Monthly Newsletters - March 2024

Getting the Most Out of Lessons

Dear Students and Parents,

Whether you’re a brand new beginner just getting settled in your music, dance, or acting classes this year or you’ve been taking for several years now, it’s important to understand how you can make the most out of your weekly classes with your teacher(s) here. Here are five ways you can ensure that your lessons at LAAPA bring a lifetime of joy to your family

 

1.) Open Communication – Over the years, we have implemented a variety of communication channels between our faculty, staff, and students. We are of the opinion that we can’t really have too much communication. Our faculty and staff want to ensure that you are accomplishing your goals and that your lessons are meeting expectations. Our faculty communicate with parents via the My Music Staff application for digital lesson planning and lesson notes. If you don’t receive weekly lesson plans digitally from your teacher, ask them about My Music Staff and they’d be happy to set that up for you. Of course, our faculty also utilize our customized student notebooks for quick and simple lesson notes, goal tracking, ticket rewards, lesson ratings, practice times, and more. For our newest students, we make every effort to check in with you after you’ve had a month or two of classes. If for some reason your classes need to be adjusted before you hear from us with a different day/time, program, or teacher, you can always let us know and we will do everything possible to accommodate you. Customer service is a top priority for us at LAAPA, and we have a team of 9 customer service professionals (and growing) to answer questions via email, text, or phone. For urgent matters, the quickest way to reach us is via text or phone!

 

2.) Utilize the EXTRAS – Introducing our FREE lab classes for current students! At LAAPA, our goal is to provide students access to a complete performing arts curriculum. This year we’ve expanded our complimentary enrichment programs for all current students ages 7-up (music/drama) and ages 8-up (dance). Depending on your primary program, you have the option to also attend a weekly vocal lab (music), songwriting lab (music), theory lab (music), improv lab (drama), and/or choreography lab (dance). These classes are all optional of course should you only be interested in attending your primary program.

 

3.) Miss a Class? Schedule a Makeup Workshop! Our makeup workshops are offered throughout the year for music students in private lessons. Should you miss a lesson, you may book an extra class with any of our faculty members. Workshops may be self-scheduled within the My Music Staff website. If you are having trouble finding a workshop for your instrument/age, please reach out to us, as we schedule these monthly and some classes are scheduled based on historical demand at different times of the year. We are happy to add classes as needed. Our dance and drama students are welcome to contact us to attend a similar age/level dance class to makeup for their absences. Finally, remember that ALL private music students have the option to schedule one FREE audio recording session each year using our state-of-the-art equipment. To schedule your recording session date, please speak with the front desk!

 

3.) Maximize Your Lesson Time – This may sound simple, but 30 minutes or even an hour can go by quickly each week! For young students, please have them use the restroom and get water prior to class starting. If you are an instrumentalist, consider opening up your instrument and tuning before your class begins. If you are a virtual student attending on Zoom, consider rebooting your device before class if it has been on for a while. Be sure your Zoom app is updated with the latest version and your sound and video are started and running correctly (see laapa.com/zoom). For young students attending on Zoom, please have a parent/guardian nearby to assist for possible technical issues until the teacher has confirmed they are properly connected! Even with all these considerations, our students naturally grow in their love for their lessons over time and eventually may feel the need to add time/classes to their existing schedule(s). We are always happy to work these additional classes out for students whenever possible and with the approval of your teacher(s)! Lesson times are limited (especially with our veteran teachers, but they do come up from time to time). For the most up-to-date scheduling possibilities, always check in at the front desk!

 

4.) Sign Up for Events – While never required at LAAPA, recitals and performance opportunities are one of the best ways to foster growth within students. Being able to experience the culmination of many weeks/months of hard work with family and friends is always a wonderful experience! Over the years, I’ve watched a lot of recitals. In fact, I’ve probably watched more recitals and student performers than anyone I know, so I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert! One thing that never gets old for me is witnessing the transformation that takes place from the young, perhaps nervous beginning student performing for the first time on stage to the semi-professional that performs in their final senior recital. Of course, we realize that performing is not everyone’s goal or reason for taking music and dance lessons, and there is never any pressure here to participate in these events. However, it is still a big part of what we do, and our mission here due to the overwhelmingly positive benefits. We’re proud to offer a variety of recitals, both in-person and virtually!

 

5.) Input = Output – Once again, we understand that students and parents choose a performing arts education for a variety of reasons. Some students and parents are happy with simply having students receive a fun and educational weekly class. Others want more, and for those that do it’s important to remember that what you put into your lessons, you will get out of your lessons! Regular attendance, a consistent practice schedule, and parental involvement will do wonders! As a parent of 4 children enrolled in in music, dance, and acting lessons, I am well aware of all inherent challenges! It’s different in every house, but in our house, sometimes the children just don’t want to practice what they are assigned to practice. Doodling around on the piano for a half hour may be fun, and some creative exploration time is important, but children, especially beginners, need to be monitored to ensure they are working on the correct assignments. In general, it’s unreasonable to expect all young children to naturally want to practice and automatically stay on a set practice schedule on their own no matter how much they love music or dance. Most children need reminders to open the books, to look and see what their teacher has asked them to focus on, and isolate problematic areas instead of simply repeating the entire piece over and over. They are, after all, kids. Again, parental involvement is key!

 

If you have a natural “practicer” who loves to practice, awesome! You are lucky, although this too comes with other personal challenges! Let’s say the practicing is sounding wonderful, but you adore quiet time in your home (especially at night) and your house is instead loud most of the time from constant playing and singing. In these cases, it’s important to be grateful for the desire the students are showing to practice, but since I have 4 children, I have found my noise cancelling headphones to be an indispensable tool when I’m ready for quiet time. They are industrial strength from Home Depot and are also great for cutting the grass, too! I highly recommend them when you need quiet in your house but don’t want to discourage the practice mojo.

 

See you at our next lesson!

~ 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

Enroll Today!

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 March Birthdays!

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

Abigail F. (5) , Abigail K. (15), Abigail T. (7), Aiden B. (5) , Alexander S. (10) , Anderson B. (11) , Anna S. (9) , Anna Grace D. (10) , Ashlyn T. (13) , Atley L. (16) , Avery R. (9) , Benjamin T. (14) , Brandon D. (12) , Brennan G. (7) , Bridgett B. (10) , Brittany T. , Bryan F. (6) , Caitlynn C. (9) , Callie L. (7) , Carlos R. , Carolina R. (15) , Charles B. (14) , Charlie H. (15) , Christopher B. (25) , Claire B. (13) , Claire D. (3) , Corine N. (10) , Corrina C. (10) , Daniela L. , Declan M. (12) , Demiana W. (15) , Denise D. , Derek G. , Devika B. (5) , Drew G. (15) , Eleanor C. (8) , Eli B. (14) , Eliza L. (12) , Elizabeth P. (6) , Eve P. (10) , Felicity B. (9) , Finn A. (5) , Flynn E. (6) , Frank S. (9) , Gianna M. (10) , Graves G. (7) , Heather B. , Henry R. (9) , Homer W. , Hunter M. (14) , Isabella P. (10) , Isabella R. (10) , Ivan L. (9) , Jacques S. (14) , Jada N. (15) , Jaxsen L. (13) , Jemma Z. (14) , Jerrold D. (5) , Jessica M. (24) , Joel B. (10) , John G. (15) , John M. , Jordan B. (7) , Joseph C. (19) , Kasey P. (15) , Katie S. (15) , Kelly P. , Kinley B. (9) , Kylie L. (9) , Kylie M. (11) , Landon C. (11) , Leanny A. (13) , Leena R. (6) , Leilany M. (9) , Lifang N. , Lilith B. (2) , Lilian Y. (9) , Lily D. (16) , Linden C. (13) , Lola R. (17) , Lyla S. (13) , Lylian R. (13) , Madeline S. , Maelee C. (14) , Mario L. (7) , Marlowe P. (9) , Mateo W. (11) , Matthew C. (14) , Matthew M. (17) , Maximus S. (8) , Maya A. (12) , Maya G. (3) , Michael C. , Mikayla H. (4) , Monoka M. (13) , Myles M. (6) , Nivaan K. (8) , Nixon L. (6) , Noel B. , Noire H. (2) , Nola K. (5) , Olivia D. (14) , Olivia D. (6) , Patrick R. , Penelope B. (8) , Rebekah B. (18) , Remy W. (9) , Ryan T. (10) , Ryder P. (6) , Sawyer B. (8) , Seraphina A. (3) , Sidra M. (5) , Stella C. (11) , Stephanie F. (16) , Svaraathmika B. (10) , Thurston W. (8) , Venus D. (2) , Veronica C. , Victoria V. (9) , Vincent R. (12) , Zachary S. (14) , Zoe M. (14) , Zoey M. (3)

Video of the Month - "New Enrichment Classes Announced - For All Current Students"

Attention all current students - come and check out our new Spring Enrichment classes FREE to all currently enrolled students! You can register for enrichment classes on the MyMusicStaff app or stop by the front desk for more information!

 

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. 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!

View More!

Student Spotlight - Daniela, Aleksander, and Arienne Loose

This month’s Student Spotlight features Daniela, Aleksander (Aleks), and Arienne (Ari) Loose. Daniela takes piano with Dr. Vera (since 2022) and guitar with Mr. Ryan (since 2023). Aleks takes violin and piano with Dr. Vera (since 2023). Ari takes Parent & Tot with Ms. Loreto (since 2023).

Outside of LAAPA, Daniela enjoys horseback riding (as a jumper/eventer), books, languages, hiking, travel, and learning everything around the world and under the sun. Aleks participates in gymnastics, karate, horseback riding, golf, and enjoys jumping in every puddle and learning everything about fish. Ari likes dance and music, horses (and all animals), trampoline parks, and playing TopGolf with brother and dad.

The family is listening to everything from classical music (Bohemian composers due to the Czech half of the family; organ; chorals), rock of all ages, country, rap and hip hop (Aleks’ favorite channels), heavy metal, Lady Gaga (Ari’s favorite en route to school), Disney, and Broadway classics.

The Loose family loves all of their teachers! “Dr. Vera has been unbelievably patient with our busy working schedule. We love her TLC attitude, along with her out-of-the-box ideas and gentle yet firm creative support. Mr. Ryan teaches great technique and enjoys when Aleks sits in on Daniela’s guitar classes so Aleks can join in on playing and singing favorite Czech songs with the guitar at home. Ms. Loreto can turn Ari from a slightly tired acting up 2-year old to a happy dancing queen in minutes. Daniela and Ari always leave Parent & Tot with a huge smile on Ari’s face!”

The Loose family enjoys taking lessons at LAAPA because “it feels like a big creative family sharing the great power and happiness that comes from music and dance.” Their classes provide them with “the best therapy and relaxation.”

Daniela’s favorite part of lessons is learning/practicing technique (scales and finger gymnastics on the guitar). Aleks enjoys learning notes and small songs that he can bring home and play for his dad and sister. Ari loves learning her first dance moves and dancing on the dots with Mommy. She tells everyone about her dance all afternoon.

Daniela would like to add, “Thanks to the LAAPA family for bringing all of us together with music and dance and supporting the skills that help us bring the music and dance home as well.”

Thanks for being a part of the LAAPA family Daniela, Aleks, and Ari! We love having you as 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!