Monthly Newsletters - "2022 in Review: A Heartfelt "Thank You" to our Students, Families, Faculty & Staff", Student Spotlight - Maggie Smith, Student News, and more!...

2022 in Review: A Heartfelt "Thank You" to our Students, Families, Faculty & Staff

Dear Students, Parents, Faculty, and Staff:

As our 44th year here at LAAPA concludes, I’d like to take the opportunity to reflect a bit on our mission and accomplishments for 2022! I believe the past 3 years for all of us have been a whirlwind of ups and downs, making tough decisions, and trying to focus in on top goals, priorities, and what we really value day to day. So this year, I don’t think it’s possible to say thank you enough to all of our parents, faculty, students, and staff who have allowed LAAPA to continue our mission here in the Greater New Orleans community. Being able to share what I consider one of the greatest gifts the world has to offer and see how it transforms the lives of our students and families is an awesome privilege. I believe our faculty and staff would concur on this point. So although it may come across as a bit sappy, I think it’s important that I go into a little more detail about what I’m thankful for here at LAAPA this year.

 

I’m thankful for our amazing faculty members who have really gone the extra mile again this year to make the learning experience for students seamless, entertaining, and progressive, whether in-person or online. One of the things that our students can always count on here at LAAPA is that no matter what their day was like at work or at school, their teachers will be here to consistently uplift them with their warm personalities, occasional jokes, and pedagogical prowess instantly transforming a challenging or just OK day into an exceptional one. They are all some of the most genuine and qualified educators in the New Orleans, Mandeville, and Covington areas that you’ll ever meet and work with. We receive countless applications each year from prospective educators (many times unsolicited), and while many are excellent performers or may be qualified, not everyone has the unique ability to communicate their experience and methods in a variety of intelligible and personable ways like our faculty do.

 

Equally amazing is our administrative staff! I’m sure you all know this from your regular communications with them! No matter how you look at it, keeping up with customer service for nearly 1,800 students, hundreds of families, and 70 faculty members takes a lot of patience and hard work! Despite this, they continue to excel at what they do with excellent leadership by our management.

 

I’m thankful to our students for their hard work and focus. Hearing and seeing them improve each week while having fun at the same time is an awesome experience. We’re gearing up for our largest recital and performance season ever in just a few weeks with 13 recitals plus our new, original musical! We can’t wait to see the final results of many weeks of preparations!

 

I’m thankful to our parents for their patience, support, and trust! We truly would not be here without your commitment to your children’s education. Whether they continue education in the arts at the professional level down the road or are just happy building their love for music and dance, we know that they will look back on their experiences with grateful hearts. Additionally, your children are building skills that will translate well and positively impact any future profession.

 

As we celebrate the accomplishments of our students in 2022, we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our upcoming music recitals. Our concerts for the Covington and Mandeville Schools of Music will be held Saturday and Sunday, December 17 - 18 at the Fuhrmann Auditorium in Covington. Music Concerts for the River Ridge School of Music & Dance will be held on Saturday, December 10 at Victory Church in Metairie. A Live Stream for all productions will be available at www.laapa.com/live as usual for all those who are unable to attend in-person.

 

Student Concert time assignments will be published very soon at www.laapa.com/current-students.

 

As in years past, in lieu of tickets, we are asking for donations to support the Teresian Sister’s Mission. At the end of our concerts, we pack up all of your gifts and donations and bring them to the Teresian Headquarters in Covington where they sort everything and deliver them to the various areas they serve. Their mission has a heavy presence in Uvalde and Batesville Texas where they work with many families in need. They truly appreciate all that you are able to donate this year as their community is additionally still healing from the terrible school tragedy this past May. For more information as well as video interviews with the Sisters, please visit www.laapa.com/mission.

 

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

 

 

~ Ryan Cullen, Executive Director

Join the Fun This Winter!

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!

Upcoming Events

LAAPA Presents: “The Night Before New Year’s” An Original LAAPA Musical!

 

A magical, musical adventure where four downhearted middle schoolers journey back in time for a second chance before the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Guided by Destiny, they discover more about themselves and how to become the best selves they can possibly be in the new year, 2023! Runs December 18th at Fuhrmann Auditorium in Covington, LA.

 

Tickets and details available at events.laapa.com.

 

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 December Birthdays!

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

Aaron Z. (11) , Addison L. (15) , Alex C. (14) , Alex M. (8) , Alexander M. (12) , Allison M. (13) , Alyssa D. (10) , Amelia P. (5) , Amelia R. (12) , Ana Marie N. (10) , Andie A. (6) , Anna L. (4) , Annie G. (7) , Antonella L. (5) , Apsara P. (11) , Aria H. (8) , Ariel T. (18) , Arivan S. (11) , Avery M. (11) , A’zyia P. (9) , Betsy P. (11) , Blake N. (11) , Braden C. (12) , Brithany S. (9) , Bronson B. (7) , Callie D. (3) , Carter J. (9) , Charlotte T. (11) , Chloee N. (5) , Codii N. (3) , Cooper M. (9) , Cristhianie P. (4) , David S. (15) , Dawson D. (4) , Delilah I. (8) , Don C. (7) , Dylan M. (5) , Eden V. (10) , Eleanore C. (7) , Elias C. (10) , Elizabeth D. (15) , Ella R. (4) , Emily E. , Emma L. (15) , Ethan P. (4) , Ethan S. (7) , Evan C. (11) , Evelyn C. (14) , Faith W. (11) , Finley T. (13) , Gabriel B. (8) , Gabriel B. (13) , Gabriel P. (17) , Gaby N. (16) , Genevieve C. (13) , George B. , George B. (11) , Hannah A. (8) , Hannah W. (13) , Hayden P. (10) , Hudson B. (11) , Hurtis N. , Ian S. (7) , Jace R. (13) , Jackson S. (17) , Jaden B. (16) , Jamie D. (13) , Jaxon S. (10) , Jaya L. (14) , Jayla S. (10) , Jiya G. (3) , Justin A. (7) , Kadence C. (9) , Kent B. , Khalil E. (18) , Kimea C. (10) , Kyla A. (15) , Laila J. (9) , Laniyah B. (6) , Laylah W. (8) , Leigha S. (11) , Levi W. (8) , Lila A. (8) , Lorelei D. (10) , Lucas B. (11) , Lucas M. (7) , Macey D. (14) , Madelyn A. (14) , Maria S. (12) , Max M. (13) , Megan T. , Melody B. (12) , Mia P. (16) , Michael K. (9) , Myra M. (4) , Nalah C. (3) , Nancy J. (15) , Nathan H. (6) , Nick V. (13) , Nico R. (7) , Norah S. (4) , Olivia Y. (8) , Persephone U. (4) , Raquel P. (28) , Riley R. (8) , Riley S. (5) , Rocket B. (6) , Rommy S. (13) , Sadiyah W. (4) , Safira P. (4) , Sasha G. (8) , Sawyer M. (8) , Shaan K. (8) , Sophia B. (14) , Sylvia J. (9) , Tiffany S. , Viktor W. (6) , William B. (21) , Yenni K. (5) , Yousef F. (13) , Zoey O.

Video of the Month - Give the Gift of Music & Dance this Holiday at LAAPA.COM

Want to give your loved ones the PERFECT GIFT this Holiday season? Check out our FULLY STUFFED stockings with Gift Certificates for Music & Dance Lessons along with many extra goodies - ALL FOR $99 or less! Watch as Mrs. Rachel, Administrative Director, Mrs. Bethany, Assistant Director along with Mandeville staff members Mrs. Abigail and Ms. Aubry share one of our biggest promotions of the year then get YOUR stocking at laapa.com/gift!

 

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.

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 - Maggie Smith

This month’s Student Spotlight showcases Mandeville School of Music & Dance student Maggie Smith. She takes guitar lessons with Mr. Nicoli and HipHop with Mrs. Madi.

 

Outside of LAAPA, Maggie’s interests include jiu-jitsu, working out, and drawing. She likes all genres of music, especially 80s music and pop. She doesn’t have a favorite music artist, but she really likes Michael Jackson and Pink. She also likes Imagine Dragons and Fifth Harmony. Maggie is very interested in marine biology, music therapy, and fashion design!

 

Maggie loves taking lessons with Mr. Nicoli becase he has a fun spirit and relatable personality. She loves that Mrs. Madi has a kind heart and laid-back style. Maggie loves that LAAPA offers a variety of classes for her interests. Thanks to lessons, she has gained the ability to play guitar, start songwriting, and improve her dancing ability. Her favorite part of lessons is getting to socialize with like-minded people and improve her skills.

 

Thanks for being a part of the LAAPA family, Maggie! We love having you!

 

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

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