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Greetings!
Welcome to our monthly newsletter. It's purpose is to keep SoundStage families up to date on all that is happening at our school. Be sure to read it every month as there will be special features of interest including student and teacher of the month as well as important dates and events to remember. In addition, each month we will hold a raffle with a free prize given to a current student. The Newsletter will also include other special features like money saving coupons, color photos and articles of interest. If you are not receiving the email version, let us know by calling 267 682 0965 or view it on our website at www.soundstagemusic.com.
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Student of the Month
Alex Wallack
Alex started playing the piano when he was just four years old, studying at SoundStage with Ryan Clikeman. His emphasis on the piano is classical music but he likes all kinds of music, especially
Rock. His favorite artist is Bruce Springsteen , whom he got to see in concert on Bruce's last tour in 2009. Alex played in his first SoundStage concert right after he turned five years old, performing "Ten Little Indians." That same spring, Alex performed in his elementary school's Music in the Schools Concert where he was the only kindergartener on the bill.
Alex loves to perform in concerts and has continued to do so both in SoundStage concerts and at school. Alex started studying with Sara McClure this past year. He played Beethoven's Fourth Symphony, Third Movement in his most recent Soundstage concert and the same piece in his elementary school talent show. He also plays the Double Bass, which he started playing when he was eight.
Alex also loves sports, playing baseball in the fall and spring. He is on the summer swim team at Maple Manor Swim Club and has been swimming for the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club the past couple of winters. In the winter, he adds basketball to his roster of interests.
Alex recently finished Phillies Baseball camp where he got to meet his favorite player, Domenic Brown. He also loves to play video games and enjoys a good game of Contract Bridge or Poker. He is going into fifth grade at Maple Glen Elementary School in Upper Dublin. His favorite subject in school is math. He also loves to read and was on the Reading Olympics team at MGES this past year. His favorite author is Mike Lupica. His favorite book is Hero (by Mike Lupica). Alex has a 6 year old sister, Stephanie, who studies with Julie at Soundstage.
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Group Makeup Program Going Strong
We are happy to say that the Friday and Saturday Group Makeup class program that was instituted a few months ago is going well. We are getting great feedback from students, families and teachers. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this program. Remember you need not wait till you miss a lesson to attend one of these weekly sessions. There is no limit to how many you can attend even if you do not miss a lesson.
Each month each teacher on our staff is scheduled for a one hour session on a Friday or Saturday. You can find this schedule on our web site at soundstagemusic.com or there is a sign up book at the school. Ask your teacher for help. Soon a complete calendar for all of next year will be published. You can sign up months in advance if you want. You can sign up with your regular teacher, with another teacher on the same instrument or even for a completely different instrument. Really!! This is a great way to try new things and meet new teachers and students. Often the group sessions include some time playing as a band or ensemble. It's great fun and helps to expand the students musical orientation. We hope to see you at a group session soon.
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Hurry Back - Fall Lesson Booking Now
If you have been out of school for a period this summer it is time to think about booking your lesson time for Fall. This year we are trying to accommodate students who want to come back a bit early to insure that they get a time slot that works for them. You can come as early as mid August to reserve your teacher and time slot. Contact the office for information 267 682 0965
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SOUNDSTAGE WELCOMES THREE NEW TEACHERS TO STAFF
SoundStage is proud to welcome three new teachers to our staff. Devin Adams will be teaching saxophone and piano, Alex Getz will be on drums, piano, horns and reeds and Nick Terramani takes on electric and upright bass, guitar and piano. Look for feature articles on each of these new staff members in future editions of this newsletter.
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AWARD WINNING PROGRAM FOR PARENTS AND TOTS
IS BACK AT SOUNDSTAGE
FEATURING TEACHER JULIE MYERS
If you wander into a Makin' Music Class in Oreland some morning you are likely to see kids jumping like frogs, singing like birds and dancing and drumming with their parents. The most striking thing is that everyone is smiling. Perhaps that is why Makin' Music, an interactive music program for pre-schoolers and their caregivers is so popular with young families in our area. According to Director and teacher Mickey Leone, "Everyone loves music and pre-schoolers really benefit from seeing their parents model the joy of music participation with them. Our classes are not a performance but a very interactive experience with everybody joining in".
In the Makin' Music Program each week kids and their caregivers play shaker eggs, bang marching sticks, jam with rhythm instruments and dance with scarves. Every class features lots of fingerplays songs, movement to music and joyous singing. It is a great way for adults and their pre-schoolers to share special time together. Sometimes it's tough to tell who is having the most fun the adults or the kids.
During the term, teachers introduce the Makin' Music families to the guitar, the mandolin, the violin, the piano and the drums plus a new batch of songs each season. Each family receives a professionally recorded CD and booklet so they can listen to and learn the songs at home.
Recent studies have shown that early music exposure can improve cognitive ability and later math skills, so beside being a time for fun and family bonding, the kids are getting a real enrichment.
The program is held at St Philip in the Fields Church on Tuesday mornings starting on September 20th. Feel free to sample the first class to see if you like it with no obligation. You may choose either a 9:30 or a 10:30 class. Programs are available for kids from 6 months to 5 years old.
For More information on the program call 267 682 0965 ext 94or got to www.makinmusic.com
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Raffle Winner for Free Prize
Tom Braun
This month's Raffle Winner is Tom Braun - Chosen at random from all current students who have been studying continuously for the last 12 months. He wins a SoundStage Tee shirt in any size and color from current stock. It is a $25.00 value. Congratulations Tom! Ask your teacher or call us at 267 682 0965
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Teacher of the Month - Paul Deck
Paul began his drumming studies at age 9 with teacher Dick Unger. After weekly lessons for 2 years with him, Paul studied for 7 years weekly with "Chick" Chicarrone, drummer for Damian Holton's Little Big Band . Then came lessons with Tommy Campbell, who was the drummer with John McLaughlin and Dizzy Gillespie. At age 17, Paul's first steady gig was 3 nights a week at a dance club in Audubon, Pa., where he played live drums to a DJ's mix. Paul held that job for 3 years until he got the opportunity to tour the Midwest and East Coast with the Rock band Starfire. After 2 years on the road, and returning to Philadelphia, Paul joined the Doug Markley Band. The band was awarded a record deal with Accord Records, a subsidiary of Capital Records. They toured and played around the Phila., New York and DC areas. Paul also played in the jazz rock funk band called Freeport in the Phila. metro area. Then came the Zanzibar Blue House Band gig, every Sunday night for several years. Paul has played with and recorded full length CDs with the groups OuterLimits, and Origins, regular performers at the famed Temperance House in Newtown Pa. Also in amongst these projects has been work with wedding/ party bands. Some of those names Paul played with are the Don Eaton Orchestra, Midnight Orchestra, First Class Band, the Uptown Band, and currently the David Gustafson All Love Orchestra. Paul is also the drummer with recording artist John Clarence Band whose single "Pass it On" is available on itunes.com and CDbaby.com. They are working on a full length Cd.
Paul is the resident percussionist at St John's Lutheran Church in Ambler Pa where he plays the Jazz and Gospel serrvices and also participates in Jazz Vespers. Paul taught privately at George's music prior to joining SoundStage in 2007. He can be heard on recordings from a variety of artists including "On The Mark" by The Markley Band and "Pilgrim's Progress" by Geoff Hansplant.
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What families are saying about SoundStage
I've studied with many teachers over the years with a wide variety of styles. Never has anyone so clearly pinpointed and helped me resolve vocal issues so quickly. I finally have some of the flexibility I've always wanted in my voice - and I know I'll only gain more as I continue to study with Katie Eagleson at Sound Stage. As a seasoned performer, I have sooo many bad habits. Some I'll keep as part of my "sound", some I have wanted to break forever, and some I didn't even know I had. Katie is the most amazing diagnostician I've ever trained with - she hears EVERYTHING, and was the first teacher (of many!) to be able to pinpoint the cause of certain limitations in my voice and present a practical solution. On top of that, Katie is sensitive to protecting my signature sound while helping me develop a healthier vocal style and more flexible instrument. Love...........Meghan Cary |
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Welcome New Students to SoundStage
Eric Westray Jr. - Ryan
Eric Westray Sr. - Ryan
Caroline Tilson - Jamal
Maya Graco - Kent
Isabella Graco - Julie
Lila Rockey - Julie
Gavin Rockey - Amy
Henry Monzarella - Paul
Miles Monzarella - Karen
Brave McHugh - Monique
Max McHugh - Carol
Courtney McCullough - Amy
Rocco Trojan - Monique
Dan Moser - Chris
Adam Gelb - Julie
Graham Doughty - Paul
Samantha Boyd - Sara
Evan Meadows - Jamal
Halle Schwartzmann - Monique
Tierney Hennegan - Karen
Ryan Tranchida - Pete
Sydney Smith - Julie
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