EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been corrected to reflect that both Rich and Marie Burkholder are co-owners of Avalon Music Academy in Holland.
HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Holland area residents are still finding time to improve their musical skills despite Michigan’s “stay home, stay safe” rule.
Rich Burkholder teaches music at and co-owns Avalon Music Academy in Holland, which has — like many Michigan schools — transitioned to online lessons.
“Right now, we are able to offer music lessons on Zoom, Skype or FaceTime,” he said.
Among the instruments available are guitar, piano, drums, ukulele, bass, voice, brass, woodwinds, strings and more. Burkholder says students of all ages are actively engaging and lesson numbers have actually gone up since COVID-19.
The Avalon School of the Arts co-owner Marie Burkholder said dance and theatre lessons provide some normalcy to younger students.
“The kids still get dressed up. They still put on their leotard and tights and they meet with their classmates on Zoom for about an hour,” she said. “Then they can forget about how odd the world has become, and do something that makes them feel really good.”
As a small business owner, she said, these are challenging times, but lessons and dance provide a sense of community.
The Burkholders said they’re gratefuld for the ourpouring of support from Avalon School of the Arts’s current students and their families.
People interested in music lessons should call (616) 834-0854 or visit avalonmusicacademyofholland.com for more information. Dance students should call (616) 738.6495.
Reported by Scott J. Watson
