Monthly Newsletters - January 2021

Ring in the New Year with Music and Dance!

Happy New Year!

Put your hands together and give us a quick jump and some air time right now if you think those three words are more meaningful than ever before!

 

Last year in my January update, I specifically mentioned the power of music and dance and their importance for our cognitive, physical, creative and emotional well-being and development in “these tumultuous times.” That was several months before what turned out to be a most difficult year for all of us! All I can say is that I’m so thankful for my own music education and Mr. Russell (my first piano teacher) so that I was able to sit down and play the piano for many hours during 2020. Music was there for me as it will always be, and dance was even sometimes there too – although currently my dance talents are strictly used to make my children laugh.

 

This past year has only strengthened my belief in our mission here at LAAPA and the essential nature of community access to education in the performing arts.

2020 did have its wonderful moments here at LAAPA which included the outpouring of support from our devoted parents, students, faculty, and staff; being able to continue lessons with our students online and in-person (once we were allowed to do so); and being able to hold all of our performances with necessary modifications to share the awesome accomplishments of our students.

 

I wanted to take a moment to congratulate and thank all of our students, parents, faculty, and staff once again for some outstanding Holiday Performances. The programs were all incredibly diverse and of course socially distant following all recommendations for audience sizes and sanitation! In addition to the solo performances by our music students (piano, voice, violin, guitar, drums, bass, clarinet, flute, trumpet, saxophone, and more!), we also had our preschool music classes perform, as well as so many exciting duet, trio, quartet, and ensemble performances. Our music and dance students put on a fantastic production of “The Nutcracker Prince” which was filmed in sections and recently released on our Vimeo Channel and our Facebook page!

 

Whether it was the smiles after their first of many successful performances to come or tears after their final appearance with LAAPA before heading off to college, sharing the variety of emotions in celebration of the accomplishments of our students was certainly a highlight of my 2020. I’m certain I wasn’t alone in that regard!

 

Even with masks, distancing, hearing the COVID piano sonata over and over (the song you heard/some of you applauded to as we sanitized the piano keys between performances), the joy of sharing our art came through and our performers touched the lives of so many.

 

Also, I just wanted to thank all who were able to help us support a variety of local charities this year! You were all so generous, and when we brought the gifts and other donations to those in charge they were overwhelmed with gratitude! The missions we supported this year are posted here: https://www.laapa.com/mission.

 

Say GOODBYE to 2020 by looking ahead to your future dreams and goals this year in 2021! Is this the year YOU learn to play, dance or sing? Did someone in your family get a new instrument for the Holidays? Are they excited to try something fun and new? Perhaps you’re a current student and have been thinking of starting a new music or dance program this year? The New Year is full of possibilities and is a popular time to get started and join in the fun here at LAAPA!

 

We teach kids, teens, and adults, so whether you’re brand new to music or already have some experience – you’ll feel right at home. Our amazingly diverse and talented faculty can’t wait to meet you!

 

Call us today for more information on how you can MAKE 2021 the YEAR YOU learn to PLAY, DANCE, or SING!

 

Happy New Year,

Ryan Cullen, Executive Director

Make 2021 Your Year for 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

Join us in congratulating all of our students who participated in the Christmas Music Concerts and Christmas Production of The Nutcracker Prince on a job well done! Everyone worked so hard to perfect their performances, and that hard work really paid off. We truly enjoy watching each and every one of you showcase your amazing talents year after year!

In addition to the amazing productions our students put on, we are also very grateful for all the wonderful donations that our students and families made at both our Music Recitals and Christmas Production! This year we teamed up with St. Timothy’s Church to sponsor the following local non-profit organizations: Basket of Hope Louisiana, Methodist’s Children’s Home of Greater New Orleans, Northlake Crisis Pregnancy Center, St. Tammany Family Promise, St. Mark’s UMC Homeless Ministry, St. Tammany Project Christmas, and Giving Hope Center. Together, we were able brighten the holidays for so many families. Thank you all for your generosity!

 

Pictured above are Ty’Jena Landry performing as one of Clara’s Dolls in The Nutcracker Prince (left), our Northshore Staff members posing next to the donations made at the Music Recitals (center) and voice student Jace King performing Fire on Fire during the River Ridge Music Recital (right).

Congratulations to the winners of our Virtual Recital contest, Leana and Elena! Their performance of “Hungarian Dance” for four hands on piano was spectacular! We’re proud of you girls as well as everyone else who participated. Way to go!

Mandeville School of Music & Dance student Caroline Tebbs recently came in for a professional recording of a song she wrote herself! We are simply amazed at the skill and talent of our students! Watch her video here!

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 January Birthdays!

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

Aaron R. (10), Aarya R. (8), Adele M. (9), Alexander O. (12), Alfunzo M. (41), Alton C. (18), Amelia S. (13), Andrew B. (60) Anna L. (8), Anthony P. (12), Ari P. (5), Armani G. (10), Ava G. (15) Brynn A. (3), Cameron D. (18), Carmen V. (13), Catherine S. (28), Catie P. (15) Cayden D. (10), Cecilia V. (14), Charlize K. (8), Chris B. (73), Connor A. (14) Daniel S. (6), Dilan P. (6), Dominick L. (14), Elizabeth D. (10), Emery B. (3), Emma L. (7), Enexander H. (10), Evelyn O. (15), Hannah V. (18), Hannah J. (7), Helen H. (12), Holly S. (13), Isaac H. (2), Isabella R. (16), Jack F. (10), Jackie H. (71), Jorden S. (11), Joseph M. (16), Jude R. (14), Julia P. (17), Julien S. (7), Kathryn T. (28), Kayla N. (17), Kelly P. (32), Kelsey F. (9), Kendall A. (10), Kylie S. (6), Lawson M. (15), Liam N. (8), Liberty O. (13), Lindsey A. (7), Lucy D. (9), Luke D. (12), Luke P. (7), Madison M. (15), Matthew B. (12), Mettah M. (9), Nevaeh A. (9), Noelle C. (11), Nova D. (3), Parker B. (6), Patrick C. (14), Peyton K. (13), Rahaff M. (11), Roman H. (8), Roni S. (8), Rosa Maria L. (65), Rossanna L. (11), Ryan M. (7), Sarah L. (42), Skip P. (72), Sophia T. (12), Sophia H. (9), Stella B. (82), Stephen S. (11), Summit S. (5), Tarini S. (6), Ty O. (11), Zachary D. (18)

Video of the Month - Success in Music Lessons

Dr. Vera Zholondz, instructor of piano, voice and violin at LAAPA, shared an informative video with us on what it takes to find success in music lessons. 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 - Kailyn and Amanda Jones

This month’s student spotlights are Mandeville School of Music & Dance students Kailyn and Amanda Jones. Kailyn currently studies violin with Mr. John and Hip Hop / Acro with Mrs. Savannah, and Amanda currently studies voice with Mrs. Rebecca and Musical Theater with Mrs. Savannah.

When asked what their favorite part about taking lessons at LAAPA was, Amanda said she loves that she can express herself in a whole different way when she performs on stage. Kailyn said she loves learning how to read music and she loves that in her Hip Hop / Acro class she can combine her two favorite things: dance and gymnastics!

Outside of music, Amanda loves writing and drawing, while Kailyn enjoys riding her bike, jumping on the trampoline, and gymnastics. They both love video games and hanging with friends and family!

When we asked Amanda and Kailyn’s parents why they chose LAAPA for their music and dance lessons, they said they had just moved into the area and found that LAAPA was the only school that offered everything they wanted in one place. They also love the warm, friendly atmosphere and say they all feel right at home!

Thanks for choosing LAAPA, Amanda and Kailyn! We’re so proud to have you both as students!

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

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