Update From Director Nick Doak!
Read the latest update from Director Nick Doak:
Hi everybody! It’s Nick Doak, Director of West Chester Music Academy, with another monthly update.
Big News!
What started 4 years ago in a one room office above a noisy CrossFit gym is now a staple of music education in the West Chester community! 😮 Through a lot of hard work, sweat, and tears, we now have over 400 students taking weekly lessons! — A special thanks to all the parents, students, and teachers for helping us reach 400+ students. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 🙏 Though we’re very proud of that number, we know it is just a number and means nothing without the awesome parents and students in our musical community. We are looking forward to upgrading our systems this year, ultimately giving our WCMA families the best possible musical experience we can offer!
Parent/Student/Teacher Platform: Studio AutoPilot
WCMA is getting a system facelift! Starting March 1st, we will upgrading our lesson management systems to Studio AutoPilot. We are so excited for this change and you should be too. Why? Well, I'll tell you why.
Studio AutoPilot (SAP) is an automated scheduling/billing platform complete with a parent/teacher dashboard. Everything (well almost everything) now can be done online. It will be as natural as booking your own flights instead of calling a travel agent.
SAP will allow you to communicate directly with your teacher, get your practice assignments online, and manage your lessons and account details. Need to update your credit card? No problem! Do it online! --- Need to schedule a make-up? No problem! Sign-up online! --- Need to switch lesson times next month? No problem! -- Book it online! SAP will also let you self cancel lessons up until the 1st day of the month for maximum flexibility. There is also a LIVE video lesson component so there is no more searching for or remembering your teacher's Zoom links and passwords.
The enhanced parent dashboard will allow for even more transparency as we switch our studio from a flat-rate billing system to a true billing system starting in March 1st, 2023. This change will only affect our private lessons program, not group lessons. Meaning, you will only be billed for the number of Monday lessons we are open in a given month, for example. We are excited about the new system and we know it will help our studio families have an improved, more connected teaching experience.
If you have't done so already, please please please sign-up for SAP using the link we sent to you in early February. If you cannot find the link, please text the studio 484-508-5895 and we will resend the link. IMPORTANT: SAP is now LIVE on our website. If you are not registered through SAP, it is possible to lose your lesson slot since incoming students will now be able to see our open availability online. Sign-up now to prevent that mishap!
Now Hosting Music Fun Time Classes!
Music FunTime offers unique and proven-effective preschool and young child music classes for children 18 months to 5 years of age. The structured, comprehensive curriculum incorporates music theory (reading staff music, rhythm, note values, time signatures, etc.) and application (playing rhythm instruments, keyboard, sing along, music appreciation, movement). It accesses children's learning through their brain's 'play center,' using themed games, attractive visuals, and delightful auditory aids that make learning exciting and fun. Kids look forward to it!
We currently host Music FunTime classes on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoon. Contact the office at 484-508-5895 to schedule your 1st month! -- Click Here for more info about Music Fun Time https://musicfuntime.org/index.html
Can't make your Lesson!? No worries--We have you covered!
If you physically, cannot attend your scheduled weekly lesson, we have 4 great options for you:
1. Zoom in for your lesson at your scheduled lesson time, or
2. Receive a customized recorded video lesson (must be notified before lesson time), or
3. Sublease your spot to a family member or friend.
4. Attend any of our hour-long group make-up lessons held every weekend. The group make-ups are unlimited and can be attended at any point throughout the year, both in advance or retroactively.
Love WCMA? Thank you for the referrals!
And, don't forget about our referral program. If you refer a friend or family member to us, we'll give you your choice of: $25 to Target, $25 to Amazon, or FREE additional lesson voucher. Whichever you prefer! Be sure to refer your family and friends, and thank you for your referrals.
Peace and Love!
Thank you, students and parents, for sticking by us, for referring your friends, and helping us get to our next milestone. We have some exciting news to share next month. -- Stay tuned!
Nick Doak, Director
