Monthly Newsletters - December 2023
Articles for this month include "2023 in Review: A Heartfelt "Thank You" to our Students, Families, Faculty & Staff , Student Spotlight - Carolina Rodriguez , Student News, and more!...
2023 in Review: A Heartfelt "Thank You" to our Students, Families, Faculty & Staff
Dear Students, Parents, Faculty, and Staff:
As our 45th year here at LAAPA concludes, I’d like to take the opportunity to reflect a bit on our mission and accomplishments for 2023! To begin, 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 1,900 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 you improve each week while having fun at the same time is an awesome experience. One of my greatest privileges is seeing our students grow here from their first performance to their final bow. It’s an amazing transformation. 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, dance and acting, 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.
Over the past year we’ve held numerous productions: solo recitals, senior recitals, recording sessions, full stage musicals, black box showcases, improv and jam nights, and full music concerts. If you haven’t already done so, please check out our social media pages at facebook.com/laapaface and instagram.com/louisianaacademy where we post many pictures and videos from our various events!
Music Concerts for the River Ridge School of Music & Dance will be held on Saturday, December 2 at Victory Church in Metairie. Our music concerts for the Covington and Mandeville Schools of Music will be held Saturday and Sunday, December 16 - 17 at the Fuhrmann Auditorium in Covington. Student performance times have now been sent out via email. Please contact the office if you haven’t yet received your performance day/time. 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. New this year will be digital programs – on the day of the concerts, please visit www.laapa.com/p to get your program!
As in years past at our December Music Concerts, 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. For more information as well as video interviews with the Sisters, please visit www.laapa.com/mission
.
December 9, be on the lookout for our Mandeville Dance Company at the Covington Christmas Parade, and the River Ridge Dance Company at the Kenner Christmas Village! Join us in Mandeville Performance Hall A on December 10 for our annual Christmas Radio Variety Show featuring our drama students! All of our dance students will be featured in our on-campus “Home For the Holidays” class showcases Dec. 9 - 16. We can’t wait to see the final results of many weeks of preparations!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
~ Ryan Cullen, Executive Director
Give the Gift of Music-Dance-Acting this Holiday!
Looking for that perfect gift for the aspiring musician, dancer, or actor in your life? Let us do the shopping for you this Holiday! We’ll prepare a special performing arts lesson stocking that’s great for kids, teens, and adults!
Choose from stockings for music, dance, or acting! All stockings include:
- Fully stuffed stocking
- One month of lessons certificate
- Voucher for a FREE Membership
- Candy canes, Holiday candy
- Instrument/Program specific goodies: Drummers get drum sticks, Guitar players get guitar picks, voice and piano students get special music theory flash cards, dancers receive dance scrunchies, toddlers get hand cymbals, actors get a special pen (for signing autographs)!
While supplies last - get yours today at www.laapa.com/gift!
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 December Birthdays!
We'd like to wish the following Students a very Happy Birthday this Month!
Aaron Z. (12) , Abigail S. (12) , Aeslang G. (7) , Aleksander L. (7) , Alex C. (15) , Alex M. (9) , Alex S. , Alexander M. (13) , Alexia M. (10) , Allison M. (12) , Ally V. (7) , Alyssa D. (11) , Amelia R. (13) , A’miyah T. (7) , Anna C. (18) , Anna L. (5) , Aria H. (9) , Arianne D. (5) , Audrey G. (11) , Blake N. (12) , Borne B. (8) , Braden C. (13) , Briannee M. (7) , Briggs S. (7) , Bruce F. (8) , Bryson P. (3) , Camila C. (2) , Camille D. (3) , Candace J. (9) , Carmyn W. , Carter J. (10) , Charlotte T. (12) , Chloe R. (9) , Christa B. (9) , Cristhianie P. (5) , Dawson D. (5) , Delilah I. (10) , Don C. (8) , Dylan M. (6) , Dylan S. (8) , Elin A. (7) , Ella C. (15) , Emerson H. (5) , Emma L. (16) , Emma S. (14) , Ethan S. (8) , Evan C. (12) , Evelyn C. (15) , Evelyn H. (11) , Everley D. (7) , Finley T. (14) , Gabriel B. (9) , Gabriel B. (14) , George B. , George B. (12) , George R. , Georgia B. (3) , Grant W. (16) , Hannah W. (14) , Hayden P. (11) , Hudson B. (12) , Ian S. (8) , Jade N. (15) , Jaden B. (17) , Jamie D. (14) , Jamie M. , Jaya L. (14) , Jordan B. (8) , Julian B. (8) , Kimea C. (11) , Laniyah B. (7) , Lavender L. (10) , Laylah W. (9) , Leigha S. (12) , Levi W. (9) , Lila A. (9) , Lily-Rose H. (13) , Lincoln B. (6) , Lorelei D. (11) , Louis B. (5) , Lucas B. (12) , Lucia B. (4) , Lucille B. (5) , Macey D. (15) , Maria S. (13) , Megan T. , Melody B. (13) , Mia P. (17) , Michael K. (10) , Michael L. , Michael O. (14) , Michelle S. , Morgan P. (12) , Morghan G. (7) , Myra M. (5) , Nalah C. (4) , Nathan H. (7) , Nicholas G. (9) , Nick V. (14) , Nico R. (8) , Nolte D. (2) , Oaklee R. (4) , Owen S. , Paul B. (14) , Persephone U. (5) , Raynor H. (15) , Riley S. (6) , Rosella H. (3) , Sadiyah W. (5) , Safira P. (5) , Samantha C. (5) , Sasha G. (9) , Selina X. (9) , Shaan K. (9) , Sophia B. (15) , Sophie B. (8) , Soren S. (6) , Stephanie O. , Sylvia J. (10) , Tiffany S. , Tsuan S. (9) , Vera Z. , Viktor W. (7) , Vivienne D. (13) , Whitley J. (10) , Winston M. , Yenni K. (6) , Yousef F. (14)
Video of the Month - "Please Come Home for Christmas" - LAAPA Mandeville Jazz Band
The Mandeville jazz band shared this performance of a Holiday classic with us
Important Dates
Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:
Dec 2:
River Ridge Christmas Music Recitals
No classes in River Ridge
December 9 - 16
Home for the Holidays Dance Showcase
December 16 - 17
Covington/Mandeville Christmas Music Recitals
No classes in Mandeville on Saturday
December 21 - January 3
Winter Break
No classes
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 $850
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 - Carolina Rodriguez
This month’s Student Spotlight features Carolina Rodriguez. She has been with LAAPA for 5 years! She takes piano with Dr. Vera, Ballet IV, Hip Hop III and Contemporary III with Mrs. Madi, and Ballet III with Ms. Miranda. She is also a part of the Northshore Dance Company!
Outside of LAAPA, Carolina likes to play video games, read, and listen to music. She likes pop music and instrumental piano music from The Legend of Zelda video game series. In the future, she is considering something related to animals (she loves dogs!) or something related to dance.
Carolina likes taking lessons with Dr. Vera because Dr. Vera is a “very understanding and passionate teacher”. Carolina really enjoys watching Dr. Vera play piano.
Carolina loves attending LAAPA because she is surrounded by a fun and friendly community of people. Thanks to lessons, Carolina has gained confidence and enjoys getting to play the songs she wants to learn. Her favorite part of taking lessons is having fun learning and doing her best.
Thanks for being a part of the LAAPA family, Carolina! We love having you as a student here!
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!
Abigail O.
Abigail T.
Adeline M.
Adley M.
Allie Q.
Amber S.
Ann W.
Anna Luiza P.
Anne W.
Archer F.
Ava L.
Benjamin A.
Benjamin B.
Briggs S.
Brittany H.
Cailan B.
Camila C.
Charleigh W.
Christa O.
Claire W.
Clayton K.
Cody L.
Connor H.
Deborah-Lee S.
Diane P.
Eleanor T.
Elliot D.
Emilia D.
Emily L.
Enzo S.
Evy L.
Freyja H.
Gayle A.
Grace R.
Greer Grey W.
Hannah H.
Helene T.
Homer W.
Hunter H.
Ivan L.
Ivana R.
Jade C.
Jarod H.
Jason A.
Javier L.
Jaxson S.
Jenna V.
Jerome C.
Julia M.
Kamila V.
Kayla M.
Kennedi S.
Kenzie W.
Kollins C.
Laura S.
Lauren R.
Layla S.
Lee Ann A.
Levi K.
Lily P.
Lincoln R.
Linden C.
Link W.
Lucas S.
Lynlee S.
Mackenzie W.
Maya S.
Miley H.
Murphy A.
Nicholas D.
Noah M.
Oaklee R.
Paul S.
Phoebe C.
Reese Q.
Ryleigh W.
Sahar G.
Saryna N.
Stacey M.
Tamia W.
Tyme B.
Valentina C.
Viviann D.
Xavier M.
Student "Shout Outs!"
“Great place for my boys to learn piano! They love their teachers and the staff is super friendly and helpful!!”
~ Jenny S.
“We love Covington School of Music! From the convenience
of my children being able to take lessons in the same time frame to the instructors having music degrees, Covington School of Music is a high-caliber music school and a worthwhile investment in my children’s education.”
~ Christina W.
“Our 4 year old daughter has been attending LAAPA’s Preschool Music classes for two years now, and it’s been a great experience all around. Not only has she been learning the early basics of playing musical instruments and singing songs, but she also thoroughly enjoys the LAAPA teachers and she really does look forward to music class every week. We’re definitely going to keep her in LAAPA’s classes for the foreseeable future, and we happily recommend these classes to any other parents who are considering whether to begin introducing their child to the wonderful world of music :)”
~ Joey R.
“We’ve been a part of the LAAPA family since January and have enjoyed every minute. The teachers and staff show a lot of patience and kindness when working with my high energy kids. I would recommend LAAPA to anyone.”
~ Angie T.
“We have loved this school! They are always growing and improving. The attention to detail shows. We love the owners and are happy to recommend this place to anyone in the area!”
~ Chris H.