the situation daily, and keep in close contact about when we can return to in-studio lessons.
If your lessons are already online, you don’t need to do a thing!
Never used Zoom before? We gotcha! A few thoughts you might be having:
How do I use Zoom?
Check out this handy video to walk you through setting up your Zoom online account and joining your teacher in their online lesson room. Then read our top 10 tips for online lessons!
A few pointers:
Will the lesson quality be as good online?
Yes! And the bond you have with your teacher will be strengthened and more nuanced after working together online! It. Is. A. Blast. It’s a totally different experience and it is empowering, highly creative, and a great way to stay connected to the rest of humanity during this strange time of social distancing. If you are worried about the tech, we’re here to help! You don’t want to miss out on this avenue of learning!
Will my lesson still be at the same time?
Yes! In your appointment reminder emails, all lesson times are displayed in Central Daylight Time (CDT).
What if I need to cancel my lesson because I get sick?
No problem. Our administrative staff is still working hard to ensure you have a smooth experience. You can log in to your personal client profile in WellnessLiving and make changes to your schedule. You can also email us at schedule@thevoicelabinc.com or call and leave a voicemail at 773-360-8507.
What happens if the technology fails?
This is already in your lesson policy to protect you from any technological mishaps: In the event of a technical failure on the part of the client, the lesson may be forfeited. In the event of a technical failure on the part of The Voice Lab, the lesson will be rescheduled, or the payment will be applied to the student’s account as a credit toward a future lesson.
What about upcoming events?
What do I need to do now?
Even though we are walking through uncertainty ahead, what we have learned in our 5 years with you is that we are nothing without our community. The joy, playfulness, focus, and creative learning we get to witness every day with you is such a treasure! Because we cherish y’all so much, we want to keep the health and well-being of you, our students, as well as our teachers, audiences, and friends at the very top of our priorities. And we wouldn’t be The Voice Lab if we didn’t do that in fun and nerdy ways, right?
This email is an update to our plan for maneuvering COVID-19. We are going to make the most of this opportunity to build and strengthen our community, and we’ll have so much fun connecting with you!
As of Tuesday, March 17, all private lessons will be online through Zoom (like Skype, but better). We will follow the guidelines from the CDC and Chicago Department of Public Health and assess the situation daily, and keep in close contact about when we can return to in-studio lessons.
If your lessons are already online, you don’t need to do a thing!
Never used Zoom before? We gotcha! A few thoughts you might be having:
How do I use Zoom?
Check out this handy video to walk you through setting up your Zoom online account and joining your teacher in their online lesson room. Then read our top 10 tips for online lessons!
A few pointers:
- Choose a device. This could be a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
- Create an account on Zoom through a web browser (computer) or app (tablet, phone).
- Once you have created your account and/or installed the app, simply click on your teacher’s lesson link (this information will appear in your appointment reminder email from WellnessLiving) and you will be automatically directed to your teacher’s online lesson room.
- You might be directed to a virtual waiting room. No worries! This simply means that your teacher is wrapping up the lesson before you and will be with you shortly!
Will the lesson quality be as good online?
Yes! And the bond you have with your teacher will be strengthened and more nuanced after working together online! It. Is. A. Blast. It’s a totally different experience and it is empowering, highly creative, and a great way to stay connected to the rest of humanity during this strange time of social distancing. If you are worried about the tech, we’re here to help! You don’t want to miss out on this avenue of learning!
Will my lesson still be at the same time?
Yes! In your appointment reminder emails, all lesson times are displayed in Central Daylight Time (CDT).
What if I need to cancel my lesson because I get sick?
No problem. Our administrative staff is still working hard to ensure you have a smooth experience. You can log in to your personal client profile in WellnessLiving and make changes to your schedule. You can also email us at schedule@thevoicelabinc.com or call and leave a voicemail at 773-360-8507.
What happens if the technology fails?
This is already in your lesson policy to protect you from any technological mishaps: In the event of a technical failure on the part of the client, the lesson may be forfeited. In the event of a technical failure on the part of The Voice Lab, the lesson will be rescheduled, or the payment will be applied to the student’s account as a credit toward a future lesson.
What about upcoming events?
- Student Recital March 21: Postponed, we are looking for a new date in April
- Open Mic Night March 27: Online! Details coming soon
- Music Theater Boot Camp March 28: Postponed, we are looking for a new date in April
- ColLABorate Band Camp: Continuing as planned
- Queer Hangout April 10: Details coming soon!
- Trans Voice Tune-Up April 18: Continuing as planned
What do I need to do now?
- Take a deep breath and get excited about learning online!
- Watch the handy video about Zoom
- Download Zoom and set up your account
- Click on your teacher’s name when it’s your lesson time
