Monthly Newsletters - October 2024
Articles for this month include "Exciting Treats this Fall!", Student Spotlight - Leigha Silve, Student News, and more!...
Exciting Treats this Fall!
Dear Students and Parents,
The month kicks off with students of Dr. Vera performing in a “Taylor Swift” concert in Mandeville Performance Hall A on Oct 5 (limited seating, free and open to parents/friends)! La Reine Detestée, directed by Rachael Knaps and written by student Sophia Maumus, will open October 18-19 in Mandeville Performance Hall A (limited seating, free and open to parents/friends).
Finally, our River Ridge drama students are eager to share their production of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” under the direction of Ms. Bridget Zewe October 26-27 at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre. Seating is extremely limited, we suggest purchasing tickets in advance at https://www.laapa.com/events.
Each year, towards the end of October, things start to look extra spooky around campus! From October 24 – 31, come dressed up in your Halloween costume for class! We’ll be offering trick-or-treating in the studio the whole week. 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! I also have a fun video on our YouTube page 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 jack-o-lanterns 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; 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
LAAPA's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" will be here before you know it! Show weekend is October 26-27, but hurry - seating is limited! Tickets available NOW!
We are well into our Refer-a-Friend Program to win TWO tickets to see Taylor Swift! Current students, refer a friend that enrolls in any program between 8/1 and 10/6 for a chance to win! Winner announced on 10/7!
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!
Abigail E. [17], Abigail K. [9], Abigail M. [11], Adelaide C. [14], Adeline P. [9], Alaia M. [7], Alaia P. [5], Alannah B. [10], Alcee A. [14], Alex N. [15], Alexis R. [11], Alice R. [9], Amanda B. [16], Amos B. [11], Andrew B. [13], Angela V. [13], Annabelle M. [11], Annaleigh M. [9], Anne S., Anya S. [3], Ari M. [8], Audrina P. [14], August M. [7], Avery C. [14], Avery P. [18], Bailey-Grace D. [11], Bill P., Blair M. [11], Brayden M. [4], Brayden W. [15], Catherine M. [8], Charlotte T. [16], Charlotte W. [3], Charlotte W. [10], Clara N. [9], Colin P. [5], Collins S. [14], David M., Desiree L. [12], Elijah F. [9], Elliot S. [8], Emersyn B. [12], Emilia L. [5], Emma V. [16], Emme F. [11], Ethan F. [15], Freya L. [20], Freyja H. [6], Gabriella Z. [18], Gavin W. [10], Genevieve J. L. [7], Genevieve L. [9], Gulfem Y. [4], Haedyn D. [9], Hannah F. [8], Hannan M. [20], Hayes M. [12], Hendrix M. [4], Henry C. [8], Hridhaan J. [7], Ian P. [11], Isaac S. [14], Isabelle A. [5], Isabelle W. [17], Isla W. [3], Jackson B. [7], Jacob H. [16], Jaretzi P. [9], Jelena N. [10], Jenna K. [13], Jonah O. [7], Jordan C. [10], Jordyn D. [11], Jude W. [11],Katie C. [16], Katie M. [10], Keira W. [16], Kellis M. [6], Kollins C. [9], Kyle F. [16], Kyrsten M., Layla B. [5], Lennon C. [18],Leuven M. [3], Levi K. [6], Liam R. [7], Libby K. [10], Lucinda V. [12], Luke S. [9], Luna M. [8], Madelyn W. [13], Madison R. [9], Maria S. [2], Mario-Felipe M. [5], Mason F. [17], Matthew S. [8], Max M. [14], Mia N. [17], Mia T. [17], Miah H. [7], Miles T. [10], Nawng H. [10], Neil Thomas C. [8], Nicholas F. [13], Noah G. [10], Owen D. [11], Paul S., Payton S. [14], Peyton T. [17], Pierre N. [4], Rachel C., Riley G. [6], Rita D., Ryan A. [19], Ryan O. [14], Sabrina S. [11], Sarah W., Seth L. [18], Shay-Leigh G., Sophia T. [11], Tobin M. [11], Tracy P. [13], Travis W., Tyler B. [15], Venice M. [8], Vilissia S. [11], Vivian M. [8], Vivian M. [6], Wyatt K. [13], Yardly S. [14], Zera F., Zoe A. [14]
Video of the Month - Faculty Profile | Dr. Vera Zholondz
Important Dates
Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:
September 30-October 5:
Bring-a-Friend Week
October 7:
Taylor Swift Tickets Winner Announced
October 18-19:
La Reine Detestée at EJ Dufour Hall
October 26-27:
“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” at WPAT
October 24-31:
Costume Week! (open for lessons on Halloween)
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 - Leigha Silve
This month’s Student Spotlight features Mandeville School of Music & Dance student Leigha Silve! Leigha is a longtime LAAPA student, currently enrolled in multiple dance programs as well as our drama program!
Outside of LAAPA, Leigha enjoys playing volleyball and basketball! Favorite music genres include pop and country! Leigha’s favorite artist is Zach Brian. Her favorite types of dance are hip hop and contemporary. In terms of the future, Leigha has high hopes of becoming a Broadway star!
Leigh’s favorite things about her instructors are their kindness, humor, and creativity. Her favorite thing about LAAPA as a whole is, once more, the kindness of everyone working there! She truly enjoys doing scenework in her drama classes, and being a part of LAAPA Dance Co means her creativity is peaking at all times! Leigha says she has gained so much more confidence from her dance lessons as well as her drama lessons.
We are thrilled to see you thriving in everything you do, Leigha, and we cannot wait to see all that you have yet to accomplish! Thank you for being a part of the LAAPA family, and we can’t wait to see you on Broadway one day!
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!
Alisa T.
Alvin D.
Alvin P.
Andrew G.
Anh L.
Anita V.
Arabella B.
Audriana P.
Ava M.
Ayush A.
Brielle H.
Cannon F.
Carly D.
Caroline H.
Cayden R.
Cecilia R.
Charles F.
Charlie S.
Charlotte T.
Chloe K.
Cora L.
Eleanor A.
Eli H.
Elianna S.
Ellen L.
Emmylou S.
Finn S.
Hailey F.
Hope A.
Irene S.
James B.
Jelena N.
John C.
John Y.
Jonathan N.
Julia M.
Kai H.
Katie K.
Kevin A.
Leo W.
Liam R.
Lisa R.
Makayla P.
Mia N.
Mignon A.
Mila Taylor T.
Millie M.
Morgan W.
Myrina B.
Nathanael N.
Navy M.
Naya S.
Noah R.
Olevia A.
Olivia M.
Ophelia N.
Payton S.
Pearl A.
Raegan T.
Randolph D.
Rebecca M.
Reese M.
Rose S.
Rosella N.
Rylynn H.
Sable M.
Samantha B.
Sandra T.
Semaj T.
Stacey D.
Stephanie C.
Summer-Joy D.
Tammy L.
Taylor S.
Teddy A.
Terian L.
Thaddues A.
Thea Q.
Valentina B.
Will K.
Will T.
Winnie E.
Yumi P.
Student "Shout Outs!"
“My experience with Dr. Vera and LAAPA Mandeville has only been positive. I’ve taken private violin lessons most of my adult life, but I’ve never really enjoyed them. However, Dr. Vera and the LAAPA staff have changed that standard and set the bar so high. The highlight of my week was my lesson. Positive staff and positive energy. I am grateful to have met Dr. Vera, she has changed my outlook and experience and has made playing the violin something I truly enjoy again. Thank you!”
~ Sam M.
“Started taking adult ballet with Bridget a few weeks ago and I’m loving it! She’s very patient with beginners and does a great job of explaining things but not holding back the rest of the class while she does so. Excited for next week already!”
~ Jaime M.
“We absolutely love the Covington School of Music! My son is taking drum lessons from Mr. Ben. He has learned so much in a very short period of time. Great teachers and great customer service! Highly recommended!!”
~ David S.
“My daughter is beyond excited for piano class every week with Mr. Nicoli! She has so much fun and it’s amazing how much she has learned from him. His patience and encouragement are just two of the many reasons he is the perfect teacher for her. Mr. Nicoli is the BEST!”
~ Kate S.