COVID-19 Quarantine Pulse Poll Reaching out to our #UTSAMUSIC family for this feature is not always about the trials and tribulations of the pandemic. During this time of reflection and thanksgiving, we want to know if our musicians have experienced anything positive during this time of adversity.
“What can you point to as a positive outcome of your time in quarantine during COVID-19?” Gabrielle Sharp
Music Education (Voice)
“One positive thing that has come from quarantine is that I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on what path I’m taking as far as my educational and personal life. Before Covid, I rarely had the time to step back and look at the bigger picture. Now I feel like I’m starting to know the direction that is best for me.” Dr. William McCrary
UTSA Lyric Theatre/ Voice
“I would say that the most positive outcome during the pandemic has been all the innovations and advances we are experiencing with the online platforms. I have really enjoyed learning to use Collabra to connect with my students on days (and times) that I would not have had that
engagement in the past. One of my students likes to send me practice videos that he is recording at 12:30 AM.” Jadee Dovalina Music Education (Clarinet)
“A major positive outcome of my time in quarantine was that I was able to better my mental health! I always put off going to a doctor and seeking therapy but with all the time I had, I finally did it and I’m happier than ever! Spending so much time in quarantine allowed me to really pinpoint any issues I had in life and in myself. I’m still working towards bettering myself every day but I’m grateful to be on the path towards a happier and healthier life!” Dr. Ivan Hurd Piano Pedagogy
“As surprising as it may sound, there is not just one positive outcome for me personally as a result of COVID-19. I read that if a person can tend to their physical and mental health, it is possible to survive. So that, more than anything else, is what I set out to do. I have never found a form of exercise I truly loved and could maintain. At first, I started running on the Salado Creek Greenway trails, but after a few weeks of knee pain and shin splints, I decided biking would be a better option for me. Thankfully, bikes were still available in early March, and I purchased a new Trek hybrid. From March-August I was biking on average 70 miles a week. The time outdoors had a positive impact both physically and mentally. Like many of us, I have fallen into several diet trends, but this time, just decided to make a few small changes that I could hopefully sustain. First, mostly due to the pandemic, I stopped eating out. Cooking at home was naturally a healthier option, and I made a concerted effort not to buy my favorite snacks or sweets since I was mostly stuck inside during the day.”
