A word from:

James Stockton
Director
Sound Factory Music School

COVID-19:  SOCIAL DISTANCING DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T LEARN TO PLAY!
The Sound Factory studios are now temporarily closed while there remains a public health threat from the COVID-19 outbreak.  We hope to see your face at the studio soon, but while we wait things out we have moved quickly to provide the option of online lessons to help students continue to learn through this uncertain time.  We're committed to providing all the support we can to students including regular access to professional instruction, materials, feedback, and motivational tools.

Enroll for online instruction and we'll provide the supports you need to get started including:
  • Free "Setup" Consultation to make sure you're ready to go
  • Weekly, flexible appointment booking
  • Easy no-effort scheduling
  • Online assignments and access to digital materials
  • Free local (KW) delivery of printed materials or supplies from our store
  • Bonus: Join our digital community with YouTube challenges, online band practice, and more!

Our studio pledge once we reopen for in-person lessons:

During this challenging time our studio is taking great care with the health and well-being of our students, staff, guests, and our neighbours in the community that may be affected by contact indirectly with us all, some of whom are most vulnerable to this illness. 

We are committed to enhanced cleanliness, good practices, updated policy, vigilance and caution.  While there is still any risk from this virus we will continue to maintain hygiene and cleanliness standards that conform to recommendations from our public health officials and medical community.  Programming and operations are also being adapted in alignment of the wider regional business community, and we'll reopen when it makes sense to do so.

Here's a helpful list of 19 songs to sing while washing your hands to ensure you've done the job right.

We are a small, local business and though our community has not remained untouched by COVID-19, we are fortunate thus far to have seen limited effects.  We are all pulling together to take action to halt and defeat this virus, and the Sound Factory will be vigilant in doing our part.to protect you.

Stay healthy and look after each other, we're all in this together.

Update:  Stage 3 Reopening Plan

 The Sound Factory Music School's studio space will reopen after Monday, July 20th, 2020 under phase 3 of the provincial reopening plan.  We are committed to going the extra mile to protect the health and safety of our students, families and neighbours with changes to our operating protocols to ensure safe social distancing and cleanliness. 

These include:
  • Students taking classes in the studio are required to sign a COVID-19 liability waiver.
  • 2m distancing enforcement while on the premises; floor markings and other directions will be in place to help.  Our two doors will be designated as 'entrance' and 'exit' only, with directional traffic through the space.
  • Mandatory hand washing with soap upon entering the facility; proper hand washing procedures clearly posted in the washrooms
  • Masks must be worn when inside the studio (including during lessons), in accordance with the Region of Waterloo statutes and safe practices
  • Plexiglass dividers will separate students and teachers in the lesson rooms
  • Lesson schedules will be staggered to minimize the number of people entering/leaving the facility at fixed times, and to allow for any necessary sanitation between lessons
  • The waiting room will be closed.  We encourage waiting outside, weather permitting, or in your car.  Parents who must accompany a child to lessons must enter the enclosed lesson room, maintain 2m distancing and observe mask guidelines at all times.
  • Consumption of food or drink is not permitted within the studio facilities.
    *Staff are permitted food and drink within their studios only and behind protective acrylic shields.  Waste must be removed personally.
  • No more than 50 people will be allowed in the building as per the provincial order.  We aim to keep this number below 20.
  • Enter and Exit Only doors will be assigned to create one-way flow through the studio.  Entry can be made through our unit C16 (beneath the sign) and you will exit through the office (C15).
  • Visitors must sign in at the desk upon entering the facility.  Your name, contact number and time of your visit must be recorded for purposes of contact tracing.  (*Students do not need to sign in if you are at the studio for your lesson.  Lessons are tracked by your teacher.)  *Registered students who enter the studio at a time other than their prearranged lesson time must sign in as a visitor.
  • Books and other materials are available by request, clients may not browse/touch items in the store.
  • Lessons are limited to private or semi-private (no group classes or ensembles)
  • We will accept contactless payments only (Interac or credit card TAP, Interac E-Transfer).  We can accept payment by cheque through online deposit (you must keep and dispose of the cheque after we confirm deposit).  We cannot accept cash at this time.
  • Students must provide their own instruments with the exception of piano students. Students are not permitted to borrow or use books or any other implements or equipment owned by the studio or the teacher (and vice versa).  Bring it with you if you need it!
  • Any visitor to the studio (including staff) should avoid touching surfaces as much as possible.  Common touch surfaces will be sanitized regularly, including door handles, railings, piano keyboards, the front desk, chairs, music stands, and the payment processing terminal, as well as our three washrooms.
  • If you feel sick, stay at home!  Students or staff displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 upon entering the studio will be asked to leave immediately.  Your lesson will be rescheduled for you, so please exercise caution and think ahead.  Temperature checks may be implemented without notice at any time if needed
  • Online Lessons remain available indefinitely for students who wish to avoid coming to the studio at this time.  We want to remain flexible to get you the instruction you need without putting anyone at risk so please think of your family and friends at all times when coming to visit us.