How to Practice (Like a Pro Football Player)
I love pro football - congrats to the 49ers and Raiders for squeaking into the playoffs! I also love working with music students. Both passions overlap in the realm of practicing (luckily, minus the bruises and injuries for our students).
· The pros practice with intensity, and they give their all, every time. When we practice, we should try to approach it with a similar mindset. Always do your best - most students are way too accepting of mistakes when they practice. Pro tip: Slow down if you’re making mistakes. Good players don’t make many mistakes when they practice.
· The pros practice with great focus and concentration. Quality of practice will always surpass quantity. When you notch up your concentration, you’ll get a lot done in a short amount of time. Students who practice this way get more done in 10 minutes than others get done in a half hour! They don’t just go through the motions - they strive to elevate their practice to the level of excellence that they bring to a performance.
· The pros always have a specific goal in mind when they practice. Always do one of two things when you practice: either improve a skill or solve a problem. To achieve either one, you must force yourself to work on smaller sections of music. Playing the entire piece over and over was fine when you were just starting and a ‘piece’ was 4 measures long, but by the time you’re playing 2 or 3 page pieces, playing straight through again and again is a very poor use of your time and energy. Your practice time should be used to focus on the two or three problem areas, not repeatedly play through the entire piece.
· The pros have a head coach, but also assistant coaches. Your student’s teacher is the head coach, but parents, you are the assistant coaches, and you have an important role to play. Please take some time to go over these and other practice techniques with your music student, and keep these ideas in mind when you hear them practicing.
All of the above also relates to dance students. I don’t teach dance myself, but I’ve been around serious dancers continually for the last 33 years, so I can tell you with some authority that it all equally applies.
Please note that we will continue to follow the Santa Clara County recommendations and enforce the following procedures:
· Lobby to remain closed -- only students and staff allowed in the building
· Mask use for everyone indoors
· Temperature checks and hand sanitizer upon entering the building
· No physical contact (this means no fist bumps, handshakes, high fives, etc)
· Keeping physical distance between students & students and students & staff
· Cleaning of instruments between students
· Frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces
Craig Lynch, Director
Please Welcome NEW STUDENTS for OCTOBER and NOVEMBER!
Julian A.
Nicholas A.
Nathan A.
Olivia B.
Carmelia B.
Quinn B.
Jaxx C.
Sharvil C.
Makayla D.
Aria D.
Audrey F.
Arin G.
David H.
Valery J.
John J.
Sujith J.
Sallie L.
Alberto L.
Evan L.
Charlize M.
Jude M.
John M.
Varsha M.
Vibhav M.
Sarah N.
Arrietty N.
Katelyn N.
Kelly N.
Jochebed O.
Akshat P.
Diya P.
Diego S.
Spencer S.
Isaac S.
Victoria T.
Aiden T.
Now Registering for Spring Classes!
Since in-person school has resumed, we’ve been experiencing an uptick in new students, so don’t wait to secure your lesson time - the prime time lesson slots are going fast! Music classes are offered in-person (with mask) or on Zoom, whichever you prefer. Dance classes are masked and social distanced. We’re looking forward to having you back and learning with us!
Upcoming Dates
March 13
Daylight Saving Time - Spring Ahead!
Tuesday, April 12 - Sunday, April 17
Spring Break — STAMD Closed
Tell Your Friends About STAMD and Earn Gift Cards!
Do you know that you can earn unlimited gift cards from STAMD? Let your friends know that STAMD is the best place to take music lessons or dance classes and make sure they mention your name when they register. Your friend will receive a free registration and you will earn a gift card for every friend that you refer.
We have a selection on hand, including Starbucks, Target, Lowes, Le Boulanger or Baskin Robbins!
Student of the Month: Bridget L. (age 11)
What are you studying at Santa Teresa Academy of Music and Dance?
Jazz dance.
What kind of music do you listen to?
Pop music, K-Pop and Techno.
What are your hobbies?
Art, writing, reading, baking and cooking.
What is your favorite food?
Sushi (Philadelphia rolls).
What is your favorite movie?
Encanto.
What is the coolest thing you have learned in your lessons so far?
Pique turns and sashays.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’m not sure yet!
Monopoly: Fun Facts!
· San Jose is the home of the largest playable Monopoly Board in the world - it’s next to the Discovery Museum!
· Each Monopoly set contains $15,140 in play money.
· The property values on the board haven’t changed since 1935!
· It is believed that Mr. Monopoly (who was originally called Rich Uncle Pennybags) was based on real-life tycoon J. P. Morgan.
· The original game didn’t include tokens - players were told to use household items, like buttons or thimbles.
Is Your Music Teacher Sold Out?
Many of our teachers have almost full schedules! If you need a schedule change or would like to be added to a waiting list for a specific time, please contact our office staff. If you are not a student yet, there are still limited lesson spots available.
To inquire about openings for March, please contact us at 408-226-8742 or info@academyofmusicanddance.com
Mr. Quentin (drums & guitar): Monday / Thursday / Friday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Craig (piano & guitar): Monday / Friday / Sunday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Kris (guitar & ukulele): Tuesday - 1 spot / Wednesday - SOLD OUT / Thursday - 1 spot
Mr. Jeremy (piano, guitar & voice): Tuesday - 1 spot / Wednesday - 1 spot /Thursday - 3 spots / Saturday - SOLD OUT
Miss Jessica (piano): Tuesday / Friday - SOLD OUT
Miss Jane (piano): Tuesday - 1 spot / Wednesday - SOLD OUT / Thursday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Joshua (piano): Saturday - SOLD OUT
Miss Lori (violin): Thursday - 1 spot / Saturday - 2 spots
Mr. Angel (guitar & piano): Friday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Nate (piano): Monday - 1 spot
Miss Galina (guitar & voice): Tuesday - 2 spots / Friday - SOLD OUT / Saturday - 1 spot
Miss Yelena (piano): Tuesday / Wednesday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Brian (voice & piano): Wednesday / Friday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Sergio (violin): Monday - 1 spot / Wednesday - 2 spots
Miss Tatiana (piano): Thursday - 3 spots
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Misty Copeland: Principle Dancer
· · Copeland began studying Ballet at the age of 13 at her local Boys & Girls Club. Her instructor quickly recognized that she was a prodigy!
· In 2015, Misty became the 1st African-American to be appointed a principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre!
· In 2015, Copeland was featured on the cover of TIME magazine and included in their 100 Most Influential People list.
Beginning in 2014, Copeland became a sponsored athlete for Under Armour, leading to several lucrative ad campaigns
