Well, Wiarton Willie, Ontario’s famous little groundhog, did not see his shadow this year, which means we are due for an early Spring this year! As much as I’m not a fan of winter, this really hasn’t been a bad year. Two major snows dumps and a few sprinkles so all in all, a pretty good winter….so far (knocks on wood). We are apparently setup for some rain this week and I’m welcoming it. My car is very dirty from the snow and I know if I jump the gun and wash it, the rain is going to start, so I’m trying to hold off. Looking outside as I write this, I think I’m going to get my rain. Yay to clean(er) looking car!! February, I always find, is a very quiet month. The excitement and busy time of the Christmas and Holiday season is done, and aside from Family Day and Valentine’s Day, there really isn’t much excitement. The start of February was exciting for me on a personal level (more on that below) but I always welcome the more ‘calming’ side of this month. We don’t have alot to talk about in this newsletter but here are a few things to touch upon:
- March Break Schedule
- Student Of The Month
- Alex The Performer
Here we go!
March Break Schedule
I mentioned this in the January newsletter but since we are now on the door step of the month of March, let’s talk about March break. Lessons will still be taught at the regular days and times during the break, however, if you would like to move your lessons to earlier in the day since kids are home from school during that week, let me know and I can certainly accommodate that. If you need to switch days because of other activities for that week, let me know ASAP and we can schedule for a different day that week. The closer we get, the more difficult it may be to accommodate any day changes so please let me know. Some have already planned schedule changes with me and I want to make sure everyone has the option to, should you need/want to. In addition, for anyone that still needs a previous make-up lesson to be taught, this might be a good week to schedule that. Let me know!
Student Of The Month
Our Student Of The Month for February, 2024 is, Isabela!!!!!!
Isabela has been studying piano and like some of the other students, has been learning from the Faber & Faber Piano Adventures series. Isabela loves using Disney Frozen stickers for when she finshes learning a song (It took me almost a month to find some in stores for her and when I finally did I bought all of them) and earlier this month she completed 3 songs in a single lesson!! Isabela was also our first student when I relaunched the school last Fall.
Isabela received her framed Student Of The Month certificate, and is featured in this month’s newsletter as well as on our Facebook and Twitter pages and on the school website when the newsletter is posted there.
Congrats, Isabela!!
Alex The Performer
As mentioned above, the start of February was exciting for me on a personal level…. As you may know, I was trained not only on the piano, but also the clarinet and the saxophone. Actually, the clarinet and saxophone were my major instruments I performed on through college and university, in addition to still playing and studying piano. My professional level instruments have always been ‘pre-owned’, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with used instruments, student or professional, provided they have been looked after very well by the previous owners. My Roland stage piano that I used when I toured was actually new, but I’ve never owned a brand-new, professional clarinet or saxophone. With the relauch of the school and being very happy with how it’s been going so far, I wanted to buy my first brand-new instrument, and on February 6th, I did!! I bought a brand-new, Alto Saxophone!!!!! And this brings me to the performer/’shameless plug’ part of our newsletter…lol. I’m going to start performing again as a solo artist for cocktail events, private events, receptions, ceremonies, etc etc. If you, or someone you know, is looking for live music for any event, I would appreciate it if you mentioned my name. I do professional solo sax performances, using professional backing tracks, and play jazz, modern, pop and ‘top 40’ songs. Once I have new photos taken (does anyone know a photographer?) I’ll be doing a website for myself that I can share. If you need any further details from me, please don’t hesitate to ask! I’ve always loved doing solo ‘gigs’ and I’m really looking forward to getting back into it.
Coda
That wraps up another montly newsletter. It may not have been a long one this month, but still some great topics to discuss and of course our montly Student Of The Month! Don’t forget to touch base about any March break schedule changes, if needed, and I’ll see you this week in the lessons!
– Alex –
Socials & Where To Find Us!
- Web: https://www.doansom.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADOANSOM
- Twitter (now ‘X’): https://twitter.com/alexander_doan
- Google Reviews if you would like to leave a review 🙂 : https://g.page/r/CbNrxK_Veae6EB0/review
Alexander Doan School of Music 