If you feel your little ones have a musical inclination, you’ll want to take them to one of the upcoming Smith School of Music Open Days (August 21 and September 11). Here they will have the opportunity to sign up for a free trial lesson in guitar, piano, voice, bass, drums or ukulele.
Located at 131 West 86th Street, the Smith School of Music is an extension of the Smith School’s music department and is open to students of all ages and abilities.
The open days will be by appointment only, so that each student can have all their questions answered by the instructors. And if they don’t know where to start, they can try out a few different instruments!
The students range in age from 6 to over 80, and the distinctions that some of these students have achieved are quite amazing. one student was recently accepted to Berklee College of Music and another recently performed at Carnegie Hall!
Some kids just want to enjoy music as a hobby, and that’s fine too! Lessons are individualized according to the needs and objectives of each student.
The school’s faculty is made up of active orchestras and Broadway artists who have graduated from prestigious institutions such as Julliard and the Manhattan School of Music.
Samantha H. Lucas is a professional actress, singer, and experienced vocal instructor. She has a BA in Musical Theater Performance from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory in Ohio, and her studies abroad have included both Det Danske Musicalademi-Danish Academy of Musical Theater and Barefoot Theater in Zambia, Africa. .
She has had the privilege of singing and performing with the Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Front Porch Theatricals, and Tony and Grammy Award-winning Billy Porter (Pose, Kinky Boots).
Samantha has been teaching students of all ages and levels since 2015, using a variety of teaching styles and methods to suit her students’ goals. Some of these styles include musical theatre, classical, jazz, pop, and rock. Samantha has a unique skill set centered on education, professionalism, passion and dedication to education in the arts.
Samantha encourages her students to develop a strong technical foundation, a strong sense of body in relation to voice, an appreciation for the art form, and a deep appreciation for their unique artistic expression. She seeks to provide each student with a concise and reliable set of skills that will enable her singers to succeed and feel confident in their abilities.
Flutist Lauren Scanio is a graduate of Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music.
She has performed with the Juilliard Orchestra, Manhattan School of Music Symphony, Montclair Orchestra and New York Youth Symphony. And the New York Philharmonic! Among others.
Scanio’s style ranges from baroque to contemporary, and she also performs frequently as a soloist.
Damien Kelly – who founded and runs the school with his wife Jessica Kelly – is an acclaimed Irish guitarist who teaches both classical and rock (in addition to piano).
A collaboration in 2011 landed him a number one spot on the Irish Classical iTunes chart, his first major breakthrough in his career. Since then his recordings have been a mainstay of Irish radio; he has performed all over the world, in the United States, China and Europe; and he has won many competitions. A graduate of various institutions – including the Manhattan School of Music on the Upper West Side – Kelly’s creative and teaching skills have led many of his students to achieve the incredible.
Here’s a performance from Kelly (and Kelly):
Open Houses will be held August 21 and September 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. To register, please click here.
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