Monthly Newsletters - February 2024
Articles for this month include "Coming Soon: LAAPAFEST" , Student Spotlight - Shaan, Vihaan, and Vaishant Khunkhun , Student News, and more!...
Coming Soon: LAAPAFEST
Dear Students, Parents, Faculty, and Staff:
It’s hard to believe that LAAPAFEST is once again nearly here! So what is LAAPAFEST anyway?
LAAPAFEST is a unique opportunity for all music and dance students who have been studying their program for at least 1 year (whether at LAAPA or elsewhere) to perform a solo from memory for a panel of three insightful and friendly judges. Students then receive an overall rating as well as detailed written constructive feedback on their performance within a variety of categories, which will be passed along to their private instructor(s).
The overall goal of LAAPAFEST works in tandem with our mission here at LAAPA of instilling a lifetime appreciation of the performing arts within each student while continually building self-esteem. Students do not compete with other students for their overall rating and are rated solely on their individual performances and at their individual levels. Beginning students are most welcome and, in fact, encouraged to participate in LAAPAFEST!
This year, we will be recording every LAAPAFEST performance once again, and ALL PERFORMERS will receive a copy of their performance!
Immediately following the final week of LAAPAFEST, the judges are asked to select 30 - 40 music and dance students who have received the highest overall ratings to perform their solos in a special Honors Recital which will be held this June. There are very limited spots in the Honors Recital, and the selection process is always a very challenging one for the judges! In other words, not being selected for the Honors Recital certainly does not detract from the outstanding achievement of a Superior or Excellent rating! The judges will also select many additional students to perform in a special Virtual Recital (from the live video recordings) that will be featured on our social media pages!
LAAPAFEST participation is an outstanding event in and of itself that produces Honors reflected in the outcome of student ratings. It is important to note that the majority of our students participating in LAAPAFEST typically earn either Excellent and/or Superior overall ratings (because they are so well prepared)! The focus of LAAPAFEST is on the individual student, their performance in the festival, and their individual festival rating.
All LAAPAFEST students will be recognized for their participation and rewarded for Excellent and Superior ratings during the Awards ceremony at our upcoming Summer Recitals this June!
For more information on LAAPAFEST, please speak with your instructor ASAP. You may sign-up online for LAAPAFEST for music at laapa.com/lfmusic and for dance at laapa.com/lfdance.
It is also important to note that each year we do have to turn students away from LAAPAFEST due to the limited number of slots available, so we encourage all interested students to turn in paperwork well ahead of the published deadlines. Good luck at LAAPAFEST!
Sincerely,
~ Ryan Cullen, Academy Director
Discover Your Talent - Learn to PLAY-DANCE-SING-ACT!
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
You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile!
Our students, parents, faculty and staff put on a cheerful production of Annie Jr. last month!
Congratulations to everyone involved, and a huge thank you to our students, parents, faculty, staff, designers, and tech crew! We couldn’t have done it without you.
Announcing Our 2024 - 2025 Theatre Season
We are proud to announce our upcoming Drama shows for 2024 - 2025
Princess Bride (Northshore)
February 3: Auditions
June 8 - 9: Show Dates
Into the Woods/Twelve Dancing Princesses (Northshore)
May 4: Auditions
August 24 - 25: Show Dates
Alice in Wonderland (Southshore)
July 20: Auditions
October 25 - 27: Show Dates
Mary Poppins (Southshore)
September 7: Auditions
January 24 - 26 (2025): Show Dates
Visit laapa.com/drama/upcoming-shows to learn more!
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 February Birthdays!
We'd like to wish the following Students a very Happy Birthday this Month!
Ada E. (7) , Adelina L. (2) , Adley M. (10) , Adrian G. (15) , Alena G. (14) , Alexia N. (9) , Amelia C. (4) , Anita C. , Annabelle F. (18) , Annabelle L. (2) , Ava H. (11) , Avery T. (10) , Bella D. (10) , Ben B. (10) , Braden F. (13) , Brennan F. (15) , Carter P. (11) , Cayleigh A. (8) , Cece J. (3) , Chase O. (10) , Cielo L. (7) , Claudette F. , Clyde M. (7) , Diamond’Rose D. (3) , Donna S. , Dory A. (18) , Elijah M. (13) , Elizabeth P. (8) , Elizabeth V. (7) , Emily P. (2) , Evelyn M. (4) , Frank R. (7) , Giovanna N. (10) , Gregory O. (11) , Hadleigh D. (4) , Haley P. (10) , Harley V. (14) , Haroly G. (15) , Harrison B. (10) , Isabella D. (15) , Isabelle C. (16) , Iyla D. (4) , Joy K. , Kellen Claire M. (10) , KrisJeilis M. (3) , Krystal D. (5) , Landin W. (10) , Lauren B. (18) , Leticia T. , Leya Ruhi I. (9) , Lily N. (14) , Lizzie L. (10) , Lucille B. (9) , Lucy F. (8) , Lynlee S. (5) , Marley M. (7) , Marlowe C. (10) , Matt M. , Maya R. (9) , Melissa D. , Mia V. (7) , Mollie R. (10) , Murphy T. (6) , Nashla C. (7) , Nile D. (7) , Noran W. (5) , Odysseus U. (8) , Paxton M. (5) , Philip B. (3) , Robert L. , Sam G. (13) , Samantha P. (13) , Sammy M. (18) , Sammy M. (10) , Sara B. , Sara R. (2) , Saskia P. (7) , Savanna M. (6) , Sean D. , Sebastian D. (5) , Simone W. (6) , Sofia A. (17) , Sophia O. (13) , Truman C. (7) , Valeria P. (17) , Vincent M. (11) , Vivian D. (13) , William F. (16) , Wilman C. (7) , Wren B. (7) , Xavier M. (8) , Yuchen L. (10) , Yuvraj H. (23) , Zaria N. (4) , Zoe M. (9)
Video of the Month - "Announcing Upcoming Shows and Auditions for 2024-2025"
Mr. Nicoli received a surprise visit from some familiar characters you may know & love to help him choose our upcoming Drama Department shows for 2024-2025! We begin with "The Princess Bride" - Auditions Feb. 3 in Mandeville.
Important Dates
Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:
February 10 - 16:
Mardi Gras Holidays
No classes
March 2:
3rd Annual Adult Recital
River Ridge campus
March 16:
LAAPAFEST Music - Mandeville
March 24:
LAAPAFEST Music - River Ridge
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 - Shaan, Vihaan, and Vaishant Khunkhun
This month’s Student Spotlight features Shaan, Vihaan, and Vaishant from the River Ridge School of Music & Dance! Shaan takes piano with Mr. Daniel, Vihaan takes drums with Mr. Bradley, and Vaishant takes violin with Mr. Zachary.
Outside of LAAPA, Shaan likes to play basketball, football, and table tennis. Vihaan enjoys playing
tennis and board games. Vaishant has fun playing sports. Shaan likes to listen to piano music, Vihaan likes to listen to music from “Paw Patrol” and
“Mario,” and Vaishant likes to listen to all types of music. As for their future goals, Shaan wants to be a vet, musician, or basketball player. Vihaan wants to be a doctor like his mom and dad, and Vaishant wants to be an engineer.
Shaan likes taking lessons with Mr. Daniel because he is a good teacher who is very helpful and makes a lot of jokes. Vihaan enjoys lessons with Mr. Bradley because he plays the drums in a peaceful way. Vaishant enjoys taking lessons with Mr. Zachary because he is flexible in adapting to what Vaishant wants to learn. Shaan loves his lessons at LAAPA because the teachers are helpful and fun! Vihaan enjoys the fact that he can try different instruments. Vaishant loves participating in the multiple concerts LAAPA puts on each year.
Thanks to lessons, Shaan has learned how to play the piano and have fun doing it!
Vaishant has learned to play a variety of different pieces.
Shaan’s favorite part of lessons is getting to pick the songs that he wants to play. Vihaan’s favorite part is getting to play the drums and collect tickets! Vaishant’s favorite part is learning something new.
Vaishant is also a member of the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra. He and Shaan got to play the Tabla (Indian Drums) at Jazz Fest last year!
Thanks for being a part of LAAPA Shaan, Vihaan, and Vaishant! We love having you as a students here!
A HUGE welcome to our newest students who began lessons or added programs in February!
We are so happy that you’ve chosen to study at LAAPA. We know you will do great things this year!
Abbey C.
Alivia H.
Alyse G.
Amia A.
A’miyah T.
Anna R.
Arianna B.
Arielle L.
Barbara S.
Baylor H.
Bella R.
Bernadette H.
Bobby B.
Brenna H.
Briggs H.
Britton W.
Brynlee K.
Callie K.
Camille A.
Camille B.
Carmen C.
Carmen L.
Chloe D.
Chloe N.
Chloe R.
Christian D.
Christopher Z.
Clyde M.
Courtney B.
Croix B.
Crystal K.
Eleanore C.
Elliot S.
Eloise R.
Elowyn V.
Evangeline M.
Everley D.
Ezekiel B.
Finley-Mae C.
Frances S.
Frankie D.
Gabrielle P.
Genevieve L.
Grace G.
Graham J.
Hadleigh D.
Hailey H.
Haley P.
Hannah L.
Heath P.
Iris S.
Isabella J.
Jasmine W.
Jayda P.
Jazmyn F.
Jimmie M.
Josiah M.
Julian J.
Kaeden T.
Karleigh S.
Kenna O.
Khaleesi B.
KrisJeilis M.
Kylie L.
Landyn D.
Laurence H.
Layla Y.
Lily L.
Louise M.
Luca C.
Lucy M.
Madan K.
Madeline M.
Margaret C.
Martina G.
Maureen A.
Melanie P.
Melissa A.
Melissa D.
Michael S.
Michelle S.
Mila S.
Myra M.
Nialah G.
Noah G.
Noran W.
Olivier F.
Opal M.
Owen F.
Poppy O.
Regina D.
Ricky O.
Riley A.
Rionne Y.
Robert H.
Rowyn P.
Sabrina S.
Sarah M.
Sean D.
Silas T.
Soleil W.
Soraya B.
Stephanie F.
Sullivan M.
Tera B.
Tracee D.
Truman C.
Violet M.
Vittoria W.
Vivian D.
Viviana T.
Wendi M.
Wesley K.
Westley S.
Steve G.
Willow M.
Yenni K.
Zera F.
Student "Shout Outs!"
“My daughter just completed her third dance class there and loves it. Her instructor, Ms. Kimberly, has been great with her. She talks about going to the next class as soon as the finishes one. As the parent sitting in the lobby during the class I see and hear the music students during my daughter’s class time. This place is really cool. The instructors are talented and great at encouraging kids. They also communicate so much with the parents about what they are working on. This is a wonderful place for kids.”
~ Daren S.
“Our daughter, Delaney, has been taking piano, violin and viola lessons, and choir through the Covington School of Music since 2012. She has wonderful instructors who encourage and inspire her in her music studies. We highly recommend the school!!”
~ Jennifer B.
People are so nice and polite very respectful. My daughter just had her 6th birthday and they made the effort to call and tell her happy birthday. Peaceful atmosphere.”
~ Meghan P.
“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, Oleg. Lessons are always on time and efficient. Can’t recommend this program enough!”
~ Rebecca A.