Omai Harvey doesn’t want to think about what would happen if he couldn’t continue his violin lessons online with Lynne Budnick-Lennon these past few months. When you ask him about it, he gets a little emotional.

“I would feel like I wasted the last three years working so hard to get to this point for nothing,” he says. ”I would probably forget how to play violin!”

You can hear the 8-year-old student of Settlement Music School’s Willow Grove Branch smile ear to ear over the phone when he talks about his online lessons.

“I am always excited [before my lessons], and it’s a constructive way for me to spend my time.”

Yes, this is a third grade student talking about constructive ways to pass his time during a pandemic. Omai’s mom, Tawyana Whyte, says keeping a piece of Omai’s routine intact has been important.

“It creates a little normalcy,” she says. “He still gets to interact and continue lessons.”

Tawyana says Omai’s transition to online learning at Settlement has been seamless, which she attributes to the ability of his teacher being able to adapt, connect, and continue to keep things engaging and fun.

“It has been wonderful,” she says. “It is working, and it engages him even more than in person because he has to pay closer attention. We are really glad we are able to continue this experience.”

To register for Settlement’s fall session, contact your branch today.