September 12, 2025: Friday Medley
Happy Friday!
Many parents tell us they can feel the difference right away: music lessons here are kind, calm, collaborative, and genuinely welcoming. Dr. Dennis is delighted to share that his article, “Teaching Strategies for Struggling Students,” appears in California Music Teacher (MTAC), Volume 29, Number 2, Fall 2025, pp. 29–33 — one example of how we keep learning, contributing to, and bringing the best of the music education field directly into your child’s lesson.
“Developing teaching strategies to help struggling students will improve your teaching for all students! The truth is that all students struggle some of the time. Slow down instruction, assess prior knowledge, sequence lessons in small, well-ordered steps, chunk learning into digestible pieces, present new knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts, make content relevant, and provide short-term rewards to foster joy and motivation. Overall, have empathy, patience, and plan lessons with intention to support students’ growth and enjoyment in music learning.”
At the Dennis Frayne Music Studios, Laguna Niguel & Lake Forest Schools of Music, you’re choosing a true faculty — devoted music educators who plan together, mentor one another, and keep their own musicianship and teaching skills alive through practice, performance, and ongoing professional development. Our generous lesson structure and built-in teacher preparation time mean each session begins with purpose: materials ready, next steps mapped, and space for your child’s questions and curiosity. The result is instruction that feels personal, steady, nurturing, and not rushed — exactly what helps children grow.
Families also tell us they value the practice guidance that comes home each week, the open communication with teachers, the autonomy that students feel and learn to master, and the many friendly recitals and share-outs that let confidence build naturally over time — polished moments and works-in-progress alike. You’ll see growth you can recognize, and a community you can feel: warm rooms, encouraging applause, and teachers who know and understand your child.
We’re honored to partner with you. Choosing our school means joining a thoughtful, joyful community that keeps improving its craft so your child can keep discovering theirs. We’re here to make music education a bright spot in your family’s week — and a foundation your child can stand on for years to come.
Certificate of Merit (CM) Exam Prep Season Begins!
We wish our two CM students, Elliot M. and Christine P., much success as they officially begin their challenging and rewarding journey toward their exams in February, 2026!
Recitals through End of Year
Students & families are signing up, and some recitals are filling up! Plan ahead and sign up now!
Here is a list of our studio recitals coming up through the end of the year:
Special Theme Recital, “Songs of America” on Friday, September 26, 2025, evening at Chamber Music OC in Lake Forest.
Fall Studio Recitals, “The Harvest & Halloween” on Saturday, October 25 and November 1, 2025, afternoon at Shepherd of the Hills UMC in Mission Viejo.
Fall Studio Recital Signup Request
Winter Studio Recitals, “Christmas & The Holidays” on Thursday, December 18 and Monday, December 22, 2025, evening at the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo.
(Signup will open for the Winter recitals after the Fall recitals are complete.)
Sign up early!
If you would like to read a little bit about why frequent recitals are important to music students, click here, and scroll down to Recitals & Performances.
Q: Do you teach visual art lessons?
A: Yes! We now offer a variety of visual art lessons, ranging from fine arts such as drawing and painting, graphic art and design using computers, and even video editing. Art lessons are offered as private individual lessons and as small group lessons.
Adding art lessons to your music lesson membership will result in some savings and discounts. Please reply to this email or give us a call!
—
Have a magical Friday, a musical weekend, and a safe, happy, and healthy coming week(s).
Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
Piano Lessons | Voice Lessons | Music Lessons
Music is... Creative, Thoughtful, Fun, & Rewarding!