Yes, it is common sense. Any skill requires constant exercise to maintain. Music is no different. Again, we remind you of a saying attributed to the famous pianist and Polish Prime Minister I. Paderewski: "If I miss one day of practice, I notice it. If I miss two days, the critics notice it. If I miss three days, the audience notices it. Long breaks in the learning process always negatively affect learning progress. If you are not convinced, here is another quote by Nobel Laureate psychologist D. Kahneman: "The acquisition of skills requires a regular environment, an adequate opportunity to practice, and rapid and unequivocal feedback about the correctness of thoughts and actions."
We stay open during the summer for private lessons to help our students maintain and improve their skills. Summer scheduling provides a lot of flexibility - just let us know what weeks you are around to take classes. The summer semester offers another great experience - students have an opportunity to work with different instructors. After every summer, many students who attended the summer programs tell us what a wonderful experience it has been. Summer is also a great time to expand one's music experience - try a new instrument, learn how to compose and improvise or how to sing. Please check out the programs and workshops below. SMA reserves the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollment. There is a 10% discount for the students who take multiple group courses during the summer semester.
Oh. My. Oz! Get ready for the most thrilling vocal workshop this side of the Emerald City. Whether you dream of belting like Elphie or charming the crowd like Glinda (with a “Ga”), this workshop is all about discovering your unique voice, building confidence, and having a positively popular time.
We’ll sing songs from Wicked, explore character and emotion, and perfect Glinda’s “toss, toss, leg!” technique. So grab your wands and brooms and get ready to explore your unlimited potential!
What to Expect:
•Let your voice fly and master your favorite songs from Wicked.
•Introduction to vocal technique from a qualified instructor.
•Shiz-themed group activities, including crafts and games.
•A live group showcase where everyone will have a chance to shine.
What to Bring:
•Water bottle, snack or lunch for optimum spell casting energy.
Ages 7-12 are welcome
Bejeweled, Bedazzled, and Born to Shine! Sing Like a Swiftie Workshop
Let your inner sparks fly at SMA’s Sing Like a Swiftie workshop! Spend your summer era immersed in Taylor’s iconic music and creating
lasting memories with fellow Swifties. Students will develop their performance skills while channeling their inner pop star.
Workshop activities include basic vocal instruction, movement, and Taylor-inspired crafts, culminating in a live showcase for family and friends.
Space is limited, so sign up today - we’ll be enchanted to meet you there!
What to Expect:
• Develop confidence and stage presence while performing Taylor’s greatest hits.
• Personalized vocal instruction from a highly qualified coach.
• Taylor-themed group activities, including crafts, games, and karaoke.
What to Bring:
• Water bottle, snack or lunch, and a list of your favorite Taylor Swift songs.
The program is tailored to ages 7-13
Playing an instrument is a skill that skill requires constant exercise to maintain. Keep your instrument skills polished and further the mastery of your instrument, by continuing your private music lessons during our summer semester. We have many different scheduling options to help accommodate you and your family's vacation plans. Please fill out the form linked below so we can tailor your lesson schedule accordingly.
The students will watch a real music production session. The instructor will explain every step of the process and techniques and will discuss available tools. By understanding the principles and knowing what tools to use, the student will be ready to experiment at home independently.
Open to students of all instruments, voice and skill level, the Jazz Improvisation Class will allow students to explore their creativity through standard jazz songs. Pianists will explore common chord voicings and all instrumentalists will learn different ways to navigate through chord changes with ear training and knowledge of the fundamentals in music. Whether having years of experience playing jazz or just starting out, this course will help build confidence in exploring new music and improvising freely, it will be a fun experience for everyone involved!
This workshop aims to help students identify melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic elements in piano music and facilitate reading skills. We will cover some basic concepts in piano theory and look at various examples of piano music of different styles to learn how to identify common patterns in the right and left hand. We will also learn how to visually analyze the score quickly and deliver a more successful reading of the music on the page. This program is designed for students that are Elementary/Intermediate Level, with at least 1-2 years of piano experience preferred.
Learning scales is an essential step in becoming a better musician. We will go through some of the most basic scales, with plenty of examples to help you understand how they are formed. After taking this course, you will have a great foundation on which you can begin your journey towards mastering the piano. And who will be the first to find a scale in pieces by famous composers?