JUNE NEWSLETTER
This June, we’re celebrating the magic of music and the amazing talent within our community!
Get ready for a fun-filled edition packed with music trivia, interactive games, a spotlight on our Rising Star student and featured teacher, exciting event updates, and so much more. Let’s make this month one to remember!
🌟 Student Spotlight: Rising Star – Ahmed Saleh (Trumpet) 🌟
This month, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Ahmed Saleh, a dedicated trumpet student whose passion and progress have been truly inspiring.
Ahmed began his trumpet journey with curiosity and excitement, and over time, he has shown remarkable growth both in skill and confidence. Under the guidance of his teacher,(mr. Adam) Ahmed has been diligently mastering breathing techniques, tone control, and reading sheet music—no easy feat for any young brass player!
His current focus is developing smooth transitions between notes and expanding his range, and he’s been tackling it all with determination and a positive attitude. What sets Ahmed apart is not just his progress, but his genuine love for music and eagerness to improve with every lesson.
When he’s not practicing trumpet, Ahmed enjoys listening to jazz and orchestral music, drawing inspiration from greats like Louis Armstrong and Wynton Marsalis.
Ahmed’s family is incredibly proud of his dedication and growth, and so are we! Ahmed looks forward to his lessons every week—it’s been amazing to watch him grow as a musician,” says his proud parent.
We’re honored to be part of Ahmed’s musical journey and can’t wait to see where his trumpet takes him next. Keep up the great work, Ahmed—you’re truly a rising star!
🥁🎸 Group Classes in Full Swing – Join the Fun!🎶
Looking to spark your child’s musical journey in a fun, social setting? Our Group Ukulele, Guitar, and Drum Classes are now open for enrollment!
Small-group classes offer the perfect blend of engaging instruction, collaborative learning, and real musical progress—all while having a blast with peers.
Group classes are a fun, affordable, and social way to begin their musical journey.
🎵 Group Ukulele (Ages 5–12)
- When: Tuesdays at 4:30 PM – Start June 3rd
- Price: $29/week + $39 one-time registration
🎸 Group Guitar (Ages 7–14)
- When: Tuesdays at 5:00 PM Start June 3rd
- Price: $29/week + $39 registration
🥁 Group Drums (Ages 7–14)
- When: Thursdays July 3rd
- Price: $29/week + $39 registration
🎹 Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Recital – June 1st!
It’s that special time again! We’re thrilled to invite you to our Student Recital on Sunday, June 1st, where students of all levels will take the stage to showcase their progress, confidence, and musical growth.
🎶 Event Details:
- 📅 Date: Sunday, June 1st
- 🕒 Time: 2:00 – 4:00 PM
- 📍 Location: The Wayfarer – 843 W. 19th Street, Costa Mesa, CA
- (Parking is free and available in the lot out front.)
Recital Fee & Tickets:
- A $50 recital fee will be automatically charged to your current tuition payment method.
- Each enrolled student receives 2 complimentary audience tickets.
- Performers do not need a ticket.
This is a celebration of dedication, passion, and a wonderful opportunity for students to perform in a supportive, encouraging environment.
Whether it’s your first recital or your tenth, we’re proud of every student stepping up to share their music with others.
✨ Don’t forget to bring your applause and encouragement—it means the world to our young performers!
🌟 Teacher Spotlight: Adam P. – Trumpet & More!
This month, we’re proud to feature Adam P., a passionate and versatile music educator here at Irvine Academy of Music.
Adam brings a unique blend of talent, patience, and positivity to every lesson. Whether he’s guiding a student through their first guitar chords or helping an advanced player refine their technique, Adam’s approach is always encouraging and student-focused.
With years of experience in both performing and teaching, Adam’s musical background spans a variety of styles—from classical to rock to contemporary pop. His versatility makes him a favorite among students of all ages and skill levels.
Students love his calm, supportive energy and ability to break down complex concepts in a way that’s fun and easy to understand. Parents often tell us how much their kids look forward to lessons with Adam—and how much progress they’re making!
Thank you, Adam, for your dedication, creativity, and the joy you bring to our academy. We’re lucky to have you on the team!
🎲 Interactive Games to Try at Home
🎵 Name That Tune – Family Edition
Pick short clips of familiar songs and see who can name the tune the fastest! Bonus points for naming the artist or genre.
🎵 Rhythm Clap Game
One player claps a rhythm, the others repeat it. Add new rhythms each round and see who can keep up the longest!
🎵 Instrument Charades
Act out playing an instrument without sound or props—can your friends or family guess it?
Musician Profiles: Antonio de Torres Jurado
Antonio Torres Jurado (1817–1892) was a Spanish luthier (guitar maker) who is widely regarded as the father of the modern classical guitar. His innovations in guitar design transformed the instrument into what we recognize today.
In this portrait, Torres is depicted with his characteristic mustache and formal attire, reflecting the fashion of his time. His innovations in guitar design, including the development of fan bracing and the standardization of body dimensions, significantly influenced the evolution of the classical guitar. His instruments are celebrated for their exceptional tonal quality and craftsmanship.
🎸 Why He Matters:
Before Torres, guitars were smaller and quieter. His designs made the guitar a concert-worthy instrument and laid the groundwork for modern acoustic and classical guitars.
Even today’s top luthiers and guitar manufacturers (like Yamaha, Córdoba, and Ramirez) still base their designs on the principles Torres pioneered in the 19th century.
🧠 What Is Music Theory (and Why Should You Care)?
Music theory is like the grammar of music. It helps us understand how music works—how notes fit together, why chords sound the way they do, and how we can turn ideas into songs. Whether you’re just starting lessons or preparing for an exam, music theory builds the foundation for everything you play.
Think of it as the “science of sound + creativity.” 🎶
🎵 Theory Fun Fact
Did you know the musical alphabet only has 7 letters?
A, B, C, D, E, F, and G… then it repeats! Everything from Beethoven to Taylor Swift is built from this tiny toolkit.
🎓 Beginner Terms to Know
Here’s a quick cheat sheet for newer students (or parents following along!):
- Note – A musical sound or pitch
- Scale – A sequence of notes (like Do-Re-Mi!)
- Chord – Three or more notes played together
- Time Signature – Tells us the beat of the music (like 4/4 or 3/4)
- Key Signature – Shows which notes are sharp or flat in a song
Print this section out and stick it on the fridge!
📚 Why Students Learn Theory in Lessons
✅ It helps with reading sheet music faster
✅ It improves improvisation and songwriting
✅ It trains your ear to hear chords and scales
✅ It gives students more confidence performing
Many of our students who understand theory end up progressing faster and having more fun!
If you’ve ever been curious about what your child is learning between the notes—this is it. Music theory brings meaning to every song. Want more theory resources? Let us know and we’ll include a deeper dive next month.
🎶 Until then, keep learning, keep listening, and keep making music.