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The Write Notes – October 2017

Posted on by jason riley

St. Joseph Arts Academy
The Write Notes – October 2017
Newsletter from the SJAA

Welcome to the “Write Notes”, the monthly newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy!

We are fully into the swing of the school year in October. Teachers are working hard for their students and we know our students are giving all they have to do their best efforts. Music lessons demand a real time commitment so we are very proud of the discipline these advancing musicians are showing in getting it all accomplished. They are doing homework, some have jobs, keeping up with the family and working towards recitals and performances.

Halloween Recital – A favorite recital of the year. Performers are encouraged to wear their costumes and play some special music inspired by spookier things! The recital is October 29 at MWSU. We anticipate needing two rooms do the size and popularity of this fun event.

The St. Joseph “Blues”Academy –

We played at the Coleman Hawkins Blues Festival last month! Students were on stage early to kick things off on Saturday afternoon with a variety of jazz, blues, folk and rock-n-roll. Many of the students did features as a duet with their teacher, we had one guitar trio and all out jams at the end of the set. Students also wrote their own introductions to the pieces they would be playing making it extra educational and informative for them and the audience.

This was a first for a school like ours and it was an amazing day. Thanks to all the players and their families for coming out to play and support this amazing festival.

We are back to school but it’s not too late to get in for lessons. Thanks for helping us spread the word. Lessons are first come, first serve. It’s never to early to sign up. Our lessons are month to month and year round.

-High Quality, FUN & Personalized Lessons
-Master Guitar Teacher – Jason Riley
-Month to Month Lessons
-Conveniently Located
-Beginners to Advanced, Open to all Ages
-Free, All-Inclusive Recitals
-Widest Range of Lesson Times
-Classical/Blues/Jazz/Rock/Country/Pop
-Awards to Celebrate Achievement

It’s Easy to Take the Next Step…
Jason@StJosephArtsAcademy.Com

SIGN UP NOW!

News –

New Teachers – The SJAA is expanding and our student growth this summer has been one for the record books. We are currently interviewing new teachers for several instruments and will have more slots available for learning. If you know a GREAT PERSON who is also a wonderful musician willing to share their craft, we’d love to talk to them about teaching for us!

Center for Entrepreneurship –

Last month we made our presentation about our business to “Cup of Joe” a local, weekly entrepreneurship meeting. We presented alongside Soca Jukebox with discussions on the music business in our community in education and live performance. The presentation included slide show explaining our story, who we are and what we do as well as some of the challenges we face. That was followed by a great Q&A and some discussion. It was really great to get the feedback of the folks in the local business community. The presentations are also presented and documented on Facebook Live at the Cup of Joe Facebook Page.

We are also working with students in the Marketing Department at MWSU as a main project for the semester. The students chose US as a fun model to base their own marketing skills and to apply what they are learning to a real business. Isn’t that cool?

Upcoming dates

10/7 – Hands-On St. Joe, Downtown, 10:30-noon, 1-2:30
10/19-22, 2017 – FARM 2017 Conference in Iowa City, Iowa
10/29 – Halloween themed student recital, MWSU, 2pm
11/12 – Student Recital, MWSU, 2pm
12-2 – Mall-a-thon, East Hills Mall, TBA
12-8 – “Annie” The Musical, MO theater
12-9 – “Annie” The Musical, MO theater

2018

1/20 – Monster Concert (Rehearsals Jan. 12th and the 19th)
2/11 – Student Recital, MWSU, 2pm – Guitar Clinic, 3pm
3/3  –  Pre-Contest Clinic
3/11 – Student Recital, MWSU, 2pm       
3/19 – Due date for evaluatives 
4/14 – Evaluatives
4/15 – Student Recital, MWSU, 2pm/3:30 Honors Recital at First Presbyterian

Welcome Our New Students

Robert L.
Ethan M.
Noah B.

Is your Teacher Sold Out?

Guitar Openings – Jason R.

Monday – SOLD OUT
Wednesday – SOLD OUT
Thursday – SOLD OUT
Friday – SOLD OUT

Brent I.
New Teacher Openings on Tuesdays!
Tuesdays OPEN 3-8pm

Visit the Website

Home

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Update Your Info!
Thanks for helping us stay up to date with your best and newest phone, email and mailing addresses.

Refer us to your family, friends and company.
One of the ways that this Academy is able to grow is by enrolling great students JUST LIKE YOU! Please consider referring your friends or family members to the studio.
We greatly appreciate your referral.

Referral Coupon
If you refer a friend, you get a free music lesson or gift card!

___________________________________________
REDEEM for a FREE MUSIC LESSON

“YOUR NAME HERE”

Thank you for referring your friends to the Academy!

St. Joseph Arts Academy
___________________________________________

Daytime Lessons Available –

Having trouble finding time for music lessons in the evening. We have lots of busy professionals, retirees and home school students who prefer to take lessons during the regular business day. “Lunch Hour” lesson times are available with openings almost everyday between 11am and 2pm.

Hour Lessons –

Many of our busy, adult professionals and most dedicated younger students opt for a one hour session. More time and one-on-one coaching with your teacher is a wonderful opportunity to help you reach your musical goals more quickly. If you have the time or interest in an hour session, talk to your teacher and we will work with you to help you get it scheduled.

Guitar in your Home! –

We’ve recently started our “in-home” music program for guitar. Many people prefer or need to take a lesson in their homes due to child care, business or even health restraints. We are here to serve the entire community of music learners. If you are interested in or need music lessons in your own home, drop us note. We’ll make arrangements to come to you!

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

How to Practice

Posted on by jason riley

How to Practice


One definition of practice is… “a repeated exercise or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it” As in it must have taken a lot of PRACTICE to be such a good guitar player.

Doctors and lawyers are said to have a practice when carrying out the exercises and duties of their profession. I don’t really want my doctor to be PRACTICING on me as he’s cutting me open. I want him to PERFORM the perfect operation.

Practice can also be customary, habitual or expected procedures for something. This could be like a meditation practice or yoga.

As musicians, we really embody each of these definitions of practice in slightly different mindsets. The exercise needed to perform a technically challenging passage or even to get our muscle-memory together enough to play a basic chord and then chord progression. Music is also our field of study as in medicine or law, it IS our practice. Hopefully it is also a thing that we’ve made a part of our day to day programming that happens habitually. We don’t necessarily call it practice but I hope you’re planning to eat, sleep and brush your teeth today.

So what are things we should do to become a person of practice and what does it mean to practice well? What does effective practice look like? When are we done practicing?

It actually took me many years to discover and refine my techniques for effective practicing. I’ve tried a number of approaches that I may touch on here. My way doesn’t have to be your way. You should definitely explore what best practices are for yourself.

At its most basic, practice time set aside to do your best. There can be many things that can distract us from the task at hand or take our mind away from our most challenging work.

Perhaps you’ve had the experience of sitting down to practice a new piece and after a few minutes you’re noodling away on favorite licks, riffs or another piece entirely (usually all things you already play pretty well). You might even become so mesmerized in this that you actually lose track of time, not realizing that you’ve been just “playing” with your instrument for 20 minutes. Weren’t you supposed to be “practicing”? It’s ok to make some time just to noodle, jam or play for fun. Set your timer though and get back to work after that time is spent.

To be truly successful in your practicing you need to have a purpose or goal and be on a time schedule. We all have the feeling that we want to become “a better guitarist” but that is not what I mean by purpose. The purpose of your practice should be topical (learn a new scale fingering, accompaniment style or arrangement) and should be scheduled for a certain amount of time.

My personal practice usually involves a few topics. These are places in my playing where I’m trying to “grow”. I use many of these same areas and methods with all my students no matter the age or level of achievement. Topics include things like technique, scale and chord vocabulary, sight reading, pieces/songs/tunes, ear-training and memorization. There are many more I have included over the years again depending on what my purpose was at the time or where I felt I had some weaknesses. Theory, performance practices, history, improvisation and just time to listen to music are all things I’ve put time into. I want to grow in all these areas in deeper ways.

So let’s make some time to practice. Put it in your schedule. Write it on the calendar. A little time everyday. The famous japanese music mentor Shinichi Suzuki said you should only practice the “days you sleep and the days you eat”! I think that’s great advice. We all will miss a day now and again and that’s understood. You may want to set your weekly practice schedule up to include a “skip day”. That’s an important “practice” in some religious circles. Also, it can be a nice reward especially for younger students who really work hard all week.

The amount of time each day is not as important to me as just the “every day”. If you practice with a purpose everyday you will get better. A lot has been said in the past few years that it takes a FOCUSED 10,000 hours to become a master at anything. Free-throws, heart surgery, flower arranging, etc. You’ll be come the “master” faster by practicing 3 hours everyday as opposed to 10 minutes obviously. Mastery is the fruit of purposeful practice. No need to worry about the fruit. It will come at the right time and in the right season. Your practice is in taking care of the tree. Prune it and water it with the time you have today and schedule it again tomorrow. Do that and you’re doing the best you can.

10 hours a day for 3 years = Your the master!
3 hours a day for 10 years = Your the master!
1 hours a day for 30 years = Your the master!

I will say that in my experience it takes at least 20 minutes of practice just to kind of stay at the place you left off yesterday. If you don’t use it (and use it again) you’ll lose it.

I use the timer in my practice (and a tuner, a metronome, books and music, a music stand, and a pencil but the timer is VERY important). It keeps you on task. If you are playing a game like basketball, that game is timed. You have a certain amount of time to play with a purpose of making points for your team, defending against the opposing team and doing your very best. Then there’s a buzzer that signals the end of play, maybe the 1/2, the 1/4 or the end of the game. The point here is that you did your very best, you kept your head in the game and now it’s over.

My music practice is very much like that. I start the time and work on an alotted task for a certain amount of time. This is usually very short, between 2-20 minutes per task. This has two benefits. One, I know that I have to do my best for a very short time. Not hammering away for hours, just minutes. Two, if I do get distracted or get off task and do some mindless noodling, it reminds me to come back to the project and work until the buzzer goes off. With my students, I even give them pretend “points” for perfect repetition of the material. One perfectly played scale = 10 points or 100 or whatever. They may have only 3 minutes to make as many points as possible. It’s a little mind game but it works really well, gets them to do their best and make as many perfect reps as the time allows.

Again, there are number of important topics that go into building musical proficiency. You might just pick a few each day to devote your time to. When that buzzer goes off or time is up, move on to the next topic and start the timer again. Depending on the amount of time you’ve set aside for practice, you could do more or less. Remember, less in more in many instances.

As an example, If we had an hour to practice, I would start with a slow warm-up for maybe 10 minutes. We could move on to scales for 10, Chords for 10, sight reading for 10 and maybe one piece we’re working on for 10 minutes. It wouldn’t have to be the entire piece, lots of times its just a few measures or specific trouble areas. Then you could take a little break. Lots of performing musicians take set breaks too!

If that was all the time you had for the day, you could be done and go on with your life. If you had additional time (perhaps another hour) I would start with that routine again and repeat it. If you have less time maybe on a very busy day, you could get a 10 minute practice in on just two or three really important ideas at 3-5 minutes each. Hey, we can all find 10 minutes even on a busy day, right? The important thing is that you’re FOCUSED, you’re doing it on purpose and you’re proving to yourself that you’re disciplined, dedicated and committed to your advancing musicianship.

If you’re making a lot of mistakes while practicing, you are probably going too fast or trying to practice too much. This is a common problem and it does take a lot of discipline to slow down and work on very small or short musical problems.

Truly effective practice is practice with a purpose. That purpose is different for everyone and adjusted to the topic you’re working on. You might have a goal to play a C major scale in 1/8th notes at 160bpm. You might want to learn a new jazz standard every week. You may need work on that one measure that always messes you up in that Bach prelude. Your purpose is to fix, add or increase in your abilities as they apply to your goals in music.

Here’s a few other ideas about what practice is and what it can do for you.

Practice is…

Motivational – The more you do it, the more you want to.

How we learn – Things seep in over time through repetition. We learn by doing.

Transformative – Makes things better through attention and intention.

Reducing Imperfection – Unlearning bad habits or replacing them with good habits.

The way to Carnegie Hall – “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice.”

Infectious – A little can lead to a lot.

Love – It demonstrates your affection for what you are practicing.

To Overcome – Limitations and small expectations.

Making Mastery – 10,000 hours (Give or Take).

Confidence building – When you’ve put in the time to know what you’re doing and you know it.

Non-judgmental? – Do it when you feel good or bad. When it’s time to fight, you have to do it no matter what mood you’re in.

Persistence – No matter what happens, slow down, re-focus and just keep plowing ahead.

What you become – Like the doctor or lawyer, you are what you practice most.

Life Enhancing – Just do it, you’ll be glad you did.

A Teacher – It encourages us on the path of discovery. It shows you what it is and what it might become.

Truth – It’s where you find out what’s real for you. Where you are on the path.

Application – Using what you know, at the right time, when you need it.

For Champions and Masters – They all did it. I promise.

Not Easy – It feels like work sometimes, ok it is actually work.

Acceptance – Forgive yourself for not being automatically perfect. You’re getting closer.

Purposeful – Practice with a purpose in mind. Practice because you’ve got to. it’s the only way.

Cultivating – The tree that your fruit comes from.

An Inner Game – The only competition is within. The only real competition is in the mirror.

Tomorrow’s Victory – “Tomorrow’s victory is today’s practice – Chris Bradford, The Way of the Warrior.

Development – The garden grows best when it’s weeded and tended to. True in all things like love, forgiveness, patience and giving.

Preparation – To being and doing what you want to be and do.

Practice is… THE WAY.

Practice Makes Perfect?
Practice Makes Permanent
Practice Makes Possible
Practice Makes Possibilities
Practice Makes Patience
Practice Makes Partnerships
Practice Makes Playing Possible
Practice Makes Pathways
Practice Makes Progress
Practice Makes Proficient
Practice Makes Professional
Practice Makes Proof
Practice Makes Practical
Practice Makes Precedence
Practice Makes Prepared
Practice Makes Purpose
Practice Makes Perception
Practice Makes Performers

Summary – Whatever you can imagine or aspire to do, you can do that in music (or anything almost) through focused practice over time. I aspired to play music. I’ve never really felt that I had any great or natural talent to do so. Everything that I’ve accomplished in music and on my instrument has just been through hard work, smart work, time and persistence. In short, practice.

While I may never be a ballet dancer or professional football player because of my physical build (not that I’m inspired to become one). Through practice and study, I could learn the techniques, I could get better, I would grow.

It’s truly amazing what human beings can accomplish given enough time.

Special Offer – If you found this article helpful, please consider subscribing, drop us a note or consider joining us on the path to mastery. The St. Joseph Arts Academy is a resource for all things musical. We are here to support and encourage you along your musical path.  Now…

GO PRACTICE!

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

St. Joseph Arts Academy at Cup of Joe

Posted on by jason riley

It was wonderful to be able to talk about the business side of teaching music, where we came from and where we are going with the local entrepreneurship group, Cup of Joe. Grateful to the good people there who took time to ask questions and give important feedback towards the growth of our academy and music education in our community.


Family, Friends & Music!

Posted on by jason riley

One of the great joys of my life is playing music. I consider it a great blessing in the ways that I am allowed to make fun music with fun people. My fellow musicians and band mates are seldom just co-workers. These folks are my friends. We have played 100’s (in some cases 1000’s) of shows together all over the country. We travel, share meals, share laughs and memories AND we share music together.

This month, I’ve been so lucky to play with so many of these great friends and wonderful musicians.

Earlier this month, I was even reunited for a couple of nights of music making with my very best friends from my earliest days of playing. Eddie, Chris, Mike and I had a band before we even had instruments! We learned and practiced together from the very beginning. We grew together, encouraged and befuddled one another. We made memories playing music (lots of it bad but we had to start from the beginning).

I like to joke that we used to get kicked out of rehearsal spaces A LOT. We were noisy, loud, brash, messy and sometimes, ornery. Our families kicked us out and accepted us back. Several places invited us in and then moved us along. I’m so grateful to all the people who gave us space (for a little or a long while) to get this music thing together and work it out.

To meet these guys years later and still be able to play music together is what it is all about. Some of us became professional musicians, some write songs, some just play for fun. These days, we all have families and do all kinds of work. We are cops, preachers, teachers, care-takers, gardeners AND players.

In our lives, music has truly been the tie that binds. No matter how long we are apart or whatever might happen, we always pick up where we left off. Great friends who can pick up there instruments and make more music together.

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

Student of the Month - Ashlyn F.

Student of the Month – Ashlyn F.

Posted on by jason riley

Big, BIG congratulations to our May “Student of the Month”, Ashlyn F.


Ashlyn earned a spot on the SJAMTA’s Honor Recital last month receiving “1s” all around for her evaluative adjudication. Besides being a fine young guitarist, Ashlyn plays piano, she sings and has been in many stage musicals as an actress!


As “Student of the Month”, Ashlyn will receive an iTunes gift card from the SJAA!

Congratulations on all your hard work, Ashlyn. We are super proud to have you as a guitar student at SJAA.

Big thanks to Ashlyn for bringing her whole family to the Honor’s Recital.

Way to Go!

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

The Write Notes - May 2017

The Write Notes – May 2017

Posted on by jason riley

St. Joseph Arts Academy
The Write Notes – May 2017
Newsletter from the SJAA


Welcome to the “Write Notes”, the monthly newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy! Our students a finishing semester end recitals, exams and projects. As everyone gets a little break from school this summer, it’s a great time to rededicate, set new goals and buckle over the next few months. No school work to tie you down! Just more time to play and share your instrument. Let’s make it a great summer together.

Happy Mother’s Day – Where would we be with out our Mom’s? Mom’s do the “lioness” share of the heavy lifting around the SJAA. They transport students, pay, encourage and cajole our advancing musicians to be the best they can be. Thank you to our Moms. Hope it’s a great Mother’s Day for you and your family.

News

Evaluative Auditions – Academy students took part in the Evaluative Auditions sponsored by the St. Joseph Area Music Teacher Association last month. Guitar students performed two pieces in different styles, played scales and took sight-reading and music theory exams.

These auditions are great way for students to test their skills and get valuable feedback from an impartial clinician on their hard work. The SJAA had for guitar students participating in our very first year of evaluative.

Francesca L.
Nathan R.
Ashlyn F.
Alex P.

We are so proud of their work and their playing. It takes more than a little musical courage to put yourself through the paces like these. They all did great earning “1” ratings, a special certificate along with their jury feedback and test results. The students all played on recitals the next day too.

Nathan and Ashlyn were both invited to perform on the SJAMTA Honor recital with their renditions of “Wipeout” and “Amazing Grace” and won a special honors ribbon.

Upcoming recitals – The summer concert and festival season is upon us with your instructors doing a lot of family-friendly performances around the area. So watch for those and make plans to get out and hear some music this summer.

The SJAA is very excited about the invitation to present our students at two our regions largest and most popular summer festivals.

Aug. 19 – Trails West, Civic Center Park in St. Joseph, 10:15AM
Sept. 9 – Coleman Hawkins Blues Festival, Coleman Hawkins Park, 2pm

Regular monthly recitals resume in the fall with holiday performances at the mall and the monster concert early next year. Dates are coming soon!

Trails West is the 3rd weekend in August annually in the civic center park behind city hall and features national and regional musical acts on 3 stages as well as many fine artists and craftsmen. It’s St. Joseph largest and longest running arts and music festival. August 19, 10:15AM.

The Coleman Hawkins Blues Festival is the sister festival of the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival. Jazz in June and Blues in September all at Coleman Hawkins Park (and gazebo) in downtown St. Joseph. We’ll be performing for the very first time as the “St. Joseph ‘Blues’ Academy Saturday, September 9 at 2pm. It will be a great day for family, friends and fun music in honor of one of St. Joseph’s most famous, musical native son.

College guitarists finish strong. College guitarists just completed finals (juries) and year end recitals. Jury finals are graded by a panel of music faculty and include performing 2 or more pieces in different styles, scale, chord and sight-reading exams. Students also write a one page research paper on a guitar related subject.

All students performed pieces in recital for their peers based on the hard work they have done all semester. These adjudications and performances are mandatory at the college level and bring out the very best work in each individual musician. They set the bar high which keeps their achievements very high as well.

Center for Entrepreneurship – We’ve been invited to present our business to the local small business network in St. Joseph. “Cup of Joe” is a weekly meeting of the best entrepreneurial minds in our community. There are two presenter every week that discuss their businesses and follow up with a Q&A session to the benefit of the entire group. SJAA will present our business in the fall!

Life Again! – The CD’s are back and Shawn Minter’s Debut Solo Album “Life Again” will be available on iTunes beginning May 21. SJAA Director helped produce the record, made the musical arrangements and played all the guitars on the album. For more info on Shawn and his music visit http://www.shawnminter.com

Upcoming dates
5/2 – “Rock the Docs”, Private
5/5 – Apple Blossom BBQ w/Soca Jukebox, 8pm
5/11 – Party on the Parkway w/Soca Jukebox (Rain Date May 11), 5pm
5/20 – Voices of Freedom w/Maria the Mexican, Topeka KS, 330pm
5/21 – “Life Again” Release Party w/ Shawn Minter, Rock Port MO 6pm
6/1 – Lathrop Friends Festival w/Soca Jukebox, Lathrop MO, 8pm
6/17 – “Home Runs for Rose” w/ Soca Jukebox, Cameron MO, 6pm
7/7 – Sounds of Summer w/Soca Jukebox, Coleman Hawkins Park, 630pm
7/14 – Sounds of Summer w/Under the Influence, Coleman Hawkins Park, 630pm
7/15 – Amelia Earhart Festival w/Under the Influence, Atchison KS, 7pm
7/16 – Imagine Eleven w/Maria the Mexican, Coleman Hawkins Park, 6pm
8/5 – “Jeep n’ Jammin’ 4 Brett” w/Soca Jukebox, Coleman Hawkins Park, TBA
8/13 – Imagine Eleven w/Soca Jukebox & Shawn Minter, Coleman Hawkins Park, 6pm
8/19 – Trails West w/St. Joseph Arts Academy, 10:15am
8/19 – Centerline Volleyball w/Soca Jukebox, Blue Springs MO, 7pm
8/20 – Solo @ Jowler Creek Winery, Platte City MO, 1pm
8/20 – Trails West w/Under the Influence, 630pm
8/21 – Great American Eclipse, 1pm
9/2 – Wathena Fall Festival w/Under the Influence, Wathena KS, 8pm
9/9 – Coleman Hawkins Blues Fest w/St. Joseph Arts Academy, Coleman Hawkins Park, 2pm
9/16 – State Theater w/Soca Jukebox, Mound City MO, 7pm
9/30 – Street Dance w/Under The Influence, Savannah MO, 8pm

Welcome Our New students

Susan B.
Matthew K.
Skylar H.

Is your Teacher Sold Out?

Guitar Openings – Jason R.

Monday – 4pm and 530
Tuesday – Lunch Hour Lessons available
Wednesday SOLD OUT
Thursday – Lunch Hour Lessons available
Friday – SOLD OUT

Visit the Website
https://stjosephartsacademy.com

Like us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/stjosephartsacademy/

Update Your Info!
Thanks for helping us stay up to date with your best and newest phone, email and mailing addresses.

Refer us to your family, friends and company.
One of the ways that this Academy is able to grow is by enrolling great students JUST LIKE YOU! Please consider referring your friends or family members to the studio.
We greatly appreciate your referral.

Student of the Month –

Ashlyn F. – Ashlyn earned a spot on the SJAMTA’s Honor Recital last month receiving “1s” all around for her evaluative adjudication. Besides being a fine young guitarist, Ashlyn plays piano, she sings and has been in many stage musicals as an actress!

As “Student of the Month”, Ashlyn will receive an iTunes gift card from the SJAA!

Congratulations on all your hard work, Ashlyn. We are super proud to have you as a guitar student at SJAA.

Big thanks to Ashlyn and her family for recommending their friends to the St. Joseph Arts Academy.

Congratulations to our Graduates! – SJAA students are finishing their school year and for some completing bigger milestones like moving on from elementary or graduating middle school, high school and college. Congratulations to all the students and their families. We are excited about your bright future in music.

Daytime Lessons Available
Having trouble finding time for music lessons in the evening. We have lots of busy professionals, retirees and home school students who prefer to take lessons during the regular business day. “Lunch Hour” lesson times are available with openings almost everyday between 11am and 2pm.

Summer lessons –

Are your kids going to be driving you crazy this summer? Parents want their children in productive and growth oriented activities during those off months.

Summer is an excellent time to start a new instrument, rededicate yourself to a serious practice schedule and set short term musical goals. Students actually have more time to practice during the summer without competing with their regular school work. Summer also adds for flexible scheduling.

The “lazy days” of summer just don’t exist around here. The SJAA is a year round school. Let us help you make the most of your summertime.

https://stjosephartsacademy.com/hot-fun-in-the-summertime-summer-guitar-lessons/

Guitar in your Home! –
We’ve recently started our “in-home” music program for guitar. Many people prefer or need to take a lesson in their homes due to child care, business or even health restraints. We are here to serve the entire community of music learners. If you are interested in or need music lessons in your own home, drop us note. We’ll make arrangements to come to you!

Thank you for reading “The Write Notes” and staying up to date on all the adventures at the St. Joseph Arts Academy! Hope it’s a great month for all.

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

Guitar Students in Recital - Benedictine College

Guitar Students in Recital – Benedictine College

Posted on by jason riley

Benedictine College Guitar Students finished up the Spring 2017 Semester with a noon time recital performance, Friday Apr. 28.

Students study and practice hard all semester long to perfect one solo guitar piece to perform for their peers as part of their final assignment.

They also study scales, chord progressions, sight-reading and music theory as well as complete a short research project on any guitar related subject.

This year’s class was a very strong group of players performing pieces by Spanish masters, contemporary hits and works for Lute.

Grandparents Give the Gift of Music

Posted on by jason riley

We’ve been getting more and more calls from Grandparents who want to get the little ones in their life started in music lessons.

Grandmas, Grandpas, Granny’s, Papa’s, Nonnie’s and Pop’s seem to really understand the value of music and want to impart that gift to their grandchildren.

They inquire on behalf of parents, sign kiddos up and even get some special time with them every week as they take them to and from guitar, piano and voice lessons.  It’s a great bonding time for all.

I am personally grateful for all that my own grandparents have given me.  The inspired and encouraged me in my musical journey.  I truly would not be who I am today without their tremendous influence.

Our studio sees many grandparents every week in lessons AND they come to all the recitals and performances.  All of this adds up to cherished memories for 3 generations of music lovers.

If you are considering giving the gift of music to your child or grandchild, don’t hesitate to contact us here or to give us a call at  816-974-7656.

We have patient and fun teachers who work well with all ages!

Thank you for giving the gift of music to your loved ones.

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com

Student Letters (Making your teacher feel special)

Posted on by jason riley

I am humbled in nearly every lesson. I have learned more from my students than I could ever return and I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn WITH them, coach music students and mentor musicians of all ages.

This letter (written for a school project) just made my whole life. I’d like to say I was hovering over this student’s shoulder and telling them what to write… but this was the actual, factual experience of a young guitarist in my care. The names a have been omitted to preserve the integrity of the innocent.

Big thanks to mom and dad for sharing this with me. It really did mean the world to me.

“Every Friday, I go to practice and learn a lesson from him.

He is more inspirational “then” you would think.

Jason Riley is my guitar “instructor”. He inspires me to be a hard worker.

He teches me very good guitar lessons 1 day a week. It’s more fun when you have a great teacher. He asks how my went and makes learning fun.

When I say something is impossible, like a song or chord, he plays it perfectly and say’s if I work hard I can do anything.

Jason Riley has made a real impact on my life. This is why I told you about Jason Riley.”

This kid is a hard worker too! He comes from an amazing family who support his music. His lesson is a joy every week and it’s been a real honor to work with him.

He’s preparing for the evaluative audition in another week (wipeout and ode to joy!, scales, reading and a theory test).

Thank you, my man! Sincere thanks to his mom and dad for letting me work with him! It’s a joy to spend time playing music with these amazing young people (and advancing musicians of all ages).

http://www.jasonriley.com
https://stjosephartsacademy.com
http://www.socajukebox.com