Monthly Newsletters - May 2024
Articles for this month include "Need Something Fun & Creative to do this Summer?" , Student Spotlight - Olivia Williams , Student News, and more!...
Looking for Something Fun & Creative to do this Summer?
Dear Students and Parents,
It’s hard to believe summer is almost here! Summer is our busiest season of all with music concerts, dance recitals, summer camps, and of course new students eager to get started in music, dance, and drama! 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 2 at the Fuhrmann Auditorium.
We are also bursting with excitement in anticipation of our 2024 June Music & Dance Shows & Awards Ceremony plus our Musical Theater & Drama Productions! Tickets are now available for all productions at laapa.com/events! Please note that all seating is on a first come, first served basis, so we encourage you to plan ahead.
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 1,900th student through our doors (up from 1,800 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.
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 or attend one of our free weekly enrichment classes either after or in advance of your missed dates. Makeup options 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 on weekdays!)
As I mentioned, summer is a popular time for new students to get started in classes 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 exclaiming, “I’m bored!”?
This summer, let us help them focus on Reality instead of Virtual Reality and have in-person, human to human experiences that will build their confidence, self-esteem, cognitive skills, and new friendships - all while having fun and beating the digital addiction! 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. And don’t forget that this July we will be holding four exciting weeks of summer music and dance camps held at our Mandeville School of Music & Dance and River Ridge School of Music & Dance. So far over 100 summer camp students will be joining us this July! Many of them will be brand new beginners to the performing arts, so we are excited to welcome them and provide them with their first experience in music, dance, and drama!
Speaking of our summer camps, each year I often find myself thinking back to some of our first camps when I was a student. We had a blast getting to play all the instruments, doing ensembles, and Friday concerts where parents came to see us perform. That was all great, but for some reason what I remember the most is red Kool-Aid and cookies from snack time. Ah... Good times.
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 many upcoming events!
~ Ryan Cullen, Academy Director
Join the Fun this Summer!
This summer, ignite your child’s creativity at Summer Camp where they can explore over 20 music, dance and drama programs!
Learn more and reserve your spot at laapa.com/camp!
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!
Aaron W. (11) , Abigail N. (16) , Adam S. (14) , Addilyn S. (6) , Adelaide S. (12) , Alexander D. (6) , Alexis H. (20) , Alina J. , Alivia H. (3) , Amani N. (10) , Angelina G. (11) , Ann W. (14) , Arya V. (3) , Asher M. (6) , Aubrey R. , Audrey C. (10) , Ava C. (2) , Avery P. (12) , Avery W. (11) , Aviv R. (9) , Benjamin B. (15) , Benjamin B. (14) , Bennett R. (10) , Briggs H. (7) , Caleb C. (16) , Caleb H. (15) , Caroline H. , Cash M. (8) , Cecilia P. (5) , Cohen P. (12) , Craig H. , Daniel P. (7) , Deborah B. , Devan F. (15) , Drake L. (7) , Elianne A. (3) , Elien W. (13) , Elienai R. (10) , Elise C. (12) , Ella B. (9) , Ella H. (10) , Ella U. (12) , Ellie P. (16) , Eloise S. (9) , Emily G. (11) , Emma D. (14) , Evangeline P. (13) , Ezekiel S. (6) , Finn T. (16) , Florence Van Hlawn C. (10) , Gabby M. (11) , Gabriel D. (13) , Gerod M. (12) , Gigi H. (8) , Grace B. (14) , Graham J. (10) , Grey O. (6) , Hunter D. , Isabella G. (7) , Jace F. (14) , Jack E. (10) , Jack R. (5) , Jacob M. (8) , James T. (8) , Jerome C. , Jordyn D. (8) , Joseph S. (13) , Josie G. (14) , Jude F. (11) , Julian L. (9) , Julianne B. , Kamila V. (14) , Karri W. , Kennedi S. (6) , Khalid B. (6) , Kidd B. (9) , Kyndal C. (16) , Laurie T. , Layla H. (16) , Liberti’Ann D. (4) , Lincoln R. (7) , Lucas K. (6) , Lucas L. (5) , Lydia B. (13) , Madyson T. (15) , Maisie C. (4) , Maria I. (8) , Marlee K. (14) , Martir S. (11) , Mason D. , Matilda C. (3) , Matthew F. (3) , Mikyla L. (6) , Milana B. (3) , Natalie B. (9) , Nathan L. , Nolan K. (12) , Oliver C. (10) , Olivia B. (19) , Owen F. (13) , Paloma P. (18) , Peyton C. (17) , Philip W. (7) , Poppy O. (2) , Rainah C. (10) , Randy A. (10) , Raymond IV B. (9) , Rick F. , Ronliyah D. (15) , Rylee M. (9) , Ryleigh Y. (8) , Sarah M. (23) , Savannah I. (10) , Sebastian M. (8) , Sebastian N. (14) , Sophia M. (11) , Tera B. , Valentina W. (3) , Valeria R. (13) , Vittoria W. (2) , Wesley S. (10) , Wyatt A. (11) , Wyatt D. (9) , Wyatt J. (10)
Video of the Month - "Student Profiles Series - Ben, Germany & Leigha"
Our "Student Profiles" series is back! Meet some of our amazingly talented music and dance students! In this episode, meet Ben (piano, drums, hip hop), Germany (piano, guitar), and Leah (ballet, hip hop, contemporary, dance company). Background music provided by Germany from her recent LAAPAFEST performance!
Important Dates
Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:
May 1:
Summer Music Concert Sign-Up Deadline
May 4:
Photo Day - Mandeville
May 5:
Photo Day - River Ridge
June 2:
Honors Music & Dance Concert
June 2:
Senior Recital
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 - Alex Chandler
This month’s Student Spotlight features River Ridge School of Music & Dance student Olivia Williams! Olivia has been with us for two years and takes Hip-Hop, Ballet, Contemporary, and is a part of Dance Company!
Outside of LAAPA, Olivia is a girl scout! She also plays softball, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. Her favorite music genre is Hip-Hop. Her favorite artist is Taylor Swift (her favorite album is Midnights, and her favorite song is “Anti-Hero”.) Her favorite dance style is Hip-Hop, because her teacher (Ms. Karissa) helps her and makes class so much fun! In the future, Olivia wants to be a doctor or a judge.
Olivia loves her teachers because they help her and are very kind. She likes attending LAAPA because her teachers incorporate fun things like cartwheels, handstands, and round-offs into class. She also enjoys getting to see her friends in class each week! Her favorite part of lessons is learning something new or participating in recitals. Thanks to lessons, Olivia has learned a ton of new dance moves and choreography routines!
Thanks for being a part of our school, Olivia! We love having you as a student here!
A HUGE welcome to our newest students who began lessons or added programs in March!
We are so happy that you’ve chosen to study at LAAPA. We know you will do great things this year!
Adviti G.
Alden C.
Alexis R.
Alyssandra T.
Amanda B.
Amani N.
Annaleigh M.
Ariella G.
Aubrey B.
Bailey B.
Ben I.
Caleb C.
Caleb H.
Camille C.
Camille D.
Cay'Eon R.
Cayla D.
Connor S.
Daniel P.
Debra H.
Elianne A.
Elvana K.
Emerson T.
Emily G.
Finn S.
Genevieve L.
George C.
Lina Y.
Harper G.
Hendrix W.
Henry S.
Hunter D.
Jack W.
Jacob E.
Jaiden B.
Jesse W.
Kyle P.
Lexi L.
Leyann N.
Liberti'Ann D.
Margot R.
Maria S.
Mark S.
Mason B.
Max S.
McKenzie D.
Natalia B.
Nolan P.
Nylah P.
Owen M.
Parker C.
Porter H.
Raina H.
Ramiyah N.
Rhett D.
Ryan O.
Rylee B.
Skylar W.
Sophia M.
Sophia T.
Stella A.
Taylor S.
Tedra C.
Torey S.
Varenya G.
Wren P.
Wyatt A.
Wylie J.
Student "Shout Outs!"
“Covington School of Music has been fantastic with teaching our daughter piano! From the beginning, they were helpful with info to start and now that we’ve been doing lessons for a little over 2 months, we have nothing but positive things to say! My daughter’s teacher, Mr. Ryan, is so patient and thorough. He is encouraging and keeps Rylee on task and has really kept her interest in learning the instrument alive! Very thankful to have him as her teacher!”
~ Whitney M.
“We love Covington School of Music! Mr. Carter has been amazing with my daughter! She is growing in her piano & singing skills each week! We look forward to seeing her long-term growth!”
~ Angela H.
“The teachers and staff at LAAPA are all amazing and provide such a nurturing environment for children of all ages to grow in their love for music and dance. My 4 year old son started drum lessons this year and loves his teacher Mr. Sean! This is a new experience for my son. His teacher is so patient with him and tailors the lesson to suit his attention span and capabilities. I greatly appreciate his patience and I am excited to see my son grow in his love for music at LAAPA.”
~ Kerneisha M.
“Mr. Shawn has boosted my son’s talent by assisting him on current music he is learning in high school. Even with a student that has three years experience, he still manages to teach some technique to help him. Appreciate all that he does.”
~ Katherine K.