Quarter Notes - Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts

Quarter Notes
Winter Edition January—March, 2011
Christmas Recital Brings Joy to Batesville Families
The Louisiana Academy of
Performing Arts "wrapped up"
2010 with their annual Christmas
recitals for the Covington,
Mandeville, and River
Ridge Schools of Music.
LAAPA students from all
three campuses gathered together
to perform their renditions
of Christmas classics and
other wonderful pieces. The
concerts featured students in
piano, voice, guitar, wind,
brass, percussion, and strings.
The LAAPA Jazz Ensemble,
the Kehoe-France Northshore
Concert Band, and the
LAAPA Chorus also performed.
Each year, in lieu of admission
fees for the recitals, donations
of wrapped gifts and other
supplies and necessities are
collected to benefit the Batesville
Mission in South
Texas. Donations were generously
given by all students and
their families. Because of all
of you, LAAPA was able to
contribute over twelve hundred
dollars, hundreds of toys,
warm clothing, and toiletries
to the mission this year!
The purpose of this mission is
"to share the love of Jesus
Christ with our people in ways
that you cannot imagine,”
shares Sister Angeles, of the
Teresian sisters, who runs the
mission program. Ryan Cullen,
the director of LAAPA,
adds "the people they serve are
the poorest of the poor in
South Texas, and this is our
way to bring the joy of the
Christmas season to them.”
As you can see, the recitals
were a huge success this year—
in more ways than one! We
would like to thank all of the
students and their families
this year for spreading Christmas
cheer with gifts and donations
for the Batesville Mission.
Also, the faculty and
staff of LAAPA would like to
congratulate all students that
participated in the recitals.
From those that performed
for the first time in
front of an audience, to those
seasoned musicians that have
performed several years in a
row now, you all did a wonderful
job! We are all so
proud of you and all of your
accomplishments….and we
look forward to seeing you all
perform in the Spring Recitals!
Inside this issue:
Northshore Recital
Group Photos
Southshore Recital
Group Photos
Thank You from the
Teresian Sisters
A Note from the
Assistant Director
Student News 5
Teacher Feature 6
LAAPAFEST 6
Upcoming Events:
Feb. 19th-LAAPAFEST-Covington
Campus
Feb. 26th-LAAPAFEST-Mandeville
Campus
March 5th-LAAPAFEST-River
Ridge Campus
March 7th-11th-Mardi Gras Holidays
2
3
4
4
From left to right: LAAPA
Administrative Manager
Cyrena Adkins, Assistant
Director Wanda Cullen,
Director Ryan Cullen and
Administrative Assistant
Jeannette Prater pictured with
the donations collected at the
River Ridge School of Music
Christmas Concerts.

Northshore Christmas Recital Group Photos
From Left to Right: First Row: Charles
Sandoz, Felipe Aceves, Emily Oliveri, Kate
Rush, Abbigail Boudin, Dixie Camaille,
Casey Osbourn, Sara Stoltz, Ilexis
Haricharan, Alana Hickman, Marie Cullen,
Emilie Stoltz, Second Row: Kathleen
Sullivan, Katie Pokrywka, Michael Austin
Verges, Lauren Pattarozzi, Sara Impastato,
Emma Rabensteiner, Frederick
Rabensteiner, Anthony Short, Kaitlyn
Pattarozzi, Raegan Cantrelle, Third Row:
Anna Strickland, Laura Strickland, Jonathan
Payne, Manny Motahari, Randi Shaye Allen,
Marie Motahari, Joey Impastato, Aaron
Dalton
From Left to Right: First Row: William Kropog, Isabella Lambertson, Maygan Brewer,
Vennila Satheesh, Gabriele Parr, Cole Montelaro-Mokry, Hy Nguyen, Rannie Walker, Griffin
Eberly, Samantha Harkins, Alyssa Bergeron, Alyssa Schroeder, Susannah Knights, Ava
Ehlinger, Dell Montelaro-Mokry, Second Row: Christian McDonald, Grant Fowler, Clare
Bruns, Heather Shockley, William Dunford, Hannah Baham, Madeline Logan, Trey Harkins,
Kha Nguyen, Branden Richards, Garrett Delony, Hagan Harkins, Third Row: Robert
Klazynski, Sarah DuRapau, Taylor Sims, Travis Graham
From Left to Right: First Row: Connor Bresette, Quincy Laurent, Shelby Stephens, Grace
Grundmann, Josh Vasaelch, Collin Copeland, Savannah Anctil, Second Row: Lucas
Plaisance, James Plaisance, Alex Chiu, Shaw Corcoran, Melissa Moore, Aidan Carpenter,
Anna Stelluto, MaKayla Page, Alyssa Jeansonne, Lanie Abney, Jesi Abney, Sammy Clark,
Brandon Myers, Third Row: Olivia Gray, Liz Moore, Grace Cassie, Madeline Moore, Allie
Moore, Grace Dumdaw, Kassidy Bauman
From Left to Right: First Row: Dimitri Nixon, Darnetia Nixon, Alanna Moss, Emily Ruli,
Christy Davisson, Ashley Gaitan, Andrea Sharp, Second Row: Emma Pradillo, Joel
Rodriguez, Vittoria Notaroberto, Luci McCaleb, Abigail Araki, Madison Livaccari, Daria
Butler, Ethan Leggio, Margarte Rose Manshel, Ian Nicoll, Christina Braun, Alexandra Jaeger,
Timos Braun, Ethan Hansen, Aaliya Faour, Mark Broussard, Third Row: Kellie Driscoll,
Emily Araki, Julia Chabreck, Taylor Sanders., Shay Dennie, Brandon Core, Logan Levantino,
Grace Roberto, Logan Rogers
From Left to Right: First Row: Ethan Lafont, John Hajjar, Grant Rupert, Macie Breaux,
David Thompson, Baylie Knauth, Mallory Bogle, Jessica Gatto, Colton Blagrove, Mason
Montgomery, Kaitlyn Luts, Nicholas Oubre, Second Row: Christian Evans, Austin Hayes,
Lea Disimone, Regan Descant, Alyssa Thompson, Brennen Calato, Haley Moon, Bailey Ho,
Charles Graffeo, Zoe Eymard, Zachary Montz, Mia Robinson, Ariana Blagrove, Samantha
Dugan, Liam McCauley, Third Row: Ashley Benson, Zoe Zollinger, Karlee Babbel, Tabitha
McLindon, Anna Leach, Christian Bogle, Madalyn Bilac, Cole Connerat, Elena Graffeo,
Matthew Fuentes, Austin Ho
Quarter Notes - Winter 2011 www.laapa.com/quarternotes Page 2

Southshore Christmas Recital Group Photos
From Left to Right:
First Row: Mia Luquet, Abigail Pratt, Kody Nguy, Juliette
Enright, Haley Tran, Jane Carriere, Lilly Keel, Olivia Kelly,
Collin Cruz, Grace Williams, Gabriella Cordova, Lauren
Peoples Second Row:Sakshi Sadwani, Liem Tran, Annie
Pham, Pearson Pratt, Michael Pham, Ben Willis, Patrick
Lyell, Nikki Thorne Third Row: Kandace Nguyen, Lucy
Pham, John Duong, Ly Tran, Hunter Schnell, Rahul
Sadwani, Matthew Cruz, Tony Pham
Fourth Row: Corey Fletcher, Emma Hoss, Tue-sy Pham,
Sean Henry, Daniel Mahne, Linh Tran, Samantha Morris,
Carolina Avila, Cirino Urrata
From Left to Right:
First Row:Emma Barnes, Andrea Bohorquez, William Lavie, Jack Lo, Scout Hughes,
Isabella Bohorquez, Declan Altikriti, Elliot Schmedtje, Quinn Rosenstein, Zachary
Jouandot, Matthew Baffes, Drew Kitchen, Kate Burnett, Eesha Bethi, Rishik Bethi, Zelvin
Collins, Trisha Walvekar, Rebecca Ullrich Second Row: Charles Thompson, Ty O’Connor,
Marguerite Eppling, Olivia Guerra, Kyron Butler, Alex Fryer, Jacob Treigle, Madison Graf,
William Brown, Ryan Black, Tyler LeBlanc, Will Strout, Madeline Fryer, Courtney Brown
Third Row: Gabrielle Willis, Emanuelle Willis, Michall, Anna Baretela, Margaret White,
Alicia Gobert, Will Willis Jr.
From Left to Right:
First Row: Zamiri Welch, Ana Maria Montes, Emily Schneider, Anthony Lam, Cashlyn
Barth, Lili Johnston, Gavin Landry, Julian Schneider, Julia Lecler, Andrew Cheung,
Chanel Cheung, Spencer Langosa, Brooks Garcia, Allison Tullier Second Row: Taylor
Bonnet, Abby Webb, Diana Ledet, Catherine Plessala, Michael Plessala, William Chen,
Lindan Schulz, Tommy Curry, Jessica Xu, Skylar Corcoran, Julia Oubre, Gabrielle Lecler
Third Row: Jesse Lynn LeBoeuf, George Tang, Munnhawn Gill, Botao Shan, Stefan
Schneider, Ethan Schneider Fourth Row: Caroline Crowell, Fuhrawn Gill, Spencer
Lemoine, Victoria Manguno, Chandler Schulz, Rebecca Culberson
From Left to Right:
First Row:Fiona Marks, Callie Cristina-Matyas, Brett Steele, Sanjana Subramaniam, Lana
Lawson, Katherine Corcoran, Corrine Lobell, Ella Corsetti, Tori Patania, Avery Bruchis,
Marlee Comeaux, Rachel Royerre, Jackson Bashaw, Nina Ballon, Grace Manuel
Second Row:Taylor Ruffin, Ashlyn Boyd, Lilliana Marlowe, Wesley Hodgson, Layla Ruffin,
Konrad Marks, Nathan Jackson, Angela Bruchis, Theodore Fang, Landon Lawson
Third Row: Jamie Huth, Tammy White, Esther Icaza, Scott Kyser, Stephanie Thompson,
Evania Philip, Victoria Schauder, Ashley Berry
Quarter Notes - Winter 2011 www.laapa.com/quarternotes Page 3

Thank You from the Teresian Sisters
To the parents and students
of the Music
Schools, to Ryan and
Wanda, and to all those
involved in "Operation
Batesville”:
We couldn’t believe our
eyes when we saw the number
of bags you collected
for us! Every year you certainly
out-do yourselves in
generosity! We thank you
in the name of many families
and of even more children.
Their Christmas
would have been very different
without the joy your
generous hearts made possible
for them. We wish
you could have seen how
their eyes lit up as they
unwrapped their surprises.
They ran to their parents
with their treasures, which
most of the times was “just
what I wanted!”
As you know, we will save
this year’s gifts for next
Christmas. Thank God we
have space to safely store
the toys during the year.
Most of the clothing will
be distributed now, since
the coming months will be
cold. There is a great immediate
need for the jackets
and everything else you
sent on the line of warm
clothing, as well as for the
pampers, toiletries, etc.
May God bless you and
your families for your generosity.
We couldn’t do it
without you. Our ministry
is evangelization, but there
are many other human
needs that have to be met.
We can help because you
come to our rescue. All we
can say is a big THANKS!
Please count on our
prayers and those of the
people you are helping.
May the generous God,
who inspires you to imitate
Him in giving, bless you
and your families, and may
2011 be filled with His
blessings.
Gratefully,
Sr. Dolores Avilés,stj
Sr. Angeles Sendín, stj
"We couldn't believe our
eyes...every year you
certainly out-do yourselves
in generosity!"
-Teresian Sisters' response
to LAAPA Donations to
A Note from the Assistant Director
the Batesville Mission
Dear LAAPA family,
It is my heartfelt desire to
wish you and your families a
blessed New Year! We continue
to be amazed at the
talent and hard work we see
in you all. This was definitely
apparent at the Christmas
Concerts recently.
Please do know how very
much you are appreciated
and valued. I encourage you
to continue working hard
and be sure to communicate
to any desk administrator, or
to Ryan or I, any comment
or concern you may have in
the future. Communication
is most important for all of
us and we welcome feedback
from you all. In that way we
can all accomplish LAAPA’s
goals and mission for all our
students and families.
On another note, as many of
you know, the year 2010 was
a difficult one personally for
my family due to medical
illnesses. I would like to
take this opportunity to
thank you all for your continued
prayers throughout
the year as prayer helped us
so very much in ways you
cannot imagine. My husband
and I are now doing
extremely well and look forward
to a healthy 2011!
Sincerely,
Wanda Cullen
Quarter Notes - Winter 2011 www.laapa.com/quarternotes Page 4

Catherine and Michael
Plessala made first
honor roll for the 2nd
quarter at Kehoe
France.
Lee John "LJ" Gilyot
earned 1st place and an
undefeated title in the
LSCL holiday Chess
Tournament in the 4th
grade and U Section.
He also competed in the
2010 National K-12
Championship in Florida
and placed in the
top 15 NATIONALLY
out of 157 students in
the 4th grade championship
section.
Taylor Sims has had 5
years of voice training
and had a lead role in
the musical "Cats" as
'Rumpleteazer' last summer.
She currently has a
role in the 'Mission
Band' in the musical
"Guys and Dolls" in St,
Paul's Drama Club's
school musical.
Ashley Berry received
an award from the Orleans
Parish School
Board for having the
best test scores out of
the whole school. She
was also awarded most
improved student in her
class.
Will Strout is one of
only two students at
Holy Name of Jesus
nominated to attend the
National Junior Leadership
Conference to be
held in Washington
D.C. in April. He will
also be participating in
the National Beta Club
District Competition
for community service
on January 22nd.
Madison Metevier participated
in the annual
Christmas production
"A Joyful Noise Unto
the Lord." She is also a
honor roll student at
Pineville Middle School.
Lilli Johnston, a first
year piano student with
Mr. John Russell, was
diagnosed with a brain
tumor in September of
2010. It was removed
within 48 hours and
within one week she was
discharged from the
hospital and in great
spirits! She kept up
with her school work
during recovery and was
able to return to cheerleading,
gymnastics, and
her piano lessons! Playing
the piano after surgery
helped stimulate
both sides of her brain
which were affected by
the tumor and surgery.
She did very well at the
Christmas recital and
we are glad that she has
made a full recovery!
Lilli is truly an inspiration
to us all and we are
proud to have her as a
student here at LAAPA!
Sara Stoltz would like to
thank Ryan and Wanda
for the letter of recommendation
to the St.
Tammany Parish School
Board. Sara was recently
named fifth grade
student of the year at
Lee Road Jr. High
School and has submitted
her portfolio of academics
and accomplishments
to compete for
the district level. Sara's
love of music and many
recognitions helped her
earn the title. She has
been a student at
LAAPA for six years and
is an active member of
her school band, chorus,
and her church. "Thank
you LAAPA!"
Quarter Notes - Winter 2011 www.laapa.com/quarternotes Page 5

C ONTACT US!
Covington School of Music:
985-590-4545
Mandeville School of Music:
985-674-2992
River Ridge
School of Music & Dance
504-738-3050
Do you have an idea for a
future article? Any news or
accomplishments? Let us
know!
E-mail:
quarternotes@laapa.com
Celebrating Over 30 Years of Excellence in Music
The Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts has been providing the Greater New Orleans community
with only the finest programs in music education for over 30 years. All of our faculty
members are experienced, degreed and qualified music instructors, many of whom are master
teachers with advanced degrees. We are proud to have such talented, motivated faculty members
and appreciate their hard work and dedication. We are always happy to hear feedback
from you as students of our programs. We welcome comments from parents and students as
communication is one of our highest goals.
If you have any need whatsoever, please feel free to contact our desk staff to help ensure that
your music instruction at LAAPA is the best in every way!
Thank you again for being a part of the LAAPA family!
Check out our
website for more
news and events!
www.laapa.com
One of the most promising, up-and-coming, modern jazz groups out of New Orleans, The
David Mahoney Quartet, performs inspiring original music that contemporary jazz lovers
will be sure to enjoy.
Stephanie Nilles will be performing on piano in the Women In (E)Motion Festival in
Bremen, Germany January 19th-January 29th.
Instructor Curtis Staples and his wife, Kayo, are pleased to announce the arrival of their
first child, Caden "Kai" Staples. Kai was born on September 30, 2010 at 9 lb. 8 oz.
Congratulations, Curtis and Kayo!
LAAPAFEST IS COMING!
Students, start warming up those vocal chords and stretching
those fingers for LAAPAFEST. This year’s events will
be held on February 19th in Covington, February 26th in
Mandeville, and March 5th in River Ridge. At LAAPAF-
EST, students will have the opportunity to perform a
memorized selection for a panel of three judges and receive
feedback along with an overall rating from each judge. At
the conclusion of each festival, the judges will select twentyfive
of the highest rated students from all schools combined
to perform in the Honors Recital held in April.
Students that earn an overall Superior, Excellent, or Satisfactory
rating will be recognized at the Spring Recital
Awards Ceremony. Registration forms and further details
are available at the Front Desk. The deadline to enroll
is Monday, February 7th 2011. Good luck to all students
participating!
Quarter Notes - Winter 2011 www.laapa.com/quarternotes Page 6