Monthly Newsletters - Need Something Fun & Creative to Do this Summer?, Faculty & Staff, Student Spotlight - Keita Kawahara, Student News, and more!...
Need Something Fun & Creative to Do this Summer?
Dear Parents and Students,
It’s hard to believe Summer is almost here! Summer is our busiest season of all with recitals, camps, and of course new students eager to get started in music and dance lessons! Congrats to our graduating seniors! I won’t lie - it’s always hard to say goodbye, especially for those of you I’ve watched get started from the beginning all those years ago. But having the opportunity to watch the culmination of your years of study, hard work, and knowing that music and dance are now an inseparable part of your lives makes up for it. Our senior recital will be held this year on June 11 at the Mandeville Campus.
We are also bursting with excitement in anticipation of our 2022 June Music and Dance Recitals. Tickets are now available for all productions at events.laapa.com! Please note that all seating is on a first come, first served basis, so we encourage you to plan ahead. See last month’s newsletter for more info! Around this time each year, parents tend to ask us how the Summer works and if we continue lessons. The fun never stops here at LAAPA, and the majority of students continue progressing year round! We expect this Summer to be one of our busiest yet as we recently welcomed our 1,700th student through our doors (up from 1,500 just last year)!
As such, we are preparing by hiring new faculty as many of our teachers are completely booked or have very few openings. Our summer camps are nearly sold out and we will be welcoming over 150 summer camp students this July! We expect this summer to be even busier than last summer due to students who may have missed out on many in person extracurriculars like music and dance last year due to Covid concerns.
So the big thing to keep in mind is that students who love their current teacher and schedule and don’t want to lose it due to summer travel have a few options: 1.) Zoom into your lessons at any time – just let us know week to week how you’d like to attend. The process is seamless, and you can visit laapa.com/zoom for more information. 2.) Your teacher can send you a pre-recorded makeup lesson video for you to either bring with you on your trip or to practice with once you get home! 3.) Take advantage of scheduling a makeup workshop either after or in advance of your missed dates. Makeup workshops are available for an unlimited number of absences for as long as you are enrolled with us. 4.) Lease out your spot to a friend or family member temporarily!
So have fun traveling this Summer – boy do we all need it, but there is no need to lose your prime spots with your teacher (especially those from 3:30-7:30)! As I mentioned, Summer is a popular time for new students to get started in music and dance lessons here at LAAPA! If your children are anything like mine during the Summer, do they appear out of the blue, arms crossed, staring at you (after you just sat down to relax) and ask, “What can I do?” Do they follow you around the house each day asking you, “What can I do now?”, “I’m bored.”? This summer, more than ever, instead of playing around with video games, let us put an instrument in their hands and show them how to play their favorite songs! Instead of kicking back in the recliner in front of the TV, how about bustin’ a move during hip hop or one of our many dance classes!
Do you wake up each morning to the joyful sounds of your son or daughter endlessly singing or pounding away at random notes on the piano? Let us show them how to make beautiful music in your home! Does your child drive you crazy beating on the kitchen pots and pans? How about drum lessons instead? Guaranteed to put all of that energy to good use! We can also recommend some excellent silent drum sets like we have at our schools for a peaceful and happy home!
Already taking a program with LAAPA? The summer is an excellent time to add a program or increase your weekly lesson time. Whatever you do this summer - don’t just sit around - be creative and enjoy doing something new and fun! I hope to see everyone this Summer at our main events of the year.
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
Student News
The Acting Department presents The Love of Three Oranges under the direction of Mr. Nicoli Hutchison. The students will debut the show on Friday, May 6, 2022. The Love of Three Oranges will run Friday-Sunday, May 6-8, 2022. Visit laapa.com/events to view more information and purchase tickets to the shows!
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!
Happy May Birthdays!
We'd like to wish the following Students a very Happy Birthday this Month!
Abigail G. (12) , Abigail N. (17) , Adam I. (12) , Adam S. (12) , Addilyn S. (4) , Addison M. (10) , Adelaide S. (10) , Alexis H. (18) , Alyssa K. (16) , Amani N. (8) , Angelina G. (9) , Ariana A. (19), Aryan V. (7) , Aubrey R. , Aubrie R. (14) , Audrey C. (8) , Ava H. (8) , Bella F. (15) , Benjamin B. (13) , Brady D. (14) , Brennen D. (8) , Camille M. (4) , Caroline H. (7), Cash M. (6) , Charlotte S. (9) , Christian W. (5) , Clara H. (4) , Clara J. (8) , Cohen P. (10) , Craig H. , Devan F. (13) , Dominick E. (6) , Dovie D. (2) , Drake L. (5) , Eileen D. (7) , Elienai R. (8) , Elin E. (3) , Elin W. (11) , Elise D. (3) , Ellie P. (14) , Eloise S. (7) , Emily W. , Emma E. (6) , Eva W. (4) , Finley S. (6) , Gabby M. (9) , Gabriel B. (13) , Gabriel L. (4) , Gabriel N. (8) , Gabriella C. (8) , Geneva B. (22) , Gerod M. (10) , Grace C. (15) , Graham J. (8) , Grey B. (7) , Greyson P. (10) , Gunnar S. (10) , Harmony S. (9) , Hazel H. (12) , Henry H. (3) , Howard H. (7) , Isaiah G. (15) , Jahzara B. (5) , Jaidyn A. (11) , James F. (9) , Jasmin H. , Jayden V. (10) , JJ L. , Jordyn D. (6), Joseph S. (11) , Jude F. (9) , Juliette L. (8) , Karri W. , Kayli P. (11) , Kiersten C. (12) , Laurie T. , Layla H. (14) , Leana K. (11) , Lena Z. (12) , Leo R. (8) , Lilly B. (5) , Logan L. (8) , Lucas L. (3) , Mackenzie P. (17) , Mae V. (7) , Maria P. (17) , Mary K. (7) , Matthew G. (16) , Michael L. , Myles B. (14) , Nathan L. (24) , Nicole L. , Norah T. (8) , Olivia L. (14) , Oliver C. (8) , Opal D. (8) , Paloma P. (16) , Peyton C. (15) , Rachael W. , Rainah C. (8) , Remy H. (6) , Rick F. , Riley L. (13) , River S. (2) , Rowan E. (10) , Ryn T. (16) , Sameen H. (17) , Savannah I. (8) , Savannah R. (11) , Serai W. (8) , Seth G. (4) , Shagun A. (13) , Shane V. (11) , Sharla A. (10) , Shayla C. (15) , Sophie M. (10) , Tatum P. (16) , Trimeaka L. , Vaishant K. (11) , Victoria B. (4) , Virden R. , Wesley S. (8) , William A. (7) , Wyatt J. (8) , Zoe E. (13)
Video of the Month - O Del Mio Amato Ben
Mrs. Angelia, vocal/piano faculty, shares her performance of "O Del Mio Amato Ben" during a recent recital. She is accompanied by faculty member, Mrs. Rebecca Posey.
Important Dates
Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:
May 6-7:
Love of Three Oranges
Mandeville School of Music & Dance
May 8:
Love of Three Oranges
Fuhrmann Auditorium
May 8:
Honors Recital
Fuhrmann Auditorium
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!
Student Spotlight - Keita Kawahara
This month’s student spotlight is River Ridge School of Music & Dance student Keita Kawahara.
Keita takes ballet at RRSMD. His goal is to be on Broadway, but he’d be happy participating in any aspect of musical theatre. He loves that his teacher, Elle Jones, pays attention to small details and points them out so he can correct them. He loves the availability of lessons that LAAPA has to offer. Through dance classes, Keita has learned technique and improved his confidence. His favorite part of dance class is feeling elegant. He loves floor work.
Outside of LAAPA, Keita is interested in Musical Theatre, especially singing. He’s been singing for four years. His favorite music genre is musicals. His favorite artist is Meghan Trainor. His favorite dance company is the New York Ballet Theatre. Keita was recently accepted into NOCCA’s Musical Theatre program!
Thanks, Keita, for being a part of the LAAPA family. Keep up the amazing work, and congratulations on your acceptance into NOCCA!
A HUGE welcome to our newest students who began lessons or added programs in April!
We are so happy that you’ve chosen to study at LAAPA. We know you will do great things this year!
Aaron P.
Aatmick G.
Addie F.
Aine F.
Aleisha S.
Alessandro C.
Alexah H.
Allyson F.
Alyssa K.
Amiracla C.
Andrew B.
Angie U.
Anna C.
Anna M.
Antonella R.
Ariel S.
Arthur B.
Ava H.
Brennan G.
Brooke C.
Bryce W.
Caleb S.
Camila T.
Carol B.
Carter S.
Cecilia N.
Charlotte T.
Chase A.
Christian C.
Claire W.
Cody L.
Colin P.
Connor F.
Cooper L.
Dania R.
Danny G.
Elise D.
Ella R.
Ella T.
Emma B.
Evan B.
Genevieve G.
Grace H.
Graham J.
Haedyn J.
Harley W.
Harmony W.
Harloy G.
Harper C.
Hayden W.
Hazel W.
Jack G.
Jacob M.
Jasper A.
Jayden G.
Jazelle O.
Jeff D.
John S.
Jolene L.
Jordyn D.
Jordyn M.
Journee B.
Karen G.
Kerry C.
Kruz D.
Kyrie G.
Laila T.
Lesly S.
Lia R.
Lily S.
London W.
Lucy F.
Lusa G.
Lylian R.
Maddox M.
Madeleine M.
Madeline S.
Madelyn A.
Marigny V.
Martir S.
Mason D.
Mazzy O.
McKenzie E.
Noah G.
Odysseus U.
Oliver G.
Oliver R.
Persephone U.
Rachel O.
Reeves S.
Ricky M.
Robert G.
Robin B.
Rose P.
Ruby M.
Ruby W.
Sabrina J.
Sam G.
Samuel L.
Sarina S.
Savanna M.
Scotty C.
Selvin U.
Sims S.
Spencer J.
Stuart P.
Summer L.
Thomas W.
Tiffany S.
Valentina F.
Victoria V.
Zachary E.
Student "Shout Outs!"
“My 5-year-old has been taking piano lessons with Sean at Mandeville School of Music and Dance LAAPA for the past few months. We are so happy with Sean’s approach and enthusiasm when interacting with our son, and we are impressed with the progress our son has made in his time with Sean. Sean is patient, kind and encouraging and our son looks forward to his weekly lessons. I highly recommend Sean for anyone who wants to get his/her child started in piano lessons!”
~ Heiman Family
“The Preschool Music teacher we have, Ms. Angelia, is is absolutely excellent with my 3 yr old daughter. My daughter can be a bit of a handful at times but she gets so much developmental growth from these lessons. The price is very affordable and it is so worth it for the quality of the learning experience directed toward small children. LAAPA have been all over outstanding and I highly recommend taking classes here!”
~ Gammage Family
“Mr. Christian teaches my 6 year old guitar lessons and he is SO good. He is patient, funny, keeps her interested, and she is learning so much! She looks forward to going every week because he makes learning so fun. I highly recommend him!”
~ Bourne Family
“Great and accommodating lesson plan for a busy professional. Personal approach and a great balance between practice and theory. Overall a great experience.”
~ Daniela L.