Monthly Newsletters - July 2020

Welcome Back to Campus!

Dear Parents and Students:

We’re so excited to be seeing everyone on campus once again! As of the 2nd week of June, we opened our doors to all students who were ready to return to in-person lessons including over 70+ new students! It means the world to us to have our students back and our schools filled with the joy of music and dance!

While many students have returned to campus, we understand that others still prefer to remain online via Zoom, and that’s perfectly okay! We have always had the option for students to attend online, even prior to 2020!

Brand new to music or dance? We’re now accepting new students of all levels in-person at our studios or online! Our website has just been completely redesigned, so take a moment to see all that we have to offer at the new laapa.com! Also, if you’ve been interested in getting started in music or dance this summer, but aren’t yet ready to attend in person, online lessons may be for you! You can learn more about our online music lessons here: https://www.laapa.com/online/music-lessons and our online dance classes here: https://www.laapa.com/online/dance-classes.

During this time, we wanted to remind everyone of our safety procedures and guidelines while Louisiana remains in Phase 2:

All faculty and staff receive daily temperature checks

All academy equipment touched will be fully sanitized after each student's use

All HVAC systems have been upgraded with Global Plasma Solutions and NPBI (Needlepoint Bi-Polar Ionization) technology which kills viruses and a variety of airborne pathogens (Trusted by the Whitehouse, Google, and more)

Faculty and Staff to sanitize hands upon arrival and faculty after each lesson

Hand sanitizer in each studio

All Faculty and Staff have been issued masks

Students and parents are encouraged to wear masks if available but not required

Social distancing in each studio observed to fullest extent possible

When you arrive, please wait outside the building until a few minutes before your lesson begins. Allow enough time to use the restroom and sanitize your hands before your lesson.

Our lobby, bottled water, and coffee services will remain temporarily closed.

Parents will be able to observe all lessons and classes via Zoom since the lobby will be temporarily closed to all but the teacher and student(s).

Your teacher may ask to take your temperature with a contact free thermometer.

Wait for your teacher to open the classroom door for you before entering.

In order to maintain the health of our community, students, parents, faculty, staff should not enter the school if they are displaying any symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, coughing, mild fever. Even if it is due to allergies or other causes, understand that it is in everyone's best interests to proceed with online communications and lessons until you are completely symptom free!

Additionally, we are thrilled to be welcoming our Summer campers starting the second week of July! This year we have reduced our capacity to ensure smaller groups with plenty of social distancing. There are a few spots left in a few of the camps, so be sure to check them out if you’re still searching for summer camp opportunities!

Finally, we look forward to seeing everyone next month at our 1st ever Summer Recitals! Registration has now closed for all of our recitals and we will be issuing your specific performance times and dates shortly. Dancers who haven’t yet picked up their costumes should plan to do so ASAP when we reopen for classes after July 4!

Tickets are available at events.laapa.com if you haven’t already reserved your seats! Remember, that this year (as all years) we will be live streaming the productions to ensure that family and friends who are unable to attend can join in the fun.

Have a fantastic and safe Independence Day and a great July!

Ryan Cullen, Executive Director

Choose Your Summer Experience - Lessons Available Online or In-Person!

At LAAPA, we offer the most comprehensive Music & Dance Program in the Greater New Orleans area with three campuses located in Covington, Harahan, and Mandeville. For over 40 years, we’ve provided lessons to tens of thousands of students in Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Drums, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Tap, Brass, Woodwind, Bands, Preschool Music, and more!

Covington: 985-590-4545
Mandeville: 985-674-2992
River Ridge: 504-738-3050

Enroll Today!

Summer Camp Registration - Few Spots Remaining!

Summer is here! If you need something fun, educational, and exciting for your kids to do this summer, then consider Summer Music & Dance Camps at LAAPA! We offer one of the most unique summer camp experiences in the area! Our summer camps provide campers ages 5-16 with a choice of over 40 instrumental, vocal, and dance programs to discover and explore. Beginners, intermediate, and advanced students will have a blast! Camps are limited to 20 students per week!

For more information or to reserve your spot, visit https://www.laapa.com/camp!

Reserve Your Spot!

Dancers - It's Time to Step Up!

You have worked hard this year and it hasn't gone unnoticed! Through your practice, both at home and online, we want you to know how proud we are of you!

All dance students will be evaluated for class promotions during their next class. Promotions are based on ability, maturity, and age. Parents can expect class promotion announcements this Summer and students will begin attending classes at their new level after the August recitals.

From all of us here at LAAPA - Bravo, Kudos, & Congratulations! We're so thrilled you're a part of our family and we can't wait to continue to watch you grow and progress!

Student News

Covington School of Music student, Jackson Dewey saved up 30 superior student tickets and cashed them in for his very own LAAPA tote bag! Jackson started taking lessons at LAAPA in 2017 in our Preschool Music class. He's been taking private drum lessons for 2 years now! Way to go Jackson!

River Ridge School of Music & Dance parent and tot dance student, Rheya Eschette, modeled her recital costume during class. Our dancers are so excited for their big show in August!

Congratulations to all of our students that were selected to perform at our annual Honor's Concert this year! Pictured here is Covington School of Music student, Lolo Loris, singing "Show Yourself" from Frozen 2.

Send Us Your News!

We love getting your news, success stories and comments. If you'd like to share your news with us, please e-mail at studentnews@laapa.com. Please note that we publish our newsletters monthly, and if you don't see your submission in this edition, it will be published as soon as space is available! Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/laapaface, youtube.com/laapatube, and now on Twitter at @laapatweets.

Recording Studio

Our recording studio is located at the Mandeville campus and features a 32 track ProTools system, 4k video cameras, premium mics and equipment. Click the button below to learn more, schedule a studio tour or Book Your Session today!

Learn More!

Happy July Birthdays!

We'd like to wish the following Students, Faculty, and Staff a very Happy Birthday this Month!

Students: Abigail B. (11), Alexander D. (15), Alexandra O. (32), Alexis N. (11), Amelie W. (5), Anderson B. (3), Angelena M. (9), Angelina W. (11), Audrey M. (7), Bethany F. (9), Braelynn M. (13), Brooks B. (8), Cai D. (8), Caleb B. (7), Calliemarie G. (5), Cassidy L. (3), Cate J. (12), Cate T. (8), Chloe C. (9), Chloe N. (9), Christian P. (11), Christy H. (14), Clay M. (13), Colton H. (17), Daisy L. (4), David H. (13), Devin I. (13), Dominic G. (14), Dylan G. (5), Eowyn R. (6), Evelyn R. (5), Gabby R. (14), Gabriel C. (11), Gavin M. (13), Genesis P. (13), George G. (11), Gerardo E. (10), Gracyn D. (14), Hannah P. (14), Harrison E. (13), Helen C. (6), Isaac P. (13), Isaac R. (10), Issac P. (3), Ivana L. (10), Jacob H. (12), Jamie H. (17), Jax E. (9), Jennifer D. (9), Jeremiah P. (12), Joel S. (10), Josef S. (14), Joseph D. (11), Joshua G. (16), Julian B. (2), Kaitlynn L. (7), Kyla A. (12), Kyla O. (4), Kyrie G. (2), Laura L. (15), Layla P. (9), Leah M. (5), Leah Z. (13), Liam V. (11), Lilia T. (5), Logan G. (8), Madeleine P. (11), Madisyn T. (9), Marie C. (16), Marietta H. (66), Mason P. (10), Mia S. (6), Michael B. (11), Nathan J. (10), Olivia C. (9), Olivia W. (13), Rachel K. (32), Raegan M. (4), RJ H. (22), Rosalie C. (7), Ryleigh R. (11), Samantha J. (14), Savannah M. (3), Sean R. (15), Silas W. (8), Tristan L. (12), Tucker H. (9)

Faculty & Staff:Aaron B., Allison B., Candice M., Carolyn R., Jeannette P., Mollie F., Nicoli H., Robin W., Woody L.

Video of the Month - Guitar - A History of Styles Pt. 1

Mr. Josh Theriot, Director and Editor of LAAPA Press and Instructor of Guitar recently sat down in his studio to create a comprehensive series on the History of Guitar styles.

Learn more about getting started in guitar lessons locally or online by visiting https://www.laapa.com/guitar-lessons.

Important Dates

Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:

New Artwork by Michaela Howell

We are very fortunate to work with local artist Michaela Howell. Many of her paintings and art are on display at all three of our school campuses!

Michaela recently brought in new artwork that can be viewed at both of our Northshore campuses. The beautiful piece above is available for purchase at our Covington location for $425

Interested in purchasing art from Michaela? Inquire at the front desk!

With down home country humble beginnings Michaela has always been very resourceful. She cuts, sands, primes, paints, and in some cases stains her abstract versions of the wooden instruments, creating very hands-on works of art. This resourcefulness has “Played” out very nicely in her most current work. Though the recycling of varying musical instrument components including guitar strings, violin knobs, music sheets featuring the instrument showcased, Michaela portrays a ‘current’ sense of style combined with a very vivid color pallet, creating a symphony for the senses!

View More!

Students Spotlight - Jax Elmer

This month we are spotlighting Mandeville School of Music & Dance student Jax Elmer!

Jax has been a student at LAAPA since January of 2019. He currently takes piano lessons with Mr. Ben and voice lessons with Mrs. Angelia.

In general, Jax enjoys listening to all types of music! Right now, his favorite artist is Elton John. When asked what he likes most about taking lessons, Jax responded, “All the music I can play!”

Outside of music, Jax enjoys gymnastics, baseball, and he's excited to be starting basketball soon! When he grows up, Jax wants to be a lawyer or a doctor.

“He always sung and performed since he was little, and then his dad bought him a keyboard. I looked the school up online and read a lot of great reviews, so we decided to sign him up for piano lessons. He wanted to do camp last Summer too, which ultimately led us to signing him up for voice lessons.” said Jax's parents when asked why they chose LAAPA.

A HUGE welcome to our newest students who began lessons or added programs in June!

We are so happy that you’ve chosen to study at LAAPA. We know you will do great things this year!

Adrian N.
Alex F.
Alexandra M.
Allison B.
Angela V.
Angelena M.
Anita C.
Anthony D.
(Thanks Kamahri S.)
Astrid P.
Aylin W.
Ben P.
(Thanks Drin P.)
Bethany F.
Brett B.
Brittany V.
Brooke S.
(Thanks Mallory B.)
Burke D.
Cai D.
Caroline T.
Cate J.
Cate T.
Charlie B.
Cheryl T.
Colton H.
Daniel M.
Danielle T.
David S.
(Thanks Bogio Family)
Diana M.
Dylan D.
Elizabeth P.
Ella L.
Ellie M.
Elysa W.
Emma A.
Eowyn R.
Evan G.
Evelyn C.
Evelyn T.
Fabiola R.
(Thanks Milzic C.)
Gabriel P.
(Thanks Nunez Family)
Gabriel B.
Gabrielle F.
Gustavo G.
Helen C.
Hezekiah J.
Isabelle H.
Jack W.
Ja'leia H.
James F.
(Thanks Melissa C.)
James L.
Jamie H.
Ja'Niya H.
Joel B.
Jordan B.
Journee J.
Judah C.
Kailani Z.
Kamia B.
Kanishka A.
Kathryn T.
Kenniel O.
Kriess D.
Kylie L.
Kyrie G.
Linden L.
Lisa F.
Lucas D.
Lucy T.
Lyla W.
Lyla N.
Mae E.
Malaya V.
Megan T.
Meredith T.
Miles B.
Nathaniel H.
Nevaeh T.
Nicholas S.
Opal D.
Patrick T.
Rafael G.
Reya D.
Rick F.
Rooia M.
Sarah M.
Savannah B.
Tate W.
Tom M.
Treme T.
Victoria P.
Zoey B.

Student "Shout Outs!"

"Belle is very happy with lessons, as am I! She enjoys them! As a parent, I really like the ticket system you guys have implemented! It always keeps her on her best behavior!”
~ Oubre Family

“She's loving lessons! Mr. Ben is SO patient, kind, and calm-natured. She enjoys the stuffed animals Ben incorporates!”
~ Ochipinti Family

“Eowyn has been loving piano! Recently, I was taking her out to play with some friends, and she started crying in the car telling me that she'd rather be at music lessons. She's really, very happy! The stuffed animals Mrs. Angie uses in lessons, Mozart Mouse and Beethoven Bear, have really made a world of difference. I think those are her favorite part!”
~ Reid Family