Monthly Newsletters - September 2024

Getting Started in Music, Dance, & Drama Lessons - FAQ

Dear Students and Parents,

We just finished up with the busiest August on record here at LAAPA! We concluded 4 weeks of Summer Performing Arts camps, our Mandeville School of Music & Dance students under the direction of Rebecca Posey and Nicoli Hutchison put on a stunning production of “Into the Woods”, and we are eagerly anticipating auditions for our Winter musical “Mary Poppins JR.” under the direction of Rachel Theriot and Kilian Afzalirad (more details below). We have had a blast meeting so many new families this school year, and, finally, all of our Faculty and Staff had an amazing beginning of the year meeting with many inspiring presentations and continued education that ensure we are always bringing the very best to our students!

With fall being a popular time for new students to get started in music, dance, and drama classes, we are chatting with prospective students and parents daily and wanted to share a few common Q&A’s.

“My child is interested in getting started in lessons this fall, and I am interested in taking lessons, too! What ages do you teach?”

We teach kids, teens, and adults! Whether you’re a brand new beginner or already experienced, our faculty are excited to get you started!

“When do lessons start for fall? Am I too late?”

At LAAPA, we operate year round and students sign up for lessons every day with us. While it’s never too late to get started, we do have a limited number of available time slots with our amazing faculty this time of year. If you’re thinking of getting started, please give us a call/text to find a spot that may work for you before the most popular lesson times are gone!

“I want my child to take music lessons, dance classes, or drama classes, but I’m not sure which program they may be interested in or if they will be interested in performing arts at all!”

“Just try it; you’ll like it.” As a youngster, these were my father’s words of wisdom at Cullen family dinners. Many times, I was indeed very surprised – “This man is a genius,” I often thought to myself. Other times, I thought, “I knew I shouldn’t have listened to him.” (One of my brothers secretly opted out of all of his advice though, and a huge pile of moldy cauliflower eventually became dislodged from underneath the table near his place one evening… but I digress.)

The important thing to note here is that children need to experience a variety of things in life in order to discover what they like. Asking children ages 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. to make these kinds of decisions on their own is unfair, in my opinion, and the world would surely be at a loss for many talented amateur and professional musicians, dancers, and artists had parents not insisted on private piano lessons or ballet classes for them during their formative years.

“I want my child to take lessons for fun, but I don’t want to have to make them practice.”

Sharing the joy of learning to play, dance, sing, and act is our specialty. Here at the Academy, we have the most inspiring instructors you will ever meet. The time students spend with their teachers each week will only take them so far, and in order to make progress, practicing outside of classes is paramount.

One of the biggest myths in performing arts education is that all students should be naturally inclined to just go to their instrument or practice space and get down to business every day exactly as their teacher has asked of them without any parental support, encouragement, or guidance.

If this happens in your house, that is amazing and congrats! The majority of students thrive on incentives, encouragement, and reminders.

If you read my article in last month’s newsletter (it’s ok if you chose to skip it, I know I can ramble), you’ll recall that I was certainly not a natural practicer myself. Funny how things turn out! My incentive during my lessons was that my former teacher, Associate Director Emeritus, Russell Tucker, would show me some magic tricks during lessons if I was doing well! Some of our long time families here may remember his now infamous “magic pencil trick.” Today, students can also earn tickets each week for a job well done in their lessons! Tickets can be redeemed for fun prizes from our treasure chest!

In short, every student’s success will be dependent upon parental support and involvement.

Finally, I always like to mention that music, dance and drama classes are more than just the instruction - they build the character and feed the soul of students. Whether or not they choose to continue in the arts down the road, the skills they have developed will always be a part of who they are.

~ Ryan Cullen, Academy Director

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!

Enroll Now!

Auditions for “Mary Poppins JR.” are Sunday September 15! Limited spots remain!

Book Audition!

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 September Birthdays!

We'd like to wish the following students a very Happy Birthday this month!

Aaron B. [19], Aaron M. [8], Abby B. [9], Aiden S. [14], Aldo B. [7], Alexis S. [3], Alyssa H. [14], Amanda J. [15], Amelia H. [7], Andrea H. [14], Anna H. [9], Anna R. [9], Annabelle G. [12], Annie C. [11], Anthony W. [8], Austyn N. [10], Autumn W. [6], Ava B. [11], Averie K. [13], Bello I. [9], Benjamin A. [7], Benjamin C. [12], Bowen W. [9], Briana L. [9], Briggs A. [5], Brody K. [7], Brooks A. [10], Brycelyn W. [14], Caleigh G. [5], Chloe D. [10], Claire B.[11], Colin B. [17], Daria J. [5], Declan G. [11], Delaney N. [10], Desiree S., Destiny T. [22], Diana L., Dwight S. [13], Edith J. [10], Elijah L. [11], Elizabeth S. [8], Ella B. [16], Elle C. [7], Embrie F. [2], Emmett K. [9], Ender W. [2], Evan G. [14], Evan L. [8], Evy L. [6], Frances S. [7], Gage T. [6], Gary P. [14], Graham P. [8], Greyson H. [8], Hannah G. [14], Hazel W. [10], Heather M., Henry M. [14], Ibis C. [12], Isabelle H. [14], Jacob C. [4], Jacob S. [14], Jasper V. [7], Jaxson S. [7], Jelhenna V. [15], Joseph A. [13], Josue A. [15], Julia A., Julia M. [9], Kade H. [14], Kael S. [11], Kahlan D. [15], Kahlo M. [7], Katerina M. [9], Kendall C. [10], Kerrison C. [10], Kevin G., Kyle P. [8], Landon J. [10], Laura R., Lauren M. [18], Lily P. [5], Linda F., Lisa K., Logan L.[11], Lucas P. [2], Luke A. [10], Macie C. [11], Madelyn B. [19], Madison C. [8], Madison J. [12], Madison P. [12], Mary C. [10], Mathew P. [18], MayLan D. [8], McKenzie D. [16], McKenzii T. [13], Michael S., Molly M. [3], Natalya E. [10], Noah M., Parker C. [8], Patrick M. [7], Raina H. [16], Ramiyah N. [7], Robyn B., Ruby M. [9], Ryker G. [11], Rylan D. [4], Sadie P. [17], Samir P. [17], Scotty C. [12], Sofia L. [11], Sofia M. [10], Sophia L. [8], Sophia S. [11], Tallulah M. [14], Tanner H. [8], Tanyra E. [16], Thea Q. [11], Veer V. [9], Victoria T. [12], Vivian R. [12], William S. [10], Yahanna N. [11], Yining L. [15]

Video of the Month - Faculty Profile | Rebecca Posey

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 - Oliver & Elliot Harvey

This month’s Student Spotlight features River Ridge School of Music & Dance students & siblings Oliver and Elliot Harvey! Oliver takes piano lessons with Ms. Candice, and Elliot also takes piano lessons as well as drum lessons with Mr. Shelby! Oliver has been here with us at LAAPA for over 6 years (WOW!) and Elliot is going to hit his 3 year mark soon!

Outside of LAAPA, Oliver enjoys programming, cooking, and reading, while Elliot enjoys all things Harry Potter and film! Favorite music genres are quite opposite for these siblings - Oliver loves the classical genre, while Elliot is a huge fan of rock music! Oliver doesn’t have a singular favorite artist, but for Elliot, that crown will go to Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds. The same can be said for a favorite band - not one in particular for Oliver, but - you guessed it - Imagine Dragons is Elliot’s favorite! Neither of the boys have quite pinned down what they’d like to do in the future, but there is plenty of time to get that sorted!

Both siblings remark about the kindness and patience of their instructors. They appreciate the opportunities LAAPA has given them to try out multiple instruments as well as the kindness of all faculty. Both Oliver and Elliot say they have gained immense knowledge from their lessons, particularly on how to play their respective instruments. In turn, their favorite part of lessons IS getting to play!

We are so proud to see how far both of you have come, and we cannot wait to see all that you have yet to accomplish! Thank you for being a part of the LAAPA family, Oliver & Elliot!

A HUGE welcome to our newest students who began lessons or added programs in August!

We are so happy that you’ve chosen to study at LAAPA. We know you will do great things this year!