Questions about Maternity Leave

We've been re-organising and prioritising our lives as a family with the new year and I finally have computer access outside of my little office in the basement (definitely can't do everything from a cell phone - including write blog posts). It's been awhile since I've posted regular and it's one of the many things I've been missing and have neglected doing since being pregnant.  Although change is immanent, I'm hoping to get back to a lot of what I love over the next few months as we welcome baby #2 to the family and I start to feel more like myself again.

As we all prepare to have a break from regular lessons, I just wanted to clarify a few questions that have been coming up in lessons.

When does Maternity Leave start?

Maternity leave starts whenever the baby decides to show up. Once this happens, I will send out an email right away announcing the start of my maternity leave, so please check your emails/instagram accounts regularly, especially before you head out for lesson. Once I know when my maternity starts, I can be more specific on when lessons will resume.

You can access all up to date lesson and group class dates on the Calendar HERE. I will also try to send reminders of dates or date changes through email, blog posts, instagram and in person.

What happens with tuition payments during maternity leave?

Tuition payments remain the same. I have worked into this years calendar a 6 week gap. I have done this by starting lessons a week early, only taking 2 weeks over Christmas instead of my usual 3, overlapping my maternity leave with a 2 week march break and extending the school year well into June. If I decide I need more than 6 weeks off with the baby, then we will discuss on an individual basis a refund or transferring lessons to the summer.

Please note the change to summer lesson policies (as of 2019):

With this years registration I announced a change to the 2 summer lessons that have previously been included in tuition. I have worked these 2 summer lessons into the school year giving us a 35 week tuition period spread out over 12 months. Therefore, summer lessons are no longer included in tuition. If you would like to sign up for summer lessons you may do so in May when registration is released. Otherwise, lessons will start back up again in September.

When is the next group class?

The next group class is scheduled on April 21st. However, since I had to cancel a group class in January, I may schedule a make up class part way through my Maternity Leave so that we can all check in with one another. Otherwise, any cancelled group classes will be made up in June.

What should we do during the 6 weeks off?

Reference the blog post I did HERE on some things to try during the break. Please don't hesitate to email/text me while I'm off! It is not a bother to me at all, in fact the distraction will be appreciated - if i'm busy I just won't respond right away. However, I would much rather take a few minutes to answer your questions and send you feedback/video examples and keep you motivated to play, then have you do nothing over the break because you just didn't know what to do.

Have additional questions? Don't hesitate to ask!

Musical Performances, Camps & Institutes

Live performances are incredible motivators for any musician. Check out the following performances coming up as well as some great summer festivals to plan for!

The Next Generation Leahy - at the Aeolian on Friday March 20th, 8:00

SUNFEST - July 9th to 12th, FREE at Victoria Park

Canterbury Folk Festival - in July (exact date TBA), FREE in Ingersoll

Home County Folk Festival - July 17th to 19th, FREE at Victoria Park

Goderich Celtic Festival - August 7th-9th, tickets $25-$40
Goderich Celtic College & Kids Camp - August 3rd-7th, tuition $225-$360

• immerse yourself in traditional music and instruments for a week! Bring your main instrument and learn traditional celtic music or learn a new instrument or style of dance. Taught by incredible musicians and live performances every evening and into the festival weekend.

Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute - August 9th-14th in Kitchener

• immerse yourself in Suzuki studies, lessons, group classes and performances for a week. Meet other Suzuki students, different teachers and walk away with new inspiration for practice and playing the violin.

Other Suzuki Institutes around the world can be found HERE.

Western University offers many often free performances throughout the year.
Other music venues in the city include Aeolian Hall, London Music Club, London Music Hall.

Many of you have been to the TSO (Toronto Symphony Orchestra) and various plays around the city recently. So amazing to hear! Keep providing yourself and your kids incredible opportunities to witness other musicians and artists. Please talk to me if you have any questions about the performances I have mentioned and please pass along any other performances you would recommend or hear about!

How to Keep Practice Going While I'm on Mat Leave

Baby could arrive at any moment as I approach 38 weeks. I thought I'd share a few ideas on how we can all stay in touch and keep practice going during the 6-8 weeks I'll be off for Maternity Leave.

First of all, if you have any questions or concerns about what to do with practice during this time, please review the following ideas below first and don't hesitate to talk to me so we can find a plan that will work for your family.

#1 - I am always available through e-mail/text at 226-377-3667 and amybarten5@gmail.com. If I don't get back to you right away, I will shortly. Send me questions, text me a picture or a sound clip of the spot in your music you are working on. I will help you out anyway I can.

#2 - Attend the make-up Group Class (TBA) and keep an eye out for any Drop-in Classes I might schedule. The make-up Group Class will be a great opportunity for us to play together as well as ask any practice questions you might have face to face.

#3 - Schedule a weekly check-in with me. Similar to #1, although this is a commitment that you are making for yourself, to check in with me maybe at the same time every week. Once again, send me questions, videos, audio clips and I can send you feedback on your progress.

#4 - Be disciplined and keep your practice schedule the same even though you are not coming to lessons once a week. I will also be releasing Year End Recital Repertoire on the blog soon so there will be lots to work on. The Year End Recital is scheduled for Sunday May 31st at 2:00.

I am hoping to be back at lessons in April depending on how both baby and myself are doing. If I need to take more than 6 weeks off we will discuss refunds or transferring the lessons to the summer. I'm sure we can work something out that will suit both our needs. Thanks for your flexibility through all the changes this year!