April News n Notes

Spring is finally here! And April is a busy month at our school so...

Spring Break, Progress Reports and Looking Ahead to Next Year

I wanted to remind everyone that Spring Break for us is the week of April 10-14 and we are closed those days. As always we look forward to a chance to recharge our batteries, relax and gear up for the rest of the school year.

When we get back on the week of April 17 Progress Reports/Recommendation Forms will go out to every student. This is one more way we can give you feedback on where you or your children are, how far they've come this year and what classes or lessons they should take in the coming year.

The week after that, from April 24-28 we offer VIP Pre-Registration. If you would like to hold your same spot on the same day for September this is the time to do so. The annual registration fee will hold your spot in the fall, saving you time and one less activity to schedule! After that in May we'll have open Pre-Registration for any new students or those who want to switch a day or time in the fall so reserve your preferred time now!

Spring Drama Session

We're offering one more session of our Drama classes this Spring.

Drama 2 Ages 9-13

Saturdays April 22nd - June 10th 10:30 - 11:30 am

Drama 1 Ages 5-8

Saturdays April 22nd - June 10th 11:45 am - 12:45 pm

These are 8 week sessions and the tuition is $140.

Helping One Of Our Teachers

Pianist, vocalist and songwriter Anastasia who performs under the stage name Zaritza has started a Kickstarter Campaign to produce an album of her original music. She performed at last years Ted Talks at Monmouth University and spoke eloquently about growing up in Russia and hearing and being inspired by American music and her journey to our country. It was a wonderful speech and she followed that with a virtuoso performance at the piano, playing an amazing classical piece and then singing one of her own songs. If you'd like to find out more please visit

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/294270260/zaritza-debut-album-video

Need to Upgrade Your Keyboard?

A friend has a "pre-owned" :) and rarely used Yamaha Clavinova for sale. These are very good electric pianos and are the same kind we use in most of our teaching rooms. I've included a couple pictures and brand new these keyboards are a $600 value. They are asking $250 and the keyboard comes with everything in the pictures.

If you are interested I will put you in touch.

Thanks to everyone who brought a friend to our school last month and spreading the good word. We'll be giving out those Hoffman's ice cream gift cards this week!

As always, committed to our students success,

Jim

Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. - Rainer Maria Rilke

February 2017 Newsletter

February 2017 News and Notes and What's Happening at our School this Month!

- We've had some really terrific success stories recently and I wanted to share them with you -

"My sons Thomas and Danny studied music at the School of Music and Drama in Little Silver for many years. They learned quite a bit about music and enjoyed their teachers very much. Now Danny has been accepted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York to study Aeronautical Engineering this Fall! He also will continue in the music program for guitar and string classes. Thanks to our friends at the School of Music and Drama for my sons great start in music."

- Luisa Alegria

One of our current students got the lead part of Ariel in her school's production of The Little Mermaid and she shared this with us -

“I've received vocal lessons at the School of Music and Drama in Little Silver for three years and there’s no place I’d rather be. The environment is great and the teachers are awesome!”

- Sarah Pasquale

Congratulations to Danny and Sarah!

Our students succeed and it may just be because our teachers care...

Matt, who teaches bass, guitar, piano and drums on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday broke his leg playing hockey last week. I didn't know about it until he showed up for his students last Monday. That's dedication!

- As always, March is Bring-a-Friend Month at our School. Every student who brings a friend will receive a $5 gift card to Hoffman's Ice Cream and the student who brings the most friends will get a $100 Best Buy gift certificate. Just please make sure we know who you brought to sit-in on your lesson!

- It's not too early to start thinking about Summer lessons, camps and classes. Visit our summer camp page to get some ideas to keep your child enriched over the warm summer months - Yes, beginner or intermediate level students should take summer lessons, even if they'll miss two or three. Advanced level students should take more lessons over the summer or add a second or third instrument!

- Our Drama classes are off to a great start on Saturdays. We have two classes running, a Drama 2 for kids 9 and up from 10:30 - 11:30 and a Drama 1 for kids 6 to 8 at 11:30 - 12:30. Each class has 5 to 6 students in it and we can take up to 12 students. If your child would like to sit in one week as a free "try-it" class just let us know!

- I am offering a free master class "Music is Everywhere" on Saturday February 25th at 4pm. The class should be about an hour long and I will show all students who attend how to see music in everything. We will create an original piece of music on the spot! If your child is creative, is interested in writing music and/or has missed some time and would like to attend the class please just RSVP. Suggested age for this class is 7 and above.

As always. committed to our students success,

Studio Director Jim Josselyn

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi