Pick-Up Notes – February 2026 Newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy
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| LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORFebruary at the St. Joseph Arts Academy Dear SJAA Families,February is a special month at the Academy—a time to celebrate connection, creativity, and the joy of sharing music with others.Music isn’t meant to live only in practice rooms. It’s meant to be shared—with family, friends, audiences, and our community. This month, we’re leaning into that idea with our “Share the Love of Music” theme, encouraging students to play with heart, practice with intention, and confidently share their talents through lessons, recitals, videos, and special events.You’ll notice a few fun February touches around the building and online—short “Why I Love Music” videos, love-themed recital moments, reflection notes from students, and an emphasis on practicing with care rather than perfection. These small moments help keep students inspired and remind them why they started making music in the first place.As always, regular recitals are happening, and we love seeing students take these important steps toward confidence and growth. Recitals are a powerful reminder that progress isn’t just about notes—it’s about courage, expression, and sharing something meaningful with others.A quick note of gratitude: thank you for being part of our SJAA community. Lesson spaces—especially piano and voice—are currently at a premium, and we’re working hard every week to support our students, match them with great teachers, and keep things running smoothly. We hope you’re enjoying your time here and feeling well supported by our incredible faculty.Looking ahead, we have big (and exciting!) things coming this spring:Video and evaluative auditionsSpring music contest preparation and coachingContinued recital opportunitiesA strong, joyful finish to the school yearWe’re also excited to be adding songwriting lessons—both private and group options—for students who want to get creative with composing, lyrics, and original music. If that sparks your interest (or your child’s), we’d love to talk more.And finally—thank you to everyone who has shared kind words about the Academy. We’re just one 5-star Google review away from reaching 60, and if you’ve had a positive experience, your feedback truly helps other families find us. It means more than you know.Thank you for trusting us with your music education. Let’s keep supporting one another, celebrating growth, and sharing the love of music—this month and always. Thank you!Jason & SJAA Join or Share us on Facebook/Instagram   #MusicAccomplishedOur February “Student of the Month” is…Levi G.! We are so lucky to have him and his family with us at the SJAA. When Levi was 4 years old, he would often walk around the house wearing boots and a cowboy hat while singing and playing his toy guitar. As the years passed, his love for music continued to grow and he started writing songs. Levi asked for a “real” guitar for his 9th birthday and started taking lessons at the SJAA in June 2025. Levi is a 4th grader at Mid Buchanan school. He also enjoys 4-wheeling, playing baseball, swimming, target shooting, spending time with friends and family, and listening to music. Levi has a puppy named Ozzy and a cat named MewMew. Levi wants to be a country music artist when he grows up. We’ll celebrate Levi with a gift card for him! Thank you, Levi for referring your friends and family to the Academy. Congratulations!!! To be considered for Student of the Month, be sure to talk to your teacher about all your musical and extracurricular activities, share pictures and refer your fellow musicians to the academy.  Our February Pet of the Month goes toLuigi!Thank you to Taylor for sharing a photo of your sweet fur baby. Each month, SJAA will select a pet to feature and a donation will be made to Friends of the St. Joseph Animal Shelter in honor of all of our local pets in need. Share a favorite pic of your favorite pet and maybe they’ll be named the SJAA “Pet of the Month”! Bring on those adorable snapshots!   Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at SJAA!!!Today we are celebrating the universal language of love: MUSIC! We hope you are able to spend today with a very special loved one and listen to all of your most-loved songs.    Noyes Home for Children Celebrates Kindness!SJAA students, families and friends recognized through essays and awards. We support our friends at the Noyes Home and stand behind everything “Kindness” as part of our day to day here. SO PROUD (but not unexpected) to see so many familiar names on this list. Ryerson, Amelia, Korbyn, Father King and Kindness Keeper 2026, Mykie May, Captain of Engine 9!! Congrats to John Glenn Elementary and to all who wrote these essays for consideration. Our community is the real winner here and the world is just a little bit better place.       Google ReviewPrivate lessons spots are limited with our amazing coaching faculty at the SJAA but we still have room to grow. Thank you for referring your friends and family to the academy!We’ve now reached over 50 5-star Google reviews. So, thank you to everybody that put in their reviews. We so much appreciate it, but we want to get to 75 reviews. If you haven’t yet, please consider going to Goggle, giving us a review. We’d love your feedback and thank you so much again for helping us get over 50 5-star Google reviews.REVIEWS https://g.page/r/CZvsJULwejcCEAg/review  “We love SJAA! Jason and his team are amazing – so kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. My girls have been making great advancements in their piano skills. We would highly recommend SJAA!”- Ashley LMonthly tuition for private lessons (30 minute weekly sessions) is $116.Review Our Lesson Policy https://stjosephartsacademy.com/lesson-policy/ OTHER NOTES2026 2/6 – SJAMTA “Monster Concert” rehearsal TBA2/7 – SJAMTA “Monster Concert”, 3pm, 1st Presbyterian Church3/21 – Spring “Photo Day @ SJAA!” Sign-up Now!3/22 – SJAMTA Recital 2pm, Wyatt Park Christian Church 4/15 Baltezor Scholarship4/19 – SJAMTA Recital 2pm, 1st Presbyterian Church4/19 – SJAMTA “Honors Recital”, 3pm 1st Presbyterian Church 6/6 – SJAMTA Scholarship Is your Teacher Sold Out? Addy Gabriel – Sold OutAlex Rowen – Saturday 11amAndrew Holmes – Tuesday 7pmAnthony Glise – Sold OutBrett Wootton – Waiting ListBrent Isom – Thursday 3pmClaire Gerhardt – Monday 7:30Garrett Branson – Thursday 3Jack Wing – Wednesday 6:30pmJason Riley – Sold OutJolie Riley – Sold OutDarren Verbick – Sold OutDavid Parker – Virtual OnlyMarina Gurnovich – Sold OutTarquin Kellough – Saturday 1pmTerry Brock – Sold OutJohn Keck – Friday 5pm SJAA Classes/Courses – Private music lessons in Guitar, Piano, Violin, Cello, Voice and Singing, Ukulele, Drums and Percussion, Steel Pan, Mandolin, Banjo, Acoustic/Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Trumpet, Strings, Early Childhood Classes, Group Guitar, Group Ukulele. Art Classes, Online Music Lessons & Adult Art Classes. All musical styles for all ages. We also offer… Discounts on music books & accessories, instrument rentals and rental space for birthday parties and special events.TeacherZone is our on-line platform for our students and our teachers. https://app.teacherzone.comUNITED FIBER has come to the SJAA! Free Wi-Fi – SJAA password “MusicAccomplished”Academy MissionOur 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.OUR MOTTO… Music Accomplished! |
| Thank you for reading -“Pick-Up Notes” – 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: 816-974-7656 Text: 816-623-2002 Here to help! Call or text if you need anything at all. {| o }===::: |
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