Dear Students and Families,As July winds down, I know we are all thinking about “Back to School” and fall schedules. Only one thing is really certain. It’s going to be a different kind of fall semester.

We are still making some big decisions at our house about how to make the best of things.

I’m proud to say (that with the support of our students, families and SJAA team) the Academy has truly made the most out of every possibility during Covid-19.

And we are not letting down. It will continue to be safety first around here. Our protection plans, safety and cleaning protocols are constant, continuous and on-going. We remain fluid to any needed changes and in tune with local and state guidelines.

While most students and teachers are back for in-person lessons, our waiting rooms are still officially closed to keep contacts down. We are still offering online lessons. We know that in case of any emergencies we could make online transitions quickly and without missing a beat.

AND… we are getting a lot of work done and having some fun too! SJAA students ALWAYS have something they are working towards. Live stream and in-person recitals and rescheduled summer festival performances, Summer practice challenge, Songwriting Festival, coloring contests, clinics and more.

The SJAA simply keeps working, improving our spaces, seeking ways to serve our families highest needs and creating an incubator for all things musical, creative, positive and encouraging in St. Joe.

Check it out below! Lots of “good news” here. Some important info and fun stuff too.

Thanks for sharing the SJAA with your friends and family.

Here’s to a great “Back to School” season. We are here for you.

Thank you!

jason and SJAA
816 294 4856 (personal cell for call or text)

jason@stjosephartsacademy.com

Join or Share us on Facebook/Instagram

Celebrations!

Ashlyn Ford Live Stream Concert – Our very own Miss Ashlyn Ford will be performing as part of a special online concert series presented by our friends at Lanham Music. She’ll be singing and strumming guitar & ukulele on a variety of great music. Watch the stream live from the Lanham’s Facebook page at 6pm on Friday August 7.

Summer Coloring Contest! – Our July coloring contest page was created especially for us by our 2019 winner, Anna C.! Thanks to everyone who participated in bringing a little color to the Academy this summer.

Congratulations to Cash A. selected to win the $25 grand prize!

It was a tough decision with so many great pages. Love the work by our “honorable mentions”. They are all winners!

Emma L., Felicity M., Maeby B., Hank J. & Gwen J!

Summer Practice Challenge

Just 2 Days Left!!!

This summer, SJAA coaches have been talking EXTRA to our students about practicing. Pretty much every week, year ’round.But especially during THIS summer “break”.

Students who complete the Challenge until July 31 will be rewarded with a special SJAA lesson journal and cover, gift certificate, recognition and other fun prizes.

We are also offering $25 Grand Prizes to top practice hours by age groups…
Early Elementary K-3
Later Elementary 4-6
Middle School
High School
& Adult

The student with the most summer practice hours will win a $50 gift certificate.
Should any student exceed 60+ hours of practice this summer (professional practice level), they will receive a $100 gift certificate!

Fill out this practice log daily (or create your own) or login in to your student TeacherZone account and use the practice timer for accurate reporting.

Practice Log

Keep it up until July 31!

SJAA NEWS

St. Joseph “Cello” Academy – Taking new registrations for Cello beginning in August. Strings are one of our most important specialties at the SJAA. We are super excited to have Jennifer Lochhead joining our amazing team of string pros as a dedicated Cello specialist. info@stjosephartsacademy.com

The Arts are Blooming! – We are getting a Mural! Thanks to our friend and amazing muralist, Josh Hamilton for sharing his work with us on our Academy wall. Still a work in progress but it’s already inspiring our students, our neighbors and our community.

Student Portraits – Thanks to Ty at Tyler Osborn Studios for the photography and delivery of these extraordinary prints of our students from photo day 2019. True pieces of art, professionally matted and beautifully framed, they are now hung (carefully) in our classroom and waiting spaces. We love them.

Welcome to our Newest Students!

Bailey, Mariah, Jacey & Brooklyn!

GROUP CLASSES @ the SJAA

Early Childhood Music Registration

Saturday classes at 11am from Aug. 8 to Sept. 12

Limited space available. Ages 1-3 years

jason@stjosephartsacademy.com or call (816) 974-7656

“Uke-Box Heroes”

“Hang Loose” with Jason Riley & Become a “Uke-Box Hero”!

FREE Ukulele Class and Jam session for ALL ages. Includes materials but must have your own Uke.

Saturday, Aug. 8, 1pm.

jason@stjosephartsacademy.com or call (816) 974-7656.

Limited space available.

“Intro to Guitar” Group Class

Join Academy Director, Jason Riley in getting started on the right foot (finger) with your guitar playing in this fun and accessible class.
$99 includes (6) 1 hour session and materials. Must have your own guitar (or inquire about a rental).
Thursdays at 6pm, Aug 6- Sept 10.

jason@stjosephartsacademy.com or call (816) 974-7656

Limited space available.

#MusicAccomplished

Student of the Month

Our July “Student of the Month” is…

Taylor C.!!!

We are so lucky to have Taylor and her family with us at the SJAA.

Besides studying voice with Mrs. Emily, she loves all things theater. She just recently finished performing a leading role in the Adams Family and stepped into a position in Frozen Jr at the last minute. She rocked them both. Taylor would like to be on Broadway someday!

We’ll celebrate Taylor with a 5-Below gift card for her!

Thank you, Taylor for referring your friends and family to the Academy.

Congratulations!!!

To be considered for Student of the Month, be sure to talk to your teacher about all your musical and extracurricular activities, share pictures and refer your fellow musicians to the academy.

Come by and take a selfie with our “fireworks” window theme (where “Hamilton” is not throwing away his shot!) for the Community Commerce Quest presented by the Missouri Business Podcast. “Tag” the SJAA Facebook page and the MBP for a chance to win vacation trips to amazing locations.

SJAA’s Upcoming Recitals

7/31 – Summer Practice Challenge Deadline

8/7 – Ashlyn Ford in Concert, Lanham Music, 6pm

8/8 – “Uke-Box Heroes, 1pm, SJAA

8/19 – Silver and Gold Banquet, 11:30 – 12:30, Meierhoffer Community Room

9/19 – Hawkfest, 130pm, Coleman Hawkins Park

9/20 – 2pm SJAMTA student recital, MWSU

9/26 – “Bluegrass Battles Hunger”, TBA Coleman Hawkins Park

10/11 – Photo Day @ SJAA, times/venue TBA

10/24-25 – “Mall-o-ween” 2pm Halloween-themed SJAMTA student recital

11/15 – 2pm SJAMTA student recital, MWSU

12/5 – “Mall-a-thon” 10am-4pm at East Hills Mall (SJAA time slot MORNING TBA)

12-19 – Beethoven’s 250 Birthday

2021

2/20 – TBA SJAMTA Monster Concert

3/7 – 2pm SJAMTA student recital, Violin Masterclass, 3pm TBA, MWSU

4/10 – SJAMTA Evaluatives, MWSU

4/11 – 2pm SJAMTA student recital, MWSU
3:30 SJAMTA Honors Recital at First Presbyterian

TBA – Robidoux Resident Theater presents “School of Rock”

SJAA Specific Events in BOLD

HATS!

We’ve got our first order of SJAA ball caps with our new logo! In Red, Black, Tan & Navy. Just $15!

Books!Is your student ready for new books? We carry a very limited supply of instructor approved titles. Talk with your teacher about your next books and we’ll get them ordered.

Who are these masked guitar ninjas? You can almost hear the “Covid County Country Shuffle” ringing in the summer breeze.
Taking our precautions but still having some fun!

Auto-Payments

Thanks to all for registering for convenient auto-drafting from credit cards or your bank account. So glad to be able to offer this for our families.

https://stjosephartsacademy.com/auto-payment-authorization/

Lesson Policy
– Is here and copies are at the studio…
https://stjosephartsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SJAA-Lesson-Policy-19.pdf

Thank you for reading -“The Write Notes” –
Monthly Newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy!

It’s been a great month.

Thank you for encouraging the advancing musicians in your life and in our community.

We are making the world a better place through music.

Here’s to YOUR music success!

Jason Riley
Director
jason@stjosephartsacademy.com
8162944856 (personal cell)
Here to help! Call or text if you need anything at all.

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Referral Program – We have a great family of students and teachers at the SJAA. We are extremely discerning in selecting the very best coaches and students when growing our family. We want great students just like you. The SJAA is now able to offer a FREE lesson for referring new students who register for lessons. Thank you for referring your friends and family to be a part of our SJAA family.

Does Your Teacher Have Openings?

Jolie – Full
Terry – Full
Frank – Mondays, 330 & 5
JC – Mondays, 3 & 730
Andrew – Tuesdays 1230 & 430
Emily – Mondays 4 & 630, Tuesday 530
Monica – Mondays 430, Wednesday 630
Brent – Tuesday 5, Thursday 6
Mary Jo – Tuesday 4 & 530
Will – Monday 5 & 630
Jason – Full
Jennifer – Cello Coming Soon!

SJAA Classes/Courses – Guitar, Piano, Violin, Cello, Voice, Uke, Drums, Early Childhood, Group Guitar

TeacherZone is our on-line platform for our students and our teachers.
https://teacherzone.com

Free Wi-Fi – SJAA password “MusicAccomplished”

Academy Mission

Our mission at the St. Joseph Arts Academy is to provide the highest quality musical instruction and performance opportunities to beginning and advancing students in the Midland empire. We use our patience, enthusiasm and loyalty to encourage, inform and inspire others to happily share their skill and talent in love and gratitude to make the world a better place.

OUR MOTTO…

Music Accomplished!