Monthly Newsletters - June 2020

This is Your Community School of Music and Dance - Thanks for Being a Part of LAAPA

Dear Parents and Students:

Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of our school.

We are pleased to announce that we will begin reopening for in-person lessons starting Wednesday, June 3rd!

The following classes and students are invited to return to campus - Parent & Tot dancers, Pre-Ballet, Ballet I, Hip-Hop I, Preschool Music, all music students under age 7 for private lessons, students with special needs, all students having difficulty with online lessons, and all students unable to attend online.

Please note, that if you are happy with continuing your music and/or dance lessons online, you are welcome to do so even if you have been invited back.

We understand that everyone is concerned with safety at this time. Here is everything you need to know and plan for when returning to campus:

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 are to sanitize hands upon arrival, and Faculty after each lesson.

Hand sanitizer is available 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!

We are so very happy to have you back with us and cannot wait to see you. We have truly missed all of you!

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 - Limited 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!

Sign-Up for Summer Music Recitals!

Our Summer Concerts and Award Ceremonies will be held as follows:

River Ridge Campus: Saturday, August 29, at Victory Fellowship - 5708 Airline Drive in Metairie.

Covington & Mandeville Campuses: Saturday-Sunday, August 8-9, t Fuhrmann Auditorium, 317 N. Jefferson St, Covington.

More details will be made available closer to the recital date. Please keep both days open as we will have multiple concerts from 8 AM through 8 PM (Saturday) and 12 PM-9 PM (Sunday).

Your concert date and assignment will be announced in late July.

All students are asked to sign-up online at https://www.laapa.com/music-recital no later than 6/13/2020. Any student not returning the form by 6/13 will be unable to participate. We are unable to make any exceptions to this deadline.

Sign-Up Now!

Student News

River Ridge School of Music & Dance student, Rishab Prabhu was recently recognized as Salutatorian of his 7th grade class! Rishab takes voice lessons with Mrs. Allison and has been a student at LAAPA since 2015. Way to go, Rishab! We are so proud of you!

River Ridge School of Music & Dance instructor, Mrs. Mollie F. and her husband recently welcomed their new addition into the world. Little miss Harper Ann was born on April 28th. Mrs. Mollie would like to let all of her students and parents know that she and her husband are settling into their new roles as "Mom and Dad" and LOVING every minute! Congratulations from all of us at LAAPA!

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 June Birthdays!

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

Students: Abby M. (17), Abigail V. (7), Alana J. (5), Alex M. (20), Alexander (Sasha) F. (17), Aly V. (9), Anjalie C. (13), Astrid P. (7), Bella P. (13), Brady R. (7), Brandon G. (18), Brayden T. (6), Brooke S. (8), Calvin S. (8), Camila P. (6), Camille A. (5), Charlie E. (9), Chloe Bleu S. (11), Clara R. (16), Cole R. (5), Dave V. (9), Delaney G. (13), Donovan B. (13), Dylan S. (14), Eleanor B. (10), Eleanor R. (4), Elliot P. (19), Emma M. (18), Ethan S. (15), Grace B. (9), Hailey W. (17), Isabella B. (15), Jackson D. (6), Jasmine R. (13), Jazlie-Ann C. (8), Jonathan H. (14), Julia C. (10), Julianne S. (14), Juniper J. (4), Kamiya C. (12), Kate W. (7), Kenzington B. (8), Kevin S. (53), Landon B. (14), Lauren C. (14), Lauren H. (13), Lila M. (7), Lilli Kate C. (6), Lilly V. (15), Logan K. (6), Mae K. (9), Megan B. (23), Megean S. (36), Michelle B. (34), Mihit P. (4), Miles B. (7), Nynah H. (15), Patrick M. (8), Penelope N. (5), Petra Rose H. (4), Rishab P. (13), Rooia M. (6), Roy R. (67), Sanaa L. (5), Sarah S. (11), Sidon C. (13), Skarleth C. (10), Sophia E. (9), Sophia S. (5), Sophie T. (11), Thomas H. (8), Tristan K. (7), Zoe L. (11)

Faculty & Staff:Corey K., Daniel C., Denise B., Elizabeth C., Elizabeth D., Enrico C., Hannah G., Jennifer H., Jennifer W., John N., Kristi B., Wanda C.

Video of the Month - Pirouettes for Ballet Students

Ms. Desiree demonstrates a quick lesson on Pirouttes!

Learn more about getting started in ballet classes locally or online by visiting https://www.laapa.com/ballet-classes-mandeville-river-ridge.

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 - Lara Dos Santos Moreria

This month we are spotlighting River Ridge School of Music & Dance student Lara Dos Santos Moreira!

Lara has been a student at LAAPA since November of 2019. She currently takes guitar lessons with Mr. Bill.

Her favorite type of music to listen to is Rock 'N Roll, Latin Music, and her favorite band is Imagine Dragons! When asked what she likes most about taking lessons, Lara responded, “That I get to learn how to play my guitar with Mr. Bill!”

Outside of music, Lara enjoys practicing Capoeira (a type of martial art from Brazil, where Lara was born), reading books, drawing, watching movies and TV series, and playing with her Barbie doll house! When she grows up, Lara wants to be a scientist (who plays the guitar, of course)!

“Initially, we wanted to register her for lessons at the River Ridge School of Music & Dance because of the great reviews and feedback we were able to find online. Then we had a great impression and very welcoming feeling during our first prospecting visit!” said Lara's parents when asked why they chose LAAPA.

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

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

Aliza J.
(Thanks Cameron G.)
Evan V.
Joshua G.
Lauryn S.
Luke D.
Stella C.
Sylvia J.
Tara C.

Student "Shout Outs!"

“William has been LOVING lessons. Mr. Bill is awesome! He lets him make up his own songs, and he always comes home and shows my dad and feels so proud of himself!! He told my dad he's gonna be the best guitar player in the world, and that one day he's gonna play in church!”
~ Adkins Family

“Seth loves his lessons. He finds that Mr. Ryan teaches and communicates with him in a way that allows him to understand guitar easily. He also enjoys how many different songs Mr. Ryan lets him play to keep lessons interesting! We are happy!”
~ Landeche Family

“Peyton has such a great time in his hip-hop lessons with Ms. Savannah! It's a great outlet for him to get his energy out and to meet other kids with similar interests.He's gaining confidence! He used to only dance around the house in secret and was pretty shy, so I'm so glad we chose this program for him! So far our experience at LAAPA has been great- we knew this was a good fit for him as soon as we visited for Open House!”
~ Shaddinger Family