Firstly, a massive thank you for your support over the past few months. Closing the studios and moving to online lessons has not been easy for us and we really do appreciate how flexible and positive you have been.
Secondly, thanks to everyone who responded to our previous email about planning to reopen the studio. It has been so useful to get a sense of how you are feeling and help us to plan for the future.
What's next
After reading a lot of guidance and doing some careful planning, we have decided to re-open both studios for those students who wish to return to face-to-face lessons. We will do this in a phased manner, with the first batch of students returning w/c 15th June and the second batch returning w/c 22nd June.
We will also continue to offer online lessons to anyone who prefers them.
Please note that Jack is currently shielding at home and will remain doing so until he has been advised that it is completely safe for him to return. Jack's students will therefore continue to have video lessons until further notice.
For everyone else, we have three stages of re-opening:
1. If you are currently having lessons and have previously responded to our email indicating that you would be happy to return to face-to-face lessons, your lessons will be back at the studio from w/c 15th June.
2. If you haven't responded to our previous email yet, but you are currently having lessons with us, we will call you to find out whether you prefer online or face-to-face. You can also email us here to let us know. If we can't get hold of you, we will assume you wish to remain on video lessons until you tell us otherwise.
3. If you are not currently having lessons with us and you would like to restart, we will do this from our next block, which starts w/c 22nd June. We will also be in touch with you individually to find out, but you can also email us
What you need to know
Everyone's safety is our TOP PRIORITY, so we have given a lot of thought as to how we can carefully socially distance.
We will mark safe distances on the floor in each practice room. We request that everyone stays at least 2m from each other at all times.
Our waiting room, kitchen and toilet facilities will all remain closed.
Every lesson will be 5 minutes shorter in order for us to thoroughly clean door handles, instruments, stands, surfaces etc before the next student arrives.
Please wait in your car on arrival. Your teacher will call you to invite you in once the previous student has left and cleaning has taken place.
We will provide hand sanitiser and expect everyone who enters the studio to use it on arrival.
Our teachers have opted not to wear masks, however should you wish to wear one, you are welcome to do so.
Singing students - we have invested in a sneeze guard which will fit between you and James for extra protection. This will be thoroughly cleaned between each student.
If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms (or you have been in contact with anyone with symptoms), please DO NOT come to the studio. Even if you feel well. Stay home and we will do video lessons for you until you are out of quarantine. Should you display any symptoms at the studio, our teachers reserve the right to refuse to teach you.
We recognise that most people are entering a transition phase with work/school/other commitments, so from now on, should you miss a lesson either with or without prior notice, your teacher will record it for you and we will email it to you instead.
Thanks again for all your support and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Best wishes,
Tim, Paula and the whole TMB team
