b'Mark Murphys Music School! Live! From the Basement!The shutdown made them bored. The music kept them connected.BY SARA COURTNEYFor Emma Herrero, music became the connection to a sense of normalcy after her other activities were curtailed due to the pandemic. J ust a few months ago,10 years. Music was something I did every singleofkeeping my schedule stable, music was really helpful.before masks and handSophomoreVivienneFrederick sanitizer and the wordskept a hectic pace as well. Before the remotelearningshutdown, I was very busy; I had a trudged their way intolot going on, she says. I was always our weary lexicon, Co- around people, so when the lockdown lumbia High School se- cameitwasadifficultswitchgoing nior Emma Herrero was busy playingfrom being out and about to just be-on her varsity soccer team and gettinging at home. Frederick was grateful readyforupcomingspringsports.Balancingherweek, she says. It was a constant. She had beento still have her lessons when other activities were busy schedule of athletics, AP classes and social life,busy with sports, homework, and friendsthe ordi- canceled. When they switched online, that was re-she also took music lessons at Mark Murphys Musicnary tapestry of a teenagers lifewhen suddenly theally good for me. It gave me something to look for-school in South Orange.everyday ceased; music became the connection to award to every week.Herreros days were packed with the normal dis- sense of normalcy.Mark Murphy, who founded the music school tractions of a teenager readying for college. ThenOnce I do my homework for four hours a day,inNovember2003,noticedthatstudyingmusic came COVID-19, and now, months later, only thewhat could I do with the rest of my day? she asks.became vital during the shutdown. It was a touch-music remains. I was going to manage softballthats gone. I cantpointtotheiroldlife,hebelieves.Itcentered Herrero has studied at Mark Murphys Music forgooutwithmyfriendsnow.Honestly,intermsthem each week. As a small business owner, Mur-30/ matters magazine / school 2020'