JUNE NEWSLETTER. Brill Music Academy. June 1, 2018 Vol 8, #6. In This Month s Newsletter:

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1 JUNE NEWSLETTER June 1, 2018 Vol 8, #6 In This Month s Newsletter: Brill Music Academy Are YOU Our Contest Winner? (See the Last Page) Are You Ready for the Summer Months?? Spotlight on Our Teachers June Birthdays Student Achievements and Teacher Activities The Power of Music: How it can Benefit Health By: Honor Whiteman "I think music in itself is healing," American musician Billy Joel once said. "It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music." Most of us would wholeheartedly agree with this statement, and it is this universal bond with music that has led researchers across the globe to investigate its therapeutic potential. Please welcome our NEWEST students! Take advantage of our Referral Program and win a FREE LESSON!! (See the last page) Connor McGeachy Ethan Julson Robert Olsen Isabel Frost Samantha Jensen Jaxson Ward Porter Ward Braden Smith Katrina Clark We can all think of at least one song that, when we hear it, triggers an emotional response. It might be a song that accompanied the first dance at your wedding, or a song that reminds you of a difficult break-up, or the loss of a loved one. "We have a such a deep connection to music because it is 'hardwired' in our brains and bodies," Barbara Else, senior advisor of policy and research at the American Music Therapy Association told Medical News Today, "The elements of music - rhythm, melody, etc. - are echoed in our physiology, functioning and being." Given the deep connection we have with music, it is perhaps unsurprising that numerous studies have shown it can benefit our mental health. A 2011 study by researchers from McGill University in Canada found that listening to music increases the amount of dopamine produced in the brain - a mood-enhancing chemical, making it a feasible treatment for depression.. But increasingly, researchers are finding that the health benefits of music may go beyond mental health, and as a result, some health experts are calling for music therapy to be more widely incorporated into health care settings. If you would like to take a closer look at some of the potential health benefits of music and look at whether, for some conditions, music could be used to improve - or even replace - current treatment strategies, go to: for information about the ability of music to: 1. Reduce pain and anxiety 2. Be an effective stress reliever 3. Affect memory 4. Help recover from brain injury 5. Treat seizures 6..and much more

2 Director's Corner: PARENTS: Are YOU Ready for the Summer Months? The summer months, unfortunately, are sometimes viewed as a musical break. That could mean a break from music lessons altogether or a break from the usual rigor and routine that accompanies school year music lessons. And this is okay! Breaks are important and the summer months are a great time to press the refresh button. But a break shouldn t mean an end to the progress that has been developing for the previous 10 months. To put it simply, two months away from the instrument is too long. Young children require regular, parent-supported practice to maintain a specialized skill like playing a musical instrument. But when regular practice or parent participation disappears, kids take a backwards slide, a slide that can often require a month-long recovery. Our greatest ally in helping our students to succeed through the summer months is their parents. To eliminate the summer slide we re sharing some ideas with our parents to explain the importance of continued practice during the summer. DID YOU KNOW THAT TWO MONTHS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE? The suggestions below provide parents with the information they need to understand the importance of summer music practice as well as some strategies to help make this practice happen. While the summer months are busy and often routine-free, here are a few suggestions in the hopes that you can help keep music practice as a part of your daily tasks. This way, your fall lessons can be spent on exciting new projects instead of on review and repair. One of the best ways to continue music practice during the summer is to have your child complete it first thing in the morning. This means that, no matter how busy a day becomes with summer fun, practice has already happened. Short, but regular practice sessions with the instrument will maintain their skills, so setting up a routine where they can practice right after breakfast would be a fabulous way of keeping skills sharp. In addition, you may want to: 1. Sit and have your morning cup of coffee while listening to them play. Children love an audience and will practice more diligently if someone is listening. 2. If you will be away on vacation, see if you can find the time for a few practice sessions. If not, bring along their lesson book(s) and have them tap practice and/or complete a score study on the music pieces. 3. Every time you have friends or relatives over for a summer get-together, ask your student to play for them. Having a mini-performance goal is a great motivator to keep their skills up to speed. 4. Play musical games with them on those warm summer evenings. They d love to teach you how to play a favorite game taught by their teacher and you ll likely learn a lot in the process! 5. We ve found that many of our students really enjoy composing their own music. Encourage your student to spend some time creating their own musical piece to share with their teacher in the Fall. Your help in keeping your student motivated and practicing regularly is much appreciated, and I know they will be thankful for their efforts after the summer break is over. If you have any questions at all, please let us know! Enjoy your summer, Fred

3 SPOTLIGHT ON OUR TEACHERS Steve Geller Drums 1. Place of Birth: Philadelphia, PA 2. Education or Professional Experience: Graduate of The Philadelphia College Of The Performing Arts. Toured, Recorded and Performed with Sire / Warner recording Artist Candye Kane, Toured the Far East with Epic / Sony recording artist Bertie Higgins. 3. Hobbies: Filling out Info For Monthly Newsletters 4. Favorite Food: 猪肉 ) 肉 ( 豬 / 5. Pet(s): Yes...see below. 6. Favorite Vacation Spot: It's a secret 7. Place I Hope to Visit: My Favorite Vacation Spot 8. Instrument(s) I Teach: Tubs 9 Philosophy of Teaching: You can never stop learning. There are always new discoveries. 10. Favorite Thing About Teaching: All the baked goods mom likes to give, said the starving musician. The kids. Their personalities and the progress they make. 11. How do you inspire your students to practice more? By demonstration, watching videos & pep talks. 12. What is your favorite type of music? Rock, New Country, Blues, Swing, Jazz 13. If you could give a quick tip to piano students or music students in general, what would it be? Practice, practice, practice. Keep chipping away at the block; the results will come, and play with as many musicians as possible in school and out. ================================================== Pet's name(s), age, breed: Rimshot- 3 years old- Fox Terrier and Drumstick- also 3 years old- Yorkshire Terrier 2. What is the funniest thing your pet has ever done? Tried to speak a whole sentence, sounded like Scooby-Doo Any other information, stories, etc., you would like to provide: A blind man walks in to a department store with his seeing eye dog on a leash. The store manager behind the customer service counter looks up, notices the customer is blind, and quickly looks away again. Out of the corner of his eye he sees the blind man start swinging the dog over his head with its leash. Shocked, the manager runs over and says, "Mister, is there a problem is there something I can help you with?" The blind man calmly replies, "No thanks I m just looking around." RIMSHOT!

4 As important events happen in the lives of our students, I depend a lot on our teachers to share the news. I also want to let you know what our teachers are doing. Please let us know when special things occur in your life. We want to be able to tell everyone the Good News! Megan Liguori, voice student of Jennifer Loss, is graduating from Bishop Gorman High School. She performed the lead role of Audrey in her school s spring musical, Little Shop of Horrors. In June she will compete with a monologue at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. This fall she is beginning her studies in the BFA Program in Musical Theatre at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Dawson Mullen, piano and voice student of Jennifer Loss, is graduating from Northwest Career and Technical Academy. He has been accepted into the UNLV Department of Theatre, where he is pursuing a degree with a concentration in screen acting. He recently participated in the high school speech and debate national championship the Tournament of Champions in Lexington, Kentucky, where he was named a Finalist in the Duo Interpretation category. Allyson Grossa, piano student of Jennifer Loss, is graduating from Northwest Career and Technical Academy, where she is a valedictorian for the Class of She is attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor this fall, where she will major in Business. Chloe Clyde, piano student of Debbie Green, has completed the Alfred Basic Piano, Level 1A. Congratulations, Chloe!!

5 Teacher Activities Bob Vanacore (sax, clarinet, flute teacher), will be performing with this group in June and July. Steve Geller, drum teacher, will be performing with Southern Stue at the Santa Fe, in the Chrome show room on Saturday, June 16th. Happy June Birthday to our Students Adelaide Swainston 5th Connor McGeachy 8th Emma Cole 8th Kalen Mullen 8th Stella Barajas 8th Abigail Dionisio 31st Happy June Birthday to Our Teachers & Staff Wonder of Wonders.. None of our Super-Duper Teachers were born in June!! Band & Orchestra Rentals Available NOW! Do you or a friend need an instrument for the school band or orchestra this year? Now is the time to get the best deals on rentals and rent-to-own instruments. Come in, call, or order online the perfect instrument for you. Brill Music Academy 8534 Del Webb Blvd Online Rentals:

6 Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest June 2018 To increase readership of the Brill Newsletter, each month we ll feature a new contest winner or announce a new contest. Be sure to read your newsletter each month to see if your name has been drawn or you might miss out! This month s winner is: Jacob Harper (cello student of Zuzana Engererova) Jacob has won a free music lesson from the Brill Music Academy (a $35 value). To redeem your prize, please contact the front desk to schedule your FREE lesson. It is good for 30 days or until the next winner is announced. Congratulations, Jacob!! Everyone, be sure to read your newsletter each month! SHARE THE NEWS: If you would like to share upcoming events, great information, or anything that would be of general interest to other students and parents, please feel free to submit it for possible newsletter publication to: BrillMusicAcademy1@gmail.com. Refer a Friend & Get A FREE Lesson! (A $35 Value) If you have a friend who might like to take lessons, if you refer them to the Academy and they take 1 month of lessons, we ll give you a lesson for FREE! It s very easy to refer someone. Just visit: Type in your name, their name, and their address, and we ll take care of the rest! Free Lesson Gift Certificate Thank you (YOUR NAME HERE) for referring to our Academy!! To redeem your free lesson, call and sign up for an additional lesson with your teacher, or any other of our teachers. You are welcome to try another instrument if you like, or give this to a friend. Lessons cannot be rescheduled once they have been made. Certificates cannot be used for refunds to your account or for cash. Given by: Date: There s no maximum to the amount of free lessons that you can receive!