Most years, the beginning of the new school year feels fresh and exciting. Everything is new and bright and full of possibility.

This year, in the midst of a global pandemic, things feel a little different.

As such, here are a few unconventional ways to prepare for the new school year ahead.

I've spent the last 12 weeks teaching solely online: innovating and adapting and learning new technologies, meeting my students in their homes, navigating this new virtual world together, and finding ways to keep making music through it all. Today, I want to share my observations and reflections on this season, this new paradigm in music education, and the benefits I've discovered.

This year, I had planned to teach five studio classes specifically for 3rd-6th graders, two studio classes for 7th-12th graders, and monthly buddy lessons for my K-2nd grade students. But what to do when the world shuts down and everything moves online? Host a Zoom studio class, of course. Here is a collection of virtual games, teaching strategies, and best practices for online learning.

What a crazy few weeks in the world, right? Who would have thought that we’d be facing widespread school closures and the sudden need to move everything online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? This is my third week of teaching solely online, so I thought I’d share the top six things I’ve learned (so far) about teaching online.