Our Artistry students are currently preparing for the NCMTA Piano Contest, Federation Festival and Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum Auditions.  They are also looking forward to working with Dr. Paul Nitsch of Queens University in a masterclass this February.

If you have a student in your family who may be interested in the Piano Artistry program, please email Regina Ziliani at director@charlotteacademyofmusic.com  We look forward to meeting you!

Winter Concerts 12/4/2011 Video

Winter Concerts 12/10/2011 Video

SEEKING TO END HUNGER
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (SHFBM) strives through education, advocacy, and partnerships to eliminate hunger by the solicitation and distribution of food. They provide a regional distribution warehouse and branches that supply food and grocery items to charitable agencies that assist people in need.

ENDING CHILD HUNGER
Children at risk of hunger in the Metrolina region is not just a myth, it’s a reality. 15.7% of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina’s service area population lives in poverty, including almost 185,000 children and seniors.

Children at the greatest risk of hunger are those who are in deep, persistent poverty. Second Harvest has several initiatives to help serve these children. Please take a moment to learn about Child Hunger in the Metrolina region and join us in the fight to provide one of their basic needs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Below is a list of the most needed items. Bring your items between November 7-21 to Charlotte Academy of Music and place in the Second Harvest barrell. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, please make your check payable to Second Harvest Food Bank and turn in at the Front Desk.

Canned Meats:
Chicken
Turkey
Ham
Beef Stew

Canned Fish:
Tuna
Mackerel
Salmon

Other:
Peanut Butter
Pasta
Rice
Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese
Soup
Canned Vegetables Canned Fruits
Beans
Corn
Potatoes Pears
Apples
Peaches
Laundry and Dish Detergent
Shampoo
Deodorant

Thank you for your help!

Ms. Firczak also enjoys continued involvement in theatre, both as music director and performer. In 2009 she was honored with separate nominations for awards from the Metrolina Theatre Association for work as a performer and musical director. Her theatrical credits include work with Theatre Charlotte, Theatre Matthews, Carowind’s Theme Park, CPCC Summer Theatre, Fort Mill Playhouse, and the Uwharrie Players.

As a teacher, Ms. Firczak strives to personalize instruction based on students’ needs, strengths, and overall expectations. She enjoys working with beginning
and experienced students of all ages and enjoys incorporating music history and theory to encourage well-rounded musicianship.

Matthew Rogers began playing piano when he was five years old.  Throughout his childhood he participated in festivals such as the NFMC Piano Festival, performances, and completed over ten years of the National Piano Guild Auditions.  During his adolescence he studied in the studios of Academy faculty member Robin Love and Diane Bailes.  While in school he also had the opportunity to study many other instruments, including the Saxophone, Guitar, French horn, Tuba, Percussion, and various other wind and brass instruments.

Matthew studied at the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University. There he studied with Dr. Bair Shagdaron and was also given the opportunity to play and perform in various music settings, including jazz and ensembles, bands, orchestra, and as an accompanist.  After graduation Matthew married Kristin Bailes and they moved to China for nine months.  While in China, Matthew taught English to children of all ages, both in classroom and one-on-one settings.  Upon returning from China in July 2011, Matthew worked at Myers Park Presbyterian Church as a children’s sports camp counselor.  Matthew has been an active member in both First Baptist Church of Matthews and Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church for many years, giving him the opportunity to play piano and work with children of all ages.  He has a strong passion for music that exhibits itself both while he is playing and teaching.

Matthew also has a gift for improvisation. Here is avideo of Matthew performing his own arrangement of Shine On Us at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, where our own Lori Williams is church pianst.

Gillian Schultz has been involved in music since she was a young girl.  She began her music studies on the piano and soon after began
violin lessons.  Gillian has her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the State University of New York College at Fredonia with a focus on violin and her Master’s Degree in Music Education from Nazareth College, Rochester, NY.

Gillian has been teaching for over fifteen years.  She began teaching private violin lessons while still in high school.  After college, Gillian was the Elementary and Middle School Orchestra Director in the West Irondequoit Central School District in Rochester, NY.   While in
West Irondequoit, she prepared students for the New York State School Music Association Solo Festival, All-County, Area-All State and All State Orchestras.

Five years ago Gillian moved to Charlotte and accepted a position teaching general music at Oaklawn Language Academy in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. Gillian left her job with CMS after her first son was born.

Gillian has toured with the Fredonia Chamber Orchestra and performed with the Fredonia College Symphony Orchestra and the Penfield Symphony Orchestra in Rochester, NY and with numerous small chamber music groups.

Gillian loves to share her love of music with students. She maintains high expectations for her students while still allowing students to feel comfortable in their lessons.  She teaches students to become independent, lifelong musicians.

Why choose Charlotte Academy of Music? Below are just a few of the benefits of attending a community music school…

• Convenient scheduling for busy families just makes life a little easier!  There’s homework, sports, church activities, scouts and so much morefilling up your family calendar! CAM offers the option of scheduling lessonswith a variety of instruments at the same time or back to back, which saves a great deal of time and gas driving to different locations. We also offer morning, afternoon and evening week day classes, as well as Saturdays!
• Our teachers only focus on music! CAM is directed by Regina Ziliani, a music professional who has taught music for over 23 years. She ensures the school is guided by a focus on quality music education. Our teachers work with students on an educational level, while the administrative staff handles scheduling, tuition and other needs. This allows teachers to focus on teaching and avoid the awkward distraction of payments and policies that home studio teachers must deal with.
• Being part of a musical community fosters motivation
  and inspiration.  Students feel bolstered by both the presence of their peers and collaborations with them. As students become more advanced, they also have opportunities to collaborate with other student instrumentalists, accompany and join ensembles, such as our Chamber
  Ensemble, or specialized curriculum like our Piano Artistry program.
• Separate studios in an atmosphere dedicated to teaching
  and learning. Students who take lessons in their teacher’s or own home may encounter distractions such as a ringing telephone, pets, or other family members. Families of CAM enjoy the convenient shopping options at Idlewild Market, as well as ample parking.
• Choice of more than 1 teacher. Each student has their own individual learning style, personality and musical goals. With our excellent faculty of dedicated, professional teachers, we can find the best fit for you and your family.
• Background checks and quality instruction. Prior to hiring any teacher at the Academy, a background check is run and a thorough evaluation of their education, teaching methods, style and expectations are assessed.
• Various payment methods and plans. At CAM, families can choose from personal check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover or Electronic Debit payment methods, and varied installment plans.
• Master Classes, Evaluations, Guest Composers, the Blue Note Lounge and Multiple Instrument Recitals. There
  are a wealth of performance and evaluation opportunities (NFMC, NCMTA, CPTF, etc) for students at CAM, which we believe are crucial to each student’s motivation and progress.

We are so pleased to announce the addition of a new ensemble class at Charlotte Academy of Music…the Charlotte Junior Glee Club!  This ensemble, for ages 10-12, will focus on developing each student’s skills in proper vocal technique, choral choreography, sight singing skills, confidence and stage presence all using Broadway and pop age-appropriate, fun music!

The Junior Glee Club will meet on Thursdays 7-8pm at the Academy, under the direction of Megan Magden Postle.  No audition necessary.  The group will perform at Academy concerts, at community events and at an annual show choir competition.  For more information please visit our Charlotte Junior Glee Club Website.

Robin Love, NCTM

Charlotte Academy of Music is pleased to welcome Robin Love to our piano
faculty. Robin holds a BM in Piano Pedagogy and State Teaching Certificate from East Carolina University, where she also minored in voice and organ. Robin also holds the distinction of being a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM).

During 1998-2001, Robin served as the President of the Charlotte
Music Teachers Association (CMTA).  She has also held the positions of
Publicity Chair for Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and Editor of
the North Carolina Music Teachers Magazine.  In addition, she has served
on the Ethics, Auditions, Nominating and Scholarship Endowment committees with
the Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum (CPTF).  Robin was the Chairperson for
the NCMTA District Contest-Festival, the NCMTA State Contest-Festival as well
as the NCFMC Contest-Festival.  For two years Robin ran the NCFMC Music
Festival coordinating over 1,200 students, acquiring judges and overseeing the
entire event.  Robin’s students have participated in both district and
state level contests, receiving Superior Honor ratings.

In 1993, she and her husband served in Music Ministry to Nova
Sibirsk, Russia.  Robin was also church pianist, organist and choir
director from 1970-1992.  She co-teaches Marching Percussion with her
husband each summer for the East Mecklenburg Marching Eagles for the past 10
years and the Red Devils of Newton-Conover for past 3 years.

Robin lives in Matthews with her husband, Kent Love. They have two grown
children. She enjoys working with eager, enthusiastic students who desire to
have fun at the piano!

Love to sing and dance?  Then you don’t want to miss our Charlotte Glee Club Auditions on up August 6th and 7th!  This ensemble, for ages 13-18, performs throughout the Charlotte community and at an annual show choir competition.  Alexandra Sims, Director, Amelia Hartsell, Choreographer

To access the Audition Guidelines and Audition Form, please see the Glee Club Website: charlottegleeclub.com

It’s been an exciting time around Charlotte Academy of Music.  Summer private lessons have begun, and we’ve welcomed many new students into the Academy family!  Our excellent faculty is working with students on some fun summertime music. (Videos to come!)  This is the ideal time to further your skills or pick up a new instrument.

Our Summer Camps are another highlight of this time of year.  Last week’s Glee Camp was a blast.  Megan Magden Postle directed this camp focusing on vocal technique, choregraphy and stage presence.  See video clips here!  This week we are in the midst of our ever-popular Mo’zArt Camp.  In Mo’zArt students learn Piano and Art…and have a ball doing it!  We will have a few spaces remaining in our July 11th week of Mo’zArt (ages 4-6).  Call the Academy at 704-545-7400 or visit our website for more information.