Pick-Up Notes
The Newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

January at the St. Joseph Arts Academy
Dear SJAA Families,

Happy New Year from the St. Joseph Arts Academy!

As we step into a brand-new year, I can’t help but reflect with gratitude, pride, and excitement for what lies ahead.

January 3rd marked a very special anniversary for us—8 years since the St. Joseph Arts Academy moved into our building. At that time, we had two private studios (one closet and one very clean bathroom!), two guitar teachers, and 32 students.

Today, thanks to an incredible community, that vision has grown far beyond anything we could have imagined.

This year, our amazing faculty of 18 coaches encouraged and supported over 250 students each week through early childhood music classes and private lessons. We now offer instruction in guitar, violin, piano, voice, drums, cello, viola, double bass, ukulele, and lap steel, serving students of all ages, levels, and styles—including rock, blues, jazz, classical, country, worship music, and musical theater—across 8 private studios and dedicated classroom spaces.

It was also a year filled with connection and celebration. We hosted 56 special events, including 27 performance opportunities, along with countless recognitions for students and faculty. From InspireU and the Kauffman Center to monthly recitals, SJAMTA events, community festivals, contests, scholarships, private celebrations, and beloved traditions like St. Joseph Kids Make Music Day, Mall-o-ween, Photo Day @ SJAA, and Hawkfest—it truly was a year to remember.

We welcomed new additions to our SJAA family—including Mrs. Olivia’s new baby, our sixth Academy baby during our time here—received positive attention in our local press, and Mr. Wing and I were honored to debut Joseph Robidoux’s Violin, a restored 19th-century fiddle once owned by our city’s founder. A meaningful moment that reminded us how deeply music connects past, present, and future.

To our students, families, and team: thank you for making the Academy such a joyful, supportive, and inspiring place to be every day.

Music matters. Playing music matters. And learning music teaches us far more than notes—it teaches persistence, creativity, confidence, and connection.

The new year is a beautiful time to reset, re-dedicate, and set the tempo for success. We’re looking forward to another exciting year of lessons, recitals, contests, performances, and special moments.
Here’s to all that 2026 will bring.

Happy New Year from the St. Joseph Arts Academy!
~ Jason and SJAA

Join or Share us on Facebook/Instagram

#MusicAccomplished

Our January “Student of the Month” is…

Emi B.!

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

Emilia loves anything music! Singing, playing piano and messing around with her guitar. She also plays softball and basketball. Emi loves to craft and could craft and color all day. When you first meet Emi she is reserved and quiet but once you get to know her she is goofy and very loving! Emilia always puts others first and is humble and kind. She has been drawn to music since she was little and it seems to come natural to her just like her dad.

We’ll celebrate Emi with a gift card for her!
Thank you, Emi 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.

Our January Pet of the Month goes to

Sissy!
Thank you to the Mr. Jack’s family for sharing a photo of your sweet fur baby. Each month, SJAA will select a pet to feature and a donation will be made to Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter in honor of all of our local pets in need. Share a favorite pic of your favorite pet and maybe they’ll be named the SJAA “Pet of the Month”! Bring on those adorable snapshots!

Guitar Mania — 6-Week Intro to Guitar!

Only $99 — includes class materials

Need a guitar? Rent one for $30

Want to own it? Class + Guitar = $249

Tuesdays OR Wednesdays • 7pm

Jan. 27 – Mar. 4
Perfect for beginners, bucket-listers & anyone ready to rock in the new year. Limited spots — snag yours today!

Message us to register!

Google Review

Private lessons spots are limited with our amazing coaching faculty at the SJAA but we still have room to grow. Thank you for referring your friends and family to the academy!

We’ve now reached over 50 5-star Google reviews. So, thank you to everybody that put in their reviews. We so much appreciate it, but we want to get to 75 reviews. If you haven’t yet, please consider going to Goggle, giving us a review. We’d love your feedback and thank you so much again for helping us get over 50 5-star Google reviews.

REVIEWS https://g.page/r/CZvsJULwejcCEAg/review

“We love SJAA!! Very family friendly and easy to work with. All four of my kiddos enjoyed every instructor.”

– Penny O.

Monthly tuition for private lessons (30 minute weekly sessions) is $116.

Review Our Lesson Policy
https://stjosephartsacademy.com/lesson-policy/

OTHER NOTES

2026

1/1 – Happy New Year! – SJAA is Closed

1/30 – SJAMTA “Monster Concert” rehearsal TBA

2/6 – SJAMTA “Monster Concert” rehearsal TBA

2/7 – SJAMTA “Monster Concert”, 3pm, 1st Presbyterian Church

3/21 – Spring “Photo Day @ SJAA!” Sign-up Now!

3/22 – SJAMTA Recital 2pm, Wyatt Park Christian Church

4/15 Baltezor Scholarship

4/19 – SJAMTA Recital 2pm, 1st Presbyterian Church

4/19 – SJAMTA “Honors Recital”, 3pm 1st Presbyterian Church

6/6 – SJAMTA Scholarship

Is your Teacher Sold Out?

Addy Gabriel – Friday 6

Alex Rowen – Monday 6:30

Andrew Holmes – Tuesday 7

Anthony Glise – Sold Out

Brett Wootton – Waiting List

Brent Isom – Wednesday 5

Claire Gerhardt – Monday 7:30

Garrett Branson – Thursday 3

Jack Wing – Wednesday 5

Jason Riley – Sold Out

Jolie Riley – Sold Out

Darren Verbick – Sold Out

David Parker – Virtual Only

Marina Gurnovich – Sold Out

Olivia Guardado – Waiting List

Tarquin Kellough – 11:30-1 Saturday

Terry Brock – Sold Out

SJAA Classes/Courses – Private music lessons in Guitar, Piano, Violin, Cello, Voice and Singing, Ukulele, Drums and Percussion, Steel Pan, Mandolin, Banjo, Acoustic/Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Trumpet, Strings, Early Childhood Classes, Group Guitar, Group Ukulele. Art Classes, Online Music Lessons & Adult Art Classes. All musical styles for all ages.

We also offer…
Discounts on music books & accessories, instrument rentals and rental space for birthday parties and special events.

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

UNITED FIBER has come to the SJAA!
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!

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

It’s always a great month and they go by so fast!

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

We are making the world a better place through music.

It’s fun! Thank you for that.

Jason Riley
Director
jason@stjosephartsacademy.com
Call: 816-974-7656
Text: 816-623-2002
Here to help! Call or text if you need anything at all.

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Our mailing address is:

St. Joseph Arts Academy

2027 N 36th St

Saint Joseph, MO 64506