This article was written by Oseremen Irete While no program or faculty has been left untouched by the sweeping changes brought on by online learning, performing arts programs like Music and Theatre face unique challenges in the transition. Theory and classroom work are necessary, but a key part of performing arts education is, well, performing. Large group collaborations like plays or orchestras are essential to these programs and they must now find a way to achieve the same goals in a significantly more isolated and digital landscape.  “It is definitely a lot more difficult over a laptop than in person” said final year Music Performance student Wren Hall.  Zoom’s audio capabilities are more than adequate for students pretending to listen to their professors, but picking up the intricacies of French Horn via a laptop microphone or airpods can be a challenge. “Not only does the sound of the instrument not come through but if you have technical issues you’re missing the tone. You don’t get the same quality as you would in person  Practice has also been a challenge. “I lived in a basement apartment and I didn’t want to necessarily be bothering my neighbors five hours a day practicing.” “There’s that barrier. I know the practice rooms [on campus] are open but at the same time do I want to go there? Go through the whole process of checking in, sanitizing everything? “ he asked frustratedly.  The performing arts were hit hard when the government initially announced social distancing measures in March. The Fine Arts department cancelled or postponed all its plays, concerts and symposiums. These events are the crowning jewel for many students, a last hurrah before saying goodbye to post-secondary education.  While Wren was not personally affected he saw just how difficult it was for his colleagues.  “You work three or four years, you’re preparing for that because it’s sort of your examination […] It’s really hard when you spend all this time working up to something and it g