One year later, and the music plays on…
A message from Ms. Tina
Thank you for your incredible love, support, and commitment during this challenging time.
I hope this note finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. It is difficult to believe that it has been over a year since our world changed: I wanted to take a moment to reflect together on this strange anniversary.
It’s a heavy feeling, isn’t it? It’s hard to comprehend the profound impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on us globally and locally, as a community and as individuals.
What helps lift the heaviness in my spirit is thinking of the love, generosity, creativity, innovation, and desire for inter-connectedness with our OrKidstra family: your support has meant the world to us. Even at a distance, under such difficult circumstances, our community has come together stronger than ever.
In mid-March 2020, the halls of OrKidstra fell silent but, guided by love, courage, and excellence, the harmony began to rise again…
On March 24, 2020, our OrKidstra @ Home online programming began with our first virtual class: an individual clarinet lesson. Thanks to your generous support over the past year, OrKidstra @ Home has grown its weekly, after-school online programming to over 110 hours per week – all helping to empower kids to continue building success with music at home.
Did you know that 88% of students report a greater sense of belonging, and 95% of students have improved their musicianship after a year at OrKidstra?
One of the beautiful programs to come out of OrKidstra @ Home is our Masterclass. Every Friday, students virtually come together to perform music and learn from each other in a Kid-Powered, peer-to-peer online learning environment facilitated by our fantastic Teaching Artists. Other new programs to emerge over the past year include our leadership-building Buddy Mentorship program and our creative KidComposers initiative.
Now, more than ever, we need music in our lives, and so do our young people!
Like many of us, kids and families continue to struggle with the challenges associated with the pandemic, including isolation and loss (Ottawa Public Health). But, thanks to your incredible loyalty, OrKidstra continues to create a circle of music, love, and support around our young people.
Thank you for your incredible love, support, and commitment during this challenging time.
As we reflect together on the past year, let this love lift all of our spirits. Now, more than ever, let us remain connected as an OrKidstra family through the power of music and play every note with love.
With spring and hope in the air, sending love and deeply-felt gratitude from the entire OrKidstra family,
Tina Fedeski, MSM
CEO & Artistic Director, OrKidstra
P.S. Here is a heart-warming link from our incredibly inspiring Beginner/Junior Showcase, which premiered for our families on March 11, 2021. Stay tuned for more of these special moments over the coming months.
P.P.S. If this message helps to lift your spirit, please do share it with a friend.
