Monthly Newsletters - April 2020

Play, Sing, & Dance with Virtual Lessons and Classes

Dear Parents, Students, Faculty, and Staff:

I’m sure you’ve been receiving email after email about the actions every company you have ever purchased so much as a pencil from is taking these days in light of COVID-19. I hesitated to add to that pile, but we aren’t a big technological conglomerate trying to sell you software or an online store selling you chairs. You are like family to us – we are used to seeing you every week, and frankly we miss seeing you all in person right now.

It’s a tough time emotionally for all of us, from temporary job losses to long work hours, to routines and extracurricular activities being cancelled or postponed, to just not being able to buy a single roll of toilet paper.

While our physical buildings are now nearly 100% empty, the good news is that all of our students and faculty are still doing what they love and learning together! We are so fortunate to have implemented online lessons at LAAPA as far back as 2012, just when Skype was becoming popular. At that time, I used to hold a weekly music theory class online. Here is a clip from one of those classes if you’d like to take a trip down memory lane with me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voENpQtZtw0

Speaking of music theory classes, they, like all of our classes (including preschool music, parent & tot dance, and all other dance classes), are held at your normal lesson days/times on Zoom. If you have never used video conferencing before, or just need help getting setup, please visit https://www.laapa.com/zoom for step by step instructions!

Between Zoom and our popular student/parent/teacher portal powered by MyMusicStaff, we are able to deliver a truly first-class online learning experience!

Additionally, our preschool music students and dance students have access to special bonus content websites (psmod.laapa.com for Preschool) and (dcod.laapa.com for Dance) where they can download and play/replay video classes from their teachers.

We are also now making every effort to record each preschool music and dance class as we know everyone’s schedule has been adjusted. Recital choreography videos for all dancers are also being uploaded to this special dance website. If you didn’t receive your password and are a currently enrolled student in preschool or dance, please check with your teacher or simply reply to this email to get your password!

Speaking of schedules – just yesterday we added a “Text Reminder” feature that is able to send you a text 1 hour before your scheduled lesson/class. If you’d like this enabled, please reply to this email and we’ll gladly set that up for you. We didn’t want to enable for all as some may find it a bit much; however, we realize it’s easy to forget things day to day right now and we hope this helps out!

Indeed, there is a lot going on! It’s just social distanced and not where we can all share the joy together as we normally do. So, I have a special request from all of you that would just make our day here.

A few of you have already been reaching out to us on Facebook and sharing pictures of your Zoom lessons with your teacher. This absolutely brightens my day as well as our staff members! Please email us at contact@laapa.com your photos of your Zoom lessons in action or tag us on Facebook @laapaface or Instagram @louisianaacademy. We’d love to feature as many of them as we can in our upcoming newsletters and of course on our social media channels!

Also, keep in mind that we are accepting new students at this time! We appreciate your continued support in terms of referrals to family, friends, and colleagues. As mentioned previously, many of our faculty members rely not only on teaching, but also performing. As performing opportunities have been cut, they would greatly appreciate you talking them up to your friends, family, and colleagues who may need something fun and educational to do at home right now!

Thanks so much for all that you bring to LAAPA, and don’t hesitate to reach out if we can assist you in any way.

Ryan Cullen, Executive Director

Online Community Classes

In light of recent events and with everyone spending a bit more time at home, we feel that our mission to share the joy of music and dance is more important today than ever! We’re proud to present a series of completely FREE Community music and dance classes open to our beloved greater New Orleans community. Our faculty members look forward to meeting you, answering questions, and allowing you to discover your talent for music and dance! As our physical campuses are currently closed (like everything else), we will be streaming these classes via Zoom.

View Community Classes

Enroll Now in Virtual Music & Dance Classes

Looking for something FUN and educational to do while stuck at home? Join us for virtual music lessons and dance classes! At LAAPA, we offer the most comprehensive Music & Dance Program in the Greater New Orleans area with three campuses located in Covington, Harahan, and Mandeville. For over 40 years, we’ve provided lessons to tens of thousands of students in Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Drums, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Tap, Brass, Woodwind, Bands, Preschool Music, and more!

Covington: 985-590-4545
Mandeville: 985-674-2992
River Ridge: 504-738-3050

Get Started!

Summer Camp Early Registration Has Begun!

If you're looking for something fun, new, and exciting to do this summer, then consider Summer Music & Dance Camps at LAAPA! We offer one of the most unique summer camp experiences in the area! Our summer camps provide campers ages 5-16 with a choice of over 40 instrumental, vocal, and dance programs to discover and explore. Beginners, intermediate, and advanced students will have a blast!

For more information or to reserve your spot, visit https://www.laapa.com/camp!

Reserve Your Spot!

Student News

Covington School of Music student Prisca L. was recently awarded "Outstanding Interpretation for Literature" at the Louisiana PTA Reflections 2019-2020 school year. Prisca was also accepted into the Duke TIP Program! Prisca takes piano and voice with Mrs. Autumn. Way to go, Prisca!

Mandeville School of Music & Dance student Sasha F. saved up 40 superior student tickets and cashed them in for his very own LAAPA T-shirt. Sasha has been taking piano lessons with Mrs. Rebecca since 2011. Keep up the great work, Sasha!

River Ridge School of Music & Dance student Abigail V. saved up 10 superior student tickets and claimed this adorable stuffed-animal prize! Abigail takes piano lessons with Mrs. Candice. Way to go, Abigail!

Mandeville School of Music & Dance student Frank S. completed a book! Frank takes piano lessons with Mrs. Angie. We're so proud of you, Frank! Keep up the hard work!

Send Us Your News!

We love getting your news, success stories and comments. If you'd like to share your news with us, please e-mail at studentnews@laapa.com. Please note that we publish our newsletters monthly, and if you don't see your submission in this edition, it will be published as soon as space is available! Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/laapaface, youtube.com/laapatube, and now on Twitter at @laapatweets.

Recording Studio

Our recording studio is located at the Mandeville campus and features a 32 track ProTools system, 4k video cameras, premium mics and equipment. Click the button below to learn more, schedule a studio tour or Book Your Session today!

Learn More!

Happy April Birthdays!

We'd like to wish the following Students, Faculty, and Staff a very Happy Birthday this Month!

Students: Aaliyah P. (10), Abigail B. (10), Adele W. (9), Andrew O. (11), Andrew R. (25), Anisha M. (10), Aryn T. (2), Asher O. (6), Ashlynn B. (7), Ava H. (9), Ava M. (6), Brandon T. (14), Brynn L. (12), Bryson S. (5), Cadence T. (6), Charlotte B. (35), Chase S. (11), Claire H. (10), Coi D. (8), Colton B. (11), Daniel C. (15), Danielle T. (23), Destiny P. (6), Dylan N. (7), Ed M. (70), Elena N. (10), Elizabeth D. (19), Elysa W. (5), Emile P. (9), Emily O. (16), Emily S. (13), Ethan H. (7), Evan S. (12), Faith B. (16), Frank H. (8), Gianna P. (7), Gi’Yasi B. (4), Harshitha B. (10), Hayley W. (17), Hugo B. (35), Hunter B. (7), Isaac T. (7), Isabella K. (7), Jacob H. (7), Jayden B. (10), Joseph L. (38), Joshua G. (17), Jude B. (10), June R. (3), Kaden J. (12), Kaitlyn G. (12), Kayleigh G. (11), Khamilia L. (9), Kyleigh O. (11), Leilani M. (5), Lincoln B. (10), Linden L. (10), Luke C. (6), Maegan H. (14), Malobi M. (11), Megan A. (17), Meredith T. (13), Miley F. (8), Nathan Z. (35), Nico P. (13), Oliver H. (8), Paul A. (12), Penelope W. (7), Ralph K. (70), Rayleigh H. (7), Reagan D. (11), Rheya E. (4), Ryenne L. (6), Saige D. (9), Sara C. (28), Skylah (3), Sofi P. (9), Sofia T. (9), Tara C.(47), Thalia B. (10), Viren K. (31), Warren D. (53), Zackary G. (9), Zooey M. (10)

Faculty & Staff: Bethany B., Pacian A.

Video of the Month - Tap Paradiddle with Ms. Savannah

In this edition of our Lagniappe Lesson series, Ms. Savannah demonstrates one of her favorite tap paradiddles for her dance students!

Important Dates

Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:

New Artwork by Michaela Howell

We are very fortunate to work with local artist Michaela Howell. Many of her paintings and art are on display at all three of our school campuses!

Michaela recently brought in new artwork that can be viewed at both of our Northshore campuses. The beautiful piece above is available for purchase at our Covington location for $425

Interested in purchasing art from Michaela? Inquire at the front desk!

With down home country humble beginnings Michaela has always been very resourceful. She cuts, sands, primes, paints, and in some cases stains her abstract versions of the wooden instruments, creating very hands-on works of art. This resourcefulness has “Played” out very nicely in her most current work. Though the recycling of varying musical instrument components including guitar strings, violin knobs, music sheets featuring the instrument showcased, Michaela portrays a ‘current’ sense of style combined with a very vivid color pallet, creating a symphony for the senses!

Purchase

A HUGE welcome to our newest students who began lessons or added programs in March!

We are so happy that you’ve chosen to study at LAAPA. We know you will do great things this year!

Abigail B.
Adam H.
Alana J.
(Thanks Mary S.)
Avery P.
Beth B.
Brooke N.
Camila P.
(Thanks Anabel P.)
Christopher Z.
(Thanks Rebecca P.)
Christy H.
Claire G.
Clara W.
Clay M.
Coi D.
Ella B.
Emily F.
Finlee C.
Ford M.
Graham S.
Harshitha B.
Isaiah B.
James L.
Jayden B.
Jillian J.
Jonah K.
Kenniel M.
Kinsley S.
Kylie S.
Lincoln B.
Logann L.
Madison P.
Mason U.
Meredith T.
Mikaela H.
Nathaniel H.
Noah H.
Oakleigh F.
Olivia W.
Pacian A.
Preston F.
Rainah C.
Ronald B.
Sage M.
Soni Elizabeth H.
Sophia C.
Yahanna N.

Student "Shout Outs!"

“Elysa LOVES piano lessons with Mrs. Angie! She looks forward to her Saturday lessons all week!”
~ Williamson Family

“Haven is enjoying lessons at LAAPA so much! She is most excited about actually being able to play the songs!”
~ Hoyle Family

“Oh my goodness, Lillian LOVES her piano lessons! Her favorite part is her instructor, Mr. Russell. She’s really enjoying learning!”
~ Jaeger Family

“We love this school! Fiona is really taking to dance, she enjoys expressing herself through movement. She also really enjoys learning the choreography.”
~ Overton Family