March 2023 Newsletter
In This Month’s Newsletter
Grand Opening Laguna Niguel Location
How Does the Summer Work?
Important Dates
Upcoming Recitals and Forums
Welcome Our New Students
Students of the Month
Teacher Spotlight
Days & Deeds of Dr. Dennis
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest
Referral Program
Grand Opening Laguna Niguel Music Studio Location
Over the holiday season, we opened the Dennis Frayne Music Studio Laguna Niguel location. We have several new teachers, and we are enrolling students in private lessons and small group classes.
In addition to music lessons, the music studio has a small retail area that will sell musical instruments, accessories, supplies, toys, games, and other fun items; a space for the scholarship flea market; and prizes that can be earned by students who accomplish musical goals. The parent and family lounge features a comfortable waiting area with a sofa, chairs, and space with a table, books, and materials for siblings to read, make arts & crafts, and do homework.
How Does the Summer Work?
In January we began enrolling our first students at the Laguna Niguel music studio location. Our goal is to enroll students in all available open spots this Spring!
As the end of the school year approaches, we often get asked these questions:
Q. How do lessons work in the summer?
A. The Dennis Frayne Music Studio is open year-round, and we do not close during the summer.
Q. Do a lot of students quit during the summer?
A. No! Most of our students continue taking lessons during the summer. It’s the best way, as it maintains continuity and prevents learning loss. Some students withdraw but then new students start lessons during the summer months.
Q. If we withdraw for the summer, can we keep our spot for Fall?
A. Lessons are first come first serve, so if you withdraw for the summer, we cannot guarantee that we will have a spot for you in the Fall, as we will open the spot to new students. Also, we increase our rates to offset inflation each year at the Fall quarter, and you would come in at the new rate.
The three big questions for all parents and students to consider (after continuity and learning loss) are:
Do you want to stay with the same teacher in the Fall?
Do you want priority scheduling and selection of lesson day and time?
Do you want to ensure your rate does not increase?
If the answer to one or more of these is Yes, and you plan to take a vacation, there are still ways to do this:
1. Continue taking lessons in during the summer.
2. Take advantage of online lessons (these can take place while traveling with or without your instrument), video tutorials, and other coursework your teacher will provide for you.
3. Make up missed lessons and supplement learning by attending online Saturday forums and master classes.
We realize that some of you will go on vacation for a portion of the summer. By continuing lessons, while you are here, taking advantage of online lessons while traveling, watching the video tutorials and completing other coursework assigned by your teacher, and attending online Saturday forums and master classes, you will make up for any missed lessons, keep your same teacher and spot for Fall, and maintain your Rate for Life!
And there’s one more possibility: Sublease your spot to a family or friend. You can send a family member or friend to your place for the dates you will miss. Just let the office know who is coming to your place and when. Make sure that they reimburse you directly for the lessons. If you are taking summer lessons and need a specific time for Fall, please contact us as soon as you know your schedule and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Each September, we get calls from students who have been with us for years but withdrew for the summer. They want to return to the same teacher, day, and time, but the spot has been filled by another student. If you LOVE your teacher, keep your spot by continuing during the summer and taking advantage of all the options to make it easier!
If you have any questions, please call us at (949) 844-9051.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Online Recital - April 8
Easter Sunday - April 9
Memorial Day - May 29
In-Person Recital - May 30
Upcoming Recitals and Forums
Recitals:
Online Recital:
April 8, 2023, Saturday afternoon 2:00 pm
In-person Recital:
Laguna Hills Community Center
May 30, 2023, Tuesday evening 6:30 pm
Forums:
Saturday mornings at 9:00 am
March 4; March 25 and May 26
Please welcome our NEW Students who enrolled in February!
Riyann G.
Kassandra T.
Delaney R.
Sophia M.
Elena M.
Students of the Month
Bill Schoonmaker and Dorothy Schoonmaker
Bill Schoonmaker
Dorothy Schoonmaker
Dr. Dennis met Bill and Dorothy Schoonmaker when they attended Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Hemet, CA, and Dennis was the music minister. Dennis played piano and organ, directed the choir, taught piano and singing classes, and started teaching private piano lessons to Bill and Dorothy.
When Dennis moved to Orange County, and the Schoonmakers moved to Alabama, they continued taking lessons online. And, when Bill and Dorothy travel in their RV - all around the country - they take their digital keyboard with them and continue their weekly piano lessons online from inside a campground or on a lake!
Teacher Spotlight
Liezl Yumena
As a child, I dreamt of becoming an opera singer, but could not find a teacher. I was able to take piano lessons though! I grew up in a private all-girls Catholic school run by nuns and among them was my very first piano teacher for nine years. I performed in numerous school activities and represented my school in national competitions. My music passion flourished when I entered college and decided to pursue a diploma course in performing arts specializing in piano performance.
As a young adult, I started teaching piano, singing, and music theory in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. My students were from the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and I had the opportunity to teach the children of the third Royal Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Some of my students participated in the annual music exams administered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).
Years later I decided to go back to my home country in the Philippines to pursue a degree in Music Education at the oldest Pontifical Catholic University in Asia. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a major in Piano and a minor in Voice, with recognition for graduating with honors “Cum Laude.”
Next, I taught high school music and music theory at the Conservatory of music for incoming freshmen students. I formed a music ensemble, directed the glee club, taught private piano lessons, and volunteered in apostolic work in my community church.
Finally, I moved to the United States and began teaching piano and voice lessons in Orange County. I am an active member of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC).
Days & Deeds of Dr. Dennis
Dr. Dennis began teaching as a young adolescent when he opened his first “School of Magic” for his younger brothers and neighborhood friends in rural North Tustin, Orange County, California. As a magician, he enjoyed both mystifying others while performing on stage as well as teaching others the tricks of the trade behind the curtain.
By high school, he was teaching piano lessons part-time at the LoKnoPla Music Institute, and it was there he was introduced to more formal teaching strategies and relevant pedagogies for both children and adults. Ruth Stevenson Alling regularly shared bits of wisdom and experience, and Dennis watched, listened, read, practiced, co-taught, and invented. He livened up the weekly Saturday morning piano recitals by rehearsing skits and musical theater numbers with interested students.
Inspirations
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23
“Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.”
Rabindranath Tagore
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
March 2023
To encourage everyone to read the Dennis Frayne Music Studio Newsletter, each month we’ll feature a new contest winner or a new contest. Be sure to read your newsletter each month to see if your name has been drawn or you might miss out!
This month’s winner is Riyann Goel
Riyann has won 10 tickets which can be redeemed for prizes at the
Dennis Frayne Music Studio, Laguna Niguel!
To collect your prize tickets just bring this to the office.
Congratulations, Riyann!
Everyone, be sure to read your newsletter each month!
Referral Program
If you have a friend who might like to take lessons, refer them to
Dennis Frayne Music Studio, Laguna Niguel.
If they register for lessons, we’ll give you each twenty-five dollars plus make donations to Scholarship Squirrel and Children’s Hospital of Orange County!
You will receive your $25 as a credit on your account, they will receive $25 off their first registration/tuition payment, and Scholarship Squirrel and CHOC each will receive a $25 donation.
It’s very easy to refer someone. Just send an email to us both and share their name(s)! There’s no maximum to the amount of credits and donations that you can receive and give!
Help us grow our music studio and let’s give a little back to our community and to children in need of special assistance and care.