FAITH

LIVE faith

Shhh! It’s Quiet Time with God

BY ANTHONY BUI PHOTO BY ANDREA PIACQUADIO

DO you seek guidance from someone then leave before even giving them a chance to talk or weigh in on the situation? Do you send a text then toss your phone into the Mississippi River and go on with your day? The answer to these questions may seem obvious; I mean who in their right mind would do that? It just doesn’t make sense. In reality, many of us do this more than we realize. As Christians, we believe that prayer is a vital part of our everyday lives. It shows our dependence on God, and brings him into every aspect of our lives no matter how small. It is praying simply for wisdom and for God’s will to be made apparent in our lives. Oftentimes, we treat God as a prayer answering ATM machine. We put in a request, have our prayers answered, and then we go on with the rest of our day without giving it a second thought. We talk on and on, pouring out our hearts and troubles, but we forget to listen. We forget to bask in silence while in the presence of God; we forget to seek out his wisdom and conviction through scripture and meditation. We sought guidance, then we left before giving God a chance to speak into our lives. That was my view on prayer for a long time. I would pray to God to have his way in a tough situation in my life, but I would go on with my day after five minutes of praying and not even think of how to actually work through this situation. I expected God to fix my problem for me or at least give me an epiphany when I woke up. Spoiler alert, that isn’t how prayer works. My dad is a man of few words. We don’t exchange many words, but I know that he does indeed love me. So, sometimes We forget to bask in silence while in the presence of God; we forget to seek out his wisdom and conviction through scripture and meditation.

just sitting in silence together can be very nice. No words are exchanged but just sitting there in the presence of each other is enough. If this could be done with my Earthly father, it could most definitely be done with my heavenly one. So, when I have devotional time, I always try to remember to incorporate quiet time after I bring everything to God. This could look something like 5 to 10 minutes where I just stop talking, close my eyes, and bask in silence in the presence of God. Now, I do not expect God to talk to me everytime, clearly telling me how to fix every single problem that I have. This is merely me surrendering it all to God, admitting that I can’t do this on my own, and actually allowing him to work and intercede in my life. I remember when the pandemic first hit and everything was shut down. My roommates had left for home, and I was stuck in my apartment alone for such an extended period of time that I began to be affected mentally. I would bring all of these things up to God then try to mask the pain and loneliness with Netflix and gaming. It is fair to say that that was an idea doomed to fail, because I attempted to find solutions through my own wisdom. I started to take 20 minutes out of my day to just sit in silence with God. It was then that I realized I wasn’t alone. I felt God’s comforting hand on my shoulder pushing me to open up to others and be real with my friends about what I was feeling. That was the push that got me through that awful time. That is how silent time looks in my life. Everybody is different, so it is best to try and do what works best for each individual. For some, 5 to 10 minutes is a life sentence. For others, it might not be long enough. The beauty of prayer and quiet time is that it is completely up to the individual person. It’s just important to implement some form of silent time. ■

PODCAST

The Power of GRANDPARENTS

BY AMANDA MILLER PHOTO BY ANDREA PIACQUADIO

GROWING up, I was blessed to have two sets of grandparents who played active roles in my life. They were always my emergency contacts for school, the ones I called when I needed extra help with homework (I have to be honest, it was usually history homework), and their homes were the ones I would go to for the best sleepovers and candy stashes my young self could only dream about. Those conversations and time spent with them not only built an incredible bond between us all, but it also taught me a lot about life and how you should treat people.

There’s a lot of value in a grandparent-grandchild relationship. Young kiddos see this value and are all about their grandparents and spending time with them. As they get older, it’s not always “cool” to hang out with someone much older than them. How could grandma possibly know about Fortnite and Minecraft, right? What’s great is, they have more in common than either realizes. Cheryl Brodnax, a counselor with Crossroads Professional Counseling,

GROWING UP, I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE TWO SETS OF GRANDPARENTS WHO PLAYED ACTIVE ROLES IN MY LIFE.

shares, “Despite the generational gap, teens and grandparents still have much in common. The basics of developing character, relationship, and purpose are the same, and grandparents can provide life experience to help guide teens through their issues.” Having someone who is older and wiser in their lives is beneficial, especially because teens can receive a different perspective than one they may receive from their parents. Brodnax shares, “Grandparents serve a unique role in the lives of their grandchildren because they have the gift of helping to mentor the child without the added stress of being their primary parent. Of course, there are exceptions when the grandparent is the primary guardian; however, in homes where there are primary parents, this frees up the grandparent to be more focused on the relationship instead of the rearing.” What makes this bond even more unique is that grandparents typically have more free time they can offer their grandchild. “This can create opportunities to babysit, do carpool, attend activities, and just visit, which all builds up the relationship and helps the child feel cared about. Because of this investment, children will often feel more comfortable confiding in their grandparent because of the trust and unconditional positive regard that has been established,” says Brodnax.

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Grandparents can connect with your tween or teen on his level. They know who your child was before he was “too cool” and had earphones permanently embedded in his ears. They know that underneath it all, he’s still the same sweet little boy. Even better, they both benefit from the relationship they create. Brodnax explains, ”Grandparents can impart wisdom and a respect for family traditions that contribute to their teen’s identity and family ties across generations. Teens have the opportunity to help grandparents feel relevant in an ever-changing culture, and help them learn technological advances. Even more, teens can breathe the vigor of youth into their grandparents’ lives, and help them feel young at heart.”

A NEW FRIEND

Strengthening the bond between your teen and his grandparents is crucial. The best and easiest way this can be done is through having them spend time together, whether virtually or in-person, where they can do something they both enjoy doing together. Brodnax shares, “In the process of spending time, teens and grandparents can discover new things to enjoy together: games, movies, or other activities that can become a special connection between the two. I remember learning how to play backgammon with my grandfather when I was younger. This became a tradition that lasted for decades and was something I always relate back to him. Now that he’s gone, the game has become even more special to me.”

A NEW OUTLOOK

Grandparents have a way of bringing out your tween or teen’s best self. Through their bond, tweens and teens are able to approach life’s ups and downs in a whole new way. Brodnax explains, “Grandparents typically relate to teens with less fear than parents because they’ve ‘been there done that’ with their own children and typically mellow out over the years. This can allow teens to feel less anxious and more confident. Grandparents are great cheerleaders who can encourage teens to reach for their goals and feel more positively about themselves.” The relationship between a tween/ teen and his grandparents may not be perfect from the start. However, if both sides keep their minds and hearts open and nurture the relationship together, they’ll have a strong connection and quite possibly, a whole new outlook on life. ■

PODCAST

THROUGH THE STAGES OF LIFE

BY JANNEAN DIXON, M.ED.

Financial Planning

POLITICS, religion, and finances; the trifecta of things we don’t talk about in polite conversation. But, what if not talking about it is detrimental? We will save the politics and religion for another day, but let’s talk money! In a startling survey, 95 percent of millennials are saving less than the recommended amount. This lack of talking about finances–and learning about them–could have some very unwanted future consequences such as pushing back retirement and reducing standard of living. Think that is a problem for the future? Or that it is too late to start now? Think again!

Early Career Financial Planning

“Take time to hone your career skills,” shares Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Jason Rainier of Rainier Wealth Planning. “It is a lot easier to complete education and certifications before the kids are here, if that is at all possible! While you build your career, build an emergency fund of three-six months of living expenses. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is to be prepared, even for scenarios that you could never even imagine. Max out your retirement funds right away if you can. It’s a lot easier to save the money you aren’t used to getting than to get a certain amount and then try to cut it back to save, and kids and families make saving a lot more difficult.” Rainier also urges people with specialized careers to think about the impact that a disability might have on their career. If you perform certain specialized tasks after years of training, what would happen if you couldn’t do that thing anymore? While you are young and healthy, get disability insurance.

Family Planning

Parents of young children have a lot to think about: extra mouths to feed, clothing, childcare and education, healthcare. It can be very easy to become financially overextended. Budgeting can be helpful. Work with your partner to create a budget. Creating a budget is a lot of work and can be hard to stick to, but it’s worth it to meet future goals. Local mom Amanda D. shares, “We had success using a cash envelope system. We stopped using cards. We kept enough in our checking account for auto draft bill payments (with a small cushion) and set aside a set amount for expenses for the week (gas, groceries, etc.) Any spare money went into savings. When we did this faithfully, we were able to save a few thousand dollars within a few months.” Sarah I., a local mom of three, adds, “We have a financial planner. He taught us a ton about setting ourselves up for success in the long run. We also got life insurance for both of us once we started having kids, so no matter what, our kids would be taken care of. It’s nice to have peace of mind.” Hand in hand with planning for your family’s financial future is to have a will. Work with an attorney to decide who would take care of the children should something happen to the parents. Make

provisions for the children; you don’t want to put the financial burden on the person taking care of your children. “Education is very expensive,” points out Rainier. “The cost of higher education has gone up steadily for years. Start planning for higher education early if you want your child to go to college. Build a little nest egg for the kids. Put funds into an account that will grow over time to lessen your out-of-pocket expenses by signing up for a 529 college savings plan. There is potential for tax deferred contributions and Louisiana offers a match on those plans.” Check out StartSaving.la.gov for more information on starting a 529 plan for your child. Rainier also shares that you’ve got to plan for illness. “Parents get sick. Kids get sick. An HSA, Health Savings Account, or FSA, Flexible Savings Account, allows parents to set aside money pretax, to use for medical expenses. ”

Pre-Retirement

“When kids grow up and leave the nest, that is usually the largest pay raise the parents ever get,” shares Rainier. “Parents are at the height of their earning potential, but with less parenting expenses. This is when we strongly suggest considering putting the max in retirement plans, such as a 401k.” Rainier continues, “Pre-retirement is a good time to work with a CFP to create a financial roadmap. CFPs can offer advice for investment planning, debt management, risk management, retirement planning, estate planning, and tax planning. You may already have an attorney or CPA. Your CFP will coordinate with these professionals to make sure your bases are covered.” During pre-retirement, you should consider major health events that might require longer term care. These situations can lead to thousands of dollars a month for years. If you don’t plan, it can wipe out your finances. Long-term care insurance is one way to care for that risk, or you can save adequately.

Retirement and Long-Term Planning

“I hear a lot of concerns about running out of money before death,” Rainier shares. “Pensions have become a thing of the past. At this stage, I encourage people to work with a CFP to create a sustainable income plan before retirement so they can know what they are heading into. Options for sustainable retirement include: delaying retirement, working part time during retirement, or starting early and increasing what you are saving.” ■

BRPARENTS.COM | SEPTEMBER 2021 39

PODCAST

READ BY THIRD GRADE

Why is third grade such an important checkpoint? “While K-3rd students are learning to read, beyond third grade, they’re reading to learn. That is why on-level reading skills are so important in third grade,” says Carla Batrous, a kindergarten teacher at Broadmoor Elementary School. Knowing the basics of reading, like recognizing letters and understanding the sounds they make, should be mastered by the third grade. But what can we do if they’re not?

STOP THE STRUGGLE

It’s time to learn to recognize the signs of struggling to read. If they’re still having difficulty with the sounds that the letters make when entering the third grade, they’ll have trouble reading on level. Some solutions to try are singing phonics songs available on YouTube and incorporating sight words that contain letters you typically don’t sound out like the “k” in knitting. Try “modeling” with your children. Read a sentence with them while running a finger under the words as they pronounce them. This will help you identify what letters and sounds they are having trouble with or don’t recognize. Also, practice blending sounds together and use games to your advantage. Games that enforce the recognition of letters, sounds, and writing will be a great help. Input from your child’s teacher and the scores on his or her Assigned Reading tests can also be great indicators of grappling with reading.

ENCOURAGE TO READ

How do you get a disinterested child into reading? Start with his interests. Ask him questions about what subjects, people, and things he likes. A child who loves sports might be interested in sports-related books. Once you have a topic, keep in mind what level of book will be appropriate for him. Tara Dearing, a Children Services Coordinator at East Baton Rouge Parish Library, suggests, “Generally, third-graders are comfortable with small chapter books, picture books for older readers, and some non-fiction. Some children

The Importance of Early Reading

BY SARAH BATROUS PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2020-21 COVER KID ELLA ROSE J.

AS adults, we don’t fully understand the difficulties of learning to read, as it is a skill we’ve mastered over the course of our lives. We sometimes don’t even know what to look for when our children are struggling. Do we sometimes forget to emphasize the importance of early reading in our children? How do we recognize the signs of struggling to read? What techniques can we use to help foster a love of reading? These are all questions we often don’t ask ourselves or questions we find we don’t have the answers for. While feeling lost or underprepared is scary, don’t fret! With expert opinions and the help of fellow parents, there’s hope.

just beginning third grade may need the extra confidence of an easier read before braving the small chapter books. Don’t shy away from audiobooks. Pairing audiobooks with their print counterparts can also be helpful for following along while reading. The most important part of helping is being patient and encouraging as they find their way.” Be a good example! Oftentimes, children are interested in what interests their parents. If they see you reading and being enthusiastic about a book, they will want to mimic you. Help your child pick a book that’s on level for him but still interesting. Popular books for third graders include graphic novels, hybrid books that combine the elements of graphic novels and chapter books, and smaller chapter books with some illustrations. If your child is reading these with ease, don’t be afraid to give him books on a higher reading level.

RAISE SUPERSTAR READERS

Starting in kindergarten, my parents made books readily available and always spent time reading a chapter (or two!) of a book to me and my little brother after dinner. It helped us wind down before bedtime and kept us eager to hear what would happen next. Frequent weekend trips to the library helped keep our shelves stocked and the two of us reading, guided or independently. To get your child reading, Dearing advises, “Create a library at home of your favorites and your child’s favorites. Visit your local library for help in choosing books that interest your child. They may not find it on the first try, but keep trying–it’s free!” “Start early,” suggests Ashley Clark, Teen Programming Librarian at East Baton Rouge Parish Library. “I think bedtime reading was really key with my stepson, Henri. If you read for 20-30 minutes with them as part of their nightly routine, you’re also spending quality time with them, and it’s a big plus.” Who knows who you might inspire with some initiative? “A while back, my nephew spent the night. When Henri asked for me to read to him before bed, my nephew was very, ‘I’m too old for that!’ But then he found us where we were reading and got really into it,” reminisces Clark. Overall, there are plenty of ways to recognize reading difficulties, help resolve them, and get your child more excited about reading. With some time and encouragement, we parents can guide young readers in building their confidence and enthusiasm for reading. ■

All About the BY BROOKE SMITH PHOTOS BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2020-21 COVER KIDS BRYSON A., SYDNI W., AND BELLA W. Arts MUSICMusic

WHICH one is yours?” “The one in the yellow butterfly costume on the far left.” “Awe, she’s such a doll. You can tell by her big smile that she is truly enjoying herself.” “That smile hasn’t left her face since she started. Performing arts has really helped her transform into a happy, confident social butterfly.”

THEATRE Theatre

Nothing is more special than witnessing your child shine from the inside out while doing something she absolutely loves, whether it’s dancing, singing, performing on stage, or playing an instrument. Sometimes figuring out what exactly will start the initial spark is as difficult as finding a lost sock. Isn’t life about exploring and learning, though? Let your children explore their creative side and try out the performing arts. They will not only have the chance to make new memories and friends, but they also gain valuable skills that will stay with them for years to come, both on and off the stage.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE

Adding performing arts to your child’s schedule would not affect her academic performance negatively. She will actually become more focused and motivated. According to the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, students who take part in performing arts have higher rates of school attendance, better SAT scores, and better reading comprehension. Drama students use the same reading comprehension skills they are learning in the classroom when they’re memorizing a script. Christine Perkins of the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre says, “Children who study dance are more organized and strong students. They are always improving their memory skills and math scores.” Children learning to read music and understand music theory are also tipping into their mathematical skills. The performing arts also help children stay active and healthy. Perkins states the immediate benefits of studying dance are better body control and muscle strength. She says, “Dancers develop strong bodies that are graceful, coordinated, and flexible. Dancers, overall, are mentally and physically tough!”

COMMUNICATION

Children who participate in various grouped activities regularly become better listeners and communicators. They will learn to be a team player and communicate with others effectively. Drama classes help kids succeed in public-speaking, reading body language, and adjusting tone accordingly. Music and dance classes give kids the chance to understand and read non-verbal cues well. Children who become advanced listeners are most likely to develop cultural leadership skills in the future.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Your child will not only learn to control her own emotions better, but she will also learn to understand the emotions of others. Performing arts allow individuals to explore their emotions freely. If your child struggles with releasing emotions, channeling her emotions through the art of performing will boost her mood and confidence. She will also learn how to empathize with other people and respect important differences, especially when she is portraying a character dramatically different from herself. Learning about different communities, countries, and cultures through art allows your child to become a well-rounded person and citizen.

DISCIPLINE AND RESILIENCE

Performing takes a lot of practice and commitment. For instance, children learning how to play an instrument practice routinely to make progress. The reward is satisfying, and it also teaches them why commitment is so important. Rehearsal also supports optimistic work habits. Performing on stage provides students the opportunity to work out their fears of embarrassment and mistakes. The arts teach students not to put too much thought into errors and focus on growth. This skill is handy for children looking to become motivational speakers, entrepreneurs, or architects.

EXPLORATION IS KEY

Supporting a lifelong interest in the arts at any level can be both fulfilling and stressful. Exploration is key to nurturing a lifelong love of the arts. Take note of your child’s particular interests and ways of learning before searching. You will have a better chance at matching her up with the right teachers and topics. Also, look for classes with a variety of opportunities for self-expression and fun. Some classes

DANCE Dance

“LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, COUNTRIES, AND CULTURES THROUGH ART ALLOWS YOUR CHILD TO BECOME A WELL-ROUNDED PERSON AND CITIZEN.”

might be too intense for a child who just wants to try something out. Observe a few classes to see if the kids are actually enjoying the process. To be or not to be looking into schoolbased programs is the real question. Theatre director and educator Fabiola Espinosa Reno encourages parents to ask about performing arts programs within their public and private schools to test the waters first. She adds, “Another option is to enroll the student in a summer camp or local after-school performing arts center.” Charlotte Reynolds, mother and Spotlight Theater Players Board Director, says, “Parents should seek any opportunity they can find for their children at school as well as at home.” There are also many ways for kids to explore within the context of the arts at home. Play improvisational games and dress up in costumes. Encourage your children to stage homespun plays and short productions at family gatherings. Get musical together or have dance parties. Buy cheap instruments or use iPads/electronic apps. GarageBand, which comes with all Macs, allows kids to experiment with mixing music and composing their own pieces. You can also give your kids paper and crayons or pencil to draw or write what they imagine as they hear the notes. After-school programs and performing arts schools are also beneficial. Perkins believes, “Performing arts schools are the best place for actual training in the arts to ensure that your child is learning actual technique and skills correctly.” Local mother Dee Odom has incorporated arts outside of the school day to ensure her daughter is well-rounded academically. She says, “She loves doing the kids acting workshops held at Upstage Theater.” Don’t worry if your child switches instruments or pursues new types of activities. Interests evolve and change over time, and that’s okay. Just set out clear expectations about commitments. Don’t lock them into one activity unless there is actual interest and dedication on their part. Always remember the importance of intrinsic motivation stoked by curiosity and the full range of creative thinking, including self-expression. ■

2021

PERFORMING ARTS Listing

Whether your child is looking to tap into his dancing, singing, theatre, or music skills, we have found just the right places to help him release his talent. The 2021 Performing Arts listing provides need-to-know information to help you find the perfect fit for your child this season.

BY BRPM PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2020-21 COVER KID KENNITH W.

Dance leap ballet jazz

NAME ADDRESS PHONE WEBSITE TARGET AGE GROUP

REGISTRATION FEE WEEKLY/ MONTHLY COST DESCRIPTION

Dance Center and School of Performing Arts 3535 Jones Creek Road Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 753-6909 dancecenter-spa.com

Dancers’ Workshop 10745 Linkwood Court Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 767-5814 dancersworkshopbr.com

De Frances Academy of Dance 14040 Coursey Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70817 (225) 751-8564 defrancesdance.com

Jean Leigh Academy of Dance 10980 Laird Lane Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-1809 jeanleighdance.com

Jeffie Jean Dance Studio 11600 S. Harrells Ferry Road Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 936-4677 jeffiejeanstudio.com

Odyssey Academy of Dance 108 Business Park Avenue Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 665-3414 odysseyacademyofdance.com

Phyllis Guy Dance Center 251 Tate Road Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-2090 phyllisguydancecenter.com

8 and up $25-40

N/A

Dance Center and School of Performing Arts offers dance, drama and music classes along with camps. They also have School of Performing Rock which offers kiddos a chance to write and perfom music in a band.

3 and up $55-60 $20-200 monthly

Dancers' Workshop is a dance studio that provides a wide varity of dance classes, including adult classes.

4 and up $50-60 $60-168 weekly

De Frances Academy of Dance provides an assortment of classes for your future dance star.

5 and up $50 N/A

Jean Leigh Academy of Dance offers many different styles of dance classes that your child can choose from.

6 and up $35 $75-120

Jeffie Jean Dance Studio offers classes of all different dance styles to all, no matter the age.

7 and up $20-40 $50-140 monthly

Odyssey Academy of Dance is a dance studio that offers ballet, tap, and jazz classes.

8 and up $45 $55-85 monthly

Phyllis Guy Dance Center offers many different classes for a wide variety of dance styles.

pirouette plie tap rock & roll

Powell-Moise School of Dance 2016 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 343-7312 powellmoise.com Revolution Dance Company 5937 Jones Creek Road Baton Rouge, LA 70817 (225) 615-8230 revolutiondanceco.com Tari’s School of Dance 9166 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 767-4495 tarisschoolofdance.com Winter Dance Co. 9269 Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA (225) 650-5841 winterdanceco.com 2 and up $55 $70-270 monthly

3 and up $50 $60-275 monthly

Powell-Moise School of Dance is a dance studio that not only offers dances classes for your student but also offers tumbling classes.

Revolution Dance Company offers a wide variety of classes for your student, including a Leaps and Jumps class.

6-18 $70 $70-190 monthly

Tari's School of Dance provides different classes, including tumbling, ballet and acro.

35 months-17 years $25 $500 sea son -

Winter Dance Co offers a variety of different classes including a Mommy and Me class.

Music instruments treble clef acoustic melody

NAME ADDRESS PHONE WEBSITE Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge 233 St. Ferdinand Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (225) 344-8558 artsbr.org Baton Rouge Music Studios 9327 Burbank Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70820 (225) 769-6225 brmusicstudios.com TARGET AGE GROUP REGISTRATION FEE WEEKLY/ MONTHLY COST

K-5th grade N/A N/A

7 and up $25 $140-152 monthly DESCRIPTION

Artsplosion! camps offer a unique arts and culture experiences through music, dance, visual arts, and creative writing classes for K-5th graders.

Baton Rouge Music Studios is a great place to learn an instrument. They even offer a free veteran program.

Children’s Music Studio 7940 Jefferson Highway Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 284-6128 childrensmusicstudiola.com Music & Arts 7003 Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 929-8985 musicarts.com

8 months and up

5 and up $100-195 N/A

Children's Music Studio is a great place to teach kiddos music, even as young as eight months.

$30 $25-28 per lesson Music and Arts allows kids five and up to learn a wide varity of different instruments online or in-store.

Phyllis & Friends Singing Lessons Southland Court Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 228-0616 phyllissings.com

Piano Pathways 9270 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (225) 767-0030 thepianopathway.com

School of Rock 5830 S. Sherwood Forest Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (225) 408-0029 schoolofrock.com Yee Music Studio 10632 Hillglen Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (504) 220-4770 yeemusicstudio.com N/A $15-110 N/A

6 and up $70-100 $145-280 monthly Phyllis & Friends offers many resources for singing as well an opportunity to build a singing-based resume.

Piano Pathways offers smallgroup classes and private lessons for piano students. Our team of professional teachers works with students of all ages and interests.

3 and up

3-18 N/A N/A School of Rock offers a multitude of classes that all can help lead you to the stage.

$100 $120-200 monthly Yee Music Studio offers piano lessons to students ages 3-18. Private lessons and group lessons are offered on a weekly basis.

Theatre

Lights action auditions curtain call

NAME ADDRESS PHONE WEBSITE TARGET AGE GROUP

REGISTRATION FEE WEEKLY/ MONTHLY COST

Center Stage Performing Arts Academy 39318 LA-74 Gonzales, LA 70737 (225) 644-4242 centerstagepaa.com Independence Park Theatre 7800 Independence Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 216-0660 theparktheatre.com Playmakers of Baton Rouge 10 Tower Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 578-6996 playmakersbr.org

Theatre Baton Rouge 7155 Florida Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70806 (225) 924-6496 theatrebr.org N/A N/A N/A

7-16 $250300 N/A

5-13 $170-270 N/A

7-18 N/A N/A DESCRIPTION

Center Stage Performing Arts Academy offers many classes for theatre, including vocal and dance classes. They also offer private lessons.

Experience the performance arts as well as film at Independence Park Theatre.

Playmakers of Baton Rouge offers a wide variety of classes for spring and fall and camps.

Theatre Baton Rouge engages students in the world of acting by teaching performace, improv, and voice skills.