Dear Student Families,
It is with heavy yet hopeful hearts that this message is being sent to let you know that Encore is shutting its doors. Our last day of operation will be August 31, 2026.
We did not expect to close with so little notice or we would not have been accepting enrollment and starting new classes. This is unwanted and unavoidable, as the last hopes for the business sustaining have unexpectedly been exhausted after the recent torts of theft and defamation we have experienced. We humbly recognize that the package of this business entity couldn’t financially sustain what affected us, but our hearts as people are still at work to connect with the hearts of our student families. Some things will never change, even though the outer package is forced to change at this time.
You have options to continue learning with our instructors. Several instructors are available to see you in their homes or virtually. Some are available to go to your homes. My home is less than a mile from Encore where I will teach along with a few other instructors. (Danika writing here.) I originally started Encore based off of way "too" much success as an independent home studio, and it looks like we are going back to our roots again - with more friends now. :)
Private lessons will be a direct transition, and keep in mind that there still may be options to arrange for group classes with your friends in either your home or instructors’ homes. This week Encore will officially transfer you into direct contact if you wish to continue. Please fill out this form by September 1st if you would like to get in contact with particular instructors for lessons or classes: https://forms.gle/UyPrngVoY1nZt6h88
FINANCIAL NOTES
If you have been on autopay, know that autopay will not run from here. On the 1st, NO funds will come out of your account and go to Encore.
If you are continuing classes/lessons with me or with fellow instructor friends from my home studio, your tuition will still be due on the 1st of the month as it's always been even in years past before Encore. Due to the transitions, there will be a little extra grace this month, but as soon as things are arranged, the continuing lessons do need to receive payment. Please Venmo @DanikaStarrharrt or deliver a check. Other instructors will be accepting pay directly and will be discussing details with you upon your completion of the form linked above. Expect a pause in lessons and classes even from home studios from September 1 - September 7 with new situations in full effect on September 8. Some lessons/classes may be able to start up again sooner, if you receive word from the instructor accordingly.
If you currently have a credit on your account with Encore, this cannot be used for Encore classes as Encore classes have ceased to exist. The entity of Encore is unable to provide refunds, however, I personally guarantee any credit for lessons or classes with me, and I will hold the credit through May 2026. Or, if possible, I can do my best to pass this credit on to other instructors of your choice for use with them instead (just wouldn't come with my own guarantee). Alternatively, you can use your credit on any instruments or equipment we are selling at this time, or you can use it on a pro photography session with me (see @starrharrtphotography on Facebook - something I used to do alongside teaching music before opening Encore). Arrangements all depend on the amount of credit you have.
If you currently owe money to Encore for any lessons or classes taken in August 2026 or earlier, know that the money will still be owed to the trustee taking over the closure of the company and they will pursue it. You are invited and requested to pay your account current directly to us before September 4, 2026, as all funds received now are going directly to paying instructors rather than to the trustee’s decisions.
We would like you to know that the closure is being handled legally in compliance with all laws and policies, headed up by an attorney.
GROUP CLASS NOTES
Some instructors would like to continue to give small group classes. You will arrange these directly with them. Please see notes below for special info on a few class types.
CLAY -- If you are in a clay class, you may pick up any in-progress pieces on Wednesday, Sept 2, between 3-5pm. We are selling our wheels for $100 each if you are interested, and giving away our extra clay and glazes to those buying the wheels. We recommend taking your pieces once finished to The Potters Center in Garden City for firing.
MICRO -- If you are in a micro school class, we would like to keep these going in someone’s home nearby. I'm willing to host for the time being, but please text our front desk if you might like to host.
CHOIR -- If you are in the Wednesday night vocal ensemble, this will continue in Eagle uninterrupted, and now taught by Danika.
THEATRE -- If you are in theatre classes, note that one production will continue: Newsies JR, rehearsing Thursdays 5:30-7pm. We will be rehearsing in Guerber Park weather permitting, and at my house when the weather is wet or cold. Each week we will grow students in pro vocal, dance and acting skills that you expect from our JR Broadway productions, and we will still put on a beautiful performance in May. All theatre students ages 9 and up are welcome to participate in this production led by myself with other contributing instructors. There will still be a younger and beginning level musical theatre class available as well through the home studio.
Broadway at Encore, the pinnacle of our public face, will be on pause for the school year as we transition and restructure. It will grow through the non profit group Starrharrt Arts (Starrharrt Symphonic), rather than exist under Encore.
LIQUIDATION SALE
We are selling a great deal of instruments and equipment. These items must be sold asap and we are inviting walk throughs during open hours on our final day of operations, Monday 8/31 (11am-7pm) to see if there are any items, instruments, or supplies you’d like to make an offer on. If you cannot make the sale day on 8/31 but are potentially interested in buying something, text our front desk during Monday and I’ll reach out to you to set up another time to come by. Your support to help us liquidate goes toward having a smooth closure and we want to give you some great deals on creative items you'll love having.
Please understand Encore and its operations will indeed be shutting down, including administration. We are committed to settling accounts and connecting students with instructors but may not be able to answer any given questions from any given platform as the business is soon ceasing to exist and we may not have the resources to reply, at least right away, to every single question.
Many routes have been attempted to avoid this ultimate outcome of shutting our doors after over 5 years of operation. We are truly sorry for the change and we are saddened. However, the mission that started and grew us strongly for years is still alive and well: to create Joy and create Excellence through musical arts. Our sister non profit will continue to grow for scholarships and productions, and many of the instructors you’ve met at Encore are looking forward to continuing with you in a new shape and form.
Truly with love,
Danika (owner/founder/director) and our team
P.S. Once again, here is that form -- filling this out right away is the way to have your instruction continue. https://forms.gle/UyPrngVoY1nZt6h88
It is with heavy yet hopeful hearts that this message is being sent to let you know that Encore is shutting its doors. Our last day of operation will be August 31, 2026.
We did not expect to close with so little notice or we would not have been accepting enrollment and starting new classes. This is unwanted and unavoidable, as the last hopes for the business sustaining have unexpectedly been exhausted after the recent torts of theft and defamation we have experienced. We humbly recognize that the package of this business entity couldn’t financially sustain what affected us, but our hearts as people are still at work to connect with the hearts of our student families. Some things will never change, even though the outer package is forced to change at this time.
You have options to continue learning with our instructors. Several instructors are available to see you in their homes or virtually. Some are available to go to your homes. My home is less than a mile from Encore where I will teach along with a few other instructors. (Danika writing here.) I originally started Encore based off of way "too" much success as an independent home studio, and it looks like we are going back to our roots again - with more friends now. :)
Private lessons will be a direct transition, and keep in mind that there still may be options to arrange for group classes with your friends in either your home or instructors’ homes. This week Encore will officially transfer you into direct contact if you wish to continue. Please fill out this form by September 1st if you would like to get in contact with particular instructors for lessons or classes: https://forms.gle/UyPrngVoY1nZt6h88
FINANCIAL NOTES
If you have been on autopay, know that autopay will not run from here. On the 1st, NO funds will come out of your account and go to Encore.
If you are continuing classes/lessons with me or with fellow instructor friends from my home studio, your tuition will still be due on the 1st of the month as it's always been even in years past before Encore. Due to the transitions, there will be a little extra grace this month, but as soon as things are arranged, the continuing lessons do need to receive payment. Please Venmo @DanikaStarrharrt or deliver a check. Other instructors will be accepting pay directly and will be discussing details with you upon your completion of the form linked above. Expect a pause in lessons and classes even from home studios from September 1 - September 7 with new situations in full effect on September 8. Some lessons/classes may be able to start up again sooner, if you receive word from the instructor accordingly.
If you currently have a credit on your account with Encore, this cannot be used for Encore classes as Encore classes have ceased to exist. The entity of Encore is unable to provide refunds, however, I personally guarantee any credit for lessons or classes with me, and I will hold the credit through May 2026. Or, if possible, I can do my best to pass this credit on to other instructors of your choice for use with them instead (just wouldn't come with my own guarantee). Alternatively, you can use your credit on any instruments or equipment we are selling at this time, or you can use it on a pro photography session with me (see @starrharrtphotography on Facebook - something I used to do alongside teaching music before opening Encore). Arrangements all depend on the amount of credit you have.
If you currently owe money to Encore for any lessons or classes taken in August 2026 or earlier, know that the money will still be owed to the trustee taking over the closure of the company and they will pursue it. You are invited and requested to pay your account current directly to us before September 4, 2026, as all funds received now are going directly to paying instructors rather than to the trustee’s decisions.
We would like you to know that the closure is being handled legally in compliance with all laws and policies, headed up by an attorney.
GROUP CLASS NOTES
Some instructors would like to continue to give small group classes. You will arrange these directly with them. Please see notes below for special info on a few class types.
CLAY -- If you are in a clay class, you may pick up any in-progress pieces on Wednesday, Sept 2, between 3-5pm. We are selling our wheels for $100 each if you are interested, and giving away our extra clay and glazes to those buying the wheels. We recommend taking your pieces once finished to The Potters Center in Garden City for firing.
MICRO -- If you are in a micro school class, we would like to keep these going in someone’s home nearby. I'm willing to host for the time being, but please text our front desk if you might like to host.
CHOIR -- If you are in the Wednesday night vocal ensemble, this will continue in Eagle uninterrupted, and now taught by Danika.
THEATRE -- If you are in theatre classes, note that one production will continue: Newsies JR, rehearsing Thursdays 5:30-7pm. We will be rehearsing in Guerber Park weather permitting, and at my house when the weather is wet or cold. Each week we will grow students in pro vocal, dance and acting skills that you expect from our JR Broadway productions, and we will still put on a beautiful performance in May. All theatre students ages 9 and up are welcome to participate in this production led by myself with other contributing instructors. There will still be a younger and beginning level musical theatre class available as well through the home studio.
Broadway at Encore, the pinnacle of our public face, will be on pause for the school year as we transition and restructure. It will grow through the non profit group Starrharrt Arts (Starrharrt Symphonic), rather than exist under Encore.
LIQUIDATION SALE
We are selling a great deal of instruments and equipment. These items must be sold asap and we are inviting walk throughs during open hours on our final day of operations, Monday 8/31 (11am-7pm) to see if there are any items, instruments, or supplies you’d like to make an offer on. If you cannot make the sale day on 8/31 but are potentially interested in buying something, text our front desk during Monday and I’ll reach out to you to set up another time to come by. Your support to help us liquidate goes toward having a smooth closure and we want to give you some great deals on creative items you'll love having.
Please understand Encore and its operations will indeed be shutting down, including administration. We are committed to settling accounts and connecting students with instructors but may not be able to answer any given questions from any given platform as the business is soon ceasing to exist and we may not have the resources to reply, at least right away, to every single question.
Many routes have been attempted to avoid this ultimate outcome of shutting our doors after over 5 years of operation. We are truly sorry for the change and we are saddened. However, the mission that started and grew us strongly for years is still alive and well: to create Joy and create Excellence through musical arts. Our sister non profit will continue to grow for scholarships and productions, and many of the instructors you’ve met at Encore are looking forward to continuing with you in a new shape and form.
Truly with love,
Danika (owner/founder/director) and our team
P.S. Once again, here is that form -- filling this out right away is the way to have your instruction continue. https://forms.gle/UyPrngVoY1nZt6h88
