Free Fridays

Our Free Fridays are back in action and there's a new session on the menu! Sign up for the Music Production Meet Up, Piano Club, and Sunburst Jams this month to get some extra time in!

Sunburst Producers Meet-Up | Ages 14+

This group meets on the 2nd Friday of every month from 7–9pm and is hosted by Sunburst music production instructor, Charlie Scott. Open to producers of all genres and experience levels, this event provides a space for both new and established music producers to meet, share works-in-progress, and receive feedback from peers. Participants are encouraged to bring music to share!

Piano Club with Jaime Cohen | Ages 8+

This group meets on the 3rd Friday of every month from 6:30–7:30, and it's a great opportunity for our piano students to dive deeper into music theory, enjoy interactive and educational games like Music Jeopardy, and gain performance experience!

Sunburst Jams | Kid and Adult Sessions

Join us for our monthly jam session on the 4th Friday of every month. The kids' session for ages 8 and up meets from 5:30–7:00 PM, followed by the adult session from 7:00–9:00 PM. Both sessions are very beginner-friendly, and the goal is to simply play music together, have fun, and maybe make some new friends along the way!

Jazz Show Trio Interview

Save the date! Dr. Bank's jazz trio will be putting on a wonderful evening of music on Saturday, March 29th, at Sunburst. The trio, featuring Dr. Bank, Charlie Scott, and Stephen Weinstein, will perform a selection of Dr. Bank's original compositions written specifically for the group. We hope to see you there!

Location: Sunburst School of Music

Date: Saturday, March 29th

Time: 7pm

Cost: $20

Interview with Dr. Bank Limtham

What inspired the original compositions you’ll be performing with the trio?
Moving to Pittsburgh and getting to know the city over the past few years has been quite an inspiring journey for me. I have really been touched by the city's lively community and rich history of jazz. My compositions are a way for me to share my personal story, shaped by all the experiences and inspirations I've found here.

How did you approach arranging your music specifically for this trio format?
I have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful colleagues here at Sunburst. Stephen Weinstein and Charlie Scott, who both share a passion for playing jazz, have been incredible teammates on this project. Throughout our rehearsals and jam sessions, I shared my ideas with them, and they not only listened but also helped me to develop and bring those ideas to life. Their support and collaboration mean a lot to me, and I am grateful for their dedication and talent.

What do you hope the audience takes away from your performance?
I hope that I can encourage people to listen to new perspectives, both in music and in life. The work that I create now only exists because of the many years that I have spent listening to and learning from so many artists from all over the world who have come before me. I also aim to set an example and encourage music students to explore and learn various musical styles as extensively as possible.

Can you share a bit about your journey as a musician and composer?
I am a classically trained pianist, but my approach to music-making is influenced by many different styles. Jazz music has always had a special place in my life as an artist and has allowed me to express myself very directly and freely. I wrote this music as someone who has been a long-time lover and performer of Jazz, and I’m excited to show another side of myself by playing my original work.

What is your favorite part about performing these original compositions?
Creating and sharing music you love is always rewarding. The process of working with Stephen and Charlie to transform my raw ideas into more polished pieces has been really fulfilling. Making music with and for other people is a vulnerable experience, and I hope that the audience can feel the sincerity in my creative expression.

Welcome Back Riley!

We’re thrilled to announce that Riley Deringor, a former Sunburst student, is returning—this time as an instructor! Riley will be teaching voice, guitar, and music production, sharing his expertise and passion for music with our community.

Riley began his musical journey right here at Sunburst before continuing his studies in voice and music production at Sarah Lawrence College. Since then, he’s worked in recording studios across NYC, coached artists in voice and songwriting, and performed with bands nationwide.

Riley believes that “singing is all about having the confidence to let the whole world know exactly who you are,” and he’s excited to help students discover their own unique voices. Whether you’re looking to sing, play guitar, or dive into music production, Riley’s here to guide you every step of the way!

Join us in giving Riley a warm Sunburst welcome!

House Band Transition

The Sunburst House Band is our super-group program designed to push our most dedicated young performers to new heights. This year, we’re updating the format to make it easier to participate and more compatible with the rest of our band program.

Program Overview

• Two Terms per Year
• March–August
• September–February
• Rehearsals every other week
• Auditions held at the beginning of each term for the following lineup:
• 2 Drummers
• 2 Bassists
• 2 Keyboardists
• 2–4 Guitarists
• 2–4 Singers
• Participation is Free! Students must be ages 10–17 and enrolled in a Sunburst Band Program or Band Coaching group.
• Each term includes 3–4 gigs plus some recording sessions.

Spring 2025 Details

• Rehearsals: Every other Friday, 4:30–6:30 pm, starting March 21st.
• Audition Date: March 21st (first rehearsal).
• Sign Up: Use the link below and indicate which instrument you’d like to audition for in the dropdown.
• Audition Criteria: Perform a 2-minute segment of a song of your choice on your instrument—either unaccompanied or with a backing track.

Meet Your New Director

We’re thrilled to announce that the 2025 House Band will be led by our new voice and production instructor—and OG Sunburst House Band alumnus—Riley Deringor! Riley was part of the very first Sunburst House Band and is super excited to be at the helm of the program.

Why Audition?

We encourage ALL of our Band Program and Band Coaching students to audition, even though not everyone will make it. The audition process itself is a great way to build confidence and gain performance experience. For students who can’t make the March 21st date, we’re happy to schedule a private audition instead.

Good luck to everyone auditioning, and thank you for your participation in the program! We can’t wait to see you on stage.

Summer Policy

We understand that summer schedules can be unpredictable, and that’s why we’re excited to offer you even more flexibility with your lessons. In addition to our usual makeup allowance, you can now cancel up to 4 lessons between June and August and receive a tuition credit! Just let the front desk know you'd like to use a summer cancelation, and they will adjust your account accordingly.

This new policy allows you to balance your summer activities while continuing to make progress in your musical journey. Reach out to our team if you have any questions about scheduling or cancellations, and we’ll be happy to help.

School Closure Reminder



As Spring Break is right around the corner, we want to remind everyone of our billing policy. Your flat monthly tuition includes lessons every week, except when we are closed for holidays (see our calendar). We do not issue makeup credits for these days. You can view a full list of our billing and scheduling policies in our Terms and Conditions here.

Thank you for your understanding and have a wonderful Spring Break!

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