Our 12th Recital Showcase is at Palm Coast Bible Church on Saturday, December 9, 2023 & Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 12:30pm and 2:30pm, both days. Every show has different students, and we have about 80 students performing in this year’s Winter Recital in voice, piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, and drums. We have solos and duets prepared, and our Youth Rock Band will close out our final (2:30pm) show on the 16th. It’s always a pleasure to bring our studio family and community together to see the amazing progress these musicians continue to make.
Youth Rock Band
Our Youth Rock Band program is growing! We’ll be running this course in semester form throughout the year. We’ve decided to restructure our Youth Rock Band to accommodate all the students who are willing to devote the time and commitment to working in a band.
Each semester consists of 12 sessions and concludes with a showcase of our bands. Each semester is $250, covering expenses such as the rental of the space, instruments, and instructors. New students are also required to pay a $15 registration fee.
Prior to the start of each semester, we’ll have auditions. These auditions will allow our directors and instructors to assess the skill levels of the students, so that we can place them in a group that fits them best, to form a band.
Grand Villa Senior Living Facility
Monthly Performance Opportunities
Every month, our students have an opportunity to perform for the residents at Grand Villa of Palm Coast. This is a fantastic opportunity to practice performing in front of an audience, and it’s an audience of people who are just so thrilled to see you and that you came to perform for them. We’ve had three performances at Grand Villa this year, and every time, the residents tell us we’ve made their week. It’s a beautiful relationship we’re creating and there’s so much we can learn from them, too. Some of the residents were even professional musicians or on Broadway. We try to visit the 3rd Sunday of each month; 2024 dates will be posted soon. Our next visit is Sunday, December 17th, and at this one, the residents will be singing Christmas carols WITH us.
District Festival Preparations
We have 38 voice, piano, and drum students preparing for the National Federation of Music Clubs’ Festival Program. In this program, students prepare two pieces that are within their difficulty level; one from a required list, and one “choice” piece that isn’t on the list. Students memorize both pieces and perform them for a music judge at District Festival, for a rating and commentary. District Festival is Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Palm Coast. If a student receives a Superior rating at District Festival, they qualify to compete at State Festival at the University of South Florida, in Tampa, in May 2024. This is a prestigious event that requires a lot of dedication and practice, and we are very proud of these students for their commitment.
Teacher Spotlight
Joey Hefferon
Joey has been with Planet e Studios for 2 years and 4 months! He teaches guitar, bass, ukulele, keyboard, and drums, as well as our Youth Rock Band. He also restrings and maintains all of our studio guitars and ukuleles, and tunes our drum kits. Joey is at the studio Mondays thru Fridays and we couldn’t be happier to have him on our team. Thank you, Joey!
Make-up Lessons
Make-up lessons are available on the 2nd Saturday of every month. If there is a conflict with the 2nd Saturday, we choose a different Saturday that month, but the dates are always posted in the studio on the “What’s Happening” board. Since our recitals are on the 9th and 16th this month, we had our make-up lessons this past weekend. If you missed your chance, our next one will be 1/13/24. That’s the weekend we’re back after Winter Break. You can sign up with our Music Director anytime beforehand to reserve your time, if you have a lesson to make up.
Coming Soon…
Our directors Emily and Wil have been raising funds to finish renovations for our lobby, and the plans are in the making. We will be merging suite 208 and 209 into one lobby by removing the wall between them. This will give our families in the lobby more space, as well as a place to put our lobby counter to fill with merch and organic local baked goods for all to indulge in.
We will also be building out our stage in suite 208, adding lighting, audio and curtains, to expand into small events, workshops, open mics, recitals, theater and much more. We even plan to redo the floor in 208, add mirrors on the wall, and offer group and private dance (including ballroom and salsa in the evening for adults) with live music performances from time to time.
All this to come and still no store-front sign? We are a grassroots business that started out of our home back in 2017 with our co-founders, and spouses, Emily and Wil, and look how far we’ve come. This music school has taken a while to come together with how much we’ve grown, and we are so grateful to all of you who have a passion for music for yourselves and your families, for making that happen. We will get a sign soon enough, but for now our goal is to put all our money back into the school to continue to expand on music and performance education. Once we’ve reached that goal, we will get a sign.
Music Exploration
Our Music Exploration program has exceeded all expectations. Since its inception in our previous location, we have experienced tremendous growth and have now doubled in size since our relocation. The overwhelming demand for this program has led us to consider opening another class, potentially in the late afternoons, to accommodate even more students.
This unique program is specifically designed to provide a solid foundation in music for our youngest learners, aged 3-6. Through engaging and interactive music education, we bring these young minds together and foster a love for music that will last a lifetime. Not only do we focus on their musical development, but we also actively involve parents, guardians, and even grandparents in the process. By equipping them with the necessary tools, we empower them to continue exploring music at home throughout the week, ensuring a continuous and enriching experience until our next meeting.
In addition to our Music Exploration program for ages 3-6, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our new baby music exploration class. This exciting class is specially designed for little ones aged 6 months to 2 years and offers an immersive and stimulating musical experience. With a duration of 45 minutes, this class takes place every Wednesday at 9am, providing a consistent and enjoyable routine for both parent and child. For more information or to secure a spot, please call or text us at 386.242.4014.
Another exciting addition to our lineup of activities is the launch of our Pokémon Trading Card Game meetups every Sunday from 2pm-5pm. These meetups provide a fantastic opportunity for Pokémon TCG enthusiasts to gather, play, and connect with like-minded individuals. It’s disheartening to hear that Vega Maxx Cards, a beloved gathering place for the community, recently closed its doors. However, in an effort to fill this void, we have generously offered our available space on weekends to host these community get-togethers where we can continue to enjoy casual games and foster a sense of camaraderie.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer looking to dive into the exciting world of Pokémon TCG, we warmly invite you to join us this weekend. It’s the perfect chance to enhance your skills, forge new friendships, and experience the thrilling battles that unfold on the trading card battlefield. Our dedicated team is ready to provide guidance and support to anyone who wishes to learn and play. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
