Jam this Summer at Sunburst!
April 7, 2022
Yes, it still feels like winter and we’ve blown through the 6 more weeks Phil promised us. The warmer months are almost here! From summer camps to family vacations, now is the time to plan for summer. We thought we’d include a little something here about what that can mean for your music practice.
With music, like so many things in life, consistency is key. So while there are a great many moving parts for families during the summer months, we’d like to start by encouraging everyone to keep up with their practice! Here’s a little bit about how our programs work over the summer:
Private Lessons
- Take advantage of our flexible make up policy. You can cancel any lessons with more than 24-hour notice and have up to 30 days to schedule a make up lesson. These can even be done ahead of time, ie: cancel a lesson in July and do the make up in June, and get a little extra recital practice.
- Do an “intensive”. Do you have a month where you’ll be out of town for 3 out of 4 weeks? Move all of your lessons to the one week you’re here! You can stack four 30-minute lessons into two one-hour lessons. Or, try 30 minutes each on four different instruments, including songwriting or music production. This can be a great way to dig in before some time off!
- Take your lessons on the road. Can’t make it in person? Switch any number of your lessons to Zoom. It can also be a great time to learn some music theory (Here are some tips on fitting your guitar into the overhead compartment).
- Attend #SummerJamz. Over the course of the summer, we’re offering a number of pickup band sessions we call #SummerJamz. Any private lesson and/or group program students can attend these for free as make ups. These are a great way to meet other musicians and get the opportunity to jam in the context of a band! (full details coming in May)
- “Sublet” your lesson time. Certain 5 pm Tuesday times are more coveted than Steelers season tickets. Maybe you have a friend/sibling/parent etc. who would be interested in trying out a few weeks of lessons while you’re not around.
- Request a Video Lesson. This is a new option that we’re trying out. If you can’t make it in person or over Zoom, your instructor can use the time to put together a video lesson and practice materials so you don’t skip a beat. Full details coming soon.
- Donate your lesson to the scholarship fund. This is another new option this year. If you’ve got a lesson you can’t make, or make up, we can turn it into a donation to the Sunburst Music Scholarship Fund at your request. This is a great way to hold your spot and also help other kids learn music who may not otherwise have the opportunity!
Group Programs
For our Group Programs, things work more or less how they do the rest of the year. Bands that have worked hard on material throughout the spring and stick together through the summer will have a ton of great outdoor performance opportunities! It can also be a good time to work on things like songwriting and recording, which still work well even if a band member is missing from time to time.
If you’re unable to make it to any of your sessions over the course of the summer, you can attend a #SummerJamz session as a make up! #SummerJamz are pick-up band sessions where we learn songs and have fun jamming as a group (see above).
Summer Camps
Of course, the other great things happening over the summer at Sunburst are our camps! This year we’ve got seven awesome camps to choose from. Check out the full lineup and sign up here.
Performances
The summer is a great time for performances, starting with our recitals in the first weeks of June. Each year Sunburst books slots for bands and individual students at a ton of outdoor events around the city. We’ll also be hosting an Open Mic Night for everyone working hard on their material all summer. It’s the best time of year to go out and hear music, and best of all to perform and be a part of it.
If you’d like to discuss your plans for summer, get in touch with our admin team as soon as you can. We know it can be a crazy time so we really try to do our best to make it work for everyone. It’s also a busy time for new students signing up so we encourage everyone to schedule make ups, #SummerJamz, etc. sooner rather than later. Let’s make this a summer to remember!
January 2025 - Issue #89
December 2024 - Issue #88
The holidays are fast approaching and you’re trying to find the best gift for all of the amazing musicians in your family. There’s a lot of noise out there, but we at Sunburst are HEAR to help!
Get ready for an action-packed November at Sunburst! From Winter Recital signups and group program enrollments to free jam sessions and a heartwarming food drive, there’s something for everyone this month. Dive into our latest newsletter for all the details on events, new instructors, and ways to give back!
Join us in donating to the JFCS Food Pantry! Check out our guide on what items they need most and find a link to make a financial contribution directly on their website.
Sign-ups are now open for our Winter Recitals! Each teacher will be hosting one or two 45-minute sessions during the first two weeks of December. Students can sign up through the link below, or feel free to reach out to us here , and we’ll be happy to assist with the registration process. Here are a few key reminders about the recitals: Participation is free, but we do welcome donations to our Scholarship Fund . You can contribute when you check out, or we’ll also be accepting cash donations at the door. Thank you for your support! Each recital session lasts about 50 minutes, featuring 12–15 students. We anticipate an audience of 40–60 people. Friends and family are encouraged to attend! If you plan on bringing more than four guests, please let us know in advance so we can arrange seating accordingly. If you’re unable to attend your teacher’s assigned session but still want to perform, let us know! We’ll do our best to accommodate you in another session. Adults are welcome to participate in their teacher’s session or in a special BYOB adults-only session on December 13th! Not all teachers will attend the adult session, so be sure to discuss this with your instructor ahead of time. Regularly scheduled lessons and programs may overlap with some recital times, so we kindly ask everyone to be mindful of this when entering and leaving the building. We're here for any recital-related questions (or anything else!), so don’t hesitate to reach out. We can’t wait to see everyone perform this winter!
We’re gearing up for our Winter Recitals, offering fun fall group classes, and celebrating Spooky Season with our annual Halloween Party! 🎃 We’ve also got the Sunburst Cabaret, Piano Club, and a Free Improv Workshop lined up. Plus, check out our special tribute for Hispanic & Latine Heritage Month, and join us in wishing our talented instructor Mila Shadel the best as she embarks on her next adventure. ❤️
Happy Hispanic and Latine Heritage month everyone! This article is extra special as it includes personal messages from some of our instructors about how their cultural background and heritage have influenced how and why they play music. We're super grateful for their contributions and hope you enjoy hearing their stories as much as we did!
IN THIS ISSUE: Fall Group Programs Enrollment August Camp Recap Sunburst Cabaret Perform at Open Mic Interview with Bank Limtham Meet our New Instructors Tuition Update Reminder IMPORTANT DATES: Sunburst Plays - 9/14 Sunburst Jams - 9/27 Night Market - 9/28 Open Mic - 10/4 Sunburst Cabaret - 10/19 Fall Group Programs Enrollment Deadline - 10/31 Enroll in our Fall Group Programs! We’re still enrolling new students in our Music Together classes and Sunburst Band Program this fall! Between these two programs, we offer something for students of all ages, from infants to adults. While our Music Together program is geared toward children ages 0–8 and focuses on building foundational music skills through play, the Sunburst Band Program provides the experience of playing in a band and performing live on stage throughout the year! Here are the programs we’re excited to offer this fall. Music Together - Ages 0–8 Mixed–Age Class - 0–5 Rhythm Kids Level I - 4–5 Rhythm Kids Level II - 5–8 The Sunburst Band Program Ages 8–10 Ages 10–17 Adults 18+ We’re sadly not offering bands for the 8–10 age group this fall, but do get in touch if you’re interested and we’ll add you to the waitlist. Sign up here! August Camp Recap The end of summer is always bittersweet, but as we look forward to the new and exciting things ahead this fall, we want to give a big shoutout to all of our campers, parents, and teachers who made this summer great. The creativity, kindness, and teamwork the campers brought to the table each day were energizing and inspiring. Thank you all for making our 2024 summer camp season such a success! We wrapped up the season with our annual Night at the Rock Opera camp, which has developed a bit of a cult following over the years. Check out the highlights on the Sunburst Blog! Read more on the blog Sunburst Cabaret We're thrilled to announce the second edition of the Sunburst Cabaret, Sunburst on the Big Screen: The Best of Film Music, happening on Saturday, October 19th, at 7:30 pm. Join us for an evening of music from films that broke the box office, like James Bond, Harry Potter, Barbie, and more! DETAILS Date: Saturday, October 19th Doors: 7:00 | Music: 7:30 Location: Sunburst School of Music Please keep in mind that while admission is free, we will be requiring everyone to register for the event in order to prepare adequate seating in the lobby! Register here Perform at the next Sunburst Open Mic Sign up to perform at the next Sunburst Open Mic on October 4th! Our Open Mics are a laid-back, welcoming space to practice playing in front of an audience, and they can even be used to get extra practice before the Winter Recitals. Sign up using the link below. We hope to see you there! Sessions 6pm - All Ages 7pm - Adults 21+ (BYOB) Sign up here Interview with Instructor Bank Limtham Thanakarn (Bank) Limtham, one of Sunburst's talented piano instructors, has recently released a new jazz single, "Ask Me Now," now streaming on all platforms. We asked Bank a few questions about the tracks! Can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind these tracks? The songs in this single were introduced to me by listening to Thelonious Monk and Bill Evans, two of the pianists that I’ve always admired. I have listened to their versions of these songs since I was in high school, and I felt inspired to create my own take on these tunes. How does your experience as a piano teacher influence your approach to creating music? Teaching is like a mirror; it is reflecting back onto you. In this creative process, I have had to apply the things that I always tell my students to do. Patience is the key to success and I have to make sure that I stay true to my own ideas while maintaining the flexibility to work through any obstacles in the creative journey. What challenges did you face while producing your music, and how did you overcome them? I recorded in my home without access to a lot of tools for recording and production. I was very fortunate to have the help of one of my fellow Sunburst instructors, Andrew J. Nauss, who mixed the songs for me. When I sat down to record, I had decided that I shouldn’t let my desire for a perfect end product keep me from trying my best with the resources I have right now. What advice would you give to students who are interested in composing and releasing their own music? Don’t let anything or anyone become an obstacle to making music. Listen to yourself and believe in what you do. Can you share any upcoming projects or future plans for your music career? I am forming a jazz group with several artists and friends at Sunburst School of Music, with the goal of performing together around the city. I will continue my collaborations with other artists while working toward releasing an EP or album of my own compositions soon. What do you hope your students and others take away from listening to your music? I hope that everyone, especially my students, understands that music is so powerful, and it is a tool that you can use to communicate messages to the listeners right away. Use it wisely and love every note you play. Every little fragment of your ideas matters, and it does not matter how long it does take you to finish it, just keep doing it. Stream here Meet our New Instructors Giulia Galante - Voice Instructor We are excited to introduce Giulia Galante, a talented singer and educator, to the Sunburst School of Music team! At just 23, Giulia brings a wealth of experience, having recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in Voice Performance from Duquesne University, where she specialized in classical vocal technique and explored styles like samba, bossa nova, pop, and jazz. Giulia's talents have earned her several accolades, including the Encouragement Award and Undergraduate Winner Award from the Marguerite Dougherty Competition. She has performed as a first soprano and soloist with the Voices of Spirit choir and has extensive teaching experience, including roles at The Woodlands Foundation Summer Camp and the Latin Community Center in Pittsburgh. Sean Balick - Guitar and Music Production Instructor We are excited to also welcome Sean to the Sunburst School of Music community! With over 16 years of experience in music, Sean brings a wealth of knowledge and skill as an instructor in guitar, bass, ukulele, and music production. He is well-versed in almost all genres and styles, ensuring that every student can explore the type of music they love. In Sean's lessons, the focus is on creating a fun and safe learning environment where students are encouraged to follow their interests and develop a genuine passion for music. He values creativity and often integrates songwriting and musical creativity into his teaching, helping students express themselves and find their unique musical voice. Please join us in welcoming Giulia and Sean to the Sunburst community as they look forward to joining you on your musical journey! Tuition Update Reminder We are adjusting tuition rates for new students starting in August. Current students will be grandfathered into their current rates until October 1st. Check out sunburstmusic.com/rates for full details. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Thank you for being part of our Sunburst community and for your continued support! Thanks for Reading Let us know if you have any questions, comments, etc. Thanks as always for being a part of the Sunburst Community! Best Wishes, –Sunburst Team
The end of summer is always bittersweet, but as we look forward to the new and exciting things ahead this fall, we want to give a big shoutout to all of our campers, parents, and teachers who made this summer great. The creativity, kindness, and teamwork the campers brought to the table each day were energizing and inspiring. We couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you all for making our 2024 summer camp season such a success. We wrapped up the season with our annual Night at the Rock Opera camp, which has developed a bit of a cult following over the years. Enjoy the highlights below!
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