Monthly Newsletters - November 2020

Holiday Performances are Coming Soon - It's Not Too Late to Join the Fun!

Dear Parents, students, and future students!

For some, it may be at the mall and for others it may be in a neighbor’s yard, but for me it always ends up being at Lowe’s. During my random visits for LAAPA’s hardware needs over the years (around this time), I always end up being a bit surprised to see the Christmas décor flashing away and also appreciative for the personal reminder. So today as I copied my new key, I began to channel my innermost jolliness in anticipation of our 2020 Productions being just a few week away!

 

Here's what you need to know this year!

 

First – our dance show “The Nutcracker Prince” is now closed to new students as rehearsals are already underway. The Nutcracker performance will be held Sunday Dec 20 at 6:00PM.  Due to ongoing COVID Phase III restrictions, only half of the seats will be available in the Theater and we only have 182 seats left after all of the presold tickets.  Last year we had over 400 guests and ran out of room! So if you are planning to have family and friends attend, you should reserve your tickets now as the event will likely sell out well before the date of the show, and we cannot guarantee that there will be an additional performance at this time.  Tickets for the Nutcracker may be purchased at events.laapa.com

Those students who are performing in the Nutcracker Prince as well as a music recital should rest assured that the schedule will be arranged so that you are able to make both performances.  Our Director of Administration, Mrs. Robin is an Excel whiz and master scheduler.

There's still time to sign up for TWO other events!

Music & Dance students may sign up for a Fall Virtual Recital (DEADLINE: 11/22/2020). Learn more here: https://www.laapa.com/virtual-recital

Music Students may sign up for our In-Person Christmas Recitals (DEADLINE 11/8/2020). Learn more here:https://www.laapa.com/xmas

Here's a little more information on what to expect for our in-person performances:

 

1.) For The Nutcracker Prince, students will have a final rehearsal in the afternoon before the evening performance at Fuhrmann Auditorium. The final rehearsal will be open to parents only who check in with their tickets. Guests who are not direct family members are asked to attend only the actual performances. Doors will open for seating beginning at 5 PM (1 full hour before the show starts). Students will have a long day between the performance and rehearsals and should bring a lunch bag/snacks/water for their breaks in between the rehearsing.  Further preparation info and details will be sent to you in a letter after Thanksgiving.

 

2.) For our in-person music recitals, all musicians are invited to perform! Even if you just began studying this past
fall, you can work with your instructor to perform even a brief piece with the underlying goal of providing a positive introduction to the stage!

 

3.) For Vocalists - practice holding a pretend microphone in your lessons to simulate your actual on stage performance. If you’d prefer not to hold anything, the other option is leaving the microphone on the stand.

 

4.) For pianists - you will be performing on a full sized grand piano at the concerts. The piano should feel very similar to our pianos at LAAPA.

 

5.) For guitarists - we provide a Fender amp (with plenty of optional effects) and a direct connection to the auditorium’s sound system. If you want to use your amp/effects pedal, please bring your own patch cables and let us know in advance of the date for setup planning!

 

6.) For drummers - we will have a Yamaha custom acoustic drum set on stage similar to the ones many of
you use in your lessons. You just need to bring your sticks!

 

7.) Now is a GREAT time to ask your teacher to show you how to TUNE your instrument.  We highly recommend learning this skill to all violin, guitar, brass, and woodwind students if you haven’t already. Our staff will be on hand to help you tune before the concert begins as well.

 

8.) There are no tickets to purchase for our Christmas Music Concerts.  In lieu of tickets, we ask for donations
to a charity that we’ve been supporting for several years now through the Teresian Sisters.  More information on
this mission is available at https://www.laapa.com/mission.

 

9.) Professional Pictures and Videos are available as either candids or action shots.  If you’d like a candid shot on stage or the red carpet, just inquire when checking in! All photography will be posted to media.laapa.com a few weeks after the recital for purchase.

 

10.) Seating for parents and guests is all on a first come, first served basis. Each concert will typically last up to 1 1/2 hours. We ask that you be prepared to remain for the full concert.  Students who leave early will miss out on our group photographs which get sent to the local newspapers, hung in our schools, and
published on our website. 

 

We look forward to seeing you all on stage this Holiday Season!

Ryan Cullen, Executive Director

Back to School - Lessons Available Online or In-Person!

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

Enroll Today!

Student News

LAAPA’s very own Lolo L and Addison F played Pepper and Duffy in 30 by Ninety’s production of Annie last month. Lolo has been studying voice and Rock/Pop Ensemble with us for 5 years, and Addison has been studying piano and voice with us for 8 years! These girls are so talented and we’re so proud to have them as part of our LAAPA family.

Mandeville School of Music & Dance student Jamie H. (left), was accepted to University of Southern Mississippi! Jamie attends Hip Hop III, Ballet II, and Contemporary with Mrs. Savannah. She has also assisted with summer camps and is currently fulfilling her high school senior internship at LAAPA. Congratulations, Jamie!

Talent runs in this family! Sisters Adelyn, Alexa and Aniston M. have all been hard at work in their piano and guitar lessons! These girls all saved up enough tickets to get themselves matching LAAPA shirts. Keep up the great work, girls!

Gideon S. has been working on “A Million Dreams” with Mrs. Rebecca at the Mandeville School of Music & Dance. We just know he’ll achieve all of his biggest dreams!

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 November Birthdays!

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

Addison F. (12), AJ D. (14), Alex S. (11), Alex G. (17), Alexandra M. (13), Alivia S. (18), Allison B. (9), Andie H. (11), Andrew F. (13), Angelina F. (16), Arianne S. (11), Aubreigh S. (13), Aubrey V. (6), Audrey K. (2), Aurora H. (9), Axl W. (4), Bella Rose C. (10), Benjamin D. (12) Brennan B. (7), Brittany V. (34), Brooke S. (13), Bryanna S. (8), Callie B. (11), Carson T. (13), Chloe A. (13), Claire S. (16), Cristian A. (14), Daniel M. (44), Elise S. (9), Emary S. (10), Emma R. (5), Emmarose O. (5), Erika D. (10), Frankie D. (15), Gustavo G. (11), Harper C. (9), Jace K. (12), Jacques B. (10), James E. (10), Jane S. (7), Jax W. (8), Jayden Rose M. (7), Jenna A. (9), Jessie M. (37), Jett M. (6), John Thomas A. (10), Jon D. (9), Justin M. (18), Justin A. (11), Kanishka A. (8), Kayla M. (10), Kenniel O. (7), Khunnie O. (8), Kimberly A. (16), Kinlee K. (11), Lailah D. (8), Layla B. (12), Liam B. (9), Lillian C. (13), Lily C. (2), Lloyalty P. (4), Logan M. (11), Loujane R. (10), Lucy C. (11), Lyla H. (6), Madison P. (7), Malaya V. (7), Mallorie C. (9), Maria A. (9), Marleigh J. (8), Maro Luc H. (11), Matt H. (28), Max O. (9), Mia G. (3), Miguel D. (18), Mira R. (6), Molly B. (7), Nikolas P. (7), Olivia S. (8), Parker P. (9), Patrick T. (19), Preston W. (13), Prisca L. (12), Raegan H. (11), Rafaela N. (10), Ravi G. (7), Rob S. (48), Samantha D. (9), Shaan P. (8), Sofia S. (12), Stephen M. (8), Thanvi S. (12), Tripp C. (8), Ty-Jena L. (5), Uriah A. (3), Vedant R. (10), Victoria P. (5), Zoey P. (6)

Video of the Month - Piano - Beginning Piano Lessons - Identifying Note Names on the Piano

Mr. Nicoli Hutchison, piano instrucor at LAAPA, recently held a piano fundamentals community class demonstrating essential music theory behind the piano. No matter what instrument you want to learn, chances are this will be helpful information since basic piano lessons are an integral part of general music education.

 

Learn more about getting started in piano lessons locally or online by visiting https://www.laapa.com/piano-lessons

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 Mandeville 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!

View More!

Students Spotlight - Victoria Tun

This month's student spotlights is Covington School of Music student Victoria Tun. Victoria is currently studying studying piano with Mr. Kilian A.

Victoria says her favorite part about taking lessons at LAAPA is learning new things. Outside of piano lessons, she enjoys singing and dancing to her favorite artist, Taylor Swift. While she loves all types of music, she says pop is her favorite, and she would love to be a pianist when she grows up!

When we asked Victoria’s parents what made them choose to enroll her in the Covington School of Music, they said since Victoria has always loved music so much, they thought it would be fun for her to get some formal piano training and they’re so glad they did.

We’re glad, too, Victoria! We’re thrilled to have you as a member of our LAAPA family!

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

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