July 26, 2024: Friday Medley!
Happy Friday!
We hope you’re having a wonderful last weekend of July, as the summer months are flying by!
Halloween Recital - Save the Date!
Our Halloween Recital is coming up and will be here before you know it, on Saturday, October 26, in the morning, at Shepherd of the Hills UMC, 26001 Muirlands Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691.
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!
Concert Performance Team Interest
Thank you to everyone who has expressed interest in our developing Concert Performance Team. I will continue to respond to each one of you soon. In the meantime, here is some more general information:
We are organizing a studio Concert Performance Team. The Concert Performance Team will perform in special/additional 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!
Eligibility
Here are the ways students become eligible to participate on the Concert Performance Team:
Students at the Silver, Gold, and Platinum membership levels (these levels generally include more than one lesson per week)
Students participating in a year-round studio Exams & Honors program (CM, RCM, etc.)
Legacy students (members of the Dennis Frayne Music Studios travel studio)
Students who have been enrolled continuously for 2+ years (at any membership level, you become eligible on your second anniversary of continuous lessons)
If you might be interested, even if you are unsure about eligibility, please RSVP.
Commitment
Participating students must commit to attend at least 8 out of 12 of the annual performances.
Performances will be on Sunday afternoons (usually the third Sunday of the month)
Performing students will receive additional coaching, rehearsal, and performance time
These are in addition to the regular quarterly and special invitational studio recitals
We are preparing for our first touring performance for September 15, 2024
Please RSVP with questions and level of interest!
MTAC CM (Certificate of Merit) Exams, 2025
Students wishing to participate in CM for 2025 must make a decision and enroll by 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
Keep Your Price for Life!
We are going to be raising membership/tuition prices FOR NEW STUDENTS ONLY a small amount effective August 1 (that’s only a few days away!). Remember, enrolled students receive our Price for Life guarantee. Your price will never increase - for life - as long as you stay enrolled! When we raise prices for new students, your rates are not affected, ever... they remain the same, for life!
If you withdraw, even temporarily, and then return, you must re-enroll at the new rate, whatever it might be at the time. It’s often cost-effective to remain enrolled, and schedule make-up lessons, during time away!
If you know a family who is thinking of enrolling, suggest they do so before August, to get a slightly better price for life!
Price Increases by Membership Level (monthly)
Black & White (“Kitten on the Keys”) from $156 to $179
Bronze (“Dizzy Fingers”) from $328 to $358
Silver (“Master Musician”) from $448 to $483
Gold (“Virtuoso”) from $597 to $644
Platinum (“Prodigy”) from $899 to $966
Remember, we will raise prices from time to time, but only for new students. Continuously-enrolled students maintain their locked-in rate, for life!
And More!...
We are enrolling more and more students in instruments in addition to piano.
Guitar, drums, violin, viola, cello, clarinet, recorder, flute, trumpet, and more! Even mandolin!
Our new, very talented, and otherwise all-around wonderful recorder and clarinet teacher, Mr. Dmitry, has spots available on Thursday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. Summer is a great time to supplement music learning with some additional instrumental music lessons!
We have openings available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings for violin lessons with Mr. Luke!
Or jazz piano! We are offering supplemental lessons in jazz piano from jazz musician and teacher Mr. Denny. Learn more about reading lead sheets, mastering jazz scales, modes, and chord structures, plus voice leading, and improvising.
And... Did you know that we offer Music Theory, Composition, Songwriting, and Music Production Lessons?
These can be taken separately or as an add-on to lessons on a music instrument. We also offer tutoring and coaching in AP Music Theory (intended for students taking AP Music Theory in high school - get a head start!), and music theory and musicianship (such as ear training) in preparation for other exams (such as RCM, CM, and others).
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/music-theory-music-composition-songwriting-music-lessons
Tell your friends and family about our Music Summer Camps for beginning piano students!
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/piano-camps-guitar-camps-music-camps
Participation in our weekly Music Playdates in the Parks keeps increasing! 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
Our lesson cancellation and make-up policy and practice continues to be refined and streamlined. We are now giving you the option to request an actual date and time online from a list of options. “We offer unlimited make-up lessons!” To advise us of a cancellation and to request a make-up lesson:
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/request-a-makeup-music-lesson
Also, we thank those who are able to donate their missed lessons to our scholarship fund and financial assistance programs. When we are able, we help some students and families receive free music lessons and even free musical instruments & gear through these programs.
https://www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com/music-lessons-laguna-niguel-policies
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, and a wonderful month of July!
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
Piano Lessons | Voice Lessons | Music Lessons
Music is... Creative, Thoughtful, Fun, & Rewarding!