Monthly Newsletters - May 2026

Looking for something fun & creative to do this summer?

Dear Students & Parents,

Some of my fondest memories as a child were during the summer. Reading my required school books during the daily afternoon rain showers, discovering “poisonous berries” (and the poison control hotline for the first time), limping back to the camper after my uncle’s legendary tube rides on the lake (his boating technique walked a very fine line between killing us and satisfying his need for entertainment), lounging at the beach working on my incredible tan, and, of course, red punch fights with dear friends at summer camp (was not at a LAAPA camp). You just can’t put a price on those memories, can you?

 

Outside of that, music lessons and summer music camp were something I looked forward to when I was in town. Just like school reading lists are designed to prevent summer brain rot, summer music, dance, and acting classes provide similar continuity that ensures students maintain the skills they have worked so hard to achieve.

 

More on those thoughts later, but all that to say, summer is perhaps our busiest time of the year, with music concerts, dance recitals, drama showcases, award ceremonies, and musical mainstage performances... and new students eager to learn!

 

We are bursting with excitement in anticipation of our summer performances & awards ceremonies for music, dance, and drama! Bye Bye Birdie is showing at Three Rivers Theater in Covington 23-24 May (tickets available NOW). Our Honors Music & Dance Concert is also coming up soon on 31 May! Music concerts, dance recitals, and drama showcases are happening throughout the month of June. Tickets will be available soon for these productions. Please note that all seating is on a first come, first served basis, so we encourage you to plan ahead.

 

Around this time each year, parents tend to ask us how the summer works and if we continue lessons. The fun never stops here at LAAPA, and the majority of students continue progressing year-round.

 

The big thing to keep in mind: students who love their current teacher and schedule *and* don’t want to lose it because of summer travel have a few options (that I didn’t have when I was younger):

1) Zoom into your lessons - just let us know week to week how you’d like to attend. The process is seamless, and you can visit laapa.com/zoom for more information.

2) For private students, your teacher can send you a recorded lesson via LessonMate - our newest software that ensures you NEVER miss a lesson! You can access your recorded lesson any time on your trip or whenever you get home!

3) Take advantage of scheduling a makeup workshop or attend one of our free weekly enrichment classes either in advance of or after your missed dates. Makeup options are available for an unlimited number of absences for as long as you are enrolled with us.

4) Lease out your spot to a friend or family member temporarily! So have fun traveling this summer - boy, do we all need it - but there is no need to lose your prime spots with your teacher (especially those from 3:30-7:30 on weekdays!)

 

As I mentioned, summer is a popular time for new students to get started in classes here at LAAPA! If your children are anything like mine during the summer, they appear out of the blue, arms crossed, staring at you (after you just sat down to relax) and ask, “What can I do?” Do they follow you around the house each day exclaiming, “I’m bored!”?

 

This summer, let us help them focus on reality instead of virtual reality and have in-person, human to human experiences that will build their confidence, self-esteem, cognitive skills, and new friendships - all while having fun and beating the digital addiction! Instead of playing around with video games, let us put an instrument in their hands and show them how to play their favorite songs!

 

Instead of kicking back in the recliner in front of the TV, how about bustin’ a move in hip hop or one of our many dance classes!? Do you wake up each morning to the joyful sounds of your son or daughter endlessly singing or pounding away at random notes on the piano? Let us show them how to make beautiful music in your home! Does your child drive you crazy beating on the kitchen pots and pans? How about drum lessons instead? Guaranteed to put all of that energy to good use! We can also recommend some excellent silent drum sets like we have at our schools for a peaceful and happy home!

 

Already taking a program with LAAPA? The summer is an excellent time to add a program or increase your weekly lesson time. And don’t forget that this July, we will be holding four exciting weeks of summer camp held at our Mandeville and River Ridge campuses. So far, over 100 summer camp students will be joining us this July! Many of them will be brand new beginners to the performing arts, so we are excited to welcome them and provide them with their first experience in music, dance, and drama!

 

Whatever you do this summer, don’t just sit around. Be creative and enjoy doing something new and fun! I hope to see everyone this summer at our many upcoming events!

 

~ Ryan Cullen, Executive Director

May Student Spotlight - Jaden Weiters

This month’s Student Spotlight features LAAPA Covington student Jaden Weiters! Jaden is in the level two acting class taught by Ms. Chelsea, and he’s been part of the LAAPA family for half a year!

 

Outside of LAAPA, Jaden is big into video games - specifically action & adventure ones! He even used to partake in archery - so cool! Jaden is a fan of both serious plays/films and comedies when it comes to picking a favorite genre. His number one pick is Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse. While he hasn’t pinned down exactly what sector or role, Jaden has future plans to work in the medical field.

 

When asked about his instructor, Ms. Chelsea, Jaden appreciates her encouragement and her critiques - “[she’s] not afraid to tell you where you need to get better.” He is grateful for LAAPA for providing a space to get away from his normal day-to-day routine and explore character work and be his authentic self alongside his classmates. Jaden has found that both his creativity and empathy have grown since beginning acting lessons at LAAPA.

 

We excitedly look forward to seeing you cultivate both your inner and outer sense of self, both on stage and maybe even in an OR one day, Jaden!

May Birthdays and Upcoming Events

Shoutouts - New Students and Faculty & Staff!