Pleasanton Delays Vote On Wal-Mart Grocery - The Independent

4 THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2012By Patricia KoningAfter running Galina’s MusicStudio for nearly a decade, ownerGalina Corkery has decided it’stime to stretch into some new directions.One of those directionsis to bring more music into thecommunity.“It’s incredibly sad that musicprograms are being cut from ourschools,” she explains. “I wantto share the gift of music. It canchange people’s lives.”The studio is now offeringcomplementary music classes toGirl Scout and Boy Scout troopsas well as other organizations. Thisspring two Girl Scout troops tookadvantage of this opportunity.A Brownie troop of girls ages 8to 10 years old, all students at theLivermore Valley Charter School,learned several traditional songs,rhythm using guitars and drums,and how to play the recorder. Eachparticipant went home with his orher own recorder.Troop leader Cate Casey describesit as an amazing musicalexperience. They also earned amusic fun patch for attending thelesson.“For over an hour, Galina andSimone worked with the girlsto combine vocals, percussion,keyboards, bells, and recorders.They started with a simple beatand gradually built up harmoniesand layers of sound with the variousinstruments,” she says. “TheSpreading a Love of MusicA Girl Scout Brownie troop earned a fun music badge at a complementary class at Galina’s Music Studio.relaxed, fun approach gave thegirls confidence to experiment withthe instruments and to create theirown music—their pleasure in theexperience was evident from thesmiles on their faces!”Another troop of older girlsformed an impromptu band duringtheir class. “It was really incredible,”says Galina. “Many hadexperience with music throughlessons or recorder at school.”Spontaneity is one of the ideasbehind the classes, says Galina.“We find each child’s musicalityand try to engage everyone. It’sreally fun because they use theirskills and learn some new ones.”This summer, Galina’s MusicStudio will be offering GLEECamp for the first time. Modeledafter the popular television show,participants will learn about harmoniesand how to become bettersingers and performers. The campis open for children ages 10-17and will be held from 1-2:30 pmon Tuesdays and Fridays.Each session of eight classesis $175. The first session beginson June 19 and ends on July 13;the second session begins on July17 and ends on August 10. Signup through the Livermore AreaRecreation and Park District (visithttp://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/ and seethe “Summer Camps” brochure).Galina is also planning to starta choir this summer. There will betwo choirs, one for children withvoice experience and one for thosewithout experience. “My hope isto grow a concert choir that mightperform at local festivals and otherevents,” she says. “I’d also like myadvanced piano students to begingiving performances at local seniorcenters.”Another new offering is “AllAbout Jazz,” a jazz appreciationclass emphasizing history, harmony,theory, and basic improvisationtechniques. Students will beexposed to jazz traditions throughvideos, interviews, classic albums,and demonstrations. Prior knowledgeis not necessary.To learn about all of theseprograms, visit http://www.galinasmusicstudio.com/or call 925-960-1194.The public is invited to an openhouse exhibition of the photographyof the Chinese AmericanCooperation Council PhotographyClass at the Pleasanton PublicLibrary on May 19, from 2pm to4pm.The Chinese American CooperationCouncil (CACC) is aCalifornia nonprofit organizationheadquartered in Pleasanton. Themission of CACC is to promotecultural heritage and enhancefriendship in the Chinese Americancommunity and to facilitate thecultural and business exchangesand cooperation between thepeoples of the U.S. and the GreaterPhotography Class to Show Work at Pleasanton LibraryChina.The photography class currentlyhas 17 students who learnfrom the experience and dedicationof master teacher photographer Mr.Jianzhong Cai.A graduate of the GuangzhouUniversity of Arts with a majorin oil painting, Mr. Jianzhong Caihas over 30 years of experience inphotography and is well known inChina at the national level. Mr. Caihas established a professional artstudio, specializing in oil painting,children picture story books andblack and white print photography.He also excels in book coverdesign and exhibition planning.Mr. Cai has a particular fondnessfor black and white photography,in particular for its simplicity aswell as vibrance and clarity. Hehas dedicated his photography tothis profound form of expression.The program is free and opento all. No registration required.For more information email niumatters@gmail.comor call thePleasanton Library at 925/931-3400, ext 7.At left is one of the photosthat will be on display.