Monthly Newsletters - February 2025
Articles for this month include "Coming Soon: LAAPAFEST", Student Spotlight - Declan Garner, 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, dance, and theater 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 instructor(s).
The overall goal of LAAPAFEST works in tandem with our mission here at LAAPA: 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, dance, and theater 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 concerts 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, for dance at laapa.com/lfdance, and for theater at laapa.com/lfa.
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!
In addition to LAAPAFEST, we have some other events and sign up deadlines rapidly approaching! Little Mermaid JR auditions will be held in Mandeville Performance Hall A on February 8. Reserve your spot NOW at laapa.com/littlemermaid! Beginning Monday February 10 through Saturday February 15, we are hosting a Dance Demo week for all current students - try an extra class for free! Dance Recital sign ups are also live - sign up at laapa.com/dance-recital no later than February 28!
Sincerely,
~ Ryan Cullen, Executive Director
Mary Poppins JR was a weekend to remember!
LAAPA Students spotted on yet another stage!
Our LAAPA instructors Mrs. Rebecca & Mr. Nicoli went to see some of our Mandeville college prep students performing in A Midsummer Night's Dream! Pictured are Gracyn D., Brady M., and Andrew T.
Student News - Got something to share? Send it to us!
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!
Ace W. [14], Ada E. [8], Adley M. [11], Aiden B. [6], Aiden W. [16], Alby S. [7], Alena G. [15], Alexia N. [10], Anna Leigh C. [2], Arabella B. [2], Ares D. [4], Ava H. [12], Avery T. [11], Bella D. [11], Ben B. [11], Braidee B. [13], Caylee M. [13], Cecilia O. [5], Chase O. [11], Claire F. [5], Elani A. [3], Eliana S. [4], Ethan F. [16], Giovanna N. [11], Grant T. [6], Gregory O. [12], Haley P. [11], Harley V. [15], Haroly G. [16], Isabella D. [16], Jaden J. [6], Jaiden B., Jared W. [18], Joseph S. [4], Joy K., Kellen Claire M. [11], Krystal D. [6], Landin W. [11], Leticia T., Levi P. [11], Leya Ruhi I. [10], Lilianny A. [2], Lily N. [15], Lizbeth G. [16], Lizzie L. [11], Louie B. [5], Loxley O. [7], Lucille B. [10], Lucy F. [9], Lynlee S. [6], Marley M. [8], Matt M., Maya R. [10], McKenzie F. [8], Meredith L. [9], Mia V. [8], Mignon A. [9], Mischa M. [10], Morgan W., Nashla C. [8], Noah M. [12], Noran W. [6], Olivia L. [3], Palmer C. [4], Philip B. [4], Priscilla G. [10], Raegan P. [7], Robert L., Rojon Z. [17], Sam G. [14], Samantha P. [14], Sammy M. [11], Sara B., Savanna M. [7], Sebastian D. [6], Sidney B. [12], Sloane P. [7], Sofia A. [18], Sophia O. [14], Thaddues A. [9], Thais J. [9], Vincent M. [12], Vivian D. [14], William F. [17], Wilman C. [8], Yuchen L. [11], Yuvraj H.
2025-2026 Drama Productions Announced!
Important Dates
Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:
February 8:
Little Mermaid JR Auditions in Mandeville
February 10-15:
LAAPA Dance Demo Week
February 17:
LAAPAFEST Sign Up Deadline (Music)
February 28:
Dance Recital Sign Up Deadline!
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 - Declan Garner
This month’s Student Spotlight features Covington School of Music student Declan Garner! January marked his fifth year anniversary of taking piano lessons here at LAAPA! WOW!
Outside of LAAPA, Declan enjoys a variety of hobbies. He collects, polishes, and cuts rocks. Declan currently holds a first degree brown belt in karate. He also plays violin! His favorite music genre to play instrumentally is classical, but Declan doesn’t have a particular favorite genre for listening purposes. His favorite artist, however, is Eminem, and he is a big fan of his mom’s taste in music. Declan is also a part of his school band, in which he plays trombone. He plans on becoming a gemologist.
Declan’s favorite things about his instructor, Ms. Annabelle, are her ability to lead by example, the fact that she can laugh with him, and that she plays duets with him. His favorite part of lessons is getting to learn new music (most recently, Für Elise, Kumbayah, and Sunburst Waltz). Declan is especially thankful for all of the performance opportunities provided by LAAPA. Lessons have taught him to enjoy playing instruments, and Ms. Annabelle positively remarked on Declan’s pitch, tone, and general musical intuition. We are so proud to see how much you’ve grown and all that you’ve accomplished in these five years, Declan! Keep it up!
A HUGE welcome to our newest students who began lessons or added programs in January!
We are so happy that you’ve chosen to study at LAAPA. We know you will do great things this year!
Andy K.
Avery G.
Aylah B.
Camila C.
Camila H.
Casimir K.
Charlie Pearl W.
Connor H.
Connor K.
Corry M.
Emma R.
Evelyn C.
John M.
Jonathan T.
Joy B.
Lauren D.
Leo X.
Lila D.
Luciana L.
Morgan P.
Natalie P.
Nora G.
Rey F.
Richard M.
Safia H.
Sanah J.
Sophie P.
Stephanie S.
Victoria M.
Victoria S.
Zahria S.
Student "Shout Outs!"
“EXCELLENT ACADEMY!!!! My daughter attended NOCCA in New Orleans for one year, but found the commute every day along with her studies was too much. So, we had to look very hard to try and find a music school that could compare to NOCCA and this music school fit perfectly and more! Our daughter loves to go every week and the teachers and staff are exemplary. We are very glad we found this music school!!!! Thank you very much!!!!”
~ Frederick M.
“We love Mandeville School of Music & Dance. My daughter adores her teacher Mrs. Rebecca. They play duets, and she makes learning music fun & interactive and rewards them with tickets they can redeem for a treat from a treasure box. We’ve had a delightful experience here and would recommend to all our family & friends!”
~ Erin P.
“We love River Ridge School of Music. My 8-year old daughter takes piano lessons with Candice Moses. Candice is an excellent teacher and wonderful with children. My daughter has really progressed in the past year and always looks forward to her lesson with Candice. We highly recommend!”
~ Lauren 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. Courtney is awesome to work with as well. She helps with any scheduling problems that might arise. Great teachers and great customer service! Highly recommended!!”
~ Stacey B.