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Please click on the following links to take you directly to the class listing.

Private Music Instruction

"Show Stoppers!" Musical Theater Class

Musical Theater

Music Tuition & Fees Information

Private Music Instruction

Watch a clip from the Academy's Music Year End Performance

Private lessons are offered on all popular instruments and voice. We have found that private one-on-one instruction allows students to progress at their own pace and gain the best understanding of musical techniques. Student can start private lessons as young as 5 years old. Students can start private lessons any time of the year or month so there's no need to wait to get started. A variety of styles are taught such as pop, jazz, rock and classical.

  1. Piano (lessons Monday thru Friday)
  2. Singing (lessons Monday thru Saturday)
  3. Violin/Viola (lessons Monday thru Thursday)
  4. Cello (lessons Monday thru Thursday)
  5. Classical & Acoustic Guitar (lessons Monday & Saturday)
  6. Electric Guitar (lessons Monday & Saturday)
  7. Electric Bass (lessons Monday & Saturday)
  8. Electric Keyboard (lessons Monday & Saturday)
  9. Saxophone (lessons Monday thru Thursday)
  10. Woodwinds (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe and Bassoon) (lessons Monday thru Thursday)

These classes are available during the following hours

Monday - Thursday

2:30 - 8:00 pm

Friday

2:30 - 8:00 pm

Saturday

9:00 - 2:00 pm

 

For weekday morning private lesson times, please call for available times.

This page is constantly updated with new instruments, please continue to check back!

Classes can begin at anytime of the year!

New students at the Academy must enroll for a minimum of 8 private sessions and tuition must be paid in full.

Yearly registration fee

$20 per student, $40 per family

Private 1/2 hour lessons

$22 per lesson

Private 1 hour lesson (15% discount)

$37.50 per lesson

10% discount for additional registered family member!

 

Please refer to our policy form to see details on registering for music lessons.

Feel free to also call or email!

Competitions and Examinations

We encourage students who wish to selectively use competitions and/or examinations as a stepping stone to improve their skill and talent. Competitions and examination agencies we are active in:

  -Local County and State Fairs

  -NYSSMA Solo Festival

  -Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)

**Students who are interested in the above must be registered for consistent lessons throughout the year with APCA and at least half of the summer.

Associated Board of the Royal School's of Music Program (ABRSM)
For those students who wish to enroll in a program with international distinction, the school offers the ABRSM syllabus. Instruction is offered for both practical i.e technical and repertoire development and theory. Exams are held annually during Spring and Fall. Students who successfully complete each level are awarded a certificate from London. All instruments, including voice, can sit for the tests.

 The ABRSM is the world's leading provider of graded music exams and assessments. Please visit www.abrsm.org for further and detailed information.

 

Music Group Instruction

Show Stoppers!

Musical Theater Class

Ms. Cathie Barfield, Lead Instructor

(Ages 11 - 15) will require a minimum of 4 registered students to run class

Who wouldn't want to steal the show? "Show Stoppers " Musical Theater class is a group class where students who possess an intermediate to advanced level of singing ability and have a strong desire to perform, in a group setting will be coached on technique and style to enhance his/her performance. This style of vocal training engages each student, providing them with an audience as well as peer critiquing.

Techniques explored in class are invaluable to successful musical theater auditions in the community or out of the area. These skills will enable each student to have the edge that will place them a cut above the rest! Since the nature of this class is performance based, students are encouraged to solicit audition opportunities where they are able.

Students in this class will also be expected to design, plan, and execute a musical theater performance at the end of the semester in the form of a Cabaret style Concert.

Participation in this class is audition based and an interested student must send in a recorded audition with a 16-32 bar selection of a musical theatre song with 1-2 minute monologue. Students unfamiliar with recording themselves can contact representatives at the Academy of Performing & Creative Arts for more information on setting up an appointment for live audition options.

Class Details:

Saturdays @ 11:30am - 1pm (10 classes)

Beginning Saturday, January 21, 2012 until Saturday, March 31, 2012

(No class February 25, 2012)

Cabaret Concert: Time yet to be determined*

    *Additional rehearsals may be called for preparation of the performance.

Tuition: $229.

     -or- 2 Monthly Installments of $114 (with credit card on file).

Registration after the starting date will be adjusted accordingly.

We have provided for your convenience and understanding additional explanation to frequently asked questions.

FAQ's:

1)   Why enroll in Show Stoppers Class?

Show Stoppers is a unique Musical Theatre and performance class which is not being offered anywhere else in the area. This class combines singing and acting in a way that addresses the challenges talented students face as they enter both the local and national audition pool.

2)   How is Show Stoppers different than regular singing lessons?

Show Stoppers is designed for students who already have the capacity to learn their piece. Students will prepare songs outside of class. With the task of learning the music out of the way, students and teacher will focus on honing public performance and audition techniques.

3)   Does my child have to be enrolled in singing lessons at the Academy?

No. While private vocal training is strongly recommended to anyone with professional aspirations, it is not mandatory that students be enrolled here at the Academy.

4)   If my child enrolls in this class, will he/she be placed in the "Middle School Madness" Cabaret?

Not necessarily. While enrolling in class does guarantee your child an audition, it does NOT guarantee placement within the cast. The director of Middle School Madness will make ALL casting decisions. No exceptions to the rule will be allowed to keep the integrity of our programming.

5)  Are there performance opportunities for students enrolled in class ?

Of course! We have scheduled a Cabaret style Concert for students of this class at the close of each semester. All students will perform in this concert. Students are also encouraged to audition for any local opportunities within the community.


Musical Theater
Musical Theater integrates music, voice, and movement, which create a heightened means of storytelling. By incorporating these three elements, the performers experience and offer a method of expressing dramatic moments through song and dance. Musical Theater is a form of Performing Arts that allows one to communicate to an audience as an actor, singer, and dancer.

 

"Middle School Madness"

APCA is pleased to announce the production of a brand new youth musical, by writer and composer - James Pentaudi. A cabaret of the musical previewing dialogue and selected songs will be performed in an encrore presentation on February 24th, 25th, and 26th.

This performance will feature R&B, funk, classic musical theatre, gospel, jazz, and contemporary styles through a selection of original songs.  Following very successful auditions, talented young performers from central New york have been selected to bring the story of “Middle School Madness” to life in this professional production. 

Our story follows these seventh graders through their daily routine where they encounter their teachers, the lunch room, oppression, love, betrayal, and acceptance.  You will share their highs, lows, joys, and fears related to moving up in life and the world of higher learning.

Mandatory Rehearsal Schedule:

February 19th - 23rd:  12:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Tickets for Cabaret Event:

Tickets will go on sale Monday, January 9th.

Please order your tickets soon since seating is limited.

Contact APCA via phone or in person to purchase.  (315) 853-7309

$10 = Adults

$5 = Students with valid I.D.

$5 = Seniors 60 + up

No more than 120 Tickets will go on sale for each night - general seating!

Advance purchase recommended!

PRE SHOW:

Peter Kielar will perform a preshow involving classical and contemporary music selections on Marimba.

 

SHOW TIMES:

Friday, February 24th  @ 6:00 pm

Cast Call @ 2:00 PM

Saturday, February 25th @ 6:00 pm

Cast Call @ 2:00 PM

Sunday, February 26th @ 1:00 pm (no snow day available)

Cast Call @ 11:00 AM

(In the event of inclimate weather on Friday or Saturday, a snow day performance will be scheduled for Sunday at 4:00PM.  Notice of a show's cancellation will be posted here and on Facebook.)

All Updates on "Middle School Madness" also available on Facebook:

CNY Middle School Madness

Song Selection:

Below are some short clips of songs that are featured in the musical.

          ~ "Middle School Madness"

          ~ "On The Bus"

          ~ "Lunch Menu"

          ~ "Ma'am, Yes Ma'am"

          ~ "Latina"

          ~ "This Is Not Where I Belong"

          ~ "Tall"

          ~ "Mama, I'm Sorry"

          ~ "She Chose Me"

          ~ "One Wonderful World"

SYNOPSIS with Song Details:
MIDDLE SCHOOL MADNESS is an irreverent musical about the middle school experience. Through twelve seventh-grade students, we share their highs and lows, joys and fears related to moving up in life and the world of higher learning. Hosts Maggie and Darnell, act as guides through the middle-school experience from start to finish. First Act Scenes include:
      ~ The Opening cast number of “MIDDLE SCHOOL MADNESS”,
      ~ The traditional fatherly lecture on the way to the first day of seventh-grade and the typical teenage reaction of Kim’s “OH DADDY, I’M BORED!”,
      ~ The circus-like cast number of “ON THE BUS”,
      ~ Morning announcements, featuring “MENU RAP” of Foo Daddy and Bad Meat,
      ~ Meeting the teachers, highlighted by former Marine, Mistress Meachum’s Math class and “MA'AM, YES MA'AM ” as well as the fantasy “boy’s imagination run amok” scene of sexy Miss Ruiz’s Spanish class, featuring Eddy and “LATINA”,
      ~ Meeting the students and identifying recognizable types (athletes, beauty queens, nerds), including the outcasts, with the gothic Leah’s song “THIS ISN’T WHERE I BELONG”, the wishful song of wanting what you’re not, short Charlie’s “TALL”, and finishing the first act with a cast song of growing awareness and social, political and environmental activism, the positive, rousing, gospel-like number of “ONE WONDERFUL WORLD”.

Act Two shifts the focus to middle school relationships: friendships, courting, discovering “love” and breaking up. Scenes include:
      ~ “PRETTY BABY”, the song and dance of school boy flirting in the hallways,
      ~ Britney receiving the bad news in a note delivered by a not-so-innocent third party in French class, culminating in the pop solo, “WHAT A HORRIBLE WAY TO SAY ADIEU”,
      ~ The obsessive, overpowering nature of attraction in Darnell ’s dance song “I WANT YOU IN A BAD, BAD WAY”, causing Maggie to leave the stage crying for being teased about being attracted to Darnell,
      ~ “BUT THEN I LOST MY MIND”, in which Victoria, along with the other girls, questions her sanity for falling for lady’s man Eddy,
      ~ The frustration of loving a girl in love with someone else, with Sean’s beautiful and haunting ballad “LADY-IN-WAITING”,
      ~ Inter-personal do’s and don’ts, with Keisha and the girls telling the boys to treat them well or just “TAKE IT AWAY”, a swing celebration of “drawing the line”,
      ~ “SHE CHOSE ME”, where Charlie is stunned to find that beauty queen Britney sees through his insecurities to the beautiful soul inside,
      ~ And the grand finale reprise of “MIDDLE SCHOOL MADNESS” with the students telling the audience, “We’re with you!”

 

Referral Program
To reward clients for their support and loyalty a $10.00 credit will be applied to your account for each student referred by you who registers with us. The credit will be reflected on your account at the Academy approximately 30 days after your referral registers. You may use these credits towards your tuition payment or receive a check at the completion of a semester based on the Academy's academic calender.

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