Monthly Newsletters - February 2021

LAAPAFEST 2021 - What is it and
how do you participate?

Dear Parents and Students,

It’s hard to believe that LAAPAFEST is once again nearly here! So what is LAAPAFEST anyway?

 

LAAPAFEST is a unique opportunity for all music and dance students who have been studying their program for a qualifying length of time (whether at LAAPA or elsewhere) to perform a memorized piece for a panel of three insightful and friendly judges. Students then receive an overall rating as well as detailed written, constructive feedback on their performance (within a variety of categories) which will then be passed along to their private instructor(s).

 

The overall goal of LAAPAFEST works in tandem with our mission here at LAAPA of instilling a lifetime appreciation of the performing arts within each student while continually building self-esteem. Students do not compete with other students for their overall rating and are rated solely on their individual performances and at their individual levels. Beginning students are most welcome to participate in LAAPAFEST and, in fact, are encouraged!

Immediately following the final week of LAAPAFEST, the judges are asked to select 30-35 music students who have received the highest overall ratings to join our Faculty in performing at our Faculty and Honors Recitals which will be held this May. 12 dance students will be selected to participate in an Honors Dance Workshop also held this Spring. Students will be selected per school campus based on their instrument/ program as well as their rating.

 

There are very limited spots in the Honors recital and workshops, and the selection process is always a very challenging one for the judges! Not being selected for the Honors concert or workshop, in other words, certainly does not detract from the outstanding achievement of a Superior or Excellent rating!

 

LAAPAFEST participation is an outstanding event in and of itself that produces Honors reflected in the outcome of student ratings. It is important to note that the majority of our students participating in LAAPAFEST typically earn either Excellent and/or Superior overall ratings at LAAPAFEST (because they are so well prepared)! The focus of LAAPAFEST is on the individual student, their performance at LAAPAFEST, and their individual rating at LAAPAFEST. All LAAPAFEST students will be recognized for their participation and rewarded for Excellent and Superior ratings in our upcoming Spring/Summer recitals! For more information on LAAPAFEST, please speak with your instructor ASAP.

 

You may sign-up online for LAAPAFEST for music at https://www.laapa.com/lfmusic and for dance at https://www.laapa.com/lfdance.

 

It is also important to note that each year we do have to turn students away from LAAPAFEST due to the limited number of slots available, so we encourage all interested students to turn in paperwork well ahead of the February 15 official enrollment deadline. Good luck at LAAPAFEST!

 

Ryan Cullen, Academy Director

Join the Fun with Music & Dance

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

Mrs. Brianna Miller, our new Coordinator of Dance Studies, moved all the way from Virginia to join the LAAPA family! We’re so fortunate to have her on our team, and we’re having a blast introducing her to new local foods. This past weekend she had her first ever piece of King Cake. Just look at that smile! Laissez les bons temps rouler!

It’s hard to believe, but summer will be here before you know it. If you need something fun, new and exciting to do this summer, then consider Music & Dance Summer Camps at LAAPA! 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! Spaces are limited to maximize social distancing, so reserve your spot today!

 

Sign Up Today!

 

Mandeville School of Music & Dance piano student Caitlynn C. has all been hard at work in lessons with her instructor, Mr. Ryan! She recently completed her My First Piano Adventures book. Congratulations, Caitlynn! Keep up the great work!

A huge congratulations to LAAPA’s very own Lolo Loris for getting accepted into The New Octavians! Lolo has been studying voice with LAAPA for years and has also participated in our Rock / Pop Ensemble. We’re so proud of you, Lolo!

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!

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Happy February Birthdays!

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

Adam H. (10), Adrian G. (12), Alaiyah B. (7), Alyse R. (16), Amanda T. (35), Amber J. (16), Amelia M. (5), Andrew V. (11) Aniston M. (13), Anita C. (63), Anya T. (13), Anya H. (9), Arabella G. (9), Aries P. (51), Bella D. (7), Bella C. (11), Ben B. (7), Bodhi E. (6), Brennan F. (12), Brock L. (17), Brody W. (10), Bryce D. (16), Caroline T. (15), Cecilia L. (14), Chase O. (7), Chloe D. (3), Claire G. (7), Clara W. (8), Colette B. (5), David F. (60), Dory A. (15), Drew D. (18), Elaine P. (7), Elijah B. (35), Eliza L. (9), Ella D. (13), Elsa M. (9), Emma S. (3), Emmalene M. (4), Emmé B. (11), Emmy K. (5), Ethan H. (9), Finley P. (11), Gabriel P. (8), Giovanna N. (7), Grace S. (5), Gregory O. (8), Holly S. (18), Isaiah G. (12), Jack M. (14), Jake S. (14), Jill P. (69), John E. (17), Jonathan K. (16), Joselyn P. (8), Justice W. (9), Kailyn J. (9), Kendall F. (6), Kennedy S. (12), Kevin Y. (6), Kriess D. (15), Lauren B. (15), Leticia T. (43), Libby N. (15), Lindsay H. (17), Lucas D. (8), Lyla N. (11), Mackenzie M. (15), Marlowe C. (7), Maryclaire A. (11), Maya R. (6), Nathan Y. (11), Nicholas S. (17), Paola C. (5), Presley C. (7), Price L. (5), Rachel Z. (12), Robert L. (37), Robert C. (12), Roxanne P. (63), Ruth M. (8), Saanvi R. (10), Sam G. (10), Samantha P. (10), Samantha K. (8), Sammy M. (15), Sophia O. (10), Talia S. (4), Thomas S. (13), Thomas P. (15), Vince M. (10), Vivian M. (10), Will R. (13), William W. (12), William P. (7), William F. (13), Zorie G. (5)

Video of the Month - Andrew Performs "Minuet in G"

LAAPA's very own Andrew F. delighted the audience at our recent Holiday concert with Bach's Minuet in G. Listen to those dynamics! To learn more about getting started in music lessons locally or online, visit https://www.laapa.com/music-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 - Anthony Peperone

This month’s student spotlight is Covington School of Music student Anthony Peperone. Anthony currently studies drums and Rock Ensemble with Mr. Ryan T.

Anthony says his favorite thing about taking lessons at LAAPA is that every time he comes to class he learns something new. His favorite types of music to listen to are grunge and rock, and his favorite band is Twenty One Pilots.

Outside of music, Anthony enjoys playing Rocket League, an arcade-style soccer and racing mashup game, as well as football and basketball. When he’s older, he’d love to either be in a band or play football.

Thanks so much for sharing, Anthony! We’re so 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 January!

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