Classes and Ensembles

Fall 2020 Classes and Ensembles

The Music Academy has several group class and ensemble offerings to MANC families and the community throughout the year. These may be used to supplement current private study or as a great introduction to a new instrument!
All classes are currently being taught virtually.

All class fees include books and materials, unless otherwise specified.

All classes must meet a minimum enrollment of students.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Improvisation for Beginners

Instructor: Heather Lofdahl

Description: In this class, students will learn a structured, step-by-step approach to improvisation. Students will learn to improvise bass lines and melodies in different broad styles of music (classical, fiddle, jazz) and learn the skills to create their own arrangements of or accompaniments to their favorite songs.

This class is for Classically trained violin, viola, cello, and bass players who want to learn to improvise. Participating students must at least be playing Perpetual Motion in Suzuki Book 1.

Day, Time, and Start Date: Thursday, 5-6 pm, beginning October 1 for nine weeks

Fee: $135

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Intro to Music Theory and Ear-Training

Instructor: Nancy Revzen

Description: Designed to teach students the fundamentals of music theory and aural skills such as intervals, circle of 5ths, scale intervals and key signatures, triads and inversions, chords and special chords, basics of classical composition, how to modulate easily from one key to another, how to read a figured bass, and standard compositional forms such as Sonata Allegro, Rondo, and Baroque dance forms.

Ages 9 and up (Keyboard is necessary for class but students from all departments welcome.)

Day, Time, and Start Date: Wednesday, 5:30 – 6:15 pm, beginning October 7

Fee: $67.50

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Performing: How to Make Yourself Less Anxious and Perform Successfully

Instructor: Nancy Revzen

Description: This class will look at the reasons for performance nerves and anxiety, and learn techniques for how to warm up, focus better, slow down your mind and breathing to concentrate. Students will practice these techniques in class the first week and then play for one another the second week and discuss their experiences.

Pianists of all levels

Day, Time, and Start Date: Saturday, 11 am – 12 pm, November 7 and 14

Fee: $62.00

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A Comparison Through Performance: Three Musical Periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic eras)

Instructor: Nancy Revzen

Description: Students will explore the first three periods of classical music history through listening to performances as well as learning a short pieces from each style period during the class. Students will learn about the settings for which the music was written, the instruments used in that time period, and the stylistic traits of music from that era. The six week class will culminate in a virtual recital of students sharing pieces they have learned.

Intermediate and advanced piano students

Day, Time, and Start Date: Thursday, 5:30 – 6:30 pm, beginning October 8

Fee: $60.00

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Songwriting: An Exploration

Instructor: Brad Dickerson

Description: This class will explain how to compose chord progressions within a song structure and add a melodic line for voice. It will cover how to write a “hook” and what constitutes good lyrics. Students will be able to record a version of their song in the MANC recording studio at the end of the session.

Early intermediate through advanced

Day, Time, and Start Date: Wednesday, 6:00 – 6:45 pm, beginning October 21

Fee: $56.25

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Pre-Twinkle Suzuki Group Class (Registration closed – stay tuned for spring schedule)

Instructor: Katherine Miller

Description: In this class we will go over proper violin position, bow hold, posture, learning to play on open strings, and eventually with fingers. Once a student has learned to play all of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star with the Suzuki variations, they will be eligible to join the Suzuki Book 1 class. Private lessons may not be required for the first trimester, however they are strongly encouraged. The combination of group and private will aid your child in learning more efficiently. Practicing at home as well as listening to the Suzuki violin recordings is an integral part of the class. A parent must attend with their child so they know what needs to be practiced at home.

This class is for beginners who are interested in learning to play the violin or those who have just begun lessons. (Ages 4 & up)

Day, Time, and Start Date: Tuesday (every other), 4:30-5:15 pm, beginning September 1

Fee: $90

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Suzuki Group Class – Book 1 (Registration closed – stay tuned for spring schedule)

Instructor: Katherine Miller

Description: This class will cover the entire Suzuki repertoire in Book 1, reinforcing what students are learning in their private lessons. We will continue to work on proper playing position, as well as working on intonation and playing together as a group. This class offers every student the opportunity to learn from and become motivated by their peers, no matter what age or where they are in the book. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend, but not required.

Students on Lightly Row or above, Suzuki Violin Book 1. (Ages 5 & up)

Day, Time, and Start Date: Tuesday (every other), 4:30-5:15 pm, beginning September 8

Fee: $90

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Introduction to International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for Standard American English

(Registration closed – stay tuned for spring schedule)

Instructor: Charlene Marchant

Description: This course is designed to introduce the singer to correct lyric diction for Standard American English. They will become familiar with vowel and consonant sounds as represented by the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The singer will learn common mistakes in pronunciation that interfere with ease and clarity in singing. They will discover how regional accents may interfere with how they communicate with their audience.

Students 9th grade and up may enroll.

Day, Time, and Start Date: Tuesday and Thursday, 4-4:30 pm, beginning September 15 for four weeks

Fee: $60

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Introduction to Italian, French, German, Latin, and Spanish Lyric Diction using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

(Registration closed – stay tuned for spring schedule)

Instructor: Charlene Marchant

Description: This course is designed to introduce the singer to correct lyric diction through use of the IPA for Italian, French, German, Latin, and Spanish. The languages to be emphasized will be determined by the preference of the class but the basics of all five will be covered in the class. The student will learn to distinguish and reproduce the sounds that are not native to English speakers. They will become familiar with the IPA symbols that represent these sounds.

This class is for students who have some knowledge of the IPA and who are 9th grade and up.

Day, Time, and Start Date: Tuesday and Thursday, 4-4:30 pm, beginning October 13 for five weeks

Fee: $75

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Voices Alive!

(Registration closed – stay tuned for spring schedule)

Instructor: Clarice Weisman

Description: A weekly group class teaching the foundations of singing in a fun, interactive way while giving every student the opportunity to share the spotlight!

Ages 7-12

Day, Time, and Start Date: Tuesday, 4:30-5:15 pm, beginning September 8

Fee: $90

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Click here to REGISTER for any class or private lessons package.