Our little artists made some robots of the future with our artist-teacher teacher Laurie. We saw the creation of a solar powered skating robot to a rollerblading french fry dispensing robot, a planet building robot to a planet destroying monster robot. What would your robot of the future do?
FEATURED STUDENT: LUCAS
Hello! My name is Lucas Landsberg. I’m eleven years of age. I’ve been learning the alto saxophone for two years. i love it because I like the types of sounds it makes and the music it’s in. My teacher's name is Stefanie. She’s so cool because she’s nice and encouraging me to do a lot of new and exciting things. I wouldn’t have made it without her. My favorite part about Kalabash is how nice, friendly, and open minded they are. One day i hope to become a pro sax player and a doctor like my father and grandfather before me. I like the sound of the high and low pitch notes the alto sax can play. I like the look of my teacher when I walk into lessons with her big smile. I like the taste of the reed as it goes up against my lip and tongue. I like the feel of the bright and friendly atmosphere of Kalabash. If i could teleport anywhere in the world it’d be Japan because I like their culture and their food. Advice to my fellow humans is: You should always try something new like an instrument because it fills the empty space in your life
We are happy to announce Lucas Landsberg as our student of the summer! Not only did he continue his saxophone lessons with Stefanie he picked up a new instrument and started learning the piano with Clinton too! This is what his teacher has to say about him:
Lucas is an awesome student and human being! You may have seen him performing at our Open Mics sporting a sharp blazer and great confidence. Whether we are playing duets, writing songs, or learning Men at Work tunes together, I always look forward hanging and playing with Lucas. He arrives with a positive attitude each week ready to work hard and laugh about "pulling a high one" (his term for squeaking). Lucas, you rock! Keep on playin' that sax. -Stefanie
Piano Improvisations of a 10 year old
THE SONGBIRD CAMP RECAP
We had a blast during our songbird label summer camp. We wrote songs and brought them to life in the studio, we made album cover art, we listened to vinyl and we interviewed guest artists music industry folks like HOLYCHILD, Daniel Blue from Motopony, Al Howard from the Redwoods Label and Lanny Lieu from Chill Chill Publicity. Take a listen below to our playlist of all the original songs written and recorded by our songbirds and photos from an amazing week!
WE MADE A ZINE!
FEATURED STUDENT: CHRISTIAN
The look of: hardwood floors (in good taste)
The sound of: air-conditioning on a hot day
The taste of: the smell of food
The feel of: dogs
Advice to my fellow humans: RUN!!! (trust me)
Christian is 17 years of age and has been studying piano for approximately 80 months. Since our grand opening in September he has been a student at Kalabash and particularly appreciates our practical use of exotic fruit. One day he hopes to nonchalantly play "Great Balls of Fire" at a nightclub and if he could teleport anywhere in the world it would be the Somme River Valley because of it's fertile land and plentiful wine-skins. His teacher Natasha has this to say about him...
“Despite his distrust and criticism of my green juices, Christian is totally awesome, hilarious to work with and has great taste in music, an important quality which makes teaching him all the more fun! He’s always picking interesting and exciting new pieces and has a great ear for listening and learning, often adding his own embellishments and flourishes to the popular literature we work on, in good taste of course. When studying new and difficult material he approaches it with a confident spirit and disciplined practice and I leave our lessons having learnt something new from him each time!”
Congrats Christian, we look forward to hearing you play Great Balls of Fire one day.
OUR SUMMER GUIDE
Was it Bertrand Russel who said it best? "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time" Well we are definitely on board with that Mr. Russell and now's the time to take full advantage of all the sea frolicking and sun soaking San Diego has to offer! And when you're not laying on the beach without a care in the world we're here to help keep you inspired and creative. After all, now that you have all this extra time on your hands you can finally start that family band, try a new instrument, paint that masterpiece, draw your own comic book or explore life on Mars.
1. SHOOT A SHORT FILM WITH UR IPHONE
We have all the tools available to us to make movies at the tip of our fingers, literally. But that shouldn't stop us from getting down on some paint and paper the old school way. Join our Artist Village summer camp and have the opportunity to study with acclaimed local artists from around San Diego. Together students will create pieces in whatever analog or digital format their heart desires, based on a theme they imagine for an exhibit they curate. How cool is that?
2. WRITE A SONG FOR UR MOM
Because she deserves it. And then you can write a song about your Dad, and another song about your friend and another..... by the end of the summer you might have a whole album's worth of material. And if you don't know how to write a song, we can teach you. Not only that, we can teach you how to record it in a studio, push all the right buttons and release it to the world. The Songbird Label is where it's at with NATULA and friends.
3.BE UR OWN SUPERHERO
Or when in need, just draw one. Our resident comic book artist Rodney Anderson has planned a whole action packed camp for all you comic book nerds out there. Character design, world building, costume, plot, history and culture are just some of the elements that Rodney will adventure through with campers, pencil and pen in hand. It's going to be rad so sign up while spaces last and get warmed up for Comic Con 2016.
4. EAT ICE CREAM + SWIM IN THE SEA
All at the same time.
5. LEARN AN INSTRUMENT
Or learn a second one. Summer is the perfect time to try something new. Have you ever wanted to learn the violin or cello? Rock out on some drums? Play a Beatles song on the guitar? Sing some Adele? Noodle some jazz on a clarinet? Strum the ukulele with style the next time you hit the beach with friends? Contact us and let us help you make the most of your summer gifts.
6. MAKE A MIXTAPE FOR A FRIEND
Win the heart of all who listen.
7. BUILD A FIRE + SING FOLK SONGS
The world is big and despite the many different languages, cultures and climates we all come from, we can't deny our shared humanity. Music + Art is a powerful and beautiful tool to express ourselves and discover the differences that make us unique and the similarities we can all understand. This summer, a very special camp series based on the music, dance and art of 4 different regions is coming to Kalabash for ages 7 - 10. From the Americas to Europe, this is the perfect opportunity for your little one to discover the world without leave home.
8. DANCE BAREFOOT UNDER THE FULL MOON
You don't need to know any fancy moves and you don't need a full moon, just dance coz it feels good.
Teacher Feature: Matthew Smith
Favorite Food: Yellow Curry
Dream Destination: New York City
Favorite Song Right Now: Back Pocket by VULFPECK
Spirit Animal: Otter
When we heard Matthew Smith play drums in his new soul-jazz project Juice Box we were blown away by his awesome talent and infectious energy. Only 26 years old, Matthew's drive and dedication to his music is obvious. In 2012, he earned his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies from California State Fullerton and has studied with the likes of Duncan Moore, Joey Sellars, Amir Ziv and Ari Hoenig. Since graduating, Matthew has gone on to release two albums both as leaders with Juice Box and The Matt Smith Neu Jazz Trio.
As a teacher, Matt believes in the importance of teaching students to use their ears as well as developing all the fundamentals from reading music to proper technique so they can become dynamic players and creators. As a professional drummer and composer Matt's knowledge and experience allows him to teach students of all ages and levels with passion and edge.
Starting in June, Matt will be available on Saturdays from 2pm - 5pm for private drum lessons. Call us today at 858 456 2753 or email us at hello@kalabasharts.com to book your first lesson which is 50% off!
Featured Student: Kiana
The look of: the beach
The sound of: music
The taste of: sushi
The feel of: my dog
Advice to my fellow humans: Haters are just confused admirers.
Meet Kiana! She likes her dog, the taste of sushi, the look of the beach and the sound of music. Her dream destination is the Philipines and she's our featured student of the week! She's been learning the piano for 5 years and she says she likes Kalabash because of the awesome teachers, especially her current piano teacher Natasha who makes her laugh on the regular. We think Kiana is a super student and here is what her teacher has to say...
“Kiana is a joy to teach. She always shows up to class having practiced above and beyond what is expected of her and a big smile on her face. Because of her great work ethic she has progressed tremendously this year! I’m impressed to see how quickly she accomplishes challenging pieces and we always have a lot fun together!””
Well done Kiana! We hope you continue to fill our school and the world with your beautiful playing for many years to come!
Guest Artist Teacher Celeste Byers!
We are so honored to announce that artist Celeste Byers will be guest teaching our Wednesday Art Class for Kids Ages 7 - 11 starting May 11th for 4 weeks! Don't miss out on this opportunity to have your young ones get creative with this super inspirational artist and incredible human being. We can't think of a better role model and artistic guide to have at our school and we're looking forward to seeing what her and the students cook up in the studio. You can find out more about Celeste at www.celestebyers.com. We've posted some of our favorite works of hers below!
Sign up for Wednesdays class while spaces last!
New Teacher Feature: Laurie Nasica
Favorite Food: Pasta
Dream Destination: Iceland
Favorite Song Right Now: Diane Coffee - Down with the Current
Spirit Animal: Cat
Laurie is our new resident artist-teacher and boy are we happy to welcome such a talented and awesome human being to our Kalabash team. She will be leading a new art class on Wednesdays at 5pm teaching teens all about illustration, drawing and zine making magic! Come join in the fun and read more about Laurie and peak some of her beautiful illustrations below!
Laurie grew up in Provence, a region of southeastern France; her curious mind took her to San Diego where she has been residing for the past seven years. Passionate about human rights and visual arts, she earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from San Diego State University while spending every free unit she had in the Art Department developing her craft. Her creative nature and love of cultural diversity inspired her to pass on her passion for the Arts and encourage people of all backgrounds to get in touch with their creative side. Laurie specializes in illustration and drawing. She regularly takes part in events organized by the local art community and her work has been featured in several art shows and galleries throughout San Diego.
When she is not creating or spending time with Harold, her feline sidekick, Laurie enjoys exploring new places and anything likely to satisfy her travel bug!
THE MAKING OF A MUSICIAN
Our guide to practicing, even when You think it sucks, and cultivating a life of music.
We've been doing a lot of thinking about what it takes to become a great musician and by "great" we don't mean the next Beethoven. There are umpteen different ways to make music and all that matters is that you're enjoying yourself.
But here's the thing. If you want to get good at what you love you have to put in the time. More importantly, you have to make it an integral part of your life. Look at all the best athletes, artists and activists out there that inspire us daily. What makes them so inspiring is that they live and breathe their passions. Even on the days it hurts or its hard, they push through and keep going. Playing an instrument isn't much different. It takes dedication, patience and commitment. It's not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle. Whether you're a beginner or professional musician, a student or the parent of a little budding musician we'd like to offer you this bit of advice on how to make practicing more efficient, fun and to cultivate a lifestyle around what brings you joy.
#1: EVERY ARTIST NEEDS COMMUNITY
The most beautiful thing about music is the way it brings people together. This isn't just a solo hobby that you can keep to yourself. If you really want to thrive as a music maker then you have to go out and be a part of a scene or create your own scene!
What we mean is, don't just limit yourself to the little practice sessions you tick off every day alone. Go out to shows and concerts, make music with your friends or family and don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Who cares if you're not the next Jimmy Hendrix. That's not the point.
Since the beginning of time, people have been using music as a tool to communicate, understand each other and come together. That's what it's all about. Being a part of a community that supports you in your creative musings is the best feeling ever. If your kids are learning music then don't just leave it up to the teacher to show them what they need to know. Introduce them to your favorite tunes, take them to the symphony or local concerts in your neighborhood. Play music with them or offer to be an audience. If you love it then make it a bigger part of your life. This brings us to the next point...
#2. TURN THE TV OFF AND PUT YOUR RECORDS ON
Before we begin to think about how we should practice our instruments or even play music, let's think about something that's just as equally important. How do we listen to music? When was the last time you sat down with your family or friends and just listened to a record all the way through? When was the last time you cooked a meal or did anything without having the noise of video games or the TV as your daily soundtrack? Yes, we live in a digital age where our eyes are constantly occupied by screens, but what about our ears? It would do us good to remember the importance of sound.
What is the soundtrack of your life? No one will play it for you so you have to push play yourself. Indulge in that music you love so much. Invest in some good speakers and listen to your favorite songs while you cook dinner or do the chores. Better yet, throw a dance party in your living room instead of sitting down to watch a movie for the night. Not only will it make the world around you so much more beautiful and bearable but how else are you gonna get that musical inspiration you were looking for that week? Inspiration doesn't just come to us magically, we have to seek it out. So go listen to something you haven't heard before.
#3. IT'S A LIFESTYLE
Learning an instrument takes patience and perseverance and the rewards aren't always so immediate. It can take a few weeks or months to accomplish a piece of music you've been working on and that's because playing music isn't just a mental game. it's physical as well. Muscle memory plays an important role in your ability to build speed and versatility as a performer. If you're not playing everyday you'll never build the chops you'll need to progress. So if you play an instrument it should be a part of your daily life, even if you can only squeeze in 10 minutes. Those 10 minutes a day will do you better then practicing for an hour once a week.
This concept also goes beyond the solo practice time. Playing with people, whether it be a casual jam session or an actual band that you believe in is just as important as those solo hours you're logging. Make the weekly commitment to play with your peeps because that's where the joy really happens!
#4. GET IN THE ZONE
Getting in the zone, finding your flow, whatever you want to call it, you know the feeling we're talking about. It's the same feeling you get when riding a wave, or when you're doing something you love and time just seems to stop. That's the feeling you should have when you're playing music. Of course that's easy when you're playing something you know well and love, but what about when you're working on something challenging? As long as your skill level meets your challenge then you should be able to conquer whatever it is you're working on. Nothing is impossible and all you need to do is take some baby steps towards your goal. Speaking of which, we've outlined those baby steps for you below...
#5. THE BABY STEPS
So you're ready to practice and you're not sure how. You've told yourself that you need to play for 20 minutes every day but when you sit down to do it you get overwhelmed by the challenge ahead and aren't really sure where to begin. Soon enough the 20 minutes is over and you're not sure what you accomplished. Take these baby steps below music maker and put your worries aside.
1: FIND YOUR ZEN
Turn off all distractions around you and find a quiet place to play your music. It's impossible to get in the zone if Master Chef is playing on the TV behind you and someone's blending a green smoothie in the kitchen. Find a zen-y place and let the people around you know that you're about to get your flow on and should not be disturbed.
2: WARM UP A LITTLE
Now that you've found your quiet place. Take a deep breathe and think about what it is you'd like to accomplish in the next 5 or 10 minutes. Maybe it's to warm-up with some scales or exercises. Perhaps you'd rather start your session by playing or singing a favorite piece that you know well? Whatever it may be, it's always a good idea to ease into it.
3: IDENTIFY + CONQUER THE TINY GOALS
Okay you've warmed up and played a few tunes that you know and love. Now it's time to work on that new piece that you're learning. Remember, you will not learn to play the whole thing perfectly today so create some tiny goals that are achievable. Maybe it's to work on those few measures that you haven't mastered yet, or maybe you want to focus on a new strumming pattern for that new Jose Gonzalez tune you love. Whatever it is, give yourself a time frame to work on it. Even if you haven't mastered it completely you can still feel accomplished and when you're time is up move on to something else. Work on these tiny goals every day and by the end of the week you'll have come a long way. How do you climb a mountain? Baby Steps.
4: HAVE FUN
Okay, you worked on your tiny goals for the day and even if you didn't conquer them, you've put in the time and you should feel good about that. Tomorrow is another day. But, before you end this exhilarating practice session of yours why not end it on a high note and play some stuff you love. Improvise, make it up, just fool around and get lost in the sound. Have fun and remember...it's just music.
#6. A NOTE TO THE PARENTS OF LITTLE HUMANS.
Steps 1 through 5 will not be possible for your little human to accomplish on their own. When the little human is just starting to learn music they will need your guidance at the beginning (especially for the baby steps). Make time to sit and play music with them, listen to music with them and show them that music is an important part of your family life as outlined in steps 1 through 4. This kind of encouragement will only enhance and inspire their love and dedication.
<3 The Kalabash Team