Dear Bloomingdale community,

With the COVID-19 threat escalating across New York City at an alarming pace, we have decided to temporarily close Bloomingdale School of Music building and postpone all group classes and other scheduled events at least through April 20, 2020. As circumstances change, we will update you periodically as to rescheduling of events and group classes. As discussed below, we will be offering to conduct private lessons remotely or rescheduling these lessons as required through this challenging time.

The closure includes all programs and activities at the school location and in our partner sites. The last day of classes will be today, Friday, March 13, 2020, and we will be holding regular hours. Our faculty concert tonight with pianist Lynn Rice See, originally scheduled for 7 pm tonight will be also be rescheduled for a later date, to be announced.

We do not have a report of infection (or exposure) within the Bloomingdale community. We are closing out of an abundance of caution for our students, families, faculty, and staff at a time when city and state officials are universally recommending social distancing and limiting movement around New York City.

Closing the school building is an incredibly difficult decision. Throughout our 55 year history, Bloomingdale has served as an oasis where people could come together in times of need to draw strength from one another and from immersing themselves in the arts. Unfortunately, with this virus, we are experiencing a new kind of crisis that limits our ability to gather as a community.

We can, however, utilize a variety of media to stay virtually connected and provide some continuity with music education and community engagement. At this moment in time, we are planning the following:

• Individual private lessons will be offered remotely by our faculty or will be rescheduled for a later date.
• Group classes (including Early Childhood and Ensemble classes) will not be offered at this time and will be rescheduled for a later date.
• Bloomingdale social media platforms will be updated regularly to provide you with important information concerning the school and its programs and to share our music-making experiences at home with other Bloomingdale students.

Please know that remote learning is new to Bloomingdale and we deeply appreciate your patience as we get this up and running. Instructions and details will be shared with the community shortly and we will have tech and student services support in place to assist.

I look forward to welcoming back our building when this crisis abates. In the meantime, the Bloomingdale staff will be available during this closure period to support you in any way we can.

Thank you and be well.

Brandon Vazquez, Senior Director
(212) 663-6021 ext. 124