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South Pasadena Arts & Music Academy is holding their bi-annual $10 Lesson Week in South Pasadena January 16 – January 21, 2023. Thirty-minute private music lessons are only $10 each and all proceeds will benefit the South Pasadena Educational Foundation!
A wonderful way for you and/or a child to explore new instruments, the event has become integral to the community by offering affordable music lessons and giving back to educational organizations.
“This year, to celebrate our 20th Ten Dollar Lesson Week, we are also including all of our group classes and ensembles in the event,” Academy Director Rebecca Ward tells us enthusiastically. “There is nothing like making music with others; it is an act of community and joy that I very much want to make available to everyone. To that end, we have that opportunity for students at every age at SPAMA: We have Whole Steps, our early childhood music classes where children ages 6 months to 4 years old learn fundamentals of music along with their parent or caregiver. Little Stars is our program geared to children ages 4-6 years, when they are ready for more independent music making with a group. Our Young Voices Choir gives students ages 7-12 the opportunity to learn healthy choral technique and the principals of harmony.”
Ward goes on to tell us she is honored to conduct the SPAMA String Ensemble, a chamber string orchestra for violinists, cellists, and violists in middle school and high school. And finally, for adults, SPAMA Singers is a fantastic and fun opportunity to sing and perform with others.
Says Ward, “We’re also adding new ensembles all the time. Currently, we are looking to offer a theory and musicianship class as well as an ukulele ensemble and a beginning violin class.”
SPAMA began collaborating with SPEF the moment they opened over ten years ago. “All of our proceeds from the Ten Dollar Lesson Week will benefit the South Pasadena Educational Foundation. As educators and artists, we are inspired every day by the incredible and tireless work being done by SPEF to bring the best possible opportunities to the students of South Pasadena. It is our privilege and our pleasure to use this event to benefit an organization we are honored to work with,” says Ward.
When I asked about her hopes for 2023, it is clear there is a lot to be excited about at SPAMA. “I cannot wait to see all of our ensembles continue to grow and progress. Our goal is to bring people together and make music accessible to everyone in the South Pasadena community. Whether you are a beginner, returning to an instrument, looking to push yourself to excellence with structure and rigor, or a more casual musician, I hope that everyone realizes they have a place with us to explore music,” says Ward. “We are also planning to utilize our back garden for more frequent and varied performances. Our adult wine and cheese recital was a huge success; we’re going to build on that momentum to bring lots of smaller, more intimate concerts to the community, including performances by our remarkably talented faculty.”
The academy offers a range of lessons including piano, voice, drums, guitar, bass, ukulele, violin, viola, cello, songwriting and music theory as well as the aforementioned group classes like SPAMA singers and their brand new early childhood music program, Whole Steps.
All ages and experience levels are welcome!
Spaces will fill up quickly, so be sure to call them at 626.808.4031 to reserve a spot!
