OrKidstra brings music education home with virtual learning

OrKidstra’s new approach brings the magic of music education onto a virtual stage!

During these challenging times, OrKidstra is finding innovative and creative ways to continue empowering kids and building community through music. Guided by OrKidstra’s spirit of love, courage and excellence, the Ottawa-based charity launched OrKidstra @ Home, a multi-layered, virtual learning strategy on March 24, 2020. This new approach combines creativity and technology in a fun and accessible way to help benefit OrKidstra students of all ages and empower them to continue building success – and brighten their days – with music at home. Learn more in our new OrKidstra @ Home video! 

All of OrKidstra’s six after-school programs (KiddlyWinks, KidSingers, KidDrummers, KidPlayers, KidSingers and OrKidstra) are included in OrKidstra @ Home. Expertly guided by OrKidstra’s artistic/programming staff and professional Teaching Artists, OrKidstra is engaging and connecting with students through:

• • LIVE connections through online (Zoom) group and individual music lessons
    • Non-instrumental group classes (KiddlyWinks, KidSingers, KidDrummers)
    • Instrumental classes (private/semi-private lessons and group lessons)
    • Extra programming, such as improvisation and composition ensembles and masterclasses
  • Virtual methods including pre-recorded practice recordings, sing-along/play-along and instructional videos
  • Fun virtual “hangouts,” online group activities, and peer mentorship
  • Virtual celebrations live stream performances and so much more!

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OrKidstra staff, (ProgramAdmin@orkidstra.ca), are actively reaching out to the families to offer and encourage engagement through this new virtual approach. OrKidstra @ Home online programming will continue to fill kids’ lives with the joy of music.

CEO & Artistic Director Tina Fedeski, MSM, is enthusiastic about OrKidstra @ Home and the organization’s creative spirit and optimism under such difficult circumstances. “Now more than ever, we want to give our OrKidstra students that sense of connection and continue building our community through music. I’m so proud that the OrKidstra team has created such an engaging plan to bring music education home for our students and beyond! And our students are excited: there has been incredible success connecting through this new approach! During this time of physical distancing, we’re grateful for the community’s continued support as we find innovative, virtual ways to help empower kids and build community through music.”

OrKidstra is a charitable social development program for children aged 5 to 18 living in under-served areas of Ottawa, Canada. The organization’s mission is to empower kids and build community through the universal language of music. Inspired by El Sistema, OrKidstra carries out its mission by providing over 600 children, from 62 cultural and linguistic backgrounds, with free group and individual music lessons and the chance to learn important life skills like respect, compassion, teamwork, and responsibility through playing and singing together. Learn more by visiting orkidstra.ca.

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Contact:
Rebecca Russell, Development & Communications Officer
development@orkidstra.ca | 613.233.0166

Article originally published on March 27, 2020. Updated on May 10, 2021.

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