Vance Music Studios News

January, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

We hope everyone had a fun and relaxing holiday, and are as excited as we are to kick off 2012.

CONSTRUCTION- You may (or may not) have noticed we sustained some water damage in late Novemebr from one of the apartment units above the studio. Over the break, we had the studio re-carpeted, the drop ceilings in the lesson rooms replaced, and the paint throughout the studio touched up.

STUDENT GIGS- STUDENT SHOWCASE- SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11th @ THE WINCHETSER, doors at 6:00pm, show at 7:00pm. Featuring all of our rock bands. We are also planing another recital at the Library for early/mid March. Details to follow.

GEORGETOWN- Lakewood's long standing fine dining reasturant THREE BIRDS has recently changed hands. Under the new name GEORGETOWN, the current owner has made the decision to have live jazz every Friday & Saturday. Starting TONIGHT, THE KILLER WATT HOURS (Matt Hadaway-drums, Leo Coach-organ, and myself-guitar) will kick off a set of jazz/blues/funk. We will be there the first Friday of every month until further notice. Also, on Saturday January 28th, Saturday February 18th, and Friday March 23rd I will play bass in a duo with Oberlin Jazz Guitar & Theory professor BOBBY FERRAZZA. All shows are from 8:30pm until Midnight. So.....come along for some fine food and music!

Along with 3 more Showcases, 2 more recitals and many more instructor gigs, we are also planning a few masterclasses, the Front Porch Concert Series at Lakewood Library, and a Guitar Maintanance workshop with our in house guitar repair guru KURT WRIGHT.

Thank you all for a wonderfull 2011, and here's to and even better 2012!!!

-Chris Vance

October/November, 2011

Greetings everyone!

As we approach the holiday season (and the end of the year), we here at VMS just want to make a few announcements:

*HOLIDAY CLOSINGS*

THANKSGIVING: We will be closed WEDNESDAY November 23rd through SUNDAY November 27th. We will re-open on Monday November 28th.

WINTER HOLIDAYS: We will be closed Monday December 19th through SUNDAY January 1st. We will re-open on January 2nd 2012.

*Tuition will be adjusted, and please note the tuition due dates for December and January are earlier than normal.

*SPOOKY SPECTACULAR STUDENT SHOWCASE* Saturday, October 29th at The Winchester. Doors open at 6:00pm, The Show starts at 7:00pm. Admission is $5.00. Come out and witness 9 of our bands put on the spookiest show of the year!!!!!!

*LAKEWOOD LIBRARY RECITAL* Saturday, November 5th in the Lakewood Public Library Multi-Purpose Room from 1:00pm-4:00pm. FREE. Open to every student at VMS, sign up now to participate!

*CALL FOR PLAYERS* We will be forming 2 new ROCK SHOP ensembles as well as filling out our JAZZ JAM. Guitarists, Drummers, Bassists, Vocalists, Keyboardists, Saxophonists, or Trumpeters interested contact us for details!

*2011 BIG BEAT* VMS is proud to sponsor this years Big Beat Fundraiser! SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2011 1-6pm LAKE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: 6733 Reynolds Rd. Mentor, OH

The Big Beat brings together the largest gathering of drum set players ever assembled for the worthwhile cause of raising funds for local schools percussion instruments. Not only will each location try to break the Guinness world record for the most drummers playing the same beat at one time, but the participants will also try to set a record for drummers in all 15 Five Star Cities playing simultaneously via the world wide web!

PRIZES: $14,000. msrp of Drum Gear will be given away & raffled at the Big Beat event. Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones Autographed bass drum head will be raffled.

ALL PROCEEDS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS: Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation donates new and refurbished musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide. Previous recipients:Willowick Middle School-received $9,000 worth or percussion gear, Cleveland's All City Arts Program-received $4,700 worth or percussion gear and 2010 (TBA) will receive $7,000 in percussion gear.

If you like to participate in this event, contact us for more info.

Thanks, and hope to see some of you at these events!

-Chris Vance

September, 2011

School Daze, school days......

I hope everyone had an outstanding summer, and we are all ready to jump into fall! A few announcements:

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS: VMS is closed Friday (9/2) through Monday (9/5) in observance of Labor Day. We will re open Tuesday 9/6.

NEW INSTRUCTORS: Mr. Carey Viton will be joining our team of instructors next week. We are very excited to have him on board. He is an extremely qualified and active performer and instructor, and well as a great guy. Let's welcome him to our Piano studio. You can read his bio information at www.vancemusicstudios.com.

SCHEDULING: With the beginning of the school year, we understand that everyone's schedule gets crazy. This in conjunction with the immense growth of the studio over the past year (up by 23%) makes everything a much tighter fit! Please let us know as soon as possible about any scheduling issues, and we will work to resolve them as quickly as possible. Also keep in mind our openings change day by day as students are changing their schedules.

DISCOUNTS: I notice that very few of our clients take advantage of the various discounts we offer. Just want to make sure everyone is aware of our different payment options and promotions:

Automatic Deduction- 5%*** 50 Lesson Packages- 10%*** 100 Lesson Packages- 15%*** Referral Credits- 1 free lesson for referring a friend.

CONCERTS/RECITALS: I would like to commend everyone involved in the August 27th Phantasy show- GREAT JOB. I'm always impressed with the growth the performers demonstrate both as individuals and as a group. Also, I cant wait to see this trend continued at our next performances:

The Clifton Beach Camp Out: Saturday September 17th, 7-10pm. This is a private event, but performers and family members are more than welcome. Details to follow.

Spooky Spectacular Student Showcase: The Winchester, Saturday October 29th. Doors open at 6pm, Show at 7pm. $5. This is my favorite show of the year! Start thinking of a cool costume!

Lakewood Public Library Recital: All though not confirmed yet, this will take place on a Saturday in early November in the Lakewood Public Library's multi-purpose room. This traditional recital is open to every and any student at VMS.

Saucey Bistro: Also not confirmed, this will also take place on a Saturday in early November. This Recital is focused on Jazz, Blues and solo vocal/guitar performers.

Stay tuned for more details on these great events!

Thank you all so much, and on behalf of the instructors and staff here at VMS- HAPPY FALL!!!

-Chris Vance

August 9, 2011

The Lakewood Observer. Volume 7, Issue 16

Vance Music Studios Summer Bands

Behind Syncopated Sin: Speakeasy 2.0's Jazz Band Creation Finds Success In Cleveland by NICOLE DELAMOTTE on JULY 8, 2011

2011 Lakewood Library Front Porch Concert Series

Chris Vance of Vance Music Studios agreed to lend his talents to IngenuityFest once again by putting together a group specifically for Speakeasy 2.0 - now their group is booked for shows all over Cleveland.

The Syncopated Sin Swing Jazz Band was created by Vance Music Studios' teachers to entertain crowds at Ingenuity's Speakeasy 2.0 fundraiser with a night of jazz and swing. Turns out, Syncopated Sin's expertise is fulfilling a specialty that is taking them to swing shows around the city. They just played two weeks ago at a swing dance at Bohemian National Hall on Broadway.

"There's a lot of bands around town that play swing but they don't do period '20s and '30s pieces," Vance says of his group's niche, "there's a lot of great jump blues bands, swing era bands, and there's a lot of good jazz bands but none of them really dial into the 20s, 30s, early 40s."

Despite jazz's foundation dating back to the '20s, Vance cites technology as a major influence in his band's practice: internet channels such as YouTube are essential in rediscovering and studying the classics played on vinyl. As a band of young musicians, Syncopated Sin's challenge is mastering these classics for modern audiences.

Say Vance on bridging the gap, "All of us are under 35, none of us were alive when Ellington or even Coltrane were a hit; we grew up in a whole different jazz culture. To pull it back out, it gives you a whole new perspective."

"Some of the tunes are the same as you'd do in a modern gig but you have to approach it totally different. 'Bye Bye Blackbird' -you can listen to Miles Davis play it, you can listen to Coltrane play it, but to play the 1920s version you have to strip it back. It's kind of cool to go backwards because you really see how jazz evolved."

The Syncopated Sin Swing Jazz Band is playing at Speakeasy 2.0 on July 15th and recognizes IngenuityFest as the reason they're adding more and more gigs. "We wouldn't have started if we didn't have the gig," Vance says, "We're all involved in so many different things to have a gig that's cool like this- a cool spot, for a good cause, it really helped us put it together. I don't think it would have happened if James [Ingenuity Director of Programming] hadn't given us that call. 100%, it revolved around Ingenuity Festival."

Vance Music Studios provides lessons for all ages and all levels, specializing in both private lessons and ensembles. It is located on 16426 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107. Chris Vance can be contacted for more information on Vance Music Studios and The Syncopated Sin Swing Jazz Band at 216-227-2886.

For more information on the Ingenuity Speakeasy 2.0 event please visit www.ingenuitycleveland.com/speakeasy.

June/July, 2011

Happy 4th of July!!!

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS:

We are closed Friday July 1st through Monday July 4th. We re-open Tuesday July 5th. Tuition has already been adjusted.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

-Sunday July 24th: VMS Rock Bands at Crocker Park's Vine Theater. 12-4pm.

-Friday August 5th: Select VMS Bands at Lakewood Library's Front Porch Concert Series. 7-9pm.

-Saturday September 10th: VMS Rock Bands at The Phantasy Nite Club. 6-10pm.

INSTRUCTOR GIGS:

-Friday July 15th: The Syncopated Sin Swing Band at The Ingenuity Speakeasy 2.0. 6-10pm.

-Friday July 29th: The Sultans of Bing at The Lakewood Library's Front Porch Concert Series. 7-9pm.

-Friday August 12th: 15 60 75 (The Numbers Band) at The Lakewood Library's Front Porch Concert Series. 7-9pm.

-Friday August 26th: The Revolution Brass Band at The Lakewood Library's Front Porch Concert Series. 7-9pm.

THANKS, have a fun and safe weekend, over and out!

-Chris Vance

April/May, 2011

Happy Easter!

.Just a few announcements:

*HOLIDAY CLOSINGS:

-Easter Weekend- Friday April 22nd through Monday April 25th; reopening Tuesday April 26th. -Memorial Day Weekend- Friday May 27th through Monday May 30th; reopening Tuesday May 31st.

*UPCOMING ROCK SHOP PERFORMANCES:

-Saturday May 14th at The Winchester. Show starts at 8:00pm, doors open at 7:00pm. $5. -Saturday May 28th at Rocky River High School for 2011's 'Relay For Life'. We will play from 12:30pm until 3:00pm. Free. -Friday August 12th at The Lakewood Public Library for their 'Front Porch Concert Series'. 7:00pm until 9:00pm. Free. -Saturday September 10th at The Phantasy. Show starts at 7:00pm, doors open at 6:00pm. $5.

*UPCOMING JAZZ JAM PERFORMANCES:

-Saturday May 28th at Rocky River High School for 2011's 'Relay For Life'. We will play from 6:30pm until 8:30pm. Free. -Saturday June 4thth at The Saucy Bistro . Show starts at 7:00pm, Free. Open to other solo 7 acoustic performers.

*UPCOMING INSTRUCTOR GIGS:

-Saturday April 23rd at The Wayne County Fair Grounds for 'The Wooster Jam Session'. J. Blues, Tim Lane & Chris Vance will play an hour and a half of blues starting at 7:00pm. -Friday July 29th. Tim Lane will play with The Sultans of Bing at The Lakewood Public Library for their 'Front Porch Concert Series'. 7:00pm until 9:00pm. Free. -Friday August 5th. Chris Vance will play with 15 60 75 (The Numbers Band) at The Lakewood Public Library for their 'Front Porch Concert Series'. 7:00pm until 9:00pm. Free. -Friday August 26th. Matt Hadaway, Dave Kasper & Tim Lane will play with The Revolution Brass Band at The Lakewood Public Library for their 'Front Porch Concert Series'. 7:00pm until 9:00pm. Free.

*GRADUATES:

-We have 6 high school seniors who have been accepted to music schools around the state as music majors, 4 of whom recieved scholarships. CONGRATS!!!!!

*THE CLEVELAND SCENE MUSIC AWARDS:

-Mark Brennan's Band 'Wish You Were Here' won BEST BAND for 2010.

*THE LAKEWOOD OBSERVER:

-ZACK DUDZIK wrote an article on the studio called 'ROCK STAR 101' The article is published in the current issue of The Observer dated April 19th, 2011; Volume 7, Issue 8.

A High Note

*DENNY KOPP: -As you may have noticed, we have had on display a collection of guitars from local luthier Denny Kopp. You can read more about him and his craft at www.kopparchtops.com. J. Blues and are are (im)patiently awaiting the arrival of our new custom guitars.

Thanks everyone for all of your hard work contributing to making Vance Music Studios an exciting place to be!

-Chris Vance

February 7, 2011

Hello Everyone!

*ENSEMBLES* -I want to give a HUGE thanks to everyone involved in our last 2 concerts!

Our first ever jazz/acoustic recital at The Saucy Bistro was a ton of fun. It was great atmosphere, and our jazz bands sounded better than ever. And, hats off to Frannie Grauel for her solo performance!!

All though the weather outside was frightful, everyone made it to The Phantasy last saturday and played at the highest level yet! Lakewood's very own Jim O'Bryan was in attendance, and posted a very nice write up of the event on The Lakewood Observer's Observation Deck. You can read it at: www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9832

Our next show is April 30th at the Winchester. Everyone currently enrolled in the ROCK SHOP should email me the name of TWO new songs they would like to add to their set, and I will get busy transcribing them for this weekends rehearsals.

*NEW ROCK BANDS* -We have room to form one (and only one) new band. Any one interested in joining a band should contact us immediately via email!! This slot is going to go fast. The rehearsal time is every Saturday @ 4:00pm.

*SPRING BREAK CANCELED* - ALL though we were going to close for spring break this year (coinciding with the Lakewood City Schools), We have canceled it in order to make up for the abnormally high number of snow days so far (4 to be exact). Please fill out a student absence form if you are planning to go out of town for the break.

*TEACHERS/PROGRAMS*

RECORDING ARTS- I have whittled down the instructor applicants to 3 extremely qualified individuals, and will be interviewing starting this week. We will Launch the program starting in March. Register Now!!

ANDREW LAWRENCE is back from his month long tour with his band 'Organ Yank' (Andrew plays Organ as well as Piano) and is excited to dig in! He is also going to be adding Thursday to his availability.

MARDI GRAS @ LUXE: Sunday, March 6th 2pm-5pm. Food, atmosphere, and...........JAZZ with Matt Hadaway (VMS Drum instructor- Monday Nights), Andrew Lawrence (see above) and Myself. Spring is coming......?

TUITION*

At this point, any unpaid accounts are now 2 WEEKS LATE and will have a late fee applied to them. Please- we really don't want the fee, but we have to have the tuition paid by the beginning of the month.

Thank You all so Much, Over & Out.

-Chris Vance

January 21, 2011

Greetings!

With 2011 now well under way, a few new things are happening at VMS-

NEW TEACHERS: Matt Hadaway-Drums. We are are happy to add a second drum teacher to help alleviate Tim Lane's jam packed schedule. Matt's bio is on our web site, and a welcome addition to our staff. Mat is available on Monday evenings. Joseph Rebman- Harp. Yes.....Harp:) We are excited to build this new studio. Joseph is an extremely experienced and versatile performer and teacher- his bio is also available on our web site. We are currently interviewing instructors for our new Audio Recording program, as well as for a third Piano instructor.

CONCERTS: January 29th at SAUCY BISTRO- 7:00pm. Featuring our jazz bands as well as solo acoustic performers. FREE admission. February 5th at THE PHANTASY NITE CLUB- doors 6pm, show 7pm. Seven of our rock bands will be performing. $5.

January 2011 marks our 5 year aniversary, and I can't thank you all enough for making VMS a success!!!!!!

Thanks- Chris Vance

November 23, 2010

Greetings Everyone!

A few announcements........

*HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: Thanksgiving- Closed Wednesday 11/24/10 Through Sunday 11/29/10. We will re-open on Monday 11/30/10. X-Mas & New Years- Closed Monday 12/19/10 Through Sunday 1/2/11. We will re-open on Monday 1/3/11. ***Please take note of the tuition due dates (posted on our online calendar). Tuition has already been adjusted.***

*NEW TEACHER: Our quest for a violin teacher has finally ended!!! We are pleased to announce GENEVIEVE GILBERT as our new violin instructor. Her bio is available on our website.

*UPCOMING EVENTS: -2/05/2011- Rock Band Showcase at THE PHANTASY. Showtime 7:00pm, doors 6:00pm. $5.00. -4/30/2011- Rock Band Showcase at THE WINCHESTER. Showtime 7:00pm, doors 6:00pm. $5.00. -1/29/2011-The First ever VMS BISTRO GIG! THE SAUCEY BISTRO. Showtime 7:00pm. Featuring our jazz bands, blues bands and solo performers. Teachers and students will be performing side by side.

*BASS BASH: Tim Lane and I will be performing as a Duo at THE WINCHESTER's 12/18/10 BASS BASH. Be There or be Square!

*HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE*

Thanks for a great year everyone, and Happy Holidays!!

-Chris Vance

October 10, 2010

Hello everyone!

Here is some important news from all of us here at Vance Music Studios:

-Our Violin/Viola Instructor Jessica Oudin has made it to the final round of the Atlanta Symphony audition! This week she has begun her 3 week trial with the orchestra, and if all goes well she will get the job. We're all rootin' for her as it is quite an achievement!

Jessica has recommended her friend and peer Ariel Clayton to replace her, and she will be on trial this week as the new instructor. Check out her bio atwww.vancemusicstudios.com/instructors.php

-This years scholarship count is 5, meaning: 5 of our former students are now freshmen music majors on scholarship at major universities and conservatory's around the country; CSU, Berklee, and The University of Texas. Lets wish them all luck!

-One of our bass students, John Zajec, plays bass in a band called The Snotrockets who will be be opening for punk rock legends THE MISFITS at Peabody's on Tuesday October 26th @ 7:00pm. For discounted tickets contact John at ohiosnotrockets@gmail.com.

-SPOOKY SPECTACULAR STUDENT SHOWCASE SATURDAY 10/23/2010 at the WINCHESTER. Costumes Welcome- Muwahahahah!!! The start time is an hour earlier this time- 7:00pm.

-Take advantage of our Fall Promotion- BACK 2 School. You will get a free lesson credit for referring a friend, and they will get to try it for free! Coupons are available in the studio.

Thanks, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

-Chris Vance

September 1, 2010

School days, school days (daze)....Fall is upon us, and we have a lot of updates to announce:

*WE WILL BE CLOSED*

-Friday 9/3 through Monday 9/6 for Labor Day Weekend. We will be back on Tuesday 9/7. Tuition has been adjusted. Our schedule (closings & tuition due dates) through the end of the year has been posted on our online calendar at www.vancemusicstudios.com.

*NEW INSTRUCTORS* (both available Monday evenings) Lets welcome the newest members of the VMS team:

-Mark Brennan, Guitar. Mark has achieved local renown as the guitarist for Wish You Were Here (a Pink Floyd Cover Band). You can read his bio on the instructors page at www.vancemusicstudios.com.

-Jeff Schimelpfenig, Cello. Jeff is a recent Graduate of the CSU music program and is a local freelance musician (playhouse square, local per-service orchestras, etc.) seeking employment as a public school music teacher. His pic & bio will be posted shortly.

*WE WILL BE FORMING NEW BANDS!!!!*

-If you have not yet been placed on the waiting list and you would like to join a band, please let us know. Also, if you are currently in a band and would like to be switched to a different group, please let us know. If you want to play Rock, Jazz or Blues, we will find you a group. Space is VERY limited, so now is the time!

*FINAL CONCERT- VMS SUMMER TOUR 2010*

-9/11 at Clifton beach will conclude the series. THANKS to everyone involved for making it such a success!!! Check out the Concert footage on the 'media' page.

*SPOOKY SPECTACULAR SHOWCASE @ the Winchester 10/23*

-Due to popular demand, we have negotiated an earlier start time: Doors @ 6:00pm, Show @ 7:00pm. This concert will feature all of our groups, and the pre-sale ticket requirement is in effect. Costumes Required!!!!!

*TUITION DUE DATE REMINDER*

-As we all know, tuition is due the last week of the month for the following month. All though VMS has been very lenient about our late fee policy, it has become necessary to tighten the reigns. As of today, any tuition fees not paid by the 2ND OF EACH MONTH will automatically incur a Late Fee ($25.00). Please keep in mind we offer automatic deduction at a 5% discount, 50 lesson packages at a 10% discount and 100 lesson packages at a 15% discount.

Thank you all for a wonderful summer, and we are all looking forward to a wonderful and equally productive Fall!!!

-Chris Vance

August 12, 2010

Lakewood Magazine's 2010 Issue, pg. 9

A High Note

July 30, 2010

August Updates:

- TONIGHT @ 7:00pm- VMS Summer Tour 2010 Concert #2 of 6. LAKEWOOD LIBRARY"S FRONT PORCH CONCERT SERIES. 4 of our Rock Shop Ensembles will be playing on the front steps of The Lakewood Public Library. It will be a great concert, so don't miss out!

- August Summer tour gigs: 8/14 at the Phantasy, 8/22 & 8/29 at Crocker Park. September: 9/11 at Clifton Beach.

-THANKS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN LAST WEEKS WINCHESTER PERFORMANCE!!!! It was a wonderful way to kick of the tour, and everyone played great!

I also wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for being so patient with our summer scheduling issues. The hectic schedules of students and teachers alike have made things a bit more inconsistent than I would prefer. But, summer is almost over (boo) and we will be back to a solid schedule come Fall.

Thanks!!!

July 28, 2010

Riot 101 was again mentioned in Scott Suttell's Crain's Cleveland Business Blog. (scroll to the bottom of the page)

July 1, 2010

We will be closed for the fourth of July weekend from Thursday the first through Monday the fifth.

June 4, 2010

Happy Summer Vacation!!!! (can't believe it's already here).

Just a few updates:

-The Online Calendar is Up and Running. Go to www.vancemusicstudios.com under 'events' and peruse till your heart is content! RED- Tuition Due Dates BLUE- Holiday Closings GREEN- Instructor Gigs (as complete as possible) GREY- Announcements (Lat fee grace period cut-off, Automatic Deduction, etc.) YELLOW/BLACK- Events (Showcases, recitals, workshops) *we will keep the calendar as current as possible; at least 2 months ahead.

-Summer Tour- these are the confirmed dates as of today: Saturday July 24th- 7:00pm The Winchester ($5) Friday July 30th- 7:00pm Lakewood Library's 'Front Porch Concert Series' (FREE) Saturday August 14th- 7:00pm The Phantasy ($5) Sunday August 22nd- 1:00pm Crocker Park's Vine Theater (FREE) Sunday August 29th- 1:00pm Crocker Park's Vine Theater (FREE) Saturday September 11th- 7:00pm Clifton Beach (Private Event)

We are still waiting for confirmation from 3 other venues (iy yi yi), but I have set Friday June 11th as the cut-off date. June 11th and 12th an availability form will be sent home with each ensemble member to help us co-ordinate which groups will play each venue. These forms will be due Monday, June 21st.

-Middle Eastern Drumming Workshop with David Reihs THIS SUNDAY. If you have a hand drum bring it, if not will will have a few extras to share. It will be held here at the studio and starts @ 3:00pm. The cost is $10. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity!!!

Thanks for your time!

-Chris Vance