Monthly Newsletters - February 2023
Articles for this month include "Coming Soon: LAAPAFEST!", Student Spotlight - Florence Van Hlawn Cer, Student News, and more!...
Coming Soon: LAAPAFEST!
Dear Students and Parents,
It’s hard to believe that LAAPAFEST is once again nearly here! So what is LAAPAFEST anyway?
LAAPAFEST is a unique opportunity for all music and dance students who have been studying their program for a qualifying length of time (whether at LAAPA or elsewhere) to perform a solo from memory for a panel of three insightful and friendly judges. Students then receive an overall rating as well as detailed written constructive feedback on their performance within a variety of categories, which will be passed along to their private instructor(s).
The overall goal of LAAPAFEST works in tandem with our mission here at LAAPA of instilling a lifetime appreciation of the performing arts within each student while continually building self-esteem. Students do not compete with other students for their overall rating and are rated solely on their individual performances and at their individual levels. Beginning students are most welcome and, in fact, encouraged to participate in LAAPAFEST!
This year, we will be recording every LAAPAFEST performance once again, and ALL PERFORMERS will receive a copy of their performance!
Immediately following the final week of LAAPAFEST, the judges are asked to select 30 - 40 music and dance students who have received the highest overall ratings to perform their solos in a special Honors Recital which will be held this May. There are very limited spots in the Honors recital, and the selection process is always a very challenging one for the judges! In other words, not being selected for the Honors concert certainly does not detract from the outstanding achievement of a Superior or Excellent rating! The judges will also select many additional students to perform in a special Virtual Recital (from the live video recordings) that will be featured on our social media pages!
LAAPAFEST participation is an outstanding event in and of itself that produces Honors reflected in the outcome of student ratings.
It is important to note that the majority of our students participating in LAAPAFEST typically earn either Excellent and/or Superior overall ratings (because they are so well prepared)! The focus of LAAPAFEST is on the individual student, their performance in the festival, and their individual festival rating.
All LAAPAFEST students will be recognized for their participation and rewarded for Excellent and Superior ratings during the Awards ceremony at our upcoming Summer Recitals this June!
For more information on LAAPAFEST, please speak with your instructor ASAP. You may sign-up online for LAAPAFEST for music at and for dance at .
It is also important to note that each year we do have to turn students away from LAAPAFEST due to the limited number of slots available, so we encourage all interested students to turn in paperwork well ahead of the published deadlines. Good luck at LAAPAFEST!
Sincerely,
Ryan Cullen, Executive Director
Discover Your Talent - Learn to PLAY-DANCE-SING-ACT!
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
Student News
Congrats to piano/voice student Patrick Cullen for getting his first gig! He’ll be playing solo at the Abita Farmer’s Market on Feb. 18 from 9AM-12PM.
You can also catch him at the Mandeville School of Music & Dance on Feb. 11 at 6pm in a special concert called, “Solid Walls of Sound - the music of Elton John” with special guests Lucy Cullen, vocals, and faculty members - Christian Thorne, drums Brian King, bass and Nicoli Hutchison, guitar.
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!
Happy February Birthdays!
We'd like to wish the following Students a very Happy Birthday this Month!
Abel K. (8) , Ada E. (6) , Adrian G. (14) , Aidan L. (13) , Alena G. (13) , Alexandre G. (2) , Alexia N. (8) , Amanda T. , Amari H. (15) , Angie U. (15) , Anita C. , Annabelle F. (17) , Aries P. , Ava B. (20) , Ava D. (10) , Ava H. (10) , Avery T. (9) , Ayanti H. (7) , Beau B. (2) , Bella D. (9) , Ben B. (9) , Brennan F. (14) , Brennon G. (8) , Bryce D. (18), Carol B. (25) , Charys A. (13) , Claire M. (11) , Cole L. (8) , Colin H. (6) , Daniella S. (4) , David S. , David B. , De’ja S. (18) , Derrick N. (14) , Dory A. (17) , Elijah M. (12) , Elizabeth P. (7) , Elvana K. (2) , Emma B. (9) , Emmalene M. (6) , Fabian G. (14) , Finnegan K. (9) , Gabriella L. (6) , Gavin D. (14) , Gregory O. (10) , Haroly G. (14) , Harrison B. (9) , Iris V. (6) , Isaiah G. (14) , Jonathan K. (18) , Joy K. , Kaili A. (5) , Kellen Claire M. (9) , Kendall F. (8) , Krystal D. (4) , Landin W. (9) , Leah C. , Lily N. (13) , Lizzie L. (9) , Loreal S. (9) , Lucy F. (7) , Lydia M. (5) , Lyla N. (13) , Mackenzie M. (17) , Madeleine B. (9) , Madeleine C. (5) , Madison O. (10) , Marlowe C. (9) , Mary B. (5) , Mary Kate K. (4) , Mia V. (6) , Michelle M. (12) , Mollie R. (9) , Nashla C. (6) , Nile D. (6) , Odysseus U. (7) , Olive M. (3) , Peyton K. (16) , Presley C. (9) , Roanoke H. , Ryleigh R. (9) , Sam G. (12) , Samantha P. (12) , Sammy M. (17) , Savanna M. (5) , Simone W. (5) , Sofia A. (16) , Sophia C. (9) , Sophia O. (12) , Tommy K. , Valeria P. (16) , Vince M. (12) , William F. (15)
Video of the Month - LAAPAFEST Virtual Recitals
Check out some of our students from LAAPAFEST 2022 in one of our Virtual Recitals!
Important Dates
Take a moment to review the following upcoming dates:
February 20-24:
Mardi Gras Holidays
Feb 25:
Classes Resume
March 11:
Adult Student Recital - River Ridge
March 18:
LAAPAFEST Music - Mandeville
March 25:
LAAPAFEST Music - River Ridge
April 15:
LAAPAFEST Dance - River Ridge
April 22:
LAAPAFEST Dance - Mandeville
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 Mandeville location for $850
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!
Students Spotlight - Florence Van Hlawn Cer
This month’s Student Spotlight showcases Mandeville School of Music & Dance student Florence Van Hlawn Cer! Florence takes voice with Mrs. Rebecca and piano with Dr. Vera.
Outside of LAAPA, Florence enjoys going to school. Her favorite class is math class. Florence likes K-Pop and Pop music. Her favorite musical artist is Taylor Swift, and her favorite group is BLACKPINK. Florence wants to be a pianist when she grows up.
Florence says she has wanted to play the piano since she was little. When she was a baby, she’d clap along when someone sang, and she always sang growing up.
Florence enjoys attending lessons at LAAPA because her teachers are patient and kind. She loves that all of the faculty and staff are nice. Her favorite part of lessons is getting a ticket for her hard work.
Thanks for being a part of the LAAPA family, Florence! We love having you as a student here!
A HUGE welcome to our newest students who began lessons or added programs in January!
We are so happy that you’ve chosen to study at LAAPA. We know you will do great things this year!
Adrian Zeno R.
Adrienne W.
Alex S.
Alexandra F.
Alexia M.
Amelie L.
Andrea M.
Andressa F.
Anne S.
Ashley C.
Atmik V.
Aurora D.
Austin A.
Ava R.
Beau B.
Bella G.
Bella W.
Bo Ming Scott H.
Callie L.
Camille S.
Carla S.
Ceri H.
Charles S.
Charles S.
Charley B.
Charlie H.
Charlotte B.
Charlotte S.
Christa B.
Connor H.
Cora K.
Dakota B.
Djuana S.
Elijah M.
Elise C.
Elizabeth B.
Ella O.
Emma K.
Emma M.
Emma O.
Erin V.
Finnegan K.
Foster S.
Gideon A.
Helen M.
Ian F.
Ingrid I.
Ivan L.
Izzy C.
Jackson B.
Jackson C.
Jacqueline L.
Ja'lyn P.
Jason C.
Jeneen S.
Jionni W.
Joan M.
Joseph E.
Josie G.
Juan A.
Jud D.
Kaethe Z.
Kambri J.
Kamila N.
Kevin C.
Kinsley S.
Kristopher W.
Kyndal C.
Laila G.
Leah A.
Leah C.
Leanny A.
Ledger H.
Leighton R.
Lily J.
Lindsey C.
Logan R.
Lucy B.
Lydia B.
Lynnlea W.
Maddox B.
Madison C.
Madison O.
Maleah R.
Mara S.
Margaret M.
Mary B.
Mary Kate K.
Meg G.
Mike H.
Myles W.
Nadine M.
Natalie R.
Neil H.
Nile D.
Noah P.
Olga G.
Olivia P.
Olivia W.
Owen F.
Penelope B.
Raymond B.
Remi A.
Saoirse M.
Sara L.
Sara T.
Sarah P.
Savanna Z.
SiLynn S.
Skylar A.
Sofia T.
Spencer L.
Ta'quan W.
Tabitha B.
Taylor C.
Taylor G.
Tegan G.
Tiffany H.
Trinitee B.
Vanessa C.
Veer V.
Victoria M.
Virginia S.
Wylie S.
Yasmine A.
Zakhai R.
Zarriah C.
Student "Shout Outs!"
“All three of my children have had a wonderful experience at LAAPA. Ms. Maddie is amazing and has a gift with the little ones (has patience of a saint). My oldest daughter is in the Dance Company and has truly blossomed here.”
~ Shawna S.
“I have been so incredibly pleased with the Mandeville School of Music. Their staff is extremely helpful, polite, and flexible with our ever-changing schedule. Their instructors are very talented, professional, and work so well with children of all ages. The key to keeping a child interested in learning music starts with a great teacher that can hold their attention, make it fun and help them to reach their potential, thereby building their own confidence in their ability. My son started with guitar, loved it so much that he added piano. He’s been playing for almost three years now and is turning into quite the talented little musician. Music is so important in a child’s overall development, and I can attest that it has helped my son academically as well. I cannot say enough good things about The Mandeville School of Music. I feel blessed that we have this caliber of school right here in our own backyard!”
~ Michael H.