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Posts by jason riley
Musical Gifts in St Joseph MO – Stuff the Stocking with Music!
🎄🎶 Stuff the Stocking with Music Lessons! 🎶🎄
This holiday season, give the gift that lasts long after the wrapping paper is gone — the gift of music!
For just $99, you’ll receive a real Christmas stocking stuffed with everything needed to get started in music lessons at the St. Joseph Arts Academy.
✨ What’s Inside:
🎵 1 Month of Private Music Lessons – $116 value
🎵 FREE Registration – $35 value
🎵 1st Lesson Book – included
🎵 Holiday treats, candy canes & fun SJAA goodies (pencil, sticker, flashlight keychain & more!)
🎵 Instrument-specific surprises:
🥁 Drumsticks for drummers
🎸 Snark tuner for guitarists
🎹 Flashcards for pianists or vocalists
💰 Total Value: $187 — Yours for just $99!
🎅 Want to double the fun? Add an extra month of lessons for only $99 more!
📦 Free pickup or shipping starting early December.
🎁 Only 10 Stockings available (for select instruments).
⏰ Order by Dec. 15 to ensure Christmas delivery!
📞 Call 816-974-7656 or Text 816-623-2002
🌐 Order online: StJosephArtsAcademy.com/request-info
P.S. Looking for something smaller?
Check out our Holiday Gift Guide for Musicians at stjosephartsacademy.com/gift-ideas.
We also offer gift certificates for fun musical experiences like:
🎸 Guitar Mania – 6-week intro to guitar (starting January)
👶 Baby Bebop, Tune Tykes, and Melody Makers – early childhood music classes for ages 9 months to 5 years.
(These fill up quickly, so don’t wait!)
Back to School Music Lessons at St. Joseph Arts Academy
Get Back on Track, Back to Routines, and Into Music!
As the new school year begins, families are busy getting back into routines—new schedules, homework, sports practices, and extracurricular activities. This season is also the perfect time to set your child up with back to school music lessons at the St. Joseph Arts Academy.
Music lessons are more than just an “activity.” They provide structure, confidence, and creativity while offering a positive outlet that kids can carry with them for a lifetime. Whether your child is a budding musician or simply looking for something meaningful outside of sports, private lessons at our academy are one of the best ways to help them thrive.
Why Private Music Lessons Are the Smart Choice This Fall
At the St. Joseph Arts Academy, we specialize in one-on-one, personalized instruction. Unlike large group classes or school band programs, private lessons allow each student to progress at their own pace with the guidance of a dedicated teacher.
Benefits include:
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🎶 Customized learning for every student’s level and goals.
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⏱ Consistent weekly routine that supports focus and discipline.
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🌟 Confidence-building performances and opportunities to shine.
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🎹 A wide range of instruments to choose from: piano, guitar, drums, violin, voice, cello, and more.
Whether your child dreams of becoming a professional musician or simply wants a positive, creative outlet, private music lessons give them the attention and support they deserve.
A Positive Alternative to Sports
Not every child connects with athletics, and that’s okay! Music offers many of the same benefits—teamwork, discipline, achievement—without the pressure of competition. For families seeking a fun, engaging, and educational activity, music lessons are an excellent option.
Our academy has become a hub for families who want their children to:
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Build confidence and self-expression.
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Develop a lifelong skill they’ll always cherish.
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Be part of a supportive and inspiring community.
Limited Spaces Available – Reserve Your Spot Now!
Every fall, our lesson schedule fills quickly as students return to school and families reestablish their routines. With limited spots available, now is the best time to secure your place.
👉 Special Back-to-School Offer: Enroll now to take advantage of free registration! ($35 Value)
Don’t wait—your child’s musical journey starts here!
Pick-Up Notes – August Newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy
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Why Kids Quit Music Lessons (and What We Can Do About It)
Why Kids Quit Music Lessons (and What We Can Do About It)
By Jason Riley, Director – St. Joseph Arts Academy
We believe few things in life are more joyful than making music. So why do so many young students give up on it?
At the Academy, we see firsthand how powerful music can be in a young person’s life. But we also recognize a hard truth: many students abandon music altogether after just a few years—or even months—of lessons. And it’s not because they don’t like music. It’s often because they don’t like how it’s taught.
In fact, most kids love music… just not “music lessons.”
Play vs. Practice
Let’s face it: what do athletes do? They play sports. What do actors do? They play roles. What do musicians do? We play music. Play is joyful, natural, and self-motivated. But somewhere along the way, music lessons can lose that sense of play. They become another chore, another item on a busy to-do list.
If we want kids to stick with music—and more importantly, to love it—we need to make sure the play is front and center. Yes, skills matter. Structure matters. But if joy disappears from the process, motivation soon follows.
Why They Quit: Common Patterns We See
Over the years, we’ve seen several factors that can lead kids to step away from music—and they’re usually not what parents expect.
1. The Language We Use Matters
When we call it a “lesson,” it sounds like school. When we say “practice,” it sounds like homework. We don’t want to play word games, but we do want to rethink the message we’re sending. At SJAA, we’re starting to talk more about “playing time” instead of “practice time.” It’s a small shift, but it matters.
2. Over-scheduling and Burnout
Music becomes just one more scheduled activity in a packed week. With limited energy, many students disengage—not because they don’t enjoy music, but because they’re overwhelmed. When playing music feels like pressure instead of passion, the love fades.
3. Parental Pressure (even the well-meaning kind)
Parents want the best for their children—but sometimes the best intentions backfire. Encouragement can sound like judgment. Helping can feel like hovering. At SJAA, we encourage parents to support from the sidelines—ask questions, listen to their kids play, and celebrate progress (even when it’s small).
4. Perfection Culture
Auditions, recitals, and competitions can be exciting and motivating—but they can also introduce a heavy sense of comparison and fear. When perfection becomes the goal, students become afraid to make mistakes—and that’s when creativity dies.
5. Focusing Only on Achievement
We’ve all seen the articles: “Music makes you better at math,” “Piano boosts IQ.” While it’s true that music enhances many academic and life skills, those benefits are secondary. When we treat music like a résumé booster, we risk stripping it of its soul. The real benefit of music is music itself.
6. A Narrow View of What Music Is
We love the classical tradition. We teach it and celebrate it. But music is bigger than the works of long-dead geniuses. Our students also love pop, rock, jazz, movie soundtracks, video game themes, and writing their own songs. When students see music as a living, breathing artform—not just a history lesson—they stay engaged.
A Personal Note
A personal note from me: I didn’t stop playing or taking lessons after childhood—in fact, my journey with guitar began with some hesitation. My parents were a bit reluctant to invest in an instrument at first, worried I wouldn’t practice enough or that it might be a waste. And honestly, in those earliest years, I wasn’t the best practicer. It took me a while to really become obsessed with playing, and even longer to figure out how to practice effectively.
There was a stretch of a couple years without a teacher, but I found my way with encouragement from friends and even teachers outside of music. Over time, I experienced multiple exciting growth spurts, as well as periods where progress plateaued and felt stagnant. I burned out, then reignited my passion again and again—sometimes through new teachers, sometimes by exploring new styles, or chasing fresh opportunities.
This ebb and flow, the ups and downs, have been a big part of my musical life. And it’s exactly the kind of lifelong, evolving relationship with music that I want for every student here at the Academy. It really is a fun journey. Music is never done with you.
So What Can We Do?
We’ll talk more soon about how we’re actively shifting our approach at SJAA to reflect these ideas. We want to inspire teachers to nurture joyful musicianship, empower families to be supportive partners, and help students find their own voice through music.
Because when music is meaningful, it lasts a lifetime.
Stay tuned for part two—“How We Keep Music Fun (and Students Playing!)”
Pick-Up Notes – June Newsletter
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Pick-Up Notes – July Newsletter
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Why Early Childhood Music Matters — And How to Get Started at SJAA This Fall
🎵 Why Early Childhood Music Matters — And How to Get Started at SJAA This Fall
At the St. Joseph Arts Academy, we believe that music is one of the greatest gifts we can offer our children—especially in their earliest years. That’s why our Early Childhood Music Program is designed to support families and their littlest learners with joyful, developmentally appropriate classes that build brains, strengthen bonds, and spark a lifelong love of music.
Whether your child is just learning to walk or getting ready for kindergarten, there’s a class for every stage of early growth and musical discovery.
🎶 Why Music in the Early Years?
The first five years of life are critical for brain development, and music activates more areas of the brain than almost any other activity. Singing, moving, clapping, dancing, and playing simple instruments help young children develop:
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Language and listening skills
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Motor coordination and balance
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Memory and cognitive development
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Emotional expression and confidence
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Social interaction and routine
Music is more than just fun—it’s a whole-brain workout that gives kids a strong foundation for future learning, creativity, and success in school and life.
🎹 Meet Our New Director of Early Childhood Music
We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Jolie Riley as our new Director of Early Childhood Music at SJAA!
Mrs. Riley is a passionate, experienced music educator with over 30 years of teaching in both public and Catholic schools. A dedicated mother of two and lovingly known by her littlest students as “Smiley Riley,” she brings warmth, joy, and a deep understanding of early childhood learning to every class. Her nurturing style and enthusiasm for music make her classes a true highlight of the week for children and parents alike.
🍂 Fall 2025 Early Childhood Music Schedule
Our next session of early childhood music classes begins the week of September 6 (Saturdays) and September 8 (Mondays). Space is limited, so we encourage early registration to secure your preferred time.
Class Offerings:
👶 Baby Bebop: Music Beginnings (Ages 12–24 months)
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Saturdays at 9:00am or 1:00pm
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Mondays at 9:00am or 4:00pm
👧 Tune Tykes: Music Discovery (Ages 2–3 years)
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Saturdays at 10:00am or 2:00pm
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Mondays at 10:00am or 5:00pm
🧒 Melody Makers: Music Explorers (Ages 4–5 years)
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Saturdays at 11:00am or 3:00pm
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Mondays at 11:00am or 6:00pm
These classes are intentionally small and personalized, allowing every child and parent to fully engage and enjoy the experience. Families tell us it’s the best part of their week!
🎵 Join the Musical Journey
If you’re looking for something fun, educational, and truly enriching for your young child, we invite you to join the SJAA Early Childhood Music Program. Give your child the gift of music—and give yourself the joy of watching them thrive.
Ready to get started?
Call, text, or email us today to learn more and reserve your spot!
Pick-Up Notes – May Newsletter from St. Joseph Arts Academy
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Make Music Memories This Summer: Early Childhood Music Classes at St. Joseph Arts Academy
🎶 Make Music Memories This Summer: Early Childhood Music Classes at St. Joseph Arts Academy
Looking for fun and meaningful ways to bond with your child this summer? Whether you’re a new parent, a seasoned caregiver, or a grandparent looking to create special memories, early childhood music classes might be the perfect summer activity.
At St. Joseph Arts Academy, we’re thrilled to offer our community a joyful lineup of “Caregiver & Me” style music classes designed especially for children from 12 months to 5 years old. These sessions aren’t just adorable—they’re grounded in research, deeply enriching, and incredibly fun for both kids and adults.
🎵 Why Choose Early Childhood Music Classes?
Music education in early childhood isn’t just about singing songs (though we do plenty of that!). It’s about:
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🎶 Enhancing brain development
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🧠 Building early language and listening skills
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❤️ Deepening caregiver-child bonds
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🤸 Encouraging movement and coordination
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😄 Fostering social confidence and creativity
In short, music is one of the most powerful and playful tools we have to support growing minds and hearts. And best of all, it’s something you and your child can experience together.
🎹 Class Options for Summer 2025
We’ve designed age-specific programs to meet your child right where they are developmentally—while giving you quality time together you’ll treasure forever:
1. Music & Me! (Infants: 12–23 months)
Gentle songs, movement, and sensory exploration to connect and delight.
2. Music Play (Toddlers: 2–3 years)
Interactive music-making with rhythm instruments, movement games, and plenty of giggles.
3. Super Music (Pre-K: 4–5 years)
Preparing for more structured learning with musical storytelling, creative play, and pre-instrument activities.
📆 Summer 2025 Schedule
Dates: June 2 – July 9 (6-week session)
Morning or Evening Classes Available:
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Monday Mornings: 9am (Infants), 10am (Toddlers), 11am (Pre-K)
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Wednesday Mornings: Same schedule
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Monday Evenings: 5pm (Infants), 6pm (Toddlers), 7pm (Pre-K)
Tuition: Only $99 for the full 6-week session!
👪 Who Are These Classes For?
These classes are ideal for:
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Parents or caregivers looking for bonding activities
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Families seeking enrichment for young children
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Grandparents wanting to spend quality time with their grandkids
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Anyone searching for screen-free, developmental summer fun
✅ How to Register
Spots are limited and tend to fill up quickly. Reserve your space now with just a few quick details:
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Your child’s name and age
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Your contact name
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Best phone and email
📞 Call: 816-974-7656
📲 Text: 816-623-2002
📧 Email: jason@stjosephartsacademy.com
🌐 Request Info Online: www.stjosephartsacademy.com/request-info
❤️ Let’s Make Music Memories Together
At St. Joseph Arts Academy, we believe in the lifelong power of music to connect families, support growing minds, and spark joy. These early childhood years are precious—and we’re honored to help you make the most of them.
Don’t miss this chance to give your child a beautiful head start through music this summer. 🎶💛