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A few upcoming concerts and art events for Spring 2024

Hi all,

I just wanted to give a quick update for some concerts I recommend MAP students to attend.

Upcoming concerts

Attending music concerts is a critical part of education. Just as we learn language by listening to those around us speaking the language, we learn music by listening to it, and a concert is a presentation of music by people speaking their musical language. Plus, one of these concerts features a MAP music instructor as performer, and one features MAP students.

So, here’s some upcoming concerts:

For the paid events, MAP instructor Devin Ulibarri may be able to get students in for a discount. If you are currently taking lessons and interested in attending, please ask.

Upcoming art event

MAP art instructor Chie Yasuda will be showcasing her work as part of Somerville Open Studios on the weekend of May 4-5. If you are able, we encourage you to check out her work. Her art will be showcased at the Armory in Somerville, MA. More information is available at https://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/web/artists/artist_profile/1406

Keep the learning going!

We hope that families can take advantage of this list of events, which we expect to be entertaining, educational, and inspiring. We’ll also do our best to keep you in the loop of other events.

Cheers!

Devin Ulibarri, MAP Teaching Artist

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MAP Students Showcase at Open House

MAP student showcases his work

Last Sunday, we had an open house event, which was open to the public. MAP students showcased what they have learned at MAP over the past few months.

MAP students performed music and showcased for each other, as well as visitors from the general public. Each student contributed to the activity in some way. When we were finished, I compiled a video of their showcased work. Please check out the following video to see what the kids are doing.

MAP Student Showcase Video

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Student Showcase from Jan. Open House

What are the Kids Learning?

MAP students are learning so much in their classes. Of course, they are learning music, art, and computer programming, and they are studying with some of the most knowledgeable instructors in their respective fields. However, here at MAP we understand that students need a holistic education. That is why, included with lesson packages, students are invited to perform weekly in sharing sessions.

Weekly Sharing Sessions

How many times have you learned something only to find out that you were not able to use what you learning? Performance, showcasing, and portfolios should be a central part of everyone’s education. We do not understand something until we try to show what we learned to others. This is one of the many reasons that we offer weekly sharing sessions.

2nd Graders are the “Makers” of their own Games

Near the end of the video, one of the students says of his game, “I am the maker”. It is amazing to hear this 2nd grader describing himself this way. Imagine a world where kids envision themselves as the creators and the makers of their technology. This is categorically different than kids passively playing video games. Our Music+Code classes empower kids to participate in the creation their technology. Led by the legendary instructor Walter Bender, who co-founded One Laptop Per Child and Sugar Labs, these students really learn how to dominate their computers, while having fun in the process.

Interested in Learning More?

You can always feel free to contact us from this site, by phone, or email.

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Art Student Showcase

We have posted a lot of student performances over the past few months, but would like to take a moment to acknowledge our students’ art. Amelia is doing great work!

Amelia is taking both Art and Music and MAP Family Learning Center, and she is doing amazing work. Check out her latest work in the gallery below.

Amelia has been taking art classes at MAP since we opened in 2019. When the pandemic started, the group classes turned into private lessons. She continued with these online private lessons and has made remarkable progress.

The painting featured at the very top of this post was made over the summer, and the three paintings above were sent early December. You can see quite the progress Amelia has made.

Amelia studies art with MAP instructor, Chie Yasuda. You can see Chie’s art on her website at www.chieyasuda.com

Please follow us to continue to receive updates on MAP student art.

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Steel String and Nylon String Performances by Cameron

MAP guitar student Cameron sent in these wonderful videos to share with everyone. Please enjoy!

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MAP Student Cameron Performs Secret Place

Some Background: Cameron started studying in 2015 with MAP Instructor, Devin Ulibarri. At that time, Cameron had studied guitar for a few months with another instructor but had not yet learned to read music. Mr. Devin taught Cameron how to read music on guitar, finger-style technique, and even worked together with Cameron to create some arrangements of video game music. It is amazing to thing that in 5 years time, he has made this much progress. Way to go, Cameron!

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Two New Student Videos (Younger Sibling)

Student plays guitar for an online lesson

The previous post featured the older sibling in this family who has been joining lessons from India over the past few months. She plays “Andantino” and “Country Dance” (from Royal Conservatory Books) for us here. She is really playing quite well!

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Student Performance of Andantino
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Two New Student Videos (older sibling)

Check out these two new videos by a MAP guitar student. She is doing great and has been joining us weekly for classes from India!

She performs two pieces for us from the Royal Conservatory Books (Level 2). The first is “Andante” and the 2nd is “Tango Pour Mario”. Way to go with these challenging pieces.

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Student performance of Andante

Next, I will publish videos from this student’s younger sibling. Stay tuned!

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Students create their own Halloween Story Book

Today, using powerful programming concepts, students created their own Halloween Story Books with Music Blocks. This student, Nathan, shows his project first and then explains how it works in detail. Way to go, Nathan!

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Student's Halloween Storybook Presentation