Congratulations to Payton Wessells for being selected as student of the month. Payton is a violin student and takes lessons at Valley Conservatory with Chris Lanier. She is in 6th grade and attends school at The Academy for the Gifted and Talented were she is enrolled in all honor classes except for math where she is taking Algebra 1. Payton is very involved in sports where she has played soccer since 3rd grade. She also enjoys horseback riding and traveling. Some of her travels include, New York, Colorado, Florida, Virginia, Canada and Mexico. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Payton has 1 sister and 2 brothers. Her favorite subject in school is science and she desires to be a small animal veterinarian when she grows up. Payton is a highly motivated young lady with a bright future ahead of her. Kudos to Payton for a job well done!
Q. How old were you when you starting taking lessons?
A. I was in 1st grade.
Q. Why did you choose violin?
A. I saw it on TV and knew it was the instrument that I wanted to play because it was graceful and I liked the way that it sounded.
Q. What do you like the most about your lessons?
A. I like the learning process and learning new things. I also like challenges and reaching the goals. In addition, I really like my teacher a lot. He makes things fun and tells you why you have to practice and gives great tips on how to improve.
Q. Who is your favorite performing artist?
A. Lindsey Stirling
Q. Would you recommend Valley Conservatory to your friends?
A. Most definitely! The Valley Conservatory has great teachers and everyone is very nice. They are always looking for ways to help you.
Q. Have you found that your grades have improved since studying music?
A. Studying the violin has helped my concentration and I am able to apply that to school. I also find it relaxing.
Teacher of the Month
Congratulation to
Laura Knaupp (Piano)
Congratulation to Laura, selected teacher-of-the-month. Laura has been on the faculty at Valley Conservatory for the past two years. Prior to this, she had been teaching professionally since 2007. Laura studied at Valley City State University in N.D. but completed her B.A. in Music from Thomas Edison University, Trenton, NJ. She enjoyed studying biological science and logic as well. Laura also has training in piano tuning, repair and rebuilding, and recently finished rebuilding a baby grand piano!
Laura was born in Mesa, AZ, the oldest of eight children, where she was home schooled. She was living in Houston, TX before moving to Huntsville in 2006. Upon coming to Huntsville, she studied piano with Ingrid Von Spakovsky Weaver at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). When not practicing or teaching, Laura enjoys song writing and composing, singing, playing tennis and golf, gardening, hiking, sketching, playing board games, and spending time with family and friends. Some of her most memorable travel sites have been Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, the Pacific N.W., and Hawaii.
Kudos to Laura. The following is an interview with her:
Q. What are the things you like most about teaching?
A. I enjoy helping my students fully understand their music and develop the skills they need to play expressively, confidently, and meet their musical goals. I love seeing the joy they experience from learning to play their music.
Q. How do you inspire students to practice more?
A. I try to find pieces that they really love but are appropriately challenging, and then help them break those pieces down into manageable chunks that are achievable before bringing it all together again into the finished product.
Q. What do you feel are the benefits of a child learning music?
A.Playing a musical instrument is an incredibly complex neurological task, so studying music is a huge brain booster! It is a fantastic, creative, emotional, and expressive outlet! It develops emotional maturity, aids in neurological development and coordination, and builds charter.
Q. What is your favorite type of music?
A. I like all types of a capella music, film scores, and contemporary Christian music.
Q. What do you like most about teaching at the Valley Conservatory?
A. I like working among and with the diversity of teachers and students throughout the studio, and in the community.
New Students
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
The VC faculty and staff welcome the following students:
Sophia C.
Colette C.
Emma M.
Andy N.
Enni N.
Nini N.
Adams S.
Anna S.
Happenings at the VC
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
VC Students Participated in The Alabama Music Teachers Association Auditions
Congratulations to Emily King, Chloe Nacilla, Zechariah Wood, Emily Duong, Aanvi Singh, and Campbell Stahlman for participating in the AMTA District Piano Auditions. Students have to be able to memorize and perform 3 pieces in contrasting styles. In addition they also have a required theory segment of their audition that is based on age level. Kudos to all our students who participated and special congratulations to Chloe Nacilla, Zechariah Wood, and Campbell Stahlman for receiving Double O's which is the highest mark you can receive.
Huntsville Music Study Club Scholarship Competition
Congratulations to Maleah Rhem for winning the String Division of the Huntsville Music Study Club Annual Competition. The HMSC is the local chapter of the National Federation of Music Clubs. Every year the organization host scholarship competitions in strings, piano, voice, and winds. Students who win the competition receive a certificate and $300.00. Kudos to Maleah for a job well done!
Adult Orchestra to Start in June
Beginning this summer, Valley Conservatory will be starting an adult string ensemble. The group will meet Thursdays at 6:00 pm. The first rehearsal will be Thursday, June 1st at 6:00 pm in studio 8 at the Valley Conservatory main studio, 5650 Sanderson St. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our adult students to get together and make music. Beginning students are welcomed to come. Dr. Dan Hornstein will be conducting the group.
Spring Recital - Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4
This year's Spring recitals will have a slightly different twist than usual. We will be putting our students together in groups to perform in ensembles for the final recital of the year. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience ensemble performances in addition to being able to perform with their teachers! All of the recitals will be at Roberts Recital Hall on the campus of UAH. The recitals will take place on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4.
VC Teachers Receive Awesome Opportunity to Work on Cruise Line
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Congratulations to guitar and piano instructor Annsy Vanoukia and percussion instructor Brandon Prigg for their recent performing opportunities with major cruise lines.
Vanoukia is a fabulous pianist who is well versed as a jazz, gospel and classical pianist. He is currently the pianist for Holland American Cruise Line where he has a repertoire of 300 plus songs and performs several shows a week.
Prigg is a fantastic percussionist who specializes in set. He just got off tour with the famous BB King Allstar Band that was featured on Holland American Cruise Line. Due to his excellent performance he has been asked to be the Musical Director for Carnival Cruise Line.
We are very excited to have such talented and professional musicians in our studio. Kudos and congratulations to both of these fine young men for a job well done!
Annsy Vanoukia
Brandon Prigg
Summer Camps
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Looking for something fun to do this summer? Come check out the String and Percussion Camp held at the Valley Conservatory main studio.
Introducing general music fundamentals, piano and violin by incorporating the holistic approach to learning. Students will engage in an array of fun-filled activities which will include singing and rhythm
Fundamental instruction will be provided on percussion instruments, including Steel Pan and African Drums. Students will be presented in a culminating performance at the end of both camps.
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
The next jam session is Sunday, May 28, 2017.
You are never too old or too young to jam. The Jazz Jam sessions at the Valley Conservatory are for everyone. Whether you are a seasoned player or a student taking beginning piano lessons; the jam session is the place to be to exchange musical ideas, have fun, eat good food and just jam. So, come out and join in the fun every 4th Sunday from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. at the VC main studio on Sanderson Street.
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Who's In Charge?
Do we ask our children if they would like to clean-up their room or do we tell them to clean-up their room? Do we ask our children if they would like to do their homework or do we tell them to do their homework? Do we ask our children if they would like to wash the dishes or do we tell them to wash the dishes? Should children be given the right to decide on whether they will do household chores, go to school, do their homework, or practice their musical instrument? Who is responsible for these decisions? What happens when children are given too much freedom and are not held accountable for their actions? Who is responsible? Who is in charge?
In our effort to give our children everything, we have really not given them anything, if we fail to teach them responsibility and accountability? Children by nature do not have the maturity to know what is best or to know what is truly valuable. How many parents today wish they could play a musical instrument? How many parents wish that their parents would have made them continue to play an instrument or practice properly? The parent's job is to be in charge. It is our job to teach our children "to whom much is given, much is required." If children are given the opportunity to take music lessons than the expectation needs to be that they will invest the practice time necessary to be successful. Playing a musical instrument is a skill. It is the same as going to school. We would not send our children to school and not expect them to study. Likewise we should not send our children to music lessons and not expect them to practice.
Who's in charge? Parents have to mirror to their children the work ethics of responsibility and accountability. Set-up a practice routine for your child that is suitable to your family schedule. Approach practice time the same way you do your child's homework. Make it fun and reward them when they do a good job. As a result, your child will develop the discipline that will foster success in music and overall life experiences. The rewards of the resulting success become the incentive to practice in the future without as much parental intervention and will develop a growing sense of self discipline in the student.
May Make-Up Class Schedule
"Developing Better People Through the Medium of Music"
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Instrument
Time
Room
Piano - Beginning
2:00 - 3:00
S
tudio
Viola/Violin - Beginning
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Brass
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Percussion
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Flute
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Bass
2:00 - 3:00
Studio
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Instrument
Time
Room
Cello
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Piano - Intermediate/Advance
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Viola/Violin - Intermediate/Advance
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Voice
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Guitar
3:00 - 4:00
Studio
Important Dates
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Group Make-Up Lessons
Valley Conservatory Studio 5650 Sanderson St. Ste. B
Sunday May 28, 2017 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Jam Session Featuring The Devere Pride Trio
Valley Conservatory Studio 5650 Sanderson St. Ste. B
Sponsored in part by: Dwaynia Wilkerson | Content Writer and Editor Prose & Pens
Get A $50 Amazon Gift Card Be Eligible to Win a $100 Cash
If you have a friend who wants to take lessons, refer them to the Valley Conservatory.
If they sign-up for lessons, you will receive a
FREE Amazon gift card in the amount of $50.00!!!
At the end of each quarter you and your friends' name will be entered into a drawing for a $100 Cash!!!
There is no limit to the amount of gift cards you can receive
so start referring your friends today!
The Nguyen Family referred Andy, Nini and Enni N.
Ensembles
Join an Ensemble!
What is an Ensemble?
At the VC, an ensemble is a group of instruments and instrument combinations ranging from two to eight of more like-skilled players that play all genres of music.
Ensembles will play at recitals once a semester as well as featured performances in the community.
All levels, ages and instruments are available and strongly encouraged.
Playing in ensembles gives students opportunities to meet and play with others their age and level, and greatly enhances their musical experience and social interaction.
Ensembles will meet twice a month with their coach.
Ensembles are $25.00 a month and will begin Summer 2017.
Students will be placed in an ensemble based on age, ability, instrument and availability.
Students can play in more than one ensemble.
Students can also form their own ensembles with current Valley Conservatory students.
If you or your child would like to join an ensemble, please email or call (256-534-3131) with the following information:
Student Name:
Age
Available Times (please give as much leeway as possible to help increase chances of finding fellow ensembles players):
Instrument(s) Student would like to use:
Types of Music Preferred (Rock, Jazz, Classical, Pop, etc):
The Musical Ladder System
A Rewards Program
Celebrating Student Achievement * The Musical Ladder System®
Valley Conservatory is the only music school in the Huntsville area that gives their students the opportunity to earn special color wristband bracelets (kids and teens love them!), trophies AND certificates for passing musical tests with the Musical Ladder System®. Do other schools offer trophies and certificates? A few. But none of them inspire their students with smiling faces by giving them full color, really cool "Musical Ladder System®" wristbands that they can show off to their friends.
More importantly when our students have a test coming up, they practice more, their parents are proud, their teachers are proud, and everybody wins!
Pet of the Month
Tea Cup the Dog
Meet Tea Cup. Tea Cup is the pet of Ms. Rodena who teaches violin, viola and piano at Valley Conservatory. Tea Cup is a miniature Doberman and likes to point to the music as Ms. Rodena practices. Now we need to teach her how to turn the page!
Tea Cup
Perkville
Rewards Program
When you sign-up for lessons, you will recieve a separate e-mail from "Perkville." For every lesson you take with us you automatically earn points toward free extra lessons! Please be sure to sign-up when you receive these e-mails and you will be able to track and claim your rewards very easily through their site.
Earning Perks:
Join Perkville's Rewards Program= 50 points (the day you join)
Refer a Friend to Valley Conservatory = 250 points (after friend signs up for lessons)
Your Birthday = 50 points
Attending a Lesson = 10 points
Facebook Post = 25 points Tweet = 5 points For writing a positive review on websites like Google, Google+, Yelp, Bing and Facebook. = 50 points
The Rewards:
You may use these lessons to try a different instrument or class. The length of the lesson is equal to the lesson time you are currently taking.
350pts One additional Free Lesson 700pts Two Additional Free Lessons 1250pts One Month of Free Lessons.
Philosophy
Valley Conservatory is a music service center that incorporates a holistic approach to music programs designed to develop the total student -- mind, body and character.
Our philosophy is that the aesthetic and technical aspects of music can be used to teach concepts and principles from academic, physical, spritual, and social realms.
Providing services in the arts to the Huntsville/Madison County area since 1998, Valley Conservatory offers:
Private and class instruction, pre-school through adult
Music education programs, extra curricular and academic
Arts learning and exploration through camps and workshops
Customized art experiences for after school programs
A Lyceum series, Jam sessions and exhibits offered to the public
VC Booking Agency - Musicians for hire for any type of event or occasion
