ONLINE learning has enabled Newcastle's National Music Academy to remain open, but director Gianni Michelini fears the economic impact of the coronvirus pandemic could silence the 25-year-old business.
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Adaptation has been the key for business since the federal government began announcing a raft of restrictions on trade to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The Newcastle West music school quickly began rolling out it's learning programs online and last week ceased face-to-face tutorials.
About 450 of the 500 students at NMA transferred to the digital learning format, where lessons are taught via computer, smart phone or tablet.
For many parents providing their children with music tuition is part of a well-rounded education.
However, Mr Michelini is concerned whether parents will re-enrol for the next term following the Easter school holidays as the coronavirus-inspired economic downturn bites harder into family budgets.
"As the weeks progress into the next school term, if schools are shut down, the biggest fear and problem for musicians is people won't get lessons anymore, they're just going to shut and stop everything," he said.
"Within the next month we're gonna have a good indication to see if it's sustainable to keep going. Obviously we're a business with overheads and rent. Our job is to keep all of our sub-contractors having work.
"But if 60 to 80 per cent of students choose not to have lessons in the coming months, obviously it's something that won't be sustainable."
The National Music Academy employs more than 30 musicians as sub-contractors to teach singing, guitar, drums, piano, DJing and bass.
The staff includes well-known performers Rachel Maria Cox, Adam Osmanovic and Beau Hatch.
The live music industry has been effectively shut down following the forced closure of hotels and clubs and banning of public gatherings. Self-reporting website I Lost My Gig estimates $316 million in performance revenue has been lost by Australian musicians.
Many of NMA's teachers are among those affected.
"For a lot of them this is the last thing they've got left to have some income come in," Mr Michelini said.
Mr Michelini has avoided laying off staff as yet as his teachers have adapted to presenting lessons online.
"They have been incredible," he said. "All of our teachers have come to the front.
"We've probably spent 30 hours training online at least to get all the teachers up and ready."
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