UPCOMING HOLIDAYS:
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY - 10/9 (OPEN), HALLOWEEN - 10/31 (OPEN), VETERAN'S DAY - 11/11 (OPEN), THANKSGIVING BREAK - 11/23 to 11/25 (CLOSED)
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It's here, again -
CONCERT TIME!
We are excited to announce our Winter 2017 Concert, which we expect to be our best concert yet! We'll be experimenting with a new format that we believe will help make the event a much better experience for the participants and the audience alike. Our master plan (unveiled in the concert announcement below) is brilliantly devised to challenge our students & teachers, create engaging performances, and even shorten the overall concert length, all while giving more "stage time" per student. It's true!! Did I mention that we are excited. We are. Excited.
Oh, and there's the raffle, too. You'll like that. If you like 6 months of FREE music lessons, an iPad mini, and other fun prizes. You like that. Admit it.
Keep on reading, keep on reading, keep on reading....
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3rd
12pm-3pm
at the Bothwell Arts Center
DO NOT DELAY! The deadline to sign up is 8pm on Friday, October 27th
This concert will be different than all past concerts.
Performers will be assigned a place in either the Winter Concert Recital or the Winter Concert Show. The Recital will be feature piano students playing solos or duets. The Show will feature a wide variety of group performances including: rock bands, string/wind/guitar ensembles, trios, quartets and more! Please CAREFULLY read the
announcement below for detailed directions on participating in the big event. Feel free to respond to this email if you have any questions.
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THIS AIN'T YOUR TYPICAL RAFFLE...
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RAFFLE PRIZES INCLUDE:
– Apple iPad Mini
– FREE Music Lesson Tuition (1 Month, 3 Months, 6 Months)
– FUN Instruments (Ukulele, Harmonica, Percussion, etc.)
– Gift Certificates to Local Businesses
– Much more!
All students registered for the concert will receive one ticket. It is up to you how many you can get after that, based on how you practice!
Here is the score:
– Show up for your lesson on time = 1 Ticket (per week)
– Keep a signed & dated practice log listing what you accomplished during practice = 1 Ticket per daily signature
– Memorize your concert piece in its entirety (must demonstrate to teacher) = 10 Tickets
– Perform your piece in front of an audience (Must show photos) = 1 Ticket per audience member present (Repeat performances OK – play it for your parents every night and earn 14 tickets per week!)
– Teach your piece to someone else (Must show signed note from your “student”) = 10 Tickets
– Watch another student perform his or her piece live (Must show photo) = 1 Ticket
– Find a completely different interpretation or way to play your piece (must show teacher) = 5-20 Tickets (Sliding scale based on creativity)
– Learn to play your piece on a different instrument (voice OK, Must show teacher) = 8 Tickets
– Make an audio recording of you playing your piece (must show teacher) = 5 Tickets per week (new weekly recordings OK) BONUS: Play it with another musician and get DOUBLE the Tickets! (10)
– Record a video of you playing your piece (must show teacher) = 12 Tickets per week (new weekly recordings OK) BONUS: Play it with another musician and get DOUBLE the Tickets! (24)
– Build an online playlist (YouTube, Spotify, etc.) of different versions of your piece (must show teacher) = 1 Tickets per item on playlist
GOOD LUCK & HAPPY PRACTICING!
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ARE YOU READY TO SIGN-UP?
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The ONLY way to officially sign-up for the Winter Concert is through our online form!
Please note that informing your teacher during a lesson does NOT add you to the list of performers. In order to organize groups & to reserve space for piano solos & duets, it is absolute crucial that all performers sign-up online. Thank you for your understanding & co-operation with this change.
Be
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Congrats to Kenny Nguyen! Kenny will receive not only priceless glory & endless bragging rights, but also gift certificates to Music Time Academy & Livermore Cinemas.
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Instrument:
Piano & Guitar
Teacher:
Tim M
Grade:
2nd
School:
Sebastian Questa Elementary School
Students Since:
January 2017
Hobbies (besides practicing):
Tennis, Reading, Sports & Games
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Kenny caught the attention of our staff through his hard work and enthusiasm for music, which is why we have awarded him the oh-so-exclusive honor of Student of the Month. Through impressively diligent practice habits, we have had the privilege to see Kenny's musical skills grow tremendously on both guitar and piano.
Now at the age of 7, Kenny has already been playing guitar and piano for over a year, with his sights set on learning bass guitar next! In the most recent Spring Concert back in June, Kenny performed the Beatles classic, "Day Tripper". Although it was an excellent performance, do not worry if you missed it - we have a feeling there are many, many more performances coming in the future from Kenny.
Keep it up Kenny! You have only just begun on what will hopefully be a long and incredible musical journey.
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Michael Solomon
This month we are featuring an an interview with Michael Solomon. Michael recently become more involved with the Royal Conservatory, and has also been performing with a well-known reggae artist, Earl Zero. Excelling in these two very, very different musical endeavors as both a performer & instructor is an excellent example of the skill and passion it takes to be a full-time musician.
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A: What exactly is your involvement with the Royal Conservatory, and how has it recently changed?
MS: So, I have for a long time supported my students in following the Royal Conservatory Method, but have only recently gone through the process of becoming a Conservatory certified teacher. The process to become a certified teacher is sort of like a mini music teacher boot camp. It is a very grueling and demanding course. I successfully completed it and am now a Conservatory Certified teacher. Also, most recently, I was appointed "Ambassador" for the Royal Conservatory.
A: What does being an "Ambassador" entail?
MS: As a Royal Conservatory Ambassador, I represent the Conservatory in Alameda County. I handle many local secretarial duties for the Conservatory. I field phone calls. I make sure that the locations for testing are squared away. I also help proctor some of the theory exams..
A: Alright, sounds like last year was getting certified as a teacher for the Conservatory and now you're easing into your role as Ambassador?
MS: Yeah, so I am now officially the Royal Conservatory Ambassador for Alameda County, it is quite the title. I just hope it will fit on my business cards!
A: Maybe you'll just need jumbo sized business cards! Now lately, in addition to that, you have had sort of an onslaught of performances. What has been going on in the performance side of your career?
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MS: Yes, the gigs have just been one after another, boom, boom, boom! My cousin, John Robin, who is currently on my label, Nomolos Productions, and who is largely responsible for why I got into music in the first place, is a pretty heavy member of the reggae scene. He has hooked up with Earl Zero, who is a Jamaican artist that has been part of the Reggae scene since the 70's and has toured all around the world. He is gettin' up there in years, almost 65 now. He is old enough to have some Bob Marley stories to share.
My cousin, John, has been helping with the production of Earl Zero's music. They have formed a sort of singer/songwriter duo. John asked me, as well as a couple other Music Time Academy teachers to back Earl Zero up. So myself, Luna Fuentes, and Nick Lyon-Wright, were able to pull off a really fantastic performance with Earl Zero at the Brick and Mortar the other week. They even asked us to come back the very next day for an encore performance! It was great playing with friends and family and the great Earl Zero!
A: Was this just a one-time gig or is there more in-store for this group?
MS: Oh yes! I would think that this will not be a one time deal, we are looking at doing another album and working the Napa Valley Wine Circuit. We will definitely be collaborating in the future.
A: Alright, so we have your work with the Royal Conservatory and performances with a Jamaican Reggae legend, almost on opposite sides of the musical spectrum. What else is going on in your musical journey?
MS: I have been experimenting with the role of Producer and am actually wrapping up production of Mario Silva's debut album.
A: Alright, and is that on your label, Nomolos Productions, the one you briefly mentioned earlier?
MS: So I am the Executive Producer of Mario's album but we are looking at other labels for marketing and distribution. Obviously the dream is the Concord Jazz Label but we will see. We are shopping around, but we might use my label, this is really my first major project as executive producer so it has definitely been a process of learning and still learning. It was quite the adventure. there are just so many elements involved in making an album: recording, mixing, mastering, etc. And all of that is taken care of, now we are just waiting for the art work and are looking at a Spring release date.
A: Any other live performances you want to share with us?
MS: I do perform every Thursday at Live Oak Lodge, #61. Normally that performance is by invite only but sometimes it is open to the public. That performance is a real treat for me as I am able to bust out all my classical favorites: Bach, Wagner, and Mozart, all that sort of stuff. But yeah, besides that I am just settling into these new roles and enjoying the musical adventure that I am on. I am finding out for myself what does is mean to be a producer? What is it to be a manager? How can I be a better teacher? How can I be a better performer? I am really looking forward to what these new positions and experiences have in store for me.
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FEATURED CONCERT:
Who:
Jon Stickley Trio
Where:
142 Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley
When:
Thursday, October 12th
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The originality and sheer energy of this genre-bending ensemble serves as a welcome wake up call for those who experience it. With roots in gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and hip-hop in an “exhilarating all-acoustic swirl” (Acoustic Guitar Magazine),
Jon Stickley Trio combines Jon Stickley’s rapid-fire flatpicking guitar with the sultry and wild, yet refined, melodies of
Lyndsay Pruett on violin set over the deep groove of
Patrick Armitage on drums.
The New York Times’ Nate Chinen writes “… there’s hardy cohesion among the players — no less on the Gypsy standard ‘Valse de Wasso’ than on ‘Darth Radar’ a turbocharged original with a ska upbeat and a shredding melody. And when Mr. Stickley and friends turn to bluegrass, as on ‘The High Road,’ by Tim O’Brien, they sound both respectful and free.” Premier Guitar Magazine also took note of “Darth Radar,” with Jason Shadrick calling it, “a rapid-fire take that moves from a serious ska beat to burning surf-style runs that would make Dick Dale proud.”
Greensky Bluegrass’ Anders Beck says of Jon, “Sure, comparisons to previous musicians are a good way to explain a new artist to the masses, but to do so is to cheat Stickley of what he really is: a damn genius, a musical mastermind, and one of the most unique, creative, and inventive guitar players I’ve ever heard… Stickley’s guitar playing shares as much in common with the flow of the greatest rappers of all time as it does with his flatpicking heroes…”
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Every Thursday:
Tim G (guitar) at Tiki Tom's in Walnut Creek
Every Thursday:
Michael Solomon at Live Oak Lodge # 61 in Oakland
Friday, October 13th
Gringa (Luna) at Ivy Room in Albany
Friday, October 13th
Tim Marconett Group at Neck of the Woods in San Francisco
Friday, October 13th
Dueling Guitars (Tim G) at Pura Vida Sangria Bar in Livermore
Saturday, October 14th
The UnOriginals (Tim G) at Meenar in Danville
Sunday, October 15th
Mama Foxxy (Judy & Anna) and Muncie (Anna & Mike) at Vinnie's in Concord
Friday, October 20th
Tim G at Maria Maria in Danville
Saturday, October 21st
Lost Dog Found at Monroe Hall in Santa Rosa
Saturday, October 28th
The UnOriginals (Tim G) at Maggie McGarry's in San Francisco
Tuesday, October 31st
Tory & the Teasers (Anna) at Penrose in Oakland
Friday, November 3rd
Muncie (Anna & Mike) at Henflings in Ben Lomond
Friday, November 3rd
Dueling Guitars (Tim G) at Pura Vida Sangria Bar in Livermore
Saturday, November 4th
Muncie (Anna & Mike) at Shanty Shack Brewing in Santa Cruz
Saturday, November 5th
Fast & Vengefully (Tim & Belinda) at Johnny Foley's in San Francisco
Friday, November 10th
The UnOriginals (Tim G) at Vinnie's in Concord
Saturday, November 11th
The UnOriginals (Tim) at Johnny Foley's in San Francisco
Friday, November 17th
Tim G at Maria Maria in Danville
Wednesday, November 22nd
Mama Foxxy (Judy & Anna) at Red Hat in Concord
Friday, November 24th
Holly Bowling (Anna on drums) at Sweetwater in Mill Valley
CHECK OUT OUR TEACHER'S BANDS ONLINE!
Black Box Radio (Xavier on vocals/guitar)
Brett Hunter Band (Tim M on guitar)
Fast & Vengefully (Tim on guitar/voice, Belinda on fiddle)
LunaSol (Judy on violin)
Push (Tim M. on guitar)
Super Soul Brothers (Neill on guitar)
The Undercovers (Sal on keys, Xavier on guitar/vocals)
Zach Bateman & the Coal Minds (Judy, violin)
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The Music Time Academy Staff:
Anna Cucciardo, Monica Lind, Mike Meagher, Adam Borden
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For every new private lessons student that you refer to Music Time Academy, enjoy a 25% discount from your monthly tuition! REFER 4 STUDENTS & GET A FREE MONTH OF LESSONS!
*Offer does not apply to immediate family members or to prior students re-enrolling.25% discount applies to tuition rate for one student only.
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