Dear Parents and Students,

Just a few more weeks and then Summer will be here. There is a lot of important information in this Newsletter so please read carefully.

Student Events:

On May 16th, the Sparta Youth Committee had a talent charity concert at the Nicholson Pavilion in Dykstra Park. Many of our students performed at the concert. It was a huge success. Once again our students demonstrated enthusiasm and excellence in performance! We are very proud of each and every one of them.

May 30th was our Annual Spring Fundraiser “Golden Broadway Concert for which we were able to collect $1,100! All proceeds will go towards the Food Pantry at the Bodhi Monastary in Lafayette. We wish to thank everyone who volunteered – from the artists who created the sets, to all the parents who helped out, and our students for always making us proud.

DVD’s of the May 30th “Golden Broadway” performance are on sale for $25.00. Please call the office if you wish to order one.

Upcoming events are:

~Our Annual End of School Year "June Fundraiser Concert " ~ this event is currently scheduled for the 21st of June, however very important ~ please take note ~ we are currently trying to hold the concert at the new Nicholson Performing Arts Pavilion at Dykstra Park. We are still waiting for the final go ahead ~ we will keep you updated. Should we get the go ahead the concert will be Saturday, June 27th starting at 2pm. We will invite all parents and friends to bring folding chairs, blankets and enjoy this years end of year concert outdoors!

It is always important to keep in mind that each time our students perform it helps build stage presence, self confidence and communication skills which will prove to be invaluable throughout their lives.

~Piano National Piano Examinations June 9th

~End of Year ART Show –Sunday June 14th – from 12-3pm at our Studios at 350 Sparta Avenue. All art students will have a chance to display their art pieces at this time. Mark your calendars as this event is coming up quickly!

  ~End of Year Party ~ date and details to follow in another email next week

Summer Classes/Fall Class Sign up-Registration Now!

Register by June 12th for Fall classes and receive $39.00 credit which will be applied to your account in September!!!

  In addition to our ongoing private classes, Summer Intensive programs are available.
 Classes in Piano, Guitar, Violin, Musical Theatre, Opera, and Foreign Languages. We believe it is crucial to maintain a level of education throughout the long summer holiday. Summer sign ups taking place right now. Everyone who wishes to continue with their classes through the summer must inform the studio as soon as possible so we can arrange teacher’s schedules.

Opera/Musical Theatre Workshop ~ Enjoy dramatic onstage theatrical performances and music this Summer! This will be a 4 week program to be conducted on 4 successive weekends. This workshop starts Friday, July 10th. Eight operatic scenes will be chosen, cast, and rehearsed and staged, and scenes will be performed on the last Sunday of the rehearsal period. Some scenes will be performed in English and some in their original language. Students should be 13 years of age to participate. Schedule will be as follows: Friday evenings 6 to 8pm, Saturdays 10-3, and Sundays 12 to 5pm. Each student will sing at least one featured role in operatic scene from the standard repertoire. Please contact Lena if you or someone you know is interested in the program. This class will be taught by our newest edition to the Biryukov Staff – Ms. Barbara Smith Davis. Barbara has an extensive resume, performing in dozens of Operas as well as many Musicals Worldwide. Ms. Davis is also Marie Osmonds voice teacher.

Rock Guitar Boot Camp: Ben Sher, faculty member of Berklee College of Music will be conductinga six week workshop for Rock Guitarists who are already playing some rock and blues guitar and who want to take their playing to the next level. Ben will be working from his book “Fretboard Harmony”, implementing a unique approach where blues scales and arpeggios move diagonally across the neck expanding significantly the boundaries of traditional position fingerings. Learn the modes, including traditional and harmonic minor modes used by many guitarists. Expand your technique with Ben’s sweep-picking exercises and his new set of compositions designed for Advancing Guitarists: “Shreddercises”. Please let us know if you or anyone you know may be interested in signing up for this class.

Randall Klitz, bringing over 20 years experience is holding a Song Writing Workshop. This workshop is open to all ages and designed for anyone who ever dreamed of writing their own music! Class includes melody and lyric writing, midi demo techniques and the business of song writing. Call for times.

What’s NEW

Facebook: The Biryukov Academy has a group page on Facebook. If you are on Facebook be sure to sign up! It is a great way to communicate with parents from the academy as well as post thoughts, ideas, and photos.

Youtube: We have posted some of our vocal performances on youtube as well. Search for The Biryukov Acdemy of Art & Music for videos.

Piano’s: If anyone is interested in purchasing a piano, we are currently working with a company who is offering our students and their parents a substantial savings in pricing. Please contact Lena for further details.

Don’t Forget:

***For those who performed in the May 30th Concert ~ don’t forget ~ blue t-shirts are $3.00, if you haven’t paid for your t-shirt yet please leave money at front desk in envelope with your name on it. Also Jennifer Piniaha, in addition to devoting her time to creating an absolutely gorgeous playbill for our May 30th performance, Jennifer was kind enough to order the yellow scarves for us as well for the May 30th performance. Those who haven’t paid her yet for the scarf please leave money for her at front desk as well in an envelope addressed to Jennifer Piniaha. Scarves are $2.50 each.

The Biryukov Academy is affiliated with Linda’s Dance and Bright Beginnings please check for special offers.

On Saturday’s, our guitar instructor Ben Sher (Berklee faculty member) is available for musical improvisation workshops (learn how to create your own music), blues and jazz workshops, and private instruction in piano and guitar, call now to reserve yourself a space.

BAAM offers the opportunity for you to record your own CD – record your child or yourself singing…..record your favorite song…give the CD as a gift to a Grandparent, Parent, Aunt or just keep it for yourself. What a timeless precious keepsake.

Referral Program:

Finally, an important reminder, the Biryukov Academy offers all of our current students and their parents to be in our Ambassador Program. What this means is that each time you refer someone to BAAM and they continue with classes for a minimum of 6 months you receive 30 BAAM dollars for each referral! Simply have them put your name on their registration at sign up time and you start accumulating!

Reminder: Classes are available to make-up to one month after your child is absent from their regularly scheduled class. Please call the studio if your child is absent or will be late from their regularly scheduled class, if possible we appreciate at least a 24 hour notice so we can fill the time slot especially with our private classes. Make-ups are not available without a 24 hour cancellation notice.

Sincerely,

The Biryukov Academy Team

*”I believe arts education in music, theatre, dance, and the visual arts is one of the most creative ways we have to find the gold that is buried just beneath the surface. Children have an enthusiasm for life, a spark of creativity and vivid imaginations that need training….training that prepares them to become confident young men and women.” ~ U.S. Secretary of Education – Richard W. Riley