Monster Music Lessons

Article on Monster Music Teachers at the NAMM Show!

admin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:00:38 +0000

Two of our teachers, bassist/pianist Andreas Farmakalidis and American Idol finalist Alexis Stone Lopez, were highlighted in Bass Musician Magazine at last year’s NAMM convention. The article gives a great intro to both Andreas and Alexis as musicians and features a few great snapshots from the time they spent jamming and singing at the Floyd Rose/Brubaker Bass Booth. Check out this article and pass it along to your friends! CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE or copy and paste the link below into your browser.

http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2013/04/bass-and-voice-andreas-farmakalidis-and-alexis-lopez-at-the-floyd-rosebrubaker-bass-booth/

Monster Music Student Takes the Stage!

admin — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 01:11:46 +0000

Our own Amanda Macias auditioned repeatedly and can formally announce that she has gotten then part of Jazz in the stage play “Let’s Rock” to be performed at Shepard of the Hills opening May 2013. Amanda is taking lessons with Hannah Ferber who has her Bachelor of Music in voice from Berklee College of Music! Exciting!

Tips for Stage Fright!

admin — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 02:10:32 +0000

Have you ever backed out of a performance because you thought you couldn’t get over your stage fright? Or have you ever been in the middle of a song and forgotten the lyrics halfway through because you got so nervous with all those people staring up at you? All performers have felt that way at one time or another, and even the most famous, experienced performers still suffer from stage fright! Stage fright in and of itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing; the key is to find out how to USE all that nervous energy to your advantage. Well, one of our star teachers, Andreas Farmakalidis published an article on this VERY subject!

You can read it now by clicking on this link: STAGE FRIGHT: PART ONE

(if that link does not work, copy and paste this into your browser: http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2013/03/overcoming-stage-fright-part-1-by-andreas-farmakalidis/)

Monster Music Student is On a Roll!

admin — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 00:07:10 +0000

One of our very own Monster Students, Jaki (piano, vocals, writing, recording), has just been booking acting gigs like mad! Just last week she did a student thesis film at USC, and now this week she booked a part in the opening theme for a Sundance pilot! She is going out on auditions almost every day, putting her acting chops to the test! If things keep going like this, we just know she’s gonna take off!

Jaki can attest to the confidence she has gained while here at Monster Music Lessons; not only confidence that if she goes out for any role that requires musical ability that she will be able to hold her own, but also the confidence that has been developed through our student performances! She knows that the skills and experiences that come directly from Monster Music Lessons gives her that edge over her competitors and is the key to succeeding in this fierce industry!

“Fall Into Music” was a SMASH HIT!

admin — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 02:49:00 +0000

SUCCESS!! We had an amazing evening this last Sunday at our “Fall into Music” recital and variety show! Thank you so much to Roma Bistro for allowing us the opportunity to use their magnificent space! We had such a great turn out, stellar performances by everyone age 4 to 40, beginners to professionals, students and even a surprise duet by our teachers Alexis and Andreas! Thank you to everyone who

worked so hard to make this a memorable evening. We keep on getting phone calls, texts and emails from everyone who was involved raving about how much of a blast we had!Now– Students!! It’s time to start thinking about WHAT YOU WILL PERFORM AT OUR NEXT SHOW! Start discussing possibilities with your teacher, and don’t shy away from the idea of collaborating with other students and/or teachers. Sometime our duets and ensembles are some of the most impressive! we will be announcing the date of our next show after the New Year! So start brainstorming and practicing like you’ve never practiced before!

GREAT JOB EVERYONE! We look forward to seeing you all at the next show!

Vocal Ensemble Auditions!

admin — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:50:55 +0000

Have you ever wanted to be a part of a group? Here is your chance! Monster Music Lessons has teamed up with international musician Alex Economou to form some stellar vocal groups that will rehearse once a week and have the opportunity to perform locally. We will be putting together three different ensembles: Group 1 is Ages 8-14, Group 2 is Ages 14-18 and Group 3 is Ages 18 and Over.

Auditions start in ONE WEEK!

Sunday September 30, 2012 @ 2 O’clock

Auditions will be held at the Monster Music Lessons Main Office at 19520 Nordhoff St. Suite 1 Northridge, CA

Please bring either sheet music or chord chart for our accompanist, or your own karaoke track to sing along with. Choose a song that best showcases your vocal ability. Most of all, remember to have FUN!

This is just the first round of auditions. We will be holding more but this is just to get us started.

Cost to participate in ensembles will be a flat $40 per month.

International chart-topping voice teacher starts vocal group at Monster Music Lessons!

admin — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 19:38:32 +0000

Do you love to sing? Do you crave the stage? Are you ready for a challenge that will sharpen your live performance skills? Well, it might just be your lucky day! New vocal teacher Alex Economou, who has topped the charts on CD Baby (Cyprus), joins the Monster Music family with the intention of creating exciting new vocal groups! Everyone is welcome! Young and old, beginner and seasoned professionals are all welcome to join in the fun! This is a rare opportunity to meet fellow singers, collaborate, learn, grow and discover! Don’t miss out! The first round of auditions will be held during the week of October 1st. (Exact dates to TBD). Please contact our office for more information! 818-993-3660 or monstermusiclessons@gmail.com.

In preparation for your audition we suggest the following:

1. Choose a song or portion of a song you are comfortable with and that best showcases your voice.

2. Either provide a karaoke track to sing along to, or send the title of the song, who it is by, and the key you sing it in so our accompanist can play it on the day of your audition.

3. Be prepared to be tested in harmonies, (such as singing a basic major scale a third above or a third below another singer).

4. Bring room temperature water, NOT COLD!

5. Relax and enjoy! The most important thing is to put your best foot forward.

Good Luck!

Monster Music Teacher is Selected for the American Youth Symphony!

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:42:12 +0000

We have some exciting news to announce: One of our own, violin/viola teacher Alessandra Barrett has just been selected to join the American Youth Symphony! Alessandra’s stellar audition won her one of the 3 spots that were available and we could not be more proud! She begins rehearsing on Saturday September 7, and will be a part of their concert on Sunday, September 30th. The performance begins at 7:00pm and is located in Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Best of all, it is completely FREE! You can reserve free tickets/seats by going online to www.aysymphony.org or by CLICKING HERE!

Children: Long-Term Effects of Learning Music

admin — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 23:07:16 +0000

Health Benefits of Music-Start Music Lessons Today!

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:15:36 +0000

Most of us can think of at least one song that carries a lot of sentimental value- whether that brings out happy emotions or sad emotions is not important- but rather the fact that music has the power to move us. We all can can relate to that concept. But can music do more than just move our emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other? According to a new study by Mayo Clinic “…music can have effects ranging from reducing feelings of physical pain to boosting memory.” Well here at Monster Music Lessons we have always believed in the power of music to affect us in ways we cannot even imagine. And now, here is the proof! So whether you are looking to reduce your stress, or even recover from a stroke, there are even more reasons to integrate music into your life. And of course, that means taking music lessons! Go ahead and pick up that guitar! Run those fingers on the keyboard! Open up your mouth and let your voice be heard!

Here is the link to the article which was featured on the Huffington Post. READ: Music And Health: 11 Ways Playing And Listening To Music Help Both Body And Mind

Do you need any more convincing? Time to sign up with Monster Music Lessons today, and start improving your health!