Congratulations to Violin Studio students Zachary Rustenburg, Sarah Pastor and Jessica Chao upon being their participation with the SMAC-LA 2012 Graduation, in Los Angeles.

Sarah Pastor and Zachary Rustenburg at 2012 SMAC-LA Graduation

2012 SMAC LA GRADUATION ZIPPER HALL, COLBURN SCHOOL OF MUSIC

2012 Twinkler Graduates on Stage, Zipper Hall, Colburn School of Music

The new location is about 100 yards east of our Suite 102 Studio, in Suite 616

All students:

Because of my school schedule, there will be no lessons on Wednesday May 9th and Thursday May 10 as well as Memorial Day Monday May 28th. Please be aware of these changes if you are paying for the month in advance.

Lissette Garrido, winner intermediate voice

Five Alpert Studio students participated in the 2012 San Bernardino County Music Educators Solofest this year. Kudos to violinists, Zachary Rustenburg, Erin Sun and Sarah Pastor, as well as singers Jordana Rico, and Lissette Garrido for their beautifully polished performances at the event. Lissette, Erin and Jordana were selected to participate in the event finals on April 14.

Jordana Rico, finalist: elementary voice

Erin was selected as winner of her category, instrumental middle school, as was Lissette for the middle school vocalist category.

Erin Sun, Winner, Intermediate Violin

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in this event!

Invincible Violinist Jessica Chao, student of The Alpert Studio of Voice and Violin

Alpert Studio Students Record for Great American Songbook – Slideshow

Update: Both Genevieve Ellis and Kelly Muller were selected as 2 of 10 western regional finalists for the event, scheduled for May 19, at CSU Northridge. They were chosen from a field of over 100 participants.

Kudos to studio students Genevieve Ellis, Kelly Muller, Mackenzie Rich, Mikayla McGarvey, Michael Vandie and Miranda Ford all of whom were selected to participate in the Great American Songbook Competition, sponsored by Michael Feinstein and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Genevieve Ellis appearing in "Once on this Island"

Voice and Violin Studio Spring Break

The Studio Spring Break will be March 19th to the 23rd and will resume as normal on Monday March 26th. This is a normally scheduled break, and no lessons will be held during this period.

Spring Recital Date

We have set a tentative date for the Spring/Summer recital, Saturday, June 9th at 5:00. Please put this date on your calendars now and make every effort to be there. RECITALS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! We will confirm this date very soon.

Thank you and Happy Spring!!!

Last week I played Romeo and Juliet, a piece about love. It’s music I first played in a youth orchestra more than 40 years ago. To me today, the Tchaik is about more than romantic love…

It’s about love and passion for your work. Performing that overture was a huge challenge for a high school aged violinist. Last week I had the pleasure of working with a stand partner half my age, but with obvious great devotion to music and the craft of playing the violin.

It all brought me back to the start, and why I became a musician in the first place. It’s the love of the music, love of the violin and love for doing the work, just for the simple joy of it.

So to all my friends and readers who are musicians, may your Valentine’s Day be blessed with love in your personal life, as well as a renewed and great passion for the art you create every time you practice, perform or teach.

And to my friends not lucky enough to be musicians, may you find art and beauty wherever your life takes you. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Kelly Muller Semi-Finalist at LA County Music Center Spotlight Auditions

Congratulations to Studio student Kelly Muller who was selected to participate as a semi-finalist in the prestigious Los Angeles County Music Center’s Spotlight Awards program. She was one of 15 semi-finalists who were selected from a field of over 430 students.

We’re are proud to say that Kelly is the 7th such semi-finalist to represent The Alpert Studio over the course of 7 years.

Let’s all wish her good luck and “break a leg” for the finals, which will be held in February. Good job, Kelly!

Join us in Ontario on Saturday, January 21

Please Join the Alpert Studio for an extraordinary, glowingly reviewed compilation opera -as it’s broadcast live from the Met!

Featuring the world’s best singers, glorious music of the Baroque masters,and a story drawn from Shakespeare, this is something that all of our students and families should not miss. In “The Enchanted Island” the lovers from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream are shipwrecked on the other-worldly island of The Tempest. The work showcases arias and ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau, and others. With an all-star cast featuring Placido Domingo and many current stars of opera, this is a must see!

Hope to see each and every one of you there, to experience this unique and special opportunity to see The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD.

Saturday morning January 21st, at 9:55 am, at the Ontario Mills AMC 30. Running time is 3 hrs 40 mins.

For event information click here. Ticket information here.

(Tickets can be purchased at the door or online for $22 adults /$18 children up to 12. Also, AMC staff has been known to accept AMC movie passes at the door, but don’t count on it.)

Dear Voice Student and Family: Happy New Year!

Just a reminder that voice lessons resume as scheduled starting this week, on Monday, January 9.

Looking forward to seeing all of you and making this an exciting and productive year!

Wednesday Voice Students Only:
If you are paying for the month in advance, please be aware that there will be no lessons on Wednesday, January 25.

See you soon,

-Melanie Alpert