iMA Newsletter Voted top 100 educators in the world by the International Biographical Centre Winner of the Consumers’ Choice Award for best music school in the GTA. Winner of the Royal Conservatory of Music Gold Medal for Teaching Excellence. Winner of the York Region Character Community Award. Markham Board of Trade Business Excellence Award finalist. Year XXII, No. 6 June 2018

WELCOMINGOURNEWSTUDENTSMarciaW.(piano)DrishgaK.(vocal,piano)ChristinaG.(piano)ThomasF.(violin)BeatriceY.(guitar)

IMASTUDENTSBIRTHDAYSINJUNE KyleM.,AthenaC.,EthanW.,HannahW.,CatherineS.,HazelR.,AprilW.,DeanH.,JaidB.,JalenY.,VickyW.,KeerthikaR.,NicholasB.,NathanW.,PirashanaV.,MishaniT.,ZackZ.,GinaF.

HAPPYBIRTHDAY!IMPORTANTDAYSINJUNE

June4:PDdays(YR)-elementaryJune4-23:RCMpracticalexaminationsJune9:CornellRecitalHall.

KindredSpiritsOrchestra.HistoiredusoldatJune11:IMAAnnualProgressReportsJune16-17:IMASummerFestivalJune8-30:CanadianMusicCompetition

(Nationalfinals,Montreal)June28-29:PDdays(YR)June28:FlatoMarkhamTheatre.KindredSpiritsOrchestra.LoveandFaith June30:CBCGlennGouldStudio. KindredSpiritsOrchestra.Ravel’sBoleroNEWSIMASUMMERMUSICFESTIVALWehavehadasuccessfulacademicyearsofarandlookforwardtopreparingwellfortheRoyalConservatoryofMusicexaminationsinJuneandAugust,aswellasfortheCanadianMusicCompetitioninJune.Meanwhile,wehavealsostartedpreparationsfortheiMASummerMusicFestivalthatwilltakeplaceonSaturdayandSunday,June23-24,2018.Thefestivalwillconsistofseparateone-hourconcerts.

Studentswouldberequiredtoattendonlytheconcerttheyareparticipatingin.Bookyourcalendarsforthisexcitingevent–togetherwiththeiMAWinterFestival,thishasbeenoneofthemostsignificantmomentsformanyofourstudents.TheiMASummerMusicFestivalwilltakeplaceattherecitalhalloftheInternationalMusicAcademyinStouffvillelocatedat50InnovatorAvenueinStouffvilleONL4A0Y2.Thehallhasanexcellentgrandpiano,largescreenconnectedtoanHDcamerathatwillallowyoutoseethefinestdetailsofeachperformance.TheStouffvillecampusisonlya10-15minutedrivefromourMarkhamlocation.Afreeparkingisavailablearoundtheschoolaswell.DetailedinformationabouttheFestivalschedulewillbesentbythebeginningofJune.StudentswhohavetheirlessonsonSaturdaywillperformonSundayandviceversa.StudentswhoperformatthefestivalwillbegivenIMACertificateforcompletingtheacademicyearaswellasatrophy.IMAPROGRESSREPORTSInJune,allcurrentstudentswillbereceivingdetailedprogressreportssignedbytheirteachersandtheDirectoroftheInternationalMusicAcademy.Thereportssummarizestudents’outcomesandachievementsduringthepastacademicyearaswellastheirgoalsandobjectivesfortheupcomingmonths.IMAOFFERSMOCKEXAMINATIONSFORTHERCMAsusual,theIMAisofferingtoallstudentswhoareregisteredforRCMexaminationsanopportunitytoplaytheirentireprogrampriortothedayoftheirexamination.ThismockexamisscheduledattheIMA–StouffvillerecitalhallonSaturday,June2,from5pmto7pm.Therearemanyadvantagesofplayingtheexaminationprograminadvanceoftheexaminationitselfandgenerallystudentsgainmoreconfidenceandperformbetterat

International Music Academy

1-4981 Highway 7

Markham ON L3R 1N1 Phone: 905.489.4620

3-50 Innovator Avenue Stouffville ON L4A 0Y2

Phone: 905.640.6363 www.internationalmusicacademy.ca info@internationalmusicacademy.ca

theirexaminations.Themockexamisopenforthegeneralpublic–allarewelcometoattend.

GET3FREELESSONSWITHTHEPURCHASEOFAPIANOIfyouarereadytopurchaseahighqualitypre-ownpianothroughoneoftheIMApartners,3ofyourlessonsattheIMAwillbefree.CallourOfficeore-mailOffice@InternationalMusicAcademy.caformoreinformation.Pre-ownpianoisagreatinvestmentthatcomesatanattractiveprice,withafreetuninganddelivery.FOLLOWUSONStayintouchandfollowtheIMAlatestnewsonFacebook.Visithttps://www.facebook.com/International-Music-Academy-1944567629154903 andbecomeafriendoftheInternationalMusicAcademy.

GETA$30CREDITONYOURNEXTMONTHTUITIONWehavebeenverypleasedwiththecontinuedsuccessofourstudents.Theyhaveimprovedagreatdealandwesharetheirexcitementwiththeirfamilies,friends,neighbors,andschoolmates.Weappreciateyourinteresttowardsourprogramsandservices.Wearealwaysveryhappytowelcomenewstudentsofallages,levels,andinstrumentstotheiMA.PleasetellyourfriendsaboutyourexperiencewiththeInternationalMusicAcademy.Doyouknowsomeonewhoisthinkingoftakingmusiclessonsorwhohaschildrenwhomaybeinterestedingettingtheirhandsonamusicalinstrumentorsinging?DoyouknowateenagerwhoneedsahighschoolOACcredit?Doyouknowanadultwhohaswantedforalongtimetolearnhowtoplayamusicalinstrumentbuthasneverhadthetimeorinclination?PleasetellthemabouttheIMA.Asanappreciationforyourreferral,wewillgiveyoua$30creditforeachnewstudentwhoregistersattheInternationalMusicAcademyasaresultofyourreferral.PERSONALIZEDIMAGIFTCARD

TheIMAofferspersonalizedGiftCardsthatcouldbeusedasthoughtfulbirthday,holiday,bar/batMitzvah,graduationgiftorforanyotheroccasionsaswellastoencouragesomeonetostartlearninga

musicalinstrumentorsinging.Thecardcanbeusedforanyproductsorservices.Thegiftcardisavailableforanyamount.Ascardsarepersonalizedwiththenameofthepersonwhowillreceiveitaswellaswiththenameofthepersonwhopurchaseit,requestshavetobemade1dayinadvance.Cardscanbeorderedinperson,byphoneat905.489.4620orbye-mailatinfo@InternationalMusicAcademy.ca.Atthetimethecardisordered,anon-refundable$5depositisrequired.Thefullvalueofthecardispaiduponpick-up(andthedepositiscreditedtowardsthepurchaseprice).Paymentscanbemadebyanymajorcreditcard,chequeorcashaswellasthroughtheaccountsoftheIMAClients.COMPOSERS’ANNIVERSARIESINJUNE01/06/1804-MichailGlinkawasborn02/06/1857-Elgarborn03/06/1875-Bizetdied03/06/1899-JohannStraussdied06/06/1903-Khachaturianwasborn08/06/1810-Schumannwasborn21/06/1908-RimskyKorsakovdied11/06/1864-RichardStrausswasborn

14/06/1671-TomassoAlbinoniwasborn15/06/1843-EdwardGriegwasborn17/06/1818-CharlesGounodwasborn17/06/1882-IgorStravinskywasborn20/06/1819-JacquesOffenbachwasborn25/06/1767-GeorgTelemanndiedWhereyoubornordoyouknowsomeonewhowasbornonthesamedayasthesefamouscomposers?Dropuse-mailatinfo@InternationalMusicAcademy.catoletusknow.

FEATUREDTEACHEROFTHEMONTH

RamonTaranco,B.Mus.Guitarstudies

RamonTarancowasborninHavanaCubatoaMexican-AmericanmotherandaCubanfather.ThefamilyimmigratedtoToronto,CanadawhenRamonwas5yrsold.Asateenager,RamontaughthimselftoplayguitarandsoonwasplayinginRock,R‘nB,andBluesbands.Healsostudiedviolinandplayedinhishigh

school’sorchestra.AfterhearingAndreSegoviaperformatMasseyHall,RamonwasinspiredtoplayclassicalandSpanishsologuitarmusicsoheembarkeduponsixyearsofstudiesatToronto'sRoyalConservatoryofMusic.RamonstudiedClassicalguitarwithNorbertKraft,CarlvanFleggelin,EliKassner,world-renownedCubanclassicalguitaristLeoBrouwer,andwithBritishmaster,JohnMills.HestudiedsolojazzguitarwiththelegendaryLennyBreauandjazzimprovisationwithformerDukeEllingtonbandmember,flugelhornplayer,FredStone.WhilelivinginNYC,RamonstudiedwithflamencoguitarmasterDennisKoster.Asaguitarteacher,Ramonhasexperienceonmanylevels.WhilestillastudentattheRCM,RamonreceivedateachingpositionattheKofflerCentrefortheArtsunderthedirectionofthenTSOconductorVictorFeldbrill-apositionheheldforfouryears.WhilestilllivinginToronto,RamonreceivedfourOntarioArtsCouncil"ArtistintheSchools"teachinggrantsthatopenedthedoorsforRamontoteachimprovisationandguitarinfourTorontoareahighschools.DuringthistimeRamonfurthereducatedyoungpeoplethroughperformancesofhisconcert/lectureprogram"AGuitarforAllSeasons"whichhepresentedinnumerousschools,collegesandlibrariesalloverOntario-asamemberofProloguetothePerformingArtsandonhisown.Ramonwasalsothemusicconsultant,bandcoach,andguitarinstructorforthefilmP.C.U.(20thCenturyFox).In1994RamonmovedtoNYCwherehetaughtguitarlessonsinhisprivatestudiosinManhattanandQueensandalsoattheAstoriaSchoolofMusic.RamoncurrentlyteachesatMarkham’sInternationalMusicAcademyandispreparingtorecordhisthirdCDoforiginalmusic.AsacomposerRamonhasreceivedbothTorontoArtsCouncilandOntarioArtsCouncilgrantsforcomposition.Asarecordingartist,hereceivedanOntarioArtsCouncilMulti-CulturalrecordinggrantandaF.A.C.T.O.Rrecordinggrant.TarancolaterbecameaF.A.C.T.O.Radjudicator.Ramon'scompositionshavebeenfeaturedinfilms:“L'Hombre”fortheCanadianFilmCenterandNYCdocumentary,“PovertyOutlaw.”RamonhasreleasedtwoCD'soforiginalmusicwhichhavereceivedairplayinfiftycountries(forexampleRadioHavana,Cuba;andSpanishNationalRadio)andhaveplacedinthetop10ofworldbeat,blues,jazzandrootsmusicradiocharts.Asaperformerofclassical,blues,jazz,andworldbeatmusicintheTorontomusicscene,Ramonplayedsolo,induosandinbands:liveonCBCradioshows(Morningside,MusicalFriends),andinconcerts(HartHouseTheaterUofT,Harbourfront’sWatersEdgeCaféandBrigantineRoom,St.LawrenceCentre,OntarioCollegeofArt,LaurentianUniversity)inclubsandinrestaurants(TheRiverboat,TopoftheSenator,C'estWhat.)WhileresidinginNewYorkfor18years,Ramonfrequentlyperformedonradio(WBAI).Asasoloistandinduoswith(jazzviolin,percussion,bluesharmonica)andbandsituations,RamonhasperformedinconcertattheGuggenheimMuseumofModernArt’sWorldBeatJazzseries,BronxMuseumofModernArtAfricanHeritageDay,TheQueensMuseumofArt,HarborJazzFestival,ManhattanvilleUniversity,MonroeCollege,NewYorkStateUniversity@StoneyBrook,Hellenic

CulturalCenter,JavitsCenterLatinHeritageMonthcelebrationfortheCityofNY,NewarkPublicLibrary(bluesconcertcelebratingMartinLutherKingJr'sbirthday)BrooklynAcademyofMusicMajesticTheater:onstageguitaristinsmallensemblefortheopera"Missionaries"byLizSwados;inNYCnightclubs,restaurantsandbarssuchasTheGroove,IzzyBar,Fannies,LaBelleEpoque,MozartCafe,FinallyFreds,Rose’sTurnandCorneliaStreetCafe:SouloftheBluesFestival.Mr.Tarancowashappytoanswerafewquestionsforourstudentsandparents:1.Whatdoyoulikemostaboutteaching?Teachingishardworkbutitalwaysfeelsgoodwhenstudentsstarttomakeprogress.Alsothesocialaspectofteaching,interactingwithallthestudentsandtheirdifferentpersonalitiescanbefun.2.Howdoyouinspirestudentstopracticemore?Ateacherhastobeverypassionateaboutmusic.Thispassioncansometimestriggerthestudents’ownpassionformusic.Ateacherhastobeortodothreedifferentthingsforthestudent.First,heinspiresthestudentbyplayingforthestudent.Second,heisacoach,amusictrainerinstillingthevirtuesofhardworkandrepetitiouspractice.IoftentellstudentsthemostimportantthingIwillteachthemtodoishowtopractice.Playingamusicalinstrument,especiallyguitar,isaveryphysicalactrequiringstrengthandstamina."Withoutdisciplinetherecanneverbehappiness."(Siddartha).Third,hehastotryandmakelearningmusicalittlefun.Ateacherwithagoodsenseofhumorandasenseoffunisgoingtoreachmorestudentsandmakethelearningexperienceaeasiertotake.3.Whatrolesdoesperformanceplayinstudent’sdevelopment?Performingandhardpracticegetthemaximumoutofaplayer.Ifyoucandobothyouwillbeacompleteplayer.Performingnomatterhoworwherewillalwaysraiseyourstandardofplaying.Fortheamateurtheirarestudentrecitals,performanceexams,playingatthelocalchurch,atschoolforyourfriends,inafamilysetting-anychancetoperformforanybodywillforceyoutoraiseyourlevel.Myfavoriteopporutnityforstudentsistheopenmicvenue;thepressuretoperformwilldowondersforyourplaying.4.Whoareyourfavouritecomposers?Ilovemanydifferenttypesofmusicclassical,pop,jazz,blues,rock,R&B.ForclassicalcomposersIloveBach,Beethoven,BartokandMozart.Forjazz,IloveMingus,Coltrane,MilesDavis,RolandKirk,Monk,bluesSkipJames,SonHouse,JBLenoir,EarlKing,AlbertKing,FreddieKing,TBoneWalker.IlovecountryguitaristDonRich(BuckOwensBand).Can'tforgetmyfavoriteJimiHendrixohwellyougettheidea.5.Whatwasthelastpieceofmusic(sheetmusicorarecording)youpurchasedforyourself?ThelastCDIboughtwasStevieWonders"InnerVisions".ThemostrecentpiecesIworkedonwereasologuitararrangementofDaveBrubeck’sjazzhit"TakeFive",arrangedforguitarbyJorgeMorelandChetAtkins.Also"ALittleBlues"-asolojazzguitarcompositionbyoneofmyteachers,thelegendaryLennyBreau.Also,Gershwinand

Prokofiev-Ilovehispianosonatas.IbelievetheyarethemodernequalstoBeethoven’spianosonatas.

FEATUREDSTUDENTOFTHEMONTH AashwinAravinthan

Whatinstrumentdoyouplay?–Iplaythepiano–myfavourite!

Howlonghaveyoutakenlessons?–IhavetakenlessonssinceSeptember2017.

Whoareyourfavouritemusicalartists?–A.R.RahmanisanIndiancomposer,singer,song-writer,musicproducer,musicianandmusicdirectorwhoismyfavoritemusicalartist.

Whatareyourotherhobbies,besidesmusic?–Myotherhobbiesaredance,bikeriding,playingsoccer,playingPS4withmyfriendsandwatchingmovies.Favouritefood?–MyfavouritefoodisPizzaandChickensoup.Whatisthecoolestthingyou’velearntinyourlessonsinthepastthreemonths?–ThecoolestthingIhavelearnedinPianoishowtoplaysixteenthnotes,whicharethefastestnotesIknowsofar.

Doyouhaveanyperformancecomingup?–Yes,IlookforwardtoplayingintheSummerMusicFestivalinJune.

E-mailtoinfo@InternationalMusicAcademy.caaphotoofyourself(oryourchild)togetherwiththeanswersofthequestionsabove.Thedeadlineforsubmissionsisthe15thofeverymonth.Wewillfeatureyouinoneofthenextissuesofthenewsletter.PETOFTHEMONTHSendaphotoofyourpettogetherwithfollowinginformationandwewillpublishitinoneofthenextissuesoftheIMAnewsletter.Whatisthenameofyourpet?Howoldishe/she?Whatkindofbreedourpetis(ifapplicable)?Howlonghaveyouhadhim/herfor?Anyspecialcircumstancesaroundgettingthepet(i.e.agift,fosterpet,etc.)?Thefunnieststoryaboutyoupet?Anyspecialskillsorabilities.FEATUREDARTICLERESERVINGYOURMUSICLESSONSDAY,TIMEANDTEACHERFORSEPTEMBER.

Overthepastfewyearsseveralparentsaskedhowtokeeptheday,timeandteacherfortheirchildrenfortheupcomingschoolyear.Belowwehavetheanswersofthemostfrequentlyaskedquestions.PleasedonothesitatetoasktheOfficeifyouhaveanyotherquestionsorconcerns–wearealwayshappytohelp.Q.Howdolessonsworkinthesummer?-TheIMAisopenyearround,andwedonotcloseduringthesummer.Q.Doalotofstudentsquitduringthesummer?-Forthepast5years,wehavegrowninenrolmenteachJulyby15-20%.VeryfewstudentswithdrawbutwealsogetahugeinfluxofstudentsinJune,JulyandAugust;mostofthemcontinueintothefall.Q.HowfullistheAcademy?-AsofMay1,wearenearcapacity,andmanyteachershavenoavailabilitybetweenthehoursof3:00-8:30p.m.Q.Ifwewithdrawforthesummer,canwekeepourspotforfall?-Lessonsarebookedonafirst-come-first-serve

basis,soifyouwithdrawforthesummer,wecannotguaranteethatwewillhaveatimeslotforyouinthefall,aswewouldhavetoopentheslottonewstudentsregisteringinJune,JulyandAugust.Whatusuallyhappenswhenastudentwithdrawsforthesummer,his/herslotwouldthenbetakenbyanewstudentwhomostofthetimewouldcontinuetakinglessonsinSeptemberandintotheupcomingschoolyear. Thebigquestionforallparentsandstudentstoconsideris:Doyouwanttostaywiththesameteacherinthefall?

IFTHEANSWERISYESTHEREARE3WAYSTODOTHIS:

1. Takeadvantageofoursummermake-uplessons.Werealizethatsomeofyouwillgoonvacationforaportionofthesummer.So,whatyoucandoissimplymakeupinadvancethelessonsthatyouwouldmissbecauseofyourholidays.Youcanmakethemupasearlyasyouwouldlike(eveninMayorJune).

2. “Sublease”yourspottoafamily-memberorafriend.Youcansendafamilymemberorafriendinyourplaceforthedatesyouwillmiss.Justlettheofficeknowwhoiscominginyourplaceandwhen.Ifyouaretakingsummerlessonsandneedaspecifictimeforthefall,pleasecontactusaroundlateJulyandwewilldoourbesttoaccommodateyou.

3. Requestaday/timechangeforyourlessonduringthesummer.Ourteachersareflexibleandavailableduringtheentireday.Ifyourcurrentlessontimewillbeinaconflictwithanotheractivityduringthesummer,youcanchangetheday/timeofyourlessonduringthesummer(subjecttoavailability).

EachSeptember,wegetcallsfromstudentswhohavebeenwithusformanyyears,butdecidedtowithdrawforthesummer.Theywanttoreturntothesameteacher,dayandtime,butanotherstudentwhosignedupforlessonsinJune,JulyorAugusthasalreadyfilledthesamespot.Althoughwetrytoaccommodateeveryone,thenewstudentsmaybereluctanttochangetheirlessontimetoallowustoofferittoareturningstudent.So,ifyoulikeyourteacher,keepyourtimeslotduringsummeranddonothesitatetocontactourofficeifyouneedhelpreschedulingyourlessons.TocommentonthisstoryoranythingelseyouhavereadintheNewsletter,headovertotheIMAFacebookpageormessageusonTwitter.

InternationalMusicAcademy

GIFTCERTIFICATEfornewstudentsonly1offerperfamily

ONEFREELESSONCalltheIMAOfficeat

905.489.4620(Markham)or905.640.6363(Stouffville)

toscheduleyourfirstlesson.Oncescheduled,thelessoncannotberescheduled.Cannot be combined with any other offer. Norefunds,noexchanges.

Music is sooooooooo beuatiful!

Register for lessons by

June 15, 2018 and receive

$50 off New students only. 1offerperfamily

Cannot be combined with any other offer.

REFERANEWSTUDENTandGETONEFREELESSON!

WhenyoureferanewstudenttotheIMA,whoregistersforlesson,youwillgetonefreelessonforeverynewstudent.So,ifyourefertheIMAto2newstudents,wewillgiveyou2freelessons;for3newstudents–3freelessonsetc.FillinthecouponbelowandleaveitwiththeIMAOfficeadministrator.Yourname:______________________________Nameofthenewstudent:__________________Youcanprintorphotocopythiscouponasmanytimesasyouneed.

Cannot be combined with any other offer.