Sunburst Blog

Group Program Recording Days

After their amazing performance at Mr Smalls Funhouse in December, our growing musicians in the Sunburst Rocks, Suntones and House Band programs took to the studio to learn about the recording arts and to lay down some tracks.

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Greetings from the Ableton Loop Festival

Anne–our awesome DJ and music production instructor–traveled to Berlin this fall to take part in the Ableton Loop Festival and here’s her report! If you’re interested in this kind of stuff, ask us about DJ and Music Production lessons.

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Sunburst Rocks Countdown to Summer!

The snow is falling, the presents are under the tree, and the menorah is lit. But we have our eyes fixed on warmer weather! That’s why we’re excited to announce our next Sunburst Rocks Season: “Countdown to Summer” (a tribute to the Bonnaroo Music Festival). 

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WYEP Names The Buckle Down’s Hard Truths #1 Local Album of 2017

In their annual countdown of their favorite local releases, 91.3 WYEP put Hard Truths at the top of the list. The Buckle Downs feature Sunburst instructors Kiki Brown (voice), Ernie Francestine (guitar and frequent Sunburst News contributor (Ernie from Ernie’s Pick of the Month)) and Jonathan Gulden (Drums).

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November Instructor Concert Calendar

Where are your favorite Sunburst instructors playing this month? Here's where you find out... 

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Introducing the Sunburst Music Scholarship Fund

We’re thrilled to announce that we’re partnering with New Sun Rising to form the Sunburst Music Scholarship Fund, a new scholarship aimed at providing free or low cost music lessons to kids from lower income families. Learning music can have a profound impact on the minds and lives of young people, and it’s our goal to make sure that our lessons and group programs are accessible to everyone.

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Getting Ready for the Recitals

I can’t believe we’re already heading into another holiday season and that can only mean one thing…there’s a student recital around the corner!! I absolutely love helping my students get ready for recitals because it’s such an important learning tool in addition to being a fun, enriching experience. Performing is a wonderful way for students to express themselves and show what they have learned. It also establishes clear goals for them to work towards which can spark a great deal of progress in the prior weeks. That’s why preparation is key!

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Ernies (throwback) pick of the month

The Meters - Struttin’

This is The Meters 3rd record produced by all-time great New Orleans pianist / songwriter / arranger / producer Allen Toussaint. Not only does this record deliver extremely deep, satisfying groove, but the “songs” are there are as well. Check out “Witchita Lineman” for a great soul ballad, something you didn't hear on previous Meters records. The Meters also happen to be one of the few bands that use the guitar to enhance the funk of the rest of the group - check out “Meters Strut” to see what I mean. If you are looking for an entrance into funk / soul music, there is no better record than this. 

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Instructor Spotlight -- Anne Angyal

How did you get started playing your instrument (or doing music production)?

I started piano lessons at the age of 4 and started music production when a friend gave me a copy of Reason about 6 years ago. I started making beats and loops and then some friends wanted me to record them singing to it.

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Student Songwriters - Kids Writing and Performing Their Own Material

Have you ever wanted to write your own songs? Check out these awesome kids who are doing it!

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