January 30, 2026: Friday Medley
Happy Friday!
A Can-do Mindset
We help children, youth, and adults build up their can-do mindset in music by keeping lessons playful, growth rewarding, and wins plentiful. At our music studio, we strive to help students set achievable targets, work at a steady pace that’s right for them, and treat “mistakes” as improvisational miss-and-fix moments so recovery feels normal. (This ability to gracefully keep going when missteps occur “on stage” translates well to public speaking – an essential skill in school and even more in careers.)
Improvisation in lessons can help make learning feel like play, while teaching valuable skills and developing our musical ears. Practicing and maintaining a repertoire of memorized songs and pieces gives students music they can share anytime, anywhere, for anyone… privately at home or in public. Focusing on what has improved (and there are always things that have improved) becomes, over time, a friendly habit that ultimately adds up to confidence you can see, feel, and hear.
Recitals Coming Up
Our Spring Quarter Studio Recitals take place Saturday & Sunday, 3/28 & 3/29, in the afternoon, at the Laguna Hills Community Center. You can sign up early to reserve your spot!
Just before that, we are offering a special Theme Recital opportunity, “Songs of Ireland & Latin America,” on Friday, March 13, evening, at Chamber Music OC in Lake Forest. Participating students will perform both Irish and Latin American music. Signups for this recital are also open. Please remember that this special recital has certain requirements that must be met, with teacher approval.
The objectives for participation are: Play at least two songs, pieces, or movements; Play from memory (some exceptions may apply); Play at least one song or piece that is related to or expresses each theme; Wear Irish or Latin American style costumes and accessories!
Our annual Destination Recital takes place Mother’s Day weekend, on Saturday, May 9, all day. We will travel by train to the Namba Performing Arts Center, located in historic downtown Ventura. We will leave in the morning, have lunch, perform the recital in the afternoon, attend a special event / activity after the recital, and then enjoy an ice cream treat before we head home! Each student will receive a recital t-shirt, certificate, and fun gift bag! Sign up early here!
In addition to these performance opportunities, we also offer Forum over the first full weekend of each month, our Concert Performance Team (CPT), who perform monthly at locations throughout Orange County, Certificate of Merit, and the chance for more advanced students to put on their own solo recital. Please email office@dennisfrayne.com with questions, requests, and for more information.
Concert Performance Team
Our next CPT recital is coming up in February, on Sunday, 2/15/26, at Ivy Park in Mission Viejo.
Our studio CPT performs in special/additional monthly concerts for appreciative audiences at different locations and venues throughout Orange County. Some students earn community service hours & credits for giving their gift of music to others! Email the office to express interest in joining!
Next Forum Sessions Coming the First Full Weekend in February
Performing music for others should be enjoyable and rewarding experiences. Practice performing at Forum to make it easier and easier! Plus, receive some additional one-on-one coaching from awesome teachers.
Our next Forum sessions are (30 minute sessions):
Friday, February 6, 7:30 & 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 7, 8:15 am & 8:45 am
Sunday, February 8, 5:00 & 5:30 pm
Forum is offered the first full weekend Friday, Saturday, & Sunday of each month. You do not need to register in advance… just show up and participate! Forum takes place upstairs in Suite 205 of the Laguna Niguel School of Music, 30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677.
Studio Calendars
We have an off-day coming up on Saturday, February 14, 2026. We are closed for Valentine’s Day (one day only – lessons are back ON for Sunday, February 15).
Check out our Studio Calendar here
Music Playdates in the Parks
Our upcoming music playdates are (click here for the calendar on our website):
Saturday, 1/31: Central Park, Rancho Santa Margarita (RSM)
2/4 & 2/7: Promenade Park, Lake Forest
2/11: Melinda Park, Mission Viejo
Most Wednesday and Saturday mornings, 10:30-11:15 am. Bring friends, and find us near the playgrounds!
Certificate of Merit Exams this Month!
Wish our participating students well as they complete their CM exams this month! They have been preparing for these events for many months, and in some cases all year!
If you are interested in learning more about CM for 2027, click here.
Q: When can we sign up for your quarterly payment option and receive the 5% discount?
A: You can sign up any time, and then your quarterly payments will start at the beginning of the next quarter. So right now, the next quarter (Spring, 2026) begins March (for March-April-May).
Click here to read more and request quarterly payments
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Have a magical Friday, a musical weekend, and a safe, happy, and healthy coming week(s).
Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
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