March 2025 Newsletter
In This Month’s Newsletter
The Joyful Connection Between Songs of the Irish and Springtime
Fun and Important Dates
Upcoming Recitals and Concerts
Welcome Our New Students
Student of the Month
Spotlight on Yue Tang
Did You Know? Our Studio Theme for the Season is Songs of the Irish and Springtime!
Inspirations
Music Playdates in the Parks
Join Choir!
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
Referral Program
The Joyful Connection Between Songs of the Irish and Springtime
Springtime is a season of renewal, joy, and growth, and nowhere is this spirit better captured than in the lively and heartwarming music of the Irish. Irish songs and springtime music share themes of nature’s beauty, hope, and celebration, creating a harmonious blend of melody and meaning. From traditional Irish folk songs to cheerful popular tunes and even music found in movies and children’s stories, both genres invite us to feel the energy of life awakening after winter.
Traditional Irish music often draws inspiration from nature, much like springtime-themed songs. Classics such as “The Wild Rover” and “The Fields of Athenry” speak to the lush landscapes of Ireland, with rolling green hills and blooming flowers that mirror the vibrancy of spring. Similarly, springtime music, like Vivaldi’s "Spring" from The Four Seasons, celebrates the arrival of birdsong, budding plants, and the warming sun. Both traditions are grounded in a love of the natural world, offering listeners a sense of connection and renewal.
Popular music also embraces these themes, blending Irish and springtime influences in creative ways. Songs like “Danny Boy” are beloved worldwide for their heartfelt melodies and lyrics that reflect change and hope, much like spring itself. Meanwhile, children’s songs such as Here Comes Peter Cottontail bring playful energy to spring celebrations, while traditional Irish jigs and reels invite dancing, reminding us of the joy that comes with new beginnings. Movie soundtracks further bridge these elements, with films like The Secret of Roan Inish highlighting Irish musical traditions and their ties to nature and the human spirit.
The beauty of Irish songs and springtime music is how they bring families together. Their themes of renewal and joy transcend generations, encouraging both young and old to sing, dance, and appreciate the world’s rebirth each year. By blending tradition, storytelling, and the wonders of nature, this music helps us celebrate life’s enduring rhythms with a smile.
FUN and IMPORTANT DATES
St. Patrick's Day
Monday, March 17
Lessons are ON!
Upcoming Recitals and Concerts
Concert Performance Team Recitals
Recitals
Theme Recital - "Songs of the Irish & Springtime"
Friday, March 14, Evening
Chamber Music OC in Lake Forest, CA
Studio Recital
Monday and Tuesday, April 14 & 15, Evening
Laguna Hills Community CenterDestination Recital
Saturday, May 10, Daytime
Poway, San Diego County, Temple Adat Shalom
Includes a visit to the Musuem of Making Music in Carlsbad!
Please welcome
our NEW Students who enrolled
in January
Adriana E.
Avery H.
Finley H.
Isobel K.
Madhava Simon K.
Aryan M.
Jayden N.
Eliana P.
Sabrina R.
Patrick Y.
Eve E.
Jenny N.
Student of the Month
Rumi Eghbali
Rumi started taking piano lessons at age 5. He says "it's really cool how our fingers and brains memorize songs, and without thinking about a song, we can just play, and our fingers play the songs and take us into another world." Rumi is working through the Presto! It's Piano Magic, Book 1, and is able to play about three-quarters of the songs from memory.
Rumi also improvises, loves to play fun duets, and is learning some film music from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Rumi doesn't play another instrument but if he had to pick another instrument, it would be the Banjo, because "I like the sound it makes." As far as regular school, Rumi enjoys his science classes. He plans on becoming some kind of a scientist in the future. He also enjoys playing with his friends during recess. As far as music school, "I really like hanging out with Dr. Dennis, talking about music or just talking about other things. I like spending time with him. I really like it when we play together or he lets me improvise on my music pieces."
Rumi's family is from Iran but he's never been there. He has two older sisters and one older brother. He really loves soccer and these days he is trying to get into club soccer. He enjoys watching La Liga soccer, and his favorite players are Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. He also participates in Shaolin Kempo Karate, also since age 5. He has earned his blue/green belt and is working on the next belt at My Dojo in Irvine.
When Rumi grows up, besides becoming a scientist, he would also like to be a comedian! His favorite place that he has visited is Hawaii. He liked how you can go swimming any time of day or night and the water is warm!
Spotlight on Yue Tang
Yue Tang, Associate Principal Cello of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Dublin, Ireland, is a distinguished cellist originally from Beijing. He studied cello performance at the Central Conservatory of Music (Beijing),
University of Southern California, Oberlin College, and the Royal Irish Academy of Music (Dublin).
Mr. Yue has won numerous awards over his career, including the Gold Prize at the World Classical Music Awards and the Grand Prize at the Vienna International Music Competition 2023, where he performed at the Musikverein in Vienna. He has been a member of many symphony orchestras, including Ireland, Florida, Boca Raton, Ars Flores, Miami City Ballet, and more. He has shared the stage with famous artists including Mstislav Rostropovich, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domigo, Lang Lang, and many more.
Mr. Yue created a solo cello album, “Variations on Cello,” which is played regularly on Lyric FM. He also made TV appearances on the RTÉ One reality show “Instrumental,” “Dancing with the Stars,” and more. And he has helped his cello students achieve Distinction and Merit for ABRSM exams and win prizes at several prestigious music competitions.
Did You Know?
Our Studio Theme for the Season is Songs of the Irish and Springtime!
From now until the end of March, join in the fun and learning by participating! In addition to the first day of Spring, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day,
various patriotic holidays, as well as the Persian New Year (Nowruz), fall during this period. Students are learning music related to and expressing these themes, and discussing with their teachers how the music they are already learning might relate to and express these themes.
Our Themed Recital #2 reflects this theme!
When: Friday, March 14, 2025
Where: Chamber Music OC in Lake Forest, CA
Students wishing to participate in this recital are encouraged to strive to meet the following objectives: Play more than one song or piece (2 or more, no limit);
Play everything from memory (no books or music sheets); Play at least one song or piece
that is related to or expresses the theme; Wear green to the recital!
To request to participate in this theme recital, please use this form:
https://www.dennisfraynemusicstudio.com/theme-recital-sign-up-request
Inspirations
“Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.”
“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.”
Music Playdates in the Parks
Laguna Niguel and surrounding areas.
Weekly playdates on Wednesday and Saturday
mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Meet friends, dance a little, sing along, play with some musical instruments,
and other fun toys!
Find us near the playground.
Join Choir!
In Laguna Niguel
Children and Youth
Saturdays
1:00p (ages 8-12)
2:30p (ages 13-17)
Adult
Tuesdays, 6:15p
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
March 2025
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 Noah Underhill
Noah 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, Noah!
Everyone, be sure to read your newsletter each month!
