Monthly Newsletters - "Exciting Treats this Fall!", Student Spotlight - Mia Vazquez, Student News, and more!...
Exciting Treats this Fall!
Dear Students, Parents, Faculty, and Staff:
I don’t know about you, but for me, the first day of Fall is whenever I walk outside the house in the morning and don’t immediately feel drenched. Today was that morning – a clear blue sky and crisp fresh air!
October is definitely my favorite month for many reasons (but if I’m being honest, it’s mostly because I don’t have to cut the grass as often). Seriously though, October is always an exciting and busy time here at LAAPA, and I wanted to take a moment to update everyone on all of our upcoming events!
Our drama department is excited to be presenting several shows this month! Our River Ridge Acting I class under the direction of Ms. Bridget made their stage debut on October 1 on campus presenting “October Acting Showcase”. Our beginning Northshore Acting I class under the direction of Ms. Rachael made their debut with several outstanding Monologues. Finally, our Acting I & Acting II classes under the direction of Mr. Nicoli will be presenting a full production of “Clue”. All of our theatre students and parents have been working hard rehearsing, picking out props, and getting everything prepared, so please come out and support them! Dates are available at https://www.events.laapa.com
Next, we’d like to invite all of our Northshore music students to come out on October 8th at 6 PM in Mandeville Performance Hall A for Improv/Jam Night! Students will be able to jam together along with our faculty and friends on a variety of popular and jazz favorites, and hopefully learn how to play in a group, learn some basic improvisation techniques, and more!
Adults ages 18-up are invited to a free community event on Friday, October 7 from 7:45 – 9:00 PM at the River Ridge School of Music & Dance Performance Hall A. We welcome all artists with an interest in moving to collaborate improvisationally to live/improvised music within a safe, body-positive space! This is not a performance. This is an artist’s lab, and simultaneously, a dance party :)
Each year towards the end of October, things start to look extra spooky around campus during our annual “Bring a Friend Week”. October 25 - 31, we encourage you to bring a friend to your classes, and don’t forget to dress up! We’ll be offering trick-or-treating in the studio the whole week for both you and your friend. Don’t forget we will be OPEN for lessons this Halloween!
So as you can see, this October it’s all treats and no tricks (although our Faculty ARE happy to show you their latest riffs and cool licks at our upcoming jam night)! If you can’t make it, no worries, I also have a fun video below outlining how to play the first part of J.S. Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor”. For a scary good time this Halloween, I highly recommend placing a huge speaker in the bushes outside of your house, hooking up your keyboard, and watching the faces of your trick or treaters light up full of surprise like jackolanterns as you serenade them at the front door! Pro tip – this also works well for any instrument, especially electric guitar with optional distortion pedal!
Finally, for those students and families still interested in getting started in lessons this Fall but may have been too busy at the start of the school year, October is still a great month to get started, so it’s definitely not too late! Call, text, or stop by today as we’d love to answer your questions, show you around our school, and get you started on your music, dance, or acting journey!
~ Ryan Cullen, Academy Director
Join the Fun This Fall!
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
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 October birthdays!
We'd like to wish the following Students a very Happy Birthday this Month!
Aatmik G. (7) , Abigail K. (7) , Addie L (16) , Adelaide C. (12) , Agustin G. , Alannah B. (8) , Alessa A. (11) , Alex F. (18) , Alexis B. (21) , Alice R. (7) , Amelia T. (10) , Amy W. , Andrew B. (11) , Angela V. (11) , Angie C. (15) , Anh H. (7) , Annabelle O. (13) , Anthony H. (8) , Asan’na R. (5) , Ash B. (16) , Ashley Z. (18) , Austin G. (10) , Ava D. (13) , Avery C. (12) , Avery P. (16) , Ayvah D. (16) , Bella H. (4) , Betty B. , Blair M. (9) , Brantley B. (8) , Brennae T. (25) , Brianna V. (6) , Catherine M. (6) , Charlotte W. (8) , Chase V. (7) , Chloe B. (4) , Chloe P. (7) , Cole F. (14) , Dasha B. (6) , David J. (10) , Dawn C. , Devin G. (5) , Edwin P. (8) , Elder B. (5) , Elisa B. (7) , Ella N. (6) , Emersyn B. (10) , Emma V. (14) , Emme F. (9) , Ethan M. (10) , Freyja H. (4) , Gabriella S. (10) , Gabriella Z. (16) , Genevieve L. (7) , Gianna B. (7) , Giulianna K. (13) , Grace P. (7) , Hadassah C. (13) , Haedyn D. (7) , Harley Q. (13) , Harper G. (6) , Hayes M. (10) , Hope B. (6) , Howie N. , Hridhaan J. (5) , Ian P. (9) , Isaac S. (12) , Ivan S. (19) , Jackson O. (12) , Jacob H. (14) , Jaretzi P. (7) , Jayden R. (5) , Jennifer Z. , Jordyn D. (9) , Journei B. (5) , Jude C. (8) , Juilanna N. (3) , Justin C. (5) , Karlisle T. (6) , Katie C. (14) , Katie M. (8) , Kaylin E. (9) , Keyla L. , Kollins C. (7) , Laila M. (10) , Lauryn C. (3) , Layla B. (3) , Lenox H. (14) , Lior R. (6) , Loretta B. , Lucy C. (18) , Mabyn B. (9) , Madelyn H. (7) , Mae L. (5) , Malayna B. (5) , Margot C. (7) , Mary Frances G. (4) , Mason F. (15) , Mazzy O. (8) , Mia T. (15) , Miles T. (8) , Mafisa N. (12) , Neil Thomas C. (6) , Olivia A. (9) , Olivia N. , Owen D. (9) , Peyton T. (15) , Pierre N. (2) , Rosie B. (6) , Ryan A. (17) , Ryley G. (2) , Sabrina S. (9) , Selvin U. (13) , Seth L. (16) , Seth P. , Sophia C. (11) , Tanner G. (12) , Tobin M. (9) , Tracy P. (11) , Tristan E. (19) , Valentina R. (5) , Vicky F. , Vilissia S. (9) , Wyatt K. (11) , Yardly S. (12)
Video of the Month - How to Play Toccata and Fugue in D Minor | Lagniappe Lessons
Count Ryan shows you how to play the FIRST part of the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by J.S. Bach! Happy Halloween!
Important Dates
Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:
October 7
Improv Night
7:45 - 9 PM
River Ridge School of Music & Dance
October 8
Improv/jam Night
6 - 7:30 PM
Mandeville School of Music & Dance
October 25 - 31
Bring a Friend/Costume Week
All campuses
October 23, 28 - 30
Clue
Various Locations
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!
Students Spotlight - Mia Vazquez
This month’s Student Spotlight showcases River Ridge School of Music & Dance student Mia Vazquez. Mia takes ballet with Ms. Elle. Outside of LAAPA, Mia likes to dance and play with her baby dolls. Her favorite color is gold, and her favorite food is chocolate ice cream! Mia wants to be a vet when she grows up.
Mia loves having Ms. Elle as a teacher. She loves taking ballet because she enjoys twirling and spinning around. Her favorite ballet step is marching. Her favorite part of ballet class is when she and the other dancers practice the Brain Dance in a circle at the start of class.
Thanks for being a part of the LAAPA family, Mia! We love having you!
A HUGE welcome to our newest students who began lessons or added programs in September!
We are so happy that you’ve chosen to study at LAAPA. We know you will do great things this year!
Ada E.
Aine F.
Aisley W.
Alex F.
Alexandre G.
Allison P.
Ally B.
Amanda B.
Amelia H.
Angelicia B.
Annalise H.
Anthony H.
Ava Q.
Aviv R.
Ayanti H.
Ayden M.
Bella H.
Bennett R.
Blair M.
Braedon A.
Braylen B.
Callie D.
Camila C.
Camille B.
Cannon R.
Carly A.
Charlee H.
Charlie D.
Cheryl G.
Christian S.
Christine J.
Cleon D.
Corynne M.
Dawson D.
Elienai R.
Ellis H.
Emilia D.
Emma L.
Emma J.
Ethan M.
Ethan S.
Evangeline O.
Gabriel D.
Gavin D.
Giabella B.
Grey O.
Harley Q.
Howie N.
Hunter C.
Hurtis N.
Ian S.
Jakob A.
Jelhenna V.
Jeremiah C.
Joanna S.
Jonathan B.
Joseph E.
Jospeh R.
Kai R.
Kaidinn B.
Kaili A.
Kellen Claire M.
Layla Y.
Leah E.
Liam J.
Lila A.
Lillian W.
Lior R.
Lucy F.
Mackenzie D.
Madeleine C.
Malayna B.
Marie T.
Marley H.
Mayella P.
Michael L.
Michelle M.
Miles R.
Muza S.
Nashla C.
Nico R.
Noah S.
Nuhiah T.
Nusrat C.
Olive M.
Penny Q.
Rayne W.
Reese B.
Remy W.
Robert G.
Robert W.
Roman M.
Roni R.
Ronnie V.
Sara L.
Sharley R.
Simone W.
Sophia M.
Sylvia R.
Tara F.
Tierstiana B.
Trey B.
Violet J.
Xyomara B.
Student "Shout Outs!"
“We have been so pleased with this program. They do such an awesome job with scheduling, overall organization, and communication. We feel that we have learned so much from our instructor. Lessons are always on time and efficient. Can’t recommend this program enough!”
~ Rebecca A.
“I am very excited to highly recommend Skiles as a guitar instructor. He taught my seven year old grandson and did an exceptional job! Very nice guy. Kept his attention. Quickly assessed where he was each lesson and moved him from there to wayyyy on down the road to learning how to play, and, therefore, enjoy the guitar. And, he stayed focused and used every minute to teach. Not alot of pressure but just kept him focused. And, I definitely feel like I got my money’s worth for each lesson. Great job, Skiles. And, great job, Covington School of Music. Every time I dealt with an employee, whether on the phone or in person, I got royal treatment every single time. Definitely a 5 star organization.”
~ Toby H.
“This is a great music school! Love how kind the teachers and staff are!”
~ Dawn E.