Pick-Up Notes – March 2026 Newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts Academy
| Pick-Up Notes The Newsletter from the St. Joseph Arts AcademyView this email in your browser  |
| LETTER FROM THE DIRECTORMarch at the St. Joseph Arts Academy Dear SJAA Students and Families,March is a fun and meaningful month here at the Academy. It’s Teacher Appreciation Month, and we’re taking time to celebrate the incredible teachers who make this place so special. Our faculty brings patience, encouragement, creativity, and real expertise to every lesson. So as you see your teachers this month, be sure to give them a quick thank-you. They truly deserve it.March also brings a few fun traditions around the school. Of course, St. Patrick’s Day becomes “St. Practice Day” around here. It’s a great excuse to pick up your instrument, play a little extra, and keep the momentum going. We’re also having some fun with our March Madness video contest, where students can share practice clips, performances, or even musical jokes. It’s always great to see students sharing their music.Another exciting bit of news: St. Joseph Arts Academy was recently named one of the Top 3 music schools in the state of Missouri, based on Google rankings and reviews. That recognition means a lot to us, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of our students and families. Thank you for the kind words and the five-star reviews that help spread the word about what we’re doing here.As we move toward spring, it’s a good time to remember something important about learning music: it takes time. Progress comes from regular practice, good coaching, and a willingness to stay with it even when things feel challenging.When I was learning music, great teachers and mentors made all the difference for me. And honestly, they still do. Even after all these years, I’m still learning, still practicing, and still working with coaches and mentors myself. That’s just part of being a musician.There are always ups and downs in the process. Sometimes progress feels fast, and other times it feels like you’ve hit a plateau. But the students who grow the most are the ones who stick with it. With patience and steady effort, those plateaus turn into new breakthroughs.Families can help a lot here by being encouraging and patient—and students should remember to be kind to themselves too. Growth takes time. Just like the flowers that will soon start showing up this spring, the blooms come when the season is right.One other small reminder: don’t forget to enjoy the sound you’re making. Sometimes we get so focused on “put your finger here” or “fix this note” that we forget to stop and listen. Music is meant to be beautiful and to make people happy—including you.So give yourself or your student credit for showing up, doing the work, and sticking with it. If you did your best today, that’s a good day. And that’s something you can sleep well on.Thanks for being part of the SJAA community. Wishing everyone a great month and a very happy start to spring. Jason & SJAA Join or Share us on Facebook/Instagram   #MusicAccomplishedOur March “Student of the Month” is…Amala G.! We are so lucky to have Amala and her family with us at the SJAA. Amala is a bright and energetic girl who loves staying active, whether she’s swimming, riding her bike, or playing with friends. She enjoys watching Bluey, Paw Patrol, and K-pop Demon Hunters, and she absolutely loves to sing. Always smiling, Amala brings joy wherever she goes, and her sassy sense of humor keeps everyone around her laughing. We’ll celebrate Amala with a gift card for her! Thank you, Amala 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 March Pet of the Month goes toLulu!Thank you to the Grayson family 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!    March is Teacher Appreciation Month at SJAA!!! Thank you to our AMAZING SJAA teachers here. We are so grateful for your hard work and inspiration to students every day. Don’t forget to let your SJAA teacher know how awesome they are!!    Need a rental space for your graduating senior?  Celebrate this big moment at SJAA! We offer space reservations for graduation parties and other special events  Scan the QR code for more info or send us a message!  Spring “Photo Day @ SJAA” is coming up on March 21st! A great chance to capture your musical journey We absolutely love these heirloom quality photos from our friends @tylerosbornstudios!! We are so proud to have these amazing shots for our very own walls and halls at the academy. Limited spaces available, sign up now!       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  “I took my granddaughter to the toddler music class. It was an amazing experience for both of us. I got to spend time with her learning about all the facets of music. She absolutely loved it. Jason and Jolie Riley are truly a gift to everyone they encounter. Love them both so much!” – Cynthia S.Monthly tuition for private lessons (30 minute weekly sessions) is $116.Review Our Lesson Policy https://stjosephartsacademy.com/lesson-policy/ OTHER NOTES2026 3/14 – InspireU SJAA Second Saturdays, 1-4pm3/21 – Spring “Photo Day @ SJAA!” Sign-up Now!3/22 – SJAMTA Recital 2pm, Wyatt Park Christian Church 4/1 – “30 Day Practice Challenge” Begins!4/11 – InspireU SJAA Second Saturdays, 1-4pm4/15 Baltezor Scholarship4/19 – SJAMTA Recital 2pm, 1st Presbyterian Church4/19 – SJAMTA “Honors Recital”, 3pm 1st Presbyterian Church4/19 – Music Exploration, “St. Joseph Kids Make Music Day!” 1-3pm4/26 – Claire’s Spring Recital, 2pm and 3pm 5/2 – Addy’s Spring Recital, 2-3pm5/9 – InspireU SJAA Second Saturdays, 1-4pm Is your Teacher Sold Out?Addy Gabriel – Sold OutAlex Rowen – Saturday 9amAndrew Holmes – Tuesday 7pmAnthony Glise – Sold OutBrett Wootton – Waiting ListBrent Isom – Thursday 2pmClaire Gerhardt – Monday 7pmGarrett Branson – Sold OutJack Wing – Wednesday 6:30pmJason Riley – Wednesday 4:30pmJolie Riley – Sold OutDarren Verbick – Sold OutDavid Parker – Virtual OnlyMarina Gurnovich – Waiting ListTarquin Kellough – Saturday 1pmTerry Brock – Sold OutJohn Keck – Friday 6:30pmMichael Fuson – Saturday 11amSJAA 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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