Hannah’s float won the President’s Trophy!

A gorgeous New Year’s day in Pasadena marked the first appearance of an Alpert Studio student in the illustrious Rose Parade. Student Hannah Meisser was selected to perform on the Sesame Street themed float sponsored by NAMM, the trade association of the music industry. The float also featured a violinist (not a common sight at the Rose Parade!) and was followed by the impressive Bands of America Honor Band.

Congrats to Hannah, on being selected for this honor. And Happy New Year to all!

Regularly scheduled voice lessons will resume on January 5th at your previously scheduled times. If you are unsure about your assigned lesson time, please call me asap.

Special note: all lessons on Monday, January 26 will be cancelled. Please make a note if you are paying a monthly tuition for January.

Looking forward to seeing all of you in the new year. Let’s do some good work!

Love you all,
Melanie

Here’s a slideshow of the group’s trip. Enjoy and Happy New Year to all!

After hearing the raves, I decided to pick up a copy of Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book: Outliers: The Story of Success. It’s a fascinating work, that traces the the appearance of some of history’s most famous, wealthy and notable people.

Early in the book, Mr. Gladwell makes reference to concert violinists, specifically those that have made it to the very top of the concert circle. They all share a common trait, which revolves around (yes, you guessed it) a significant amount of practice. If you want to know how much practice it will take to catch up with Joshua Bell, you’ll have to read the book! I heartily suggest you do, it’s a lot of fun.

Listen to the “Music Lessons” Podcast

It’s also available as a free download in ITunes.

Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!

As many of you may know, Brandon and I are on the road this week to meet up with some seriously talented kids who auditioned and were accepted to sing at Walt Disney World’s Candlelight Processional. We’re performing with the Upland, CA based Broadway Experience performance troupe, led by director Barbara Hinrichsen. I am so proud to be their music director. We found out recently that we were the only group of singers, high school, college or adult, that was accepted from the Western US this year! That is quite an honor and well deserved by this group’s talented young performers.

This group includes a large number of award winning singers, from LA County Music Center Spotlight semi-finalists (three) to San Bernardino County Music Educator’s Association Solofest winners or finalists (five)  from Southern California Vocal Association semi-finalists or finalists (six) to Chaffey Joint Union Solofest winners or finalists (four) to John Child Walker Vocal Competition finalists or winners (four). Each and every member is showing great promise; we have some of the best young singers in Southern California. I am privileged to be involved in their artistic lives. We’re looking forward to an incredibly rewarding trip. And oh yea, it will be a BLAST too! Stay tuned!

Thanksgiving Week: No lessons
December 21-27: No lessons

I’ll be available to schedule make-up lessons during these periods.

Best Wishes for a joyful Holiday Season to All!

An impressive turnout was complimented by impressive performances on the part of almost 40 participants in this year’s Winter Recital. Congratulations to singers and violinists alike, and thanks to the dedicated families of our accomplished performers. Its rewarding to see the growth of each of our students.

From a field of 62 young Southern California vocalists, only 16 were selected to participate in four different categories during the November 2 final round of the Intimate Opera Vocal Competition. The Alpert studio was represented by three singers in two separate categories: Child (8-13 years) and Junior (14-18 years). Scott Jacobson was honored with third place in the Child category. Sarah Jackson received the Encouragement Award and Michael Sturgis received second place in the Junior category.

This year’s Chaffey Joint Union High School District Solofest also was well represented by Alpert Studio students. Hannah Meisser and Maggie Anderson received second and third place, respectively, in the Broadway division of the competition.

Congratulations to all Studio students who participaged in these events.