Music Academy of the Two Rivers

06/27/2023

Two quick updates for our students:

VIOLIN AND VIOLA STUDENTS:

Beginning June 28, lessons will be down in the regular studio (the garage)! For our new students, please come around the left side of the garage, through the wrought iron gate. Open the gate away from you, and be sure to close it behind you (and again, close it behind you when you leave). Just walk on in through the door just past the gate, no need to knock! (Open office hours have not yet resumed, though- it'll be a few more weeks.)

PIANO STUDENTS:
Hrant's performance schedule has gotten booked up as of late, and his duties at Charleston Southern are only getting busier. As a result, he won't be able to continue teaching private lessons. He has greatly enjoyed his time teaching you all, and regrets that he won't be able to continue with his private students. However, don't worry! You have three options.
1. Default: If you'd like to continue coming to the location in West Ashley (the studio based out of my home), you can continue taking lessons with Hayley Cash- she's happy to continue with any and all of you! She has greatly enjoyed the last few weeks with everyone, and has had so many wonderful things to say.
2. Maria Savelyeva, who also teaches cello, is based downtown, for any students that would like to switch to her.
3. If you would like to go to another teacher not associated with our studio, let me know, and I will provide a recommendation to a teacher that might fit your child's needs.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and ask at your next lesson, or through email.

Savannah Cash

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06/05/2023

The summer recital is coming up this Tuesday!

The dress rehearsal yesterday morning went swimmingly, every single kid played so well. I would like to highlight one child in particular, Caspian- he brought several members of his family who may not be able to make it to the actual recital, and he performed splendidly for them! Siblings were all well behaved, parents were attentive and supportive of everybody, and the music sounded GREAT, and the recital itself should go perfectly this Tuesday. And like Hayley discussed at the rehearsal, even if the music isn't perfect, that's totally fine- even pros mess up every now and again!

The recital is this Tuesday, at 4 PM. Call time is at 3:30 PM; this means your child needs to be here, ready to play, dressed, at that time (violinists and violists, you should have your instrument out and tuned! If you need help tuning, just ask me or Hayley). You can come as early as 2 PM, we will be setting up at that time. The doors will open for the audience to come in at 3:50 PM (ish).

Concert order is as follows: Amelie, Sophia, Jonathan, Isabella, Caspian, Thomas, Jonah, James, Layla, Yidong. Slightly different order from yesterday, in order to sparse out the pianists a bit better. The concert should only be half an hour at most, so don't be alarmed by the number of names there!

Dress code for performers is semi-formal- basically, what they might wear to church or synagogue, or an important event at school- something nice but comfortable, no jeans or t-shirts, flip flops or tennis shoes. Please ensure that girls are not wearing heels, we don't want any falls (my broken leg is enough, lol). Little ones are welcome to 'dress up'!

After the performance we will have a reception, please bring finger food to share. At this reception, we will draw names from the teapot for the prizes- both the fun prizes for the kids, and the potential for up to 8 free lessons! (a $500 value) So even if you're not performing, please come to support your peers, in case your name gets drawn out of the pot. :)

Penultimately, because we now have so many kids at the studio, we may start doing recitals 4x a year, quarterly, rather than just twice a year! If this sounds like something you'd like to see, please come to the next group class (June 17 at 11 AM, with Hayley) to voice your support. Recitals are a big investment of money, space, and time for the studio, so we want to make sure that doubling them is what you guys want, before we set anything in stone.

Finally, I want to clarify some of the policies in the studio: This is a not for profit charity, meant to provide an accessible and affordable musical education. This means that our studio is very, very different from others; we offer a lot of programming for free, and that includes these recitals (and solo recitals), the accompanist, and our group classes, all of which are open to all of our students. Normally we offer free instruments to our strings students, but we've had to put a pause on extension of that program until we recoup a major loss. We also normally offer free open office hours, where you can drop in and observe other students' lessons, and just practice or chat with the available teacher, all for free, but that programming is suspended until I'm recovered from my broken leg. All this is to say, please appreciate that this studio is my way of reaching out and trying to offer some happiness to the kids of Charleston, and be understanding that the policies that exist are in place for a reason. Abuse of or disregard of policies in the studio will always have consequences, as it will not just affect your child, but the other children at the studio. These policies are in place so that everyone can have a great musical education, and that is why we ask that everyone treats the students, teachers, instruments, music, and schedule/deadlines with respect, so that our studio can continue to run smoothly.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out. See you all Tuesday!

Savannah Cash, Director

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05/19/2023

This is the email that should answer all of your questions about our upcoming recital.

MASTERCLASS ON MAY 20 AT 11 AM
Hayley Cash will run the masterclass this Saturday, for both violin and piano students interested. Space is limited, so if you want your child to participate, I believe there are only 2 spots left! Let me know ASAP if you want to participate.

DRESS REHEARSAL ON JUNE 3 AT 11 AM
Hayley Cash will be the accompanist, and this is your child's one opportunity to practice with her before the show. We will begin with the twinkles and work our way up to the more advanced pieces; piano students soloists) will play after we've run through everything that requires accompaniment. This should in theory take no more than half an hour. If your child's piece is not 100% ready for performance, they will not be allowed to play on the recital, so be sure to walk in prepared. This rehearsal is not a practice session: it is a chance to get familiar with the accompaniment. Be sure to listen to the music frequently before this, so that your child already knows how the accompaniment sounds before jumping in!

CALL TIME IS AT 3:30 PM ON JUNE 6
This means that your child needs to be here, dressed, instrument out and ready to play, at 3:30 PM. If you are late, for any reason, your child will not play. This is out of consideration for the other students at the studio. If you need help with transportation, let me know in advance and I will see what I can do.

THE RECITAL WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM
If you have guests coming, please ensure that they arrive in a timely manner. After the recital begins, no further entry will be permitted. The recital should only be around a half hour long, so out of consideration for the other students, please remain seated for the entire performance, unless a little one has an emergency. Do not use flash photography, but please do take non-flash pictures, and record your child playing!

DRESS CODE
Students should be dressed semi formal or formal. Young children are entirely allowed to 'dress up' if they wish, I love seeing princesses play Twinkle! I've also seen a Spiderman or two. The one big rule is, students are not allowed to wear heels, or other unsupportive shoes, for their safety.

RECEPTION AFTERWARDS
Please bring a dish of finger foods to be enjoyed by all at the reception after the recital. Drinks, plates, and utensils will be provided by the studio. The reception will be in my back garden, unless it rains.

If you have any questions, please refer to previous emails, or send me an email at [email protected]. If you have an urgent concern, please text me at 843 509 8739.

One final reminder, that mobility month is now halfway over! If you want to take advantage of the $10 discount, you've got less than 2 weeks left to do it! All you have to do is come to your lesson NOT by car- either by biking or walking. :)

Savannah Cash, Director

Check out our event on Tuesday, Jun 6, 2023.

Click here for event details from Music Academy of the Two Rivers!

05/18/2023

Congratulations Yidong, on your acceptance into the Charleston Chamber Music Intensive!

Yidong has been studying at MATR for several years now, and is a fantastic student. Given his diligent practice and consistent hard work, he has been accepted into this local camp hosted at the College of Charleston.

In celebration of Yidong being our first student to get into CCMI, the Music Academy of the Two Rivers will be giving him a $200 scholarship to attend the intensive, covering just over 25% of the tuition fee.

When you see Yidong at the upcoming dress rehearsal and recital, be sure to congratulate him. And this summer, if he decides to attend, be sure to come see him perform- it will be his first time playing both chamber music, and in an orchestra, and I have no doubt he will exceed all expectations! See the dates here: charlestoncmi.com/the-intensive (https://www.charlestoncmi.com/the-intensive)

- Savannah Cash, Director

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05/02/2023

Given recent events, we're temporarily changing a few policies.

As many of you already know, I (Savannah, the violin teacher), broke my leg pretty severely a little over a week ago. I'm still teaching, but while I'm housebound and recovering, the studio is going to have to go through a few minor changes until I'm ambulatory again. This should in no way affect your child's musical education!

CANCELLATIONS
If you need to cancel your lesson, in order to avoid being charged, instead of 24 hours notice, please provide at minimum 48 hours notice. When you need to cancel, please do so in writing, through an email to me ([email protected]), with the subject "Lesson Cancellation [Student Name]". If you have to cancel within the 48 hour window, please let me know with as much notice as possible, especially if it is an emergency. If it is a cancellation for a medical emergency, please bring a doctor's note to the next lesson, and I will cancel the invoice so you don't have to pay. If you do not let me know before the start time of your lesson (up to the very minute it starts!), even if it is a medical emergency, I will still have to charge for the lesson. Remember, while I was in the hospital, waiting to go into surgery, I made sure to let everybody in my life know, including my students at MATR, that I would be unable to make it to my obligations. If I can do it, so can you!

MAKE UP LESSONS
I will no longer offer make up lessons while I'm healing, I will not make exceptions. If you give advance notice, I can reschedule, but if you cancel too close to the lesson, it won't happen. It's very difficult for me to alter my schedule, for fairly obvious reasons right now. If you want to request an extra lesson, such as for preparation for an audition or summer camp or competition, let me know, and I will make it happen. Other teachers will still offer makeup lessons at their own discretion.

LESSON LOCATION
Violin and Viola lessons with me will take place in my living room, aka the recital room with the grand piano. Just walk in prior to your lesson time and get set up- even if there's another student already playing. We want to eliminate gaps between lessons as much as possible. Please do not ring the doorbell, or knock on the door. On the off-chance that a cat or dog is out, please be sure not to let them come outside, no matter what they tell you.

OPEN OFFICE HOURS
I will not be offering my usual open office hours during this time. Normally, you are allowed to stop in at any time between 3-8 PM on weekdays to observe other students' lessons, and to have a guided practice session with me, at no charge. Right now, that is obviously not possible. If you want to have a guided practice session, it will specifically need to be scheduled, at least a week in advance.

GROUP CLASSES/MASTERCLASSES
This weekend, May 6, we will NOT have a group class. However, my sister, Hayley Cash, will be graduating from the USC honors college, having studied violin as a part of her undergraduate program, and she will be joining our faculty. This is not how I would have liked to introduce her, but it will have to do! May 20th's group class and every group class from that point forward until I am ambulatory again will be taught by either Hayley, or another teacher at the studio, or a guest artist. May 20th will be a masterclass, and I'm going to limit the playing students (as we have so many at the studio!) to 6, so that everybody gets a decent chunk of time. If you want to secure your spot as one of the playing students, please let me know ahead of time, and tell me what you'll be playing. Use this as an opportunity to work on your recital piece! Best of all, Hayley is also an accomplished PIANIST! She will actually be our studio's accompanist for the upcoming recital on June 6 at 4 PM, and the rehearsal on June 3 at 11 AM.

Now that those are out of the way (and if you have any questions, just ask at your next lesson, or shoot me a text), let's reiterate everything about the upcoming recital:

- The masterclass, dress rehearsal, and recital will all take place in my living room at 1309 New Castle St, where I have a lovely grand piano.
- Please let me know your intended piece by THIS SATURDAY. If you are my student, we will talk about it in your lesson, as I have already decided for most of you. Please also email me ([email protected]) your student's bio, 100 ish words, by this Saturday. If you need help with that, there are numerous tutorials online.
- Hayley will teach a masterclass on May 20 at 11 AM, with 6 slots. I recommend reserving your slot in advance, as they are so limited, and using it as an opportunity to work your recital piece. Hayley is both a violinist and pianist, and can help all strings and piano students.
- The dress rehearsal for the recital is June 3 at 11 AM. You may leave after you play your piece. Pieces must be performance ready by this rehearsal. If they are not, you will not perform.
- The recital is June 6 at 4 PM. Call time (the time students need to be there, instruments ready, dressed) is 3:30 PM. Doors will open for guests to arrive at 3:50 PM.
- Please don't take flash photography during the recital. Please DO take pictures without flash, and definitely record your child's piece. I recommend a tripod, so you can also watch. I will try to record the full recital myself, but I can't guarantee it, as it would require more mobility than I have right now.
- Guests are welcome, there may be standing room if we don't have enough chairs, but I'm not too concerned.
- We will have a reception after the recital, in my backyard. It's a lovely garden, and it should be a lovely time. If it rains, we'll just have it inside.
- IMPORTANT: Bring a dish of finger food to the reception. I will provide the dishes, drinks, and cups. Don't worry about feeding everybody, because everybody will bring something, and we always have stuff left over. I recommend Costco, fyi, they have great party sized trays and whatnot!

I know this is a long email, thanks for getting through it! One last thing- May is mobility month (crassly ironic, given my current situation), a month long campaign by Charleston Moves for safer streets, a cause that is near to my heart. In support of this, I am offering a month long $10 discount to your lesson, if you show up on your bicycle or by foot, rather than taking your car for the trip. I don't expect many to be able to take advantage, but even if you can't, please check out everything Charleston Moves has to offer: charlestonmoves.org/mobility-month (https://charlestonmoves.org/mobility-month/)

See you all soon,
Savannah Cash
Director

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04/04/2023

Studio Announcements and Reminders

Madison is one of our violin students, who has been studying for over a year. She is nearing the end of Suzuki Book 1, and recently auditioned for the Rollings Middle School of the Arts. Let's all give Madison our hearty congratulations for her acceptance into Rollings! If you catch her at one of our upcoming group classes, be sure to congratulate her on her efforts.

A reminder that group classes are every other Saturday at 11 AM. This month's group classes are April 8 and April 22. All students are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Summer Recital Information

Mark your calendars for June 6, at 4 PM.
The recital will start at 4 PM, but all performing students must be present and ready by call time, 3:30 PM. The doors will open at 3:45 for guests, all are welcome. The recital will be in my home, at 1309 New Castle St. Feel free to park along the street.

The dress rehearsal is June 3, at 11 AM.
This is the time of our regular group class, during which we will instead have the dress rehearsal. All performing students must be in attendance- if one does not come to the rehearsal, they will not be allowed to perform. Additionally, if their piece is not recital ready, they will not be allowed to perform, so be sure to practice!

Your recital piece must be chosen by May 6, and you must submit a bio.
Work with your teacher to determine what piece your child will be performing, and please ensure that either you or the teacher has submitted that information to me prior to May 6. Additionally, please email a 100 word (or less) bio to me, at [email protected], prior to that day. If you do not submit a piece in time, your child will not be able to perform; if you do not submit a bio in time, one will not be included on the printed programs.

If you have any questions, please ask at your next lesson.

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03/25/2023

Today's group class has been cancelled, our next one will be April 8.

- S

02/25/2023

Our biweekly group classes are now at 11 AM, every other Saturday.

Due to a conflict in scheduling, group classes are now 2 hours earlier, at 11 AM! The next one is tomorrow, 2/25, and the next will be 3/10.

S Cash

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02/22/2023

It seems that the Amazon Smile program has been discontinued. Thank you to everyone who supported us through that program through the last few years, it helped us grow our stock of loaner instruments to help our students' families save plenty of money. Here's hoping we can find new pathways for funding in the future. :)

S

02/11/2023

As announced today at the Valentine's Day Play-in, we are introducing a new incentive to attend studio programming!

We are introducing a new incentive to join us for regular lessons, group classes, recitals, and more! At the semiannual recital reception this June, we will have a 'lottery' of sorts, with all kinds of fun prizes! In order to enter this, all you have to do is attend events at the studio- every event gives you one ticket to be entered into the pool. Best part is, no purchase is necessary! We host plenty of free events throughout the year for you to attend.

By attending any of the following hosted by the studio, you'll receive one ticket to be entered into the pool: private lessons, guided practice sessions, observation of other students' lessons, group classes, masterclasses, rehearsals, recitals. When you receive a ticket, you just need to write your name and phone number on the back, and place it in the box!

For scheduled events (private lessons, group classes, masterclasses, rehearsals, and recitals), you must be on time to receive a ticket. "On time" means that at the scheduled time, your instrument and books are out, and you're ready to play. If you walk through the door at the start time, that does not count.

For unscheduled events (guided practice sessions, observation of other students' lessons), as there is no scheduled time, you merely need to show up to get a ticket.

If your family has more than one child taking lessons, you'll receive a ticket for each child in attendance!

The prizes will be quite varied. Throughout the year, I will pick up various fun surprises (such as toys, candy, books, etc), which will be some of the prizes available. In addition to the fun things, we'll also offer three big prizes: 2 free lessons (1 for you, 1 for a friend), 4 free lessons (2 for you, 2 for a friend), and 8 free lessons (4 for you, 4 for a friend). In other words, there's going to be plenty of options, and something for everyone!

Everyone who came to today's Play-in received FIVE tickets to get them started! Best of luck to all who participate. :)

Happy (a little early) Valentine's Day!
Savannah Cash

PS- Stay tuned for news regarding a summer festival in Columbia!

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02/02/2023

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