February 2015 Newsletter | Harris Academy of the Arts

HAA Newsletter February 2015 inspiring creativity through the arts

Student of the Month: Morgan Madsen Thursday nights you’ll hear any combination of Hound Dog, Thriller, The Twist, YMCA, and more coming through the studio walls. It’s not an allstudio dance party (although that’s an idea), it’s the Treble Maker Show Choir, a singing group for ages 7-12 years led by Christine Collins. This lively group is learning new songs for the upcoming Spring Recital. Among these energetic singers and dancers is Morgan Madsen, the February Student of the Month!

Morgan is 12 years old and also plays violin at school. Her favorite subjects in school are science, art, and—naturally—music. Morgan loves to dance and when she’s not doing the Twist (or the YMCA, or the Chicken Dance), she likes to draw.

BRING A FRIEND WEEK Learning is better… ...when enjoyed together

February 9-21 Students, bring a friend to your lesson and let them discover why you LOVE music!

Each student and their friend will receive a special gift. PLUS, HAA students will have a chance to win a pizza party with their instructor!

Read the full feature on our website: harrisacademyofthearts.com/about-us/HAA-inthe-News/Student-of-the-Month

“Morgan is a natural born leader and singer. She has such a passion for singing and the talent to go with it. She is always ready to work and participate in whatever activity we are doing and knows how to lead by example. It an absolute pleasure to have her in my class!” ~Christine Collins, Treble Maker Show Choir instructor

Help us welcome these new musicians to Harris!

Treble Maker Show Choir

Nye Alhajhusain Tanis Bennetts Xia Brooks Bill Hooks Milla Fiedler Alex Kivett Blaine Kivett Kobe Le Brayden Luu Chikoti Mukuma Alexandria Nelson

A unique choral experience with choreography, Treble Makers is designed to introduce kids to vocal technique without harming their growing vocal chords.

Thursdays 5:05-5:55 p.m.

New students may join anytime!

2935 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE

NEW STUDENTS ♫

402.423.7121

Natalie Norman Defne Otu Paige Pomajzl Belinda Rademacher Bianca Rademacher

Briana Rademacher

harrisacademyofthearts.com

DATES TO NOTE ♪

Instructor Spotlight: Lee Heerspink the morale of troops both near and far.

Lee recalls a moment during his time with the US Air Force Band when he played at the bedside of a wounded soldier in Afghanistan. “One of my favorite performances,” Lee shares, “was playing an acoustic version of “Knee Deep” by the Zac Brown Band for a wounded warrior at the hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan. We asked what he wanted us to play, he said “anything.” He smiled as we quietly sang and gave him a short bedside concert.”

February 9-21 Bring a Friend Week

February 14 2:00-2:50 p.m.

Music Appreciation Make-up Class (mid-beginning)

February 28 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Students are welcome to perform in the Lied Center lobby prior to the LSO concert

March 6 6:00-6:50 p.m.

Music Appreciation Make-up Class (late intermediate)

March 9-14 Spring Break (no lessons or classes)

April 10 & 11 Student Spring Recital

April 25 LMTA District Music Festival

YARD SIGN PROGRAM Earn a FREE lesson or class For every 4 months you post a Harris Academy of the Arts Yard Sign in the front lawn of your home or business, you can earn a FREE private lesson or class.

For more info: info@harrisacademyofthearts.com

Now, Lee shares his love of music in a different way, by connecting with students in private lessons. At Harris, Lee teaches guitar, bass guitar, and string bass. One of his main goals, right along with the nitty gritty technique and determination with Lee Heerspink has had his share of both life learning any instrument, is to make learning and musical experiences prior to joining the music fun and enjoyable. We hope you’ll Harris teaching staff. After getting his music enjoy getting to know yet another of Harris’ education degree he went on to study jazz fine music teachers. performance for his master’s degree. From there, after a few years of private teaching Read the full feature on our website: and performing, he was placed in the US Air harrisacademyofthearts.com/about-us/ Force Heartland of America Band in Omaha, instructor-spotlight NE where he had the opportunity to boost

Pet of the Month Meet Gir, who belongs to Amy Fairchild, General Manager at Harris Academy of the Arts. Gir loves to attack feet and make trips outside onto the deck, and has a strange fascination with water.

How to take part:  Contact the office to pick up a sign  place the sign in your yard, take a photo  After 4 months, bring the yard sign back to the studio to receive your FREE music lesson or class!

Do you have a furry friend?

Now accepting submissions for the March Pet of the Month!

Send your entries to: info@harrisacademyofthearts.com

REFERRAL PROGRAM

Earn $20 For every new student you refer to Harris!

Here’s how it works:  



Refer a friend to Harris Academy of the Arts.

Be sure to tell them to include your name as a referral on their registration form!

After your friend completes their 3 month commitment, you’ll receive a $20 credit toward lessons and classes.

2935 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE

The 29th Annual Chocolate Lover’s Fantasy fundraising event brings professional & local chefs together with chocolate connoisseurs to raise money for The Historic Haymarket District and Lincoln TeamMates!

In addition to serving delectable chocolate delights, entertainment will be provided by Harris Academy of The Arts and a Silent Auction will be featured.

Stop by and say hello to our string quartet playing popular love songs throughout the evening!

402.423.7121

harrisacademyofthearts.com

Welcome: Christine Collins

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Door Hangers

Fun Facts: Favorite color: Yellow Favorite place to travel: The beach! Any beach!

Favorite hobby: Reading Favorite donut: All of them Little known fact: My favorite animal is a hedgehog.

We are excited to welcome Christine Collins, who teaches violin, viola, piano, voice, and Children’s Music Academy. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas where she studied Music Education with a focus in orchestra and elementary music education. She has had opportunities to study abroad all over the world including the Orff Institute in Austria, the Kodaly Institute in Hungary, and Universidad Veritas in Costa Rica.

Christine began studying piano at the age of 5 and started violin lessons at the age of 6. She was involved in band, orchestra, and choir throughout middle and high school and college. In 2013,

Ages 14 and up. A terrific income opportunity for high school students and adults! Earn money while exercising and distributing literature about HAA. For more information, contact us at: 402-423-7121 or info@harrisacademyofthearts.com

Christine began playing with the mariachi group Mariachi Aguilas and had the amazing opportunity of opening for the world-renowned group Mariachi Sol de Mexico when they performed in North Texas in 2014.

Christine loves teaching and is thrilled to be a part of the Harris team!

Favorite quote: “Let us take our children seriously! Everything else follows from this…only the best is good enough for a child.” ~Zoltan Kodaly

Instructor Availability Our instructors’ schedules are changing daily. New students can enroll in private lessons any time during the year. Call 402-423-7121 today to enroll! If your ideal time is not available, call or email to get on the respective instructor’s waiting list. (Openings reflect after school times only. Please contact us for information about additional daytime availability.)

Jentry Barrett (violin, viola): CLOSED Mai Butler (piano): Monday – CLOSED Tuesday – 4 openings Wednesday – 4 openings Thursday – 2 openings Friday – CLOSED Saturday – 4 openings

Christine Collins (violin, piano, voice): Monday— 7 openings Tuesday—5 openings Wednesday—5 openings Thursday—5 openings

(Christine con’t) Friday—7 openings Saturday—10 openings

Vicki Harris (piano, violin): CLOSED

(Garrett con’t) Tuesday—5 openings Wednesday—3 openings Thursday—2 openings Saturday—3 openings

(Jeff con’t) Tuesday – 2 openings Wednesday – CLOSED Thursday – CLOSED Saturday – CLOSED

Lee Heerspink (guitar, bass)

Heera Jang (piano):

Cristina Vlad (piano):

Monday – 1 opening Tuesday – CLOSED Wednesday – 2 openings Thursday – CLOSED Friday – 1 opening

Monday – CLOSED Tuesday – CLOSED Wednesday – CLOSED Thursday – 3 openings Friday – CLOSED Saturday – CLOSED

Monday—5 openings Tuesday—4 openings Wednesday—5 openings Thursday—1 opening

Garrett Hope (guitar, bass, composition) Monday—6 openings

Testimonials Heera Jang

I love spending time with her.

Mai Butler has been wonderful. We have seen such improvement in Hannah's playing and she is truly enjoying piano.

She is always pleasant and encourages us to be in the lessons and more aware of what she is learning. We cannot say enough nice things about her! -Hannah Melton 2935 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE

Jeff Kuhl (voice, piano, beg. trumpet): Monday – 1 opening

Jentry Barrett is an exceptional teacher. Our time together is not only about music, but also about life skills that serve a person well, especially when understanding them early.

Jentry is a positive and integral part of my child's growth and potential success: to be a good, capable and happy person -- who also enjoys a love of music and an appreciation for hard work that pays off. I am grateful for Jentry's presence in our lives.

402.423.7121

Jeff Kuhl

He’s pretty cool.

Cristina Vlad is prompt, having our pianos plugged in ready for our lesson.

She is very thorough in explaining the lesson and gives us extra time with the difficult pieces. She is a delightful person and I am enjoying her teaching techniques immensely!! She deserves the highest praise!! -Susan Musick harrisacademyofthearts.com

Love

Can we get a little mushy? As we all know, February is the month of Valentine’s Day, the holiday of love. And there is something we just have to gush about—MUSIC! We’ve asked our students and staff just what it is that makes them love music so much.

We’re certain you’ll enjoy their answers as much as we did.

“I love music because it’s like a

pretty rainbow leading lyrics to

make them sound pretty .” ~Annika, piano student

Because

it

makes

my

life

passionate and rich.

It teaches me about life. When I play music by each composer I can feel their history and emotions in the music. ~Mai Butler, piano instructor

more

It really expresses your feelings.

You can spread it, show people. ~Nora, piano student

Because I’ve always had music.

I always dance to it and listen when I’m doing homework. ~Isabel, piano student

Music is like a

best friend.

It understands ME! Whether a good or a bad day, I share it all with music. ~Vicki Harris, owner & director

Because some songs are a way

express your feelings.

to ~Steven, piano student

Because it feels like you’re in

a new world. ~Clio, piano student

relax

Because you can when you’re playing a song. ~Anna, piano student

breathing

Music is like . I have it around me all the time. I can’t imagine life without music or chocolate! ~Luanne, violin student