I love music for the different ways it makes me and others feel. Playing guitar helps me feel calm when I'm stressed and happy when i'm rocking a song like AC/DC or Metallica. I really enjoy playing music with my friends and how we can shred together, have fun and play all different types of music even though we all play different instruments. Music brings us all together. 
-Reid

I'd like to nominate Reid for "Student of the Month". He has been taking two lessons a week for the last couple years, and has shown much enthusiasm and dedication to the guitar. He has mastered some tricky triad exercises and worked very hard to memorize the names of the notes on the fretboard. In the last few months he has made big strides in becoming a more independent musician and practicer, and he's already enjoying the results in his new pieces. Stay tuned, as Reid has an upcoming performance of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" AND Arietta by Kuffner!
- Mr. Stephen 

Summer break never seems to last quite long enough, and many of our students are already planning ahead to make the most of it! In addition to Orpheus Academy's lessons and fun summer camps, extra summer free time means more exciting opportunities to share and appreciate music. We asked a series of "Would You Rather?" questions to help our students consider different ways to experience the joy of music this summer, so read on to discover what they had to say!

Lyla O.
The choice was clear for Lyla, who would much rather form a summer band with friends. She says, "I love hanging out with them so much," and would "enjoy it much more than playing alone."

​River S.
River had a different take, and preferred the idea of only playing music alone for the summer, as according to him, "I mostly only play alone anyways."

​Kai C.
Kai's friends clearly bring him joy, as he chose the option in which  "I get to play music with my friends and I get to see them."

Amelia
Amelia believes only playing music alone would be "totally better" and summarized why in just one word: "CALM."

Dave
Dave too thinks he would rather play solo for the summer. He currently finds it "hard to play with other people" as he "gets lost."

Abby S.
Abby had a very sweet response to the question, and would rather play in a summer band "because life is a beautiful melody" and "friends make it special."

Daniel P.
Daniel considered the choices quite practically, and decided that only playing music with his band wouldn't work for him "because I wouldn't be able to play songs without them," and he would "lose his skills."

Kajiri S.
Kajiri had a similar thought process as Daniel, and chose the solo option for the sake of consistency: "so I can play all the time."

Aarush T.
Aarush definitely appreciates being around friends, and chose the group option. In his own words, "it's better to be together FOREVER."

Arthi D.
Arthi also picked only playing music with a summer band of friends, "because I think that hanging out and playing music with friends is more fun than just playing music by myself."

Rishi S.
"Because I would be with my friends" is reason enough for Rishi to prefer the summer band option!

​Samuel
Samuel thinks only being able to play music with friends would simply "be more fun."

Zoey T.
Listening to songs around the campfire was the obvious answer for Zoey, who has "very sensitive ears" and therefore thinks that "maybe a big outdoor concert isn't the best." Zoe also believes a campfire setting would be fitting as "listening to songs is peaceful and relaxing."

​Kyon T.
Kyon chose to enjoy music at the campfire simply "because it is more fun!"

​River S.
River thinks there would be "too many people" at a big outdoor concert, and at a "campfire I'd probably be with friends."

Aarush T.
Aarush would "really like to be in a big concert."

​Daniel P.
Daniel also would prefer a big concert over a campfire. According to him: "because I don't know if people would be at the campfire and maybe they have something else to do."

​Kajiri S.
Kajiri thought about the choices in relation to what she already currently likes to do, and picked listening to songs around the campfire as "I'm in girl scouts."

Moukthika N.
Moukthika values originality, and would rather compose the music for a summer blockbuster movie because "you would have the opportunity to create something your own."

​Daniel P.
Daniel thinks the recognition that would come with composing for a movie would be great, "because everybody would see me and I would be famous." In addition to the original score he would create, he also would want to incorporate the song "Seven Nation Army" into the soundtrack.

Marc
Marc already has a vision in mind for the music he would write for a movie's original score: "suspenseful music."

​Nicco B.
Nicco went with creating a playlist for a big beach party as he believes it would would come with "more freedom," but he would still incorporate some of his own original pieces with "music I make on my keyboard."

Corban
Location is the name of the game for Corban, who would prefer creating the playlist for a beach party "because I would get to go the beach." Among Corban's rocking playlist, "Ode to Joy" would be featured.

Mira D.
Mira thinks "writing music for a movie would be more important and get more recognition."

​​Lillian
Lillian chose to make the music for a movie, and seems to have a very specific kind of scene in mind that she'd like to compose for: "so I can write music for when the main character falls off a cliff."

Aura T.
Aura isn't quite sure what kind of music she would incorporate, but would rather create a playlist for a big beach party "because you get to play more music!"

Kajiri S.
Kajiri had an easy decision to make, and picked the option that would allow her to go to the beach! She would definitely put "Rainbow Unicorn Unicorn" on her beach party playlist.

Audrey
Audrey didn't seem to know what a summer blockbuster movie is, but would make sure her beach party was keeping in theme with the location by making a playlist of "beach music."

​Avanthika S. K.
Avanthika thinks creating a beach party playlist would "be more fun" and would put less pressure on her as well. She "would make/add tropical music, that's kind of Hawaiian maybe."

Anushka S.
Anushka thinks piano music would be fitting for a beach party, and says she would prefer to make a playlist  "because I like the beach."

Eleanor
Eleanor recognizes the difficulty in composing music, and would instead rather create a playlist for a big beach party "because it is easier." She would ensure that it was a swanky party though by utilizing "jazz."

Sofia
Sofia would prefer to perform music at a backyard barbecue "because people enjoy music while they eat." She would play "Spanish Caballero," a fun and lively piece!

​Anya
Anya chose to perform music at a pool party, and the reason is simple: "I like parties!" She also says that "See Saw" would be among the songs she plays. In a later answer to the same question, Anya again picked performing at a pool party, for a similar reason: "I like pools!" This time she added "Ode to Joy" to the rotation.

Shuyao L.
Shuyao appreciates the more contained and personal nature of a backyard barbecue, and explains that it is "because I get to see my friends." Shuyao would perform "O Come Little Children" for those in attendance. Shuyao responded a second time to the question and said he would also play "Go Tell Aunt Rhody."

Kajiri S.
Although it might interfere a bit with her music, Kajiri would rather perform at a pool party "because I like to play in the pool." Among the songs she would play: "Bee Bee," "Queen Queen," and "Doggie Doggie."

Daniel P.
Daniel had a hard time deciding and ultimately selected both options "because I like for people to hear how I play." He would also bring a good variety to the songs he performed, including Bach and "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes.

​Anya
Anya prefers swimming to eating barbecue, and would play "Lean On Me," "This Is Your Time," and the bagpipes!

Gautham M.
Guatham isn't one to be distracted easily, and would perform music at a pool party as "there would be water splashing on me when I am playing." He would also keep the party going by playing "longer songs."

Samuel
Samuel enjoys a pool party more than a simple backyard get-together (even if there is food involved), and would play "Variations on a Theme of Corelli."

Ethan D.
Ethan thinks a pool party "would be joyful to play" at, and would include songs like "Party in the U.S.A." and "Surfin' USA" for his performance.

Ana C.
​Ana "doesn't do backyard barbecues sadly," so instead would play "Gaston" at a pool party.

On January 23, 2021 Dylan performed a home concert which included folk songs, and classical pieces.
​
"I am so very proud of Dylan for all the hard work that went into this huge accomplishment at her young age. Congrats, Dylan! Looking forward to many more." —Chelsea DeLorenz, Voice Teacher

On October 14, 2017, Natalie D., Nadia H., and Aubrey T. performed a joint public concert at the Blackerby Recital Hall. They performed a selection of songs from musical theatre, as well as folk songs.

​I love music because each note is rhythmic. I love to sing along to songs like "The Let Go" by Ellie King and "Roar" by Katy Perry. I love playing music because everyone is unique and so is every instrument.
- Olivia

I would like to nominate Olivia. Although Olivia has just started playing the violin, she has worked hard to develop great posture and a textbook bow hand shape! She is always curious in lessons, practices regularly, and is developing a keen musical ear. I’m proud to have her in my studio!!
- Ms. Mackenzie 

​​I love playing piano because, I like YOU my piano teacher, I also like piano because, I like every song I play on the piano.
- Serena

Serena is a very talented and hard-working pianist. She is always motivated to read new pieces every week. Moreover, she has participated in many performance opportunities this semester. Discipline is the key to be successful in playing piano! I’m so proud of you Serena.
- Mr. William

Talia R. accompanies her singing performances with original illustrations!

Watch on YouTube

Siyahamba
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo
Dites-Moi
​The Girl I Mean to Be

Akshaj I. completed his first ever book of music including an original composition, "The Light of Day", an arrangement of "Auld Lang Sayne", a transposition of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", and a variation on "Boil em Cabbage Down". We are very proud of his hard work and determination!

Lyla plays a wonderful selection of classical pieces from the Piano Adventures books! Congrats Lyla!

Zachry R. performs a variety of folk songs and modern compositions.

Watch on YouTube

Russian Sailor Dance (Russian Folk Song)
The Handbell Choir by Cornelius Gurlitt
Monster Truck (Start Your Engines) by Wendy Stevens
Lightly Row (German Folk Song)
African Safari by Wendy Stevens
Ocean, Ocean by Nancy Faber and Crystal Bowman
The Crawling Spider by Crystal Bowman My Pony (German Folk Song)
Forest Drums by Nancy Faber
​Daredevil (Start Your Engines) by Wendy Stevens