Support for Discover Music Studio

This Go Fund Me campaign is for Discover Music Studio, in order to help them remain open. The initial amount of $5000 to be raised is to keep the studio open until the end of January 2022. It is the hope that $10,000 will be raised in order to supplement the studio so they can keep their doors open longer and allow them more time to increase their enrolment as well as find a new/smaller location so they can reduce their rent. All money raised for the studio will go towards the expenses of running the studio.

 

I’m Wendy Puttick, I run a small music studio in Kelowna called Discover Music Studio. I began teaching music lessons over 30 years ago. I started with private piano lessons in Grande Prairie, AB. When I moved to Airdrie, AB, I taught piano lessons and then began teaching the Music for Young Children group/parented piano/music classes 13 years ago as well as Music Pups parent/young child (babies - 4 yrs old) music classes. I moved to Kelowna in 2012 and taught piano lessons, Music Pups and Music for Young Children classes. In Sept 2019 I expanded to my own Studio and hired additional teachers/staff to offer voice and guitar lessons as well as Rock Band classes for young children (the only program like it in the Kelowna area).

 

When opening the studio in Sept 2019, I expected the first 6-12 months to be tight financially as the business would need some time to grow in order to cover the additional expenses. Unfortunately just as Discover Music Studio was reaching a turning point financially, covid started.

 

I’ve worked tirelessly to keep as many students as possible by switching to zoom lessons, however many were fearful and instantly withdrew. I switched to zoom lessons during the lockdown, and when we were allowed to reopen, modified my classes for social distancing, etc. I then also began to implement technology so if any of the students in our group/piano class were unable to attend they could still join from home and be part of the class. I have spent many additional hours learning the technology, borrowing or searching for the items that needed to purchase second hand (to keep costs as low as possible). I’ve often worked 60+ hours/week in order to keep our expenses as low as possible, and work on building the business up again. I have been able to access some support from the government, and wouldn't have made it this far without CEWS, CERS, CEBA and CERB/CRB. The enrolment numbers are continually increasing, but now with the conclusion of the government subsidies, Discover Music Studio cannot keep on top of the expenses. Our country is still recovering, families are still cautious about sending their children to extracurricular activities, we have not returned to 'normal'.

 

It was very important to continue music lessons for the children. What a terrifying time initially when all of a sudden they weren't allowed to leave their homes, return to school. All activities stopped, parents are scared and stressed, and the children can't understand what is happening. Continuing our lessons via zoom and being able to return when allowed was so important for these children to have some sort of normalcy when their young lives were turned upside down. Music education is so important, not just for the sake of music, but in the brain development of children. There is a short window where the children gain full benefit from this instruction.

 

Closing the business when the pandemic first started didn't make sense. First of all we were told we were only making these extreme accommodations for a short time to 'flatten the curve'. So I continued on, trusting that what I was being told is true, and businesses will be able to resume like normal soon. I was thankful when the CEBA loan was offered, even though it was a loan, at least it would help get through the few months. But it has been much more than a few months, the funds from the loan have been used up in order to keep the business running, and the support from the government has stopped. Families are still cautious, although our numbers are increasing, they haven’t increased enough to cover our expenses.

 

I am very grateful for anything you would like to donate. I hope to see the doors to Discover Music Studio stay open so we can instill the love of music into many children and their families for many years.

 

Musically yours,

Wendy Puttick