Hi there, my name is Chris Stahlke. I'm 41 years old, and I'm a private music teacher. I teach violin, viola, piano, and mandolin.
Before March Break and the COVID fiasco, I had a studio of around 80 students. After March Break, that number dropped to around 20. I have been able to continue teaching by doing video lessons on Skype and FaceTime. Through the remainder of the school year and the summer, I was hoping I would see an increase in my student count, but it has mostly remained the same.
I've been making enough to not be able to qualify for CERB, but not enough to meet all of my needs. Back in June, I had many friends help me out with a previous GoFundMe campaign, and that, plus some creative budgeting via deferrals, helped me to get through two of the hardest months I've ever had to face financially. To all of those folks, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
However, the summer isn't over, and August and September will be even harder for me. The good news is that Long & McQuade will hopefully be opening in September for in-person lessons, and I'm hoping that will attract more people to explore music education.
With CERB being phased out, and bills looming large, I appeal to you once again for some help. I believe that what I am doing is improving the lives of others through music education. If you share that belief, please consider donating to help me achieve some financial stability until my studio can grow to a state of sustainability.
You're not only helping me, but you're also helping all of my students keep their teacher.
Thank you so much in advance.
Chris
Before March Break and the COVID fiasco, I had a studio of around 80 students. After March Break, that number dropped to around 20. I have been able to continue teaching by doing video lessons on Skype and FaceTime. Through the remainder of the school year and the summer, I was hoping I would see an increase in my student count, but it has mostly remained the same.
I've been making enough to not be able to qualify for CERB, but not enough to meet all of my needs. Back in June, I had many friends help me out with a previous GoFundMe campaign, and that, plus some creative budgeting via deferrals, helped me to get through two of the hardest months I've ever had to face financially. To all of those folks, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
However, the summer isn't over, and August and September will be even harder for me. The good news is that Long & McQuade will hopefully be opening in September for in-person lessons, and I'm hoping that will attract more people to explore music education.
With CERB being phased out, and bills looming large, I appeal to you once again for some help. I believe that what I am doing is improving the lives of others through music education. If you share that belief, please consider donating to help me achieve some financial stability until my studio can grow to a state of sustainability.
You're not only helping me, but you're also helping all of my students keep their teacher.
Thank you so much in advance.
Chris