August 30, 2024: Friday Medley!
Happy Friday!
Our end-of-August off-week is nearing its end! Lessons are ON for Sunday, September 1, and we are OPEN and lessons are ON for Monday, September 2!
Did You Know … Miss Nicole has her own band!
Miss Nicole’s music group Purplexed is performing Saturday, August 31, live at the Streamliner in Orange.
Check out her flyer (attached) and go see their performance if you have a chance!
Congratulations to student - Greyson Avila
who will be performing Arabesque No. 1 by Debussy in the MTAC Orange Coast Cities Community Recital at the Laguna Hills Community Center on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at 2:00pm.
Did You Know…
We Train, Mentor, and Coach Teachers!
Our teachers participate in ongoing professional development as they strive to continuously improve their craft, their skills, their knowledge, and abilities! Our music studio hosts weekly teacher seminars for participating teachers, as well as teacher training during our off-weeks!
This week we hosted a successful teacher development seminar at the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo, facilitated and led by Dr. Dennis. Teachers discussed important topics such as how to make music learning more rewarding and joyful, how to facilitate tension-free technique and tension-free learning environments, how to help students perform with confidence, and how to nurture student creativity. Teachers learned a little bit about how to juggle three balls in an experience leading to discoveries about how to build upon prior knowledge and skill, and to sequence instruction in ways that smooth the path to successful music learning and development of complex skills.
Our music educators strive truly to be a teacher team – professional colleagues working together to bring our students and families the best music education possible!
Did You Know…
We Teach Many Instruments!
We proudly offer the highest quality, healthy, and rewarding music lessons in piano, voice, guitar (acoustic, electric, and bass), ukulele, drums & percussion, strings (violin, viola, cello), wind and reed instruments (clarinet, flute, saxophone, recorder), brass instruments (trumpet, trombone, tuba/euphonium, French horn), and a few instruments you might not expect, such as mandolin and banjo! We also teach early childhood music, musical theater, acting, and voice over! And, music theory (classical and jazz), music composition, and songwriting!
We are Forming Children and Youth Choirs
We are forming two choirs, one for ages 8-12, and one for ages 13-17.
Choirs will start meeting on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Ages 8-12 from 1:00-2:00pm, and ages 13-17 from 2:30-3:30pm. Choir will follow our regular school calendar and perform at recitals, concerts, and special events.
Our vocal/choral teacher/director will be the skilled, experienced, fun, and all around wonderful Miss Kendra.
Tuition will correspond with our Black & White “Kitten on the Keys” membership pricing of $179/mo for new students. (Enrolled students who wish to participate will retain their price for life guarantee and come in at their locked-in rate.)
Please reply to this email if you are interested in joining the choir!
MTAC CM (Certificate of Merit) Exams, 2025
Our CM theory and prep sessions are on Tuesdays at 6:15pm, taught by CM alumni, music theory expert, and piano teacher, Mr. Michael P.
(We have two Mr. Michael's at the studio now!)
Students wishing to participate in CM for 2025 must make a decision and enroll by the end of August, 2024. The first step is to send me an email requesting participation. Here is a link which describes the eligibility requirements (scroll down to the bottom of the page, Exams & Honors Add-on Package).
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/piano-lessons-music-lessons-memberships
Halloween Recital - Save the Date!
Our Halloween Recital is coming up and will be here before you know it, on Saturday, October 26, at Shepherd of the Hills UMC, 26001 Muirlands Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691. We will have two performance options: 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm.
Now is the time to start thinking about and preparing Halloween music, for those who are interested! Please talk to your teachers and ask for some fun Halloween music to learn and practice that is just right for you!
An email will be sent soon asking participating students and families to sign up for the recital.
Also, we are forming a parent support group, Families Support Performers, to assist with our recitals, to be led by the La Londe Family. Look for an email inviting you to join!
Did You Know…
Christmas and Holiday Music
Now is the time to start thinking about learning and preparing music for Christmas and the Holidays! Many performers and performance ensembles around the country and the world are beginning to rehearse music for the holiday season. It’s not too early to start practicing!
Musicians are lucky because we get to learn, play, and sing holiday music many more months of the year than most people do!
We will have two holiday recital date options this year: one on Wednesday, November 27, and another on Sunday, December 8. Mark your calendars and be ready to sign up for the best option for your family!
Make-up Music Lesson Dates are Available
Make-up music lesson options are up on our website. To request a make-up lesson, simply use this form. It will notify us of your pending absence, and give you a chance to select from make-up lesson date and time options.
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/request-a-makeup-music-lesson
To read more about our make-up lesson policy and benefits, please visit: https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/music-lessons-laguna-niguel-policies
Did You Know…
We Take Good Care of our Teachers!
The Laguna Niguel School of Music, Dennis Frayne Music Studios respects, honors, and values our teachers, and strives to nurture a strong, positive, and healthy ethic toward our teachers.
One example is that we strive to maintain consistent and dependable teacher schedules, so they can plan their time and their finances, and reduce potential stress. When students miss lessons, our teachers still get paid. We don’t delete lessons from their schedules or require them to go for periods of time at the studio (between lessons) unpaid, the way many music studios do. (Most schools treat teachers unfairly in all kinds of ways… We want to change that; it is part of our mission.)
Our make-up lesson policy is unique in that it ensures unlimited make-up lessons for students while taking nothing away from teachers. When lessons are canceled, teachers use any extra time for lesson planning and preparation, research, and professional development to improve their teaching and their musicianship. These activities work directly to the advantage of our students and families, too. It's a win-win for everyone.
Did You Know…
We Provide Scholarships!
The Laguna Niguel School of Music, Dennis Frayne Music Studios provides (confidential) scholarships each year to several students. When you donate missed lessons to our scholarship program, they really are put to good use! We thank everyone who is able to donate missed lessons in this way. At present, five students are receiving full scholarships for an entire year of music lessons at our music studio.
To donate your missed lesson to our scholarship program, simply select the “Donate” option from the drop down menu when you complete the online form. Or, just send us an email!
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/request-a-makeup-music-lesson
office@dennisfrayne.com
Concert Performance Team
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to participate on our Concert Performance Team.
Here is our roster of students who will represent our music studio in the community:
Greyson Avila
Daniel Garshasbi
Nicole Gultcova
Auldin Jump
Emma Lay
George Lewis
Elena Monarrez
Sophia Monarrez
Arya Parag
Devyn Parag
Jocelyn Romero
Geethika Sadanagiri
Koushik Sadanagiri
Rachel Smart
Ryan Smart
The Concert Performance Team will perform in special monthly concerts for audiences at different locations and venues throughout Orange County.
Our first performance will be on Sunday, September 15, 2:30pm, at the Trabuco Hills Post-Acute care facility in Lake Forest, CA. Performances will continue year-round on the third Sunday of each month in the afternoons.
These are in addition to our quarterly all-studio recitals. The Concert Performance Team is a fantastic opportunity for enthusiastic music students to increase their musical skills, performance experience, and overall confidence!
And More!...
Our weekday afternoon lesson schedule is filling up. We also have availability weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, mornings, and evenings.
Participation in our weekly Music Playdates in the Parks keeps increasing! In September we are going to add Saturday morning playdates! Some families are asking about music-themed birthday parties. If this is of interest to you, please let us know! We are considering putting together birthday party playdate packages.
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/music-playdates-in-the-park-laguna-niguel
MASTERCLASSES
What is a masterclass and why are they important?
Masterclasses offer valuable benefits to music students, providing them with opportunities for growth, inspiration, and refinement of their musical skills.
Masterclasses are typically led by musicians or instructors who offer expert guidance, feedback, and insights. Students benefit from personalized instruction and mentorship, gaining valuable perspectives from experienced professionals.
Masterclasses provide students with opportunities to perform in front of a (small) and supportive audience and receive constructive criticism in a non-judgmental setting. Performing in a masterclass helps students gain confidence, refine their performance skills, and overcome stage fright.
Observing other students' performances and receiving feedback from instructors in a masterclass setting allows students to learn from their peers. They can gain new insights, techniques, and approaches to music interpretation and performance through observation and discussion.
Masterclasses help students get to know each other. Students can connect with peers, instructors, and sometimes even guest artists, building relationships that may lead to future collaboration opportunities.
Participating in a masterclass can be a source of inspiration and motivation for music students. Interacting with other musicians and students and witnessing their passion and dedication to music can reignite students' enthusiasm for their craft and inspire them to strive for excellence in their own musical endeavors.
Masterclasses offer music students a unique and enriching learning experience that complements their regular lessons. By receiving expert guidance and inspiration, students can enhance their musical skills, deepen their understanding of music, and cultivate a lifelong passion for artistic expression.
Have a magical Friday, a musical weekend, a wonderful last few days of August, and a Labor Day celebration!
Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
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