A Message From. Our Founder

Happy September, Everyone! Well, I wish I could say “Fall is in the Air” but today is gonna be 104 so I won’t be saying that for a while... Check out the forecast, YIKES!

I am so very excited about what is happening at Fresno Music Academy & Arts! Four months ago, on April 23rd, we opened the new North Location. I am thrilled to tell you that last week we hit the 100-student mark! I am just so excited about this! We are back to school and it seems like things are settling down and folks are "getting their groove back” so to speak. 

Debi Ruud, Astrid Sasso, Emily Kearns, Kittie Hernandez, Kevin Hernandez

The Fall is always a busy time at Fresno Music Academy & Arts and it is my personal favorite time of year. We have the “Almost Fall” showcase coming up, we have our Hearts on Fire Choir concert, Halloween, the Holidays, and then in December, our Holiday Showcase… plus whatever pops up in between! There are always fun things going on around here. We like to be involved in the giving side of things so we always do One Warm Coat. 

If you have been around here for at least a year, you will remember seeing the big box we put out to collect gently worn coats, sweaters, and blankets. We then donate them to a local shelter. 

For the Months of September and October, we are doing a food “pantry.” As many of you know, we have hundreds of families that do not eat 3 meals a day here in Fresno County. Again, as we approach the Holidays, we want to give back. We will be collecting Canned food and also “dry” things like peanut butter, tuna, etc…things that will not go bad. We will then donate to families in need. You will see the boxes for this in both FMAA locations, and there will be more details to come about this soon! 

As always, I am just filled with gratitude to get to do what I do in my life! Helping you and/or your child discover the joy of music is just the best! Thank you for all your love and support!

Peace,

Debi

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Across the nation, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's® is full of flowers, each carried by someone committed to ending this disease. Because like flowers, our participants don't stop when something's in their way. They keep raising funds and awareness for a breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer's and all other dementia.

Our Founder Debi Ruud is proud to be a member of the Cultural Arts Rotary Club. Rotary does so many great things for the community and world! Here is another thing we, here in our local club, are a part of. You can be a part of this too! Click the link and come join hundreds of folks “walk to end” this terrible disease!

Teacher Highlight - David Aus

Check out this brief interview featuring one of our wonderful piano instructors, David Aus! We feel so lucky to have such warm and experienced teachers like him working at FMAA!

Do you know someone in need of a drum set? Fresno Music Academy would like to give one away! We have a drum set on our hands that we are looking to give to someone who would appreciate their own kit to practice on. The winner will be chosen on October 1st!

Here's how it works: If there is someone in your life or community that you would like to nominate for our drum kit contest, please email us a short paragraph detailing who they are and why they would be a good fit for this prize.

 Please send any entries for consideration to info@fresnomusicacademy.com.

We hope to hear from you soon and can't wait to hear about the special 

drummers in your life! 

"I met Camille Years ago at the Theater. Camille was this striking young actor/singer who lit up the stage. I was just amazed at her BEAUTIFUL voice!! Fast forward to today, Not only is Camile still lighting up stages all across town, currently starring in Sister Act at Roger Rockas, she is one of our newest additions here at Fresno Music Academy & Arts. She is teaching Voice and she is a part of our office/admin team! She primarily works at our north location but you may see her at Tower from time to time as well!" - Debi Ruud

Camille was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She is a local performer in the Central Valley and has been performing since she was 4 years old. She sang Somewhere from West Side Story at her kindergarten graduation ceremony, which was her very first public performance. 

She moved to Fresno in 2004 to attend Fresno State for the graduate program in Rehabilitation Counseling. For three years, she worked as a social worker and advocate for people with disabilities. Before working with Fresno Music Academy & Arts, she was an employee of the Department of Motor Vehicles for 11 years. 

She has done musical theatre for the past 13 years, primarily with Good Company Players at the Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater. She has also been involved with productions at the Selma Arts Center and with StageWorks Fresno. She is currently a council member on the Selma Arts Council and a board member of The Fools Collaborative. 

Camille says, “I am very passionate about race equity in theatre, exposing BIPOC communities to theatre and performing arts so that they are more readily accessible. In December, I organized the Central Valley Theatre Race Equity Summit, which allows BIPOC performers, like myself, to expand on some of their experiences as an artist in the Central Valley and work on how to make them more equitable in the future. I’m a hardcore advocate for mental health awareness. In my spare time, I love creating video content and “vlogs” on my Instagram (@camgee82) and Facebook accounts. I’m a plant mom and “Green Thumb Wannabe”. 

Camille loves crystals and candles. Beyoncé is her spirit animal. And episodes of Seinfeld are constantly playing in the background while she is at home.

"Vivir con miedo, es como vivir a medias." (A life lived in fear is a life half-lived) - Strictly Ballroom

New Mini Guitars!

This talented young man's name is Blake, and he had a very sad story to share with us when he came in to take his weekly lesson with Harley G! Blake explained that something terrible had happened to his guitar on its journey in an airplane baggage compartment, leaving it out of commission! We couldn't stand to see this little musician brokenhearted, so, here he is with a brand new guitar! A special gift from FMAA to a hard-working student. Keep up the good work, Blake! We are very proud of you!

These guitars are fantastic for tiny hands and are available for purchase in the front office. These retail for $174.80, but if you are a student of FMAA you receive an automatic discount that lowers the price to $150! There are only a few available, so make sure to grab one while you can! Cases and strings will also be available soon!

Upcoming Events

Get that performance experience in a safe, supportive environment! Sign-up sheets can be found in the front offices of both locations!

Two age categories, cash prizes, and local notoriety! We highly recommend that you sign up and show off your stuff!

Business Highlight

Roger Rockas is a historical local venue that holds all kinds of fantastic events year-round!  Performances primarily include dinner theatre shows with productions produced by the theatrical troupe called "Good Company Players". Catch 'Sister Act' (featuring two of our talented office staff members) before it closes on the 11th!

Click the images below to be transported to their website!

Music Stand Give-Away

This month's winner is Tessa Plumb! We hope you enjoy that music stand and put it to good use! Remember, practice makes perfect!

Each month we are giving away one music stand valued at $35 to a lucky student here at FMAA! Each time you show up to your lesson in person, write your name on the slip of paper provided and enter to win! You may enter each week that you come in!

🎶 Music Facts 🎶



• Freddie Mercury allegedly snuck Princess Diana into a gay club back in the '80s by dressing her up in an army jacket and sunglasses.
• Taylor Swift was actually named after legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor.
• Prince loved the TV show New Girl so much, that he asked Zooey Deschanel if he could be a guest star on it.
• Adele and Jessie J went to the same performing arts high school and used to sing together during lunch.
• Elvis Presley was actually a natural blonde and his stylist dyed his hair dark in the '50s by mixing shampoo, vitamin capsules, aloe vera, and herbs together.