Pick-Up Notes – The November Newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy
| Services | Benefits | Guide | Calendar | Request Info |
 Pick-Up Notes — The Monthly Newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy |
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| Letter from the Director |
| November at the St. Joseph Arts Academy |
| Dear SJAA Students and Families, Happy Thanksgiving! Gratitude is a big part of our culture here at SJAA, and November gives us a special opportunity to slow down and recognize all we have to be thankful for. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It comes in a quieter way, without fireworks, costumes, mascots, or the usual rush of the holiday season. It’s simply a time to appreciate the people and things that make our lives, well, OUR lives! I’m grateful for my family, my friends, and the opportunity to play, share, and study music. And yes, I really do love to practice! I’m also grateful that we have a place to bring all of this together through our students, families, faculty, and friends at the Academy. Here’s a little challenge for November: Take a moment to share a note of gratitude with someone you appreciate. A teacher, a friend, a family member, or someone who has made a difference in your life. They’ll be glad to hear it, and your message won’t get lost in next month’s barrage of Christmas cards! Thank you for trusting us with your music lessons.Thank you for sharing your students and families with us.And thank you for sharing the music. A little Thanksgiving every day is good for all of us. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and, especially, a very Happy Thanksgiving! Grateful for you! Jason & SJAA Jason Riley, Director — jason@stjosephartsacademy.com | Call/Text: 816-974-7656 | |
| Follow & share us on Facebook & Instagram — #MusicAccomplished |
FEATURED REVIEWSJAA has been a wonderful experience for my grandson. Our family and friends always enjoy when he plays for us. We are blessed with his positive attitude and appreciation of music. And very thankful for his teacher, Jason. I am happy to recommend SJAA, for I know as the years go by he will only improve and grow in his love for music.— Shirlee M.  |
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| Student of the Month |
Hunter C.! We are so lucky to have Hunter and his family with us at the SJAA! Hunter is an exceptionally talented freshman known for his dedication and leadership. A two-time All-Conference musician, Hunter has performed with the Mid-Buchanan marching and jazz bands for the past two years and earned spots in the All-District Concert Band on clarinet and All-District Jazz Band on electric guitar. His leadership and commitment to music have also earned him a place on his school’s Band Leadership Team. With plans to pursue music at the college level, Hunter continues to grow under the guidance of his guitar instructor, Jason. Outside of music, he competes on the Mid-Buchanan FFA trap shooting team and helps operate his family’s cattle farm in Savannah, MO. We’ll celebrate Hunter with a gift card! Thank you for referring your friends and family to the Academy. Congratulations! To be considered for Student of the Month, talk to your teacher about your musical and extracurricular activities, share pictures, and refer fellow musicians to the academy! |
| Pet of the Month |
| Max! |
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Thank you to Mr. Jack for sharing a photo of your sweet fur baby! Each month, SJAA selects a pet to feature — and a donation is made to Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter in honor of all our local pets in need. Share a favorite photo of your pet — they could be next!  Bring on those adorable snapshots! |
Birthdays of the Month Happy Birthday to our incredible students and families celebrating this month!  Alexandria L | SR D | Benjamin D | Marleigh W | Zakari G | Alexandria V Mr. Wootton | Peyton P | Ms. Anna | Helyn S | Liam L | Ms. Marina | Nataly P Anthony M | Grace H | Owen H Let your teacher know your birthday so we can celebrate you! |
Welcome New Students! We’re so excited to welcome these new musicians into the SJAA family!  Cynthia F | Atlas S | Brianna S | Austin H | James F | Havalynne B Kayden R | Stella M | Evalynn D We’re so glad you’re here — welcome to the Academy! |
| Early Childhood Music Classes Music is magic at any age — especially the earliest ones! Our Early Childhood Music Classes are designed for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (ages infant–5 yrs). Interactive, joyful, and developmentally enriching — these classes spark a lifelong love of music right from the start. Know a family with little ones? Share the gift of music — refer them today! |
| Learn More About Early Childhood Classes → |
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| Mrs. Marina’s Students at Mall-O-Ween!!! Students from Mrs. Marina’s schedule performed at the mall on October 24th, and they did a wonderful job! For many of these students, it was their very first recital performance.A special congratulations to Joshua Z., Szeth A., Waylon M., Antonio R., and Millie S.! We are so proud of each of you and your hard work. |
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| Ms. Addy’s October Recital!Everyone played beautifully, and for many of our students, it was their VERY FIRST RECITAL! A special congratulations to Ivy, Amala, Robert, Rachel, Porter, and Eloise!We are so proud of all our students and the beautiful music they shared! |
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| Happy Thanksgiving from the SJAA!We will be CLOSED! |
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| Nov. 30 Day Practice Challenge!Grab a practice sheet from your teacher this month and write down your practice times. Turn in your sheet at the end of the month and earn a prize!! |
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| Strike a “Note” of Gratitude!It’s an SJAA Thanksgiving traditionWe’re giving every SJAA student 5 Thank You Cards — postage included!Write a quick note to someone special and drop it in the mail to brighten their day. Ask your teacher or the office for your cards and share some love, thanks, and good vibes with those you are grateful for this month. (While supplies last — and please don’t let them end up at the bottom of your guitar case!) |
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| Refer a Friend to the SJAA!Referral CONTEST!One of the ways that your STUDIO is able to GROW is by enrolling GREAT students JUST LIKE YOU! |
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| Shop St. Joseph Tickets are HERE!Stop by the front desk to pick up your tickets. |
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| Student Celebrations Every month we love to shine a spotlight on the amazing accomplishments of our SJAA students. Whether it’s a first recital, a new song mastered, a school honor, or a personal milestone — every achievement matters! Joshua Z — First Recital Certificate Szeth A — First Recital Certificate Waylon M — First Recital Certificate Antonio R — First Recital Certificate Millie S — First Recital Certificate Ivy S — First Recital Certificate Amala G — First Recital Certificate Robert R — First Recital Certificate Rachel P — First Recital Certificate Porter F — First Recital Certificate Eloise L — First Recital Certificate Talk to your teacher about your accomplishments — we’d love to celebrate you in next month’s newsletter! |
| Does Your Teacher Have Openings? Private lesson spots are limited with our amazing coaching faculty. Check availability below and refer a friend before their spot is gone! |
 Addy Gabriel — Waiting List Alex Rowen — Thursday 5:30pm Andrew Holmes — Tuesday 4pm Anthony Glise — Waiting List Brett Wootton — Waiting List Brent Isom — Wednesday 4pm Claire Gerhardt — Tuesday 4pm Garrett Branson — Thursday 3pm Jack Wing — Wednesday 4:30pm Jason Riley — Waiting List Jolie Riley — Waiting List David Parker — Virtual Only Marina Gurnovich — Wednesday 3:30pm Tarquin Kellough — Monday 5:30pm Terry Brock — Waiting List Michael Fuson — Saturday 10:30am Hannah Gale — Saturday 1:30pm Mark Pennington — Thursday 3pm |
| Refer a Friend — Request Info → |
| Upcoming Calendar Mark your calendars and don’t miss a beat! Here’s what’s coming up at SJAA and in our community: |
| November 202611/1 — “Notes of Gratitude” SJAA Thank You Card Giveaway Begins!11/1 — “30 Day Practice Challenge” Begins!11/14 — InspireU SJAA Second Saturdays, 1–4pm11/26 — Happy Thanksgiving!! (SJAA is Closed) December 202612/12 — InspireU SJAA Second Saturdays, 1-4pm12/12 — SJAMTA Holiday “Mall-a-thon” 11-2pm, East Hills Mall12/25 — Merry Christmas!! (SJAA is Closed) View the full calendar at stjosephartsacademy.com/calendar |
| Academy Notes Monthly TuitionMonthly tuition for private lessons (30-minute weekly sessions) is $116. Questions? Review our Lesson Policy here. TeacherZone Student PortalManage your lessons, track progress, and stay connected through our online platform: app.teacherzone.com Free Wi-Fi at SJAAThanks to United Fiber, enjoy free Wi-Fi at the academy! Password: MusicAccomplished We Also Offer…Discounts on music books & accessories, instrument rentals, and rental space for birthday parties and special events. Explore all our services → |
What We Teach Northwest Missouri’s largest music school — offering quality instruction for over 30 years. Private lessons in: Guitar | Piano | Violin & Cello | Drums & Percussion |  Voice & Singing | Ukulele  Banjo & Mandolin | Bass (Acoustic, Upright & Electric) | Steel Pan Art Classes | Online Music Lessons |  Early Childhood Classes | Group Guitar & Ukulele All musical styles. All ages. Never too young or too old to start. |
| Explore All Lessons & Services → |
Our Mission Our mission at the St. Joseph Arts Academy is to provide the highest quality musical instruction and performance opportunities to beginning and advancing students in the Midland Empire. We use our patience, enthusiasm and loyalty to encourage, inform and inspire others to happily share their skill and talent in love and gratitude to make the world a better place. Music Accomplished! Thank you for reading Pick-Up Notes — the monthly newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy. It’s always a great month and they go by so fast! Thank you for encouraging the advancing musicians in your life and in our community. We are making the world a better place through music. It’s fun — thank you for that! Jason Riley, Director jason@stjosephartsacademy.com Call/Text: 816-974-7656 Here to help! Call or text if you need anything at all. Facebook | Website | Instagram | Newsletter Archive 2027 N. 36th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64506 | © 2026 St. Joseph Arts Academy. All rights reserved. |
| Northwest Missouri’s largest music school, offering quality instruction for over 30 years.Services · Benefits · Guide · Request Info2027 N. 36th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64506 (816) 974-7656© 2026 St. Joseph Arts Academy. All rights reserved. |