Life is Amazing!
In early November, I was in Arizona at a celebration of life event for my cousin, who had recently passed. The family had rented a large, beautiful house to accommodate the number of guests and as I was exploring, I found a small framed quote hidden in a glass-fronted cabinet. I had to open the door to pull it out and read it properly. I’d never heard or read the quote, by L. R. Knost, a children’s advocate and author, but I was grateful to happen across it as we were grieving/celebrating, laughing/crying. I also thought that it would be a appropriate quote to share in the STAMD newsletter, after the last 20 months we’ve all been through.
“Life is amazing. And then it's awful. And then it's amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it's ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That's just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it's breathtakingly beautiful.” - L. R. Knost
Sometimes we fail to see the amazing in front of our eyes. Kids learning how to dance and play an instrument is amazing. People who teach young people these skills are amazing. Parents are amazing. And sometimes a ‘wrong’ note is breathtakingly beautiful!
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 AUGUST and SEPTEMBER!
David A.
Nala A.
Arabella A.
Clarisse A.
Cameron A.
Eva A.
Lauren C.
Andres C.
Dominic C.
Ethan C.
Yazzuri D.
Vihaan D.
Makayla D.
Miranda D.
Ameya D.
Ethan D.
Mason D.
Presley D.
Preston D.
Pheona D.
Michelle F.
Angel G.
Harlan G.
Valery G.
Evelyn H.
Thi H.
Aaira K.
Anastasia K.
Elon L.
Adrian L.
Cairo L.
Leonardo M.
Cassie M.
Rebecca M.
Michelle M.
Ian M.
Helen N.
Aarav N.
Holly N.
Lucas N.
Quynh-vi N.
Manav N.
Khaleesi O.
Ishaan P.
Rishaan P.
Isabella P.
Addyson P.
Averi P.
Fiorella Q.
Rishaan S.
Mahi S.
Maya S.
Anya Ruth S.
Rehat S.
Andre S.
Paula S.
Margaret T.
Kyle T.
Melina V.
Ayansh W.
Now Registering for Winter Classes!
The day’s are getting shorter and the holidays are fast approaching - that means that now’s the time to get registered for Winter! We’re currently experiencing an uptick in new students, so don’t wait until next year 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
November 23 - 28
Thanksgiving Break — STAMD Closed
December 22 - January 2
Winter 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!
Students of the Month: Mason (age 8)& Ethan (age 9) D.
What are you studying at Santa Teresa Academy of Music and Dance?
Mason: Guitar with Mr. Quentin Ethan: Piano with Mr. Nate
What kind of music do you listen to?
Mason: Beatles & Bruno Mars Ethan: Classical, Bruno Mars, Video game music
What are your hobbies?
Mason: Cub Scouts, Taekwon Do, Videogames, Pokemon cards, basketball & learning to cook Ethan: Cub Scouts, Videogames, reading, Taekwon Do, Pokemon cards & learning to cook
What is your favorite food?
Mason: Noodles & pasta Ethan: Filipino food
What is your favorite movie?
Mason: Aladdin (Live version w. Will Smith) Ethan: The Addams Family
What is the coolest thing you have learned in your lessons so far?
Mason: Chords & strumming patterns Ethan: Harmonic intervals
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Mason: A chef/cook Ethan: Musician (pianist) & play/make videogames
Yamaha: Versatility to the Max!
When I tell people that I play a Yamaha C3 grand, I often joke that I believe Yamaha’s the best piano/motorcycle manufacturer out there. But I didn’t know the half of it! In addition to a wide array of musical instruments and stereo equipment, Yamaha has made a habit out of producing a dizzying variety of products. Check out this short list:
1961: Glass ski
1964: FRP Bathtub
1975: YFG-30 Tennis racket
1976: FRP Archery bow
1982: C-300 Golf clubs
1984: K-1 Industrial Robot
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 December, please contact us at 408-226-8742 or info@academyofmusicanddance.com
Mr. Quentin (drums & guitar): Monday - SOLD OUT / Thursday - 1 spot / Friday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Craig (piano & guitar): Monday / Friday / Sunday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Kris (guitar & ukulele): Tuesday - 1 spot / Wednesday - SOLD OUT / Thursday - 2 spots
Mr. Jeremy (piano, guitar & voice): Tuesday - 1 spot / Wednesday - SOLD OUT /Thursday - 2 spots / Saturday - SOLD OUT
Miss Jessica (piano): Tuesday / Friday - SOLD OUT
Miss Jane (piano): Tuesday - 2 spots / Wednesday - SOLD OUT / Thursday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Joshua (piano): Monday / Saturday - SOLD OUT
Miss Lori (violin): Thursday / Saturday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Angel (guitar & piano): Friday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Nate (piano): Monday - 1 spot
Miss Galina (guitar & voice): Tuesday / Friday - SOLD OUT / Saturday - 2 spots
Miss Yelena (piano): Tuesday / Wednesday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Brian (voice & piano): Wednesday / Friday - SOLD OUT
Mr. Sergio (violin): Monday - 4 spots / Wednesday - 3 spots
Miss Tatiana (piano): Thursday - 4 spots
Duke Ellington: An American Composer ‘Beyond Category’
· Ellington wrote or collaborated on over 1000 compositions!
· Duke was a great bandleader - some of the musicians in his orchestra stayed with him for decades!
· Ellington’s career spanned over 50 years, and was revived at the Newport Jazz Festival on July 7, 1956. That performance led to his biggest selling record and regular world tours.
· Ellington’s last words: “Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be remembered.”
· Duke earned 14 Grammy awards between 1959 and 2000.
