In This Month’s Newsletter

Building Confidence through Music:
The Value of Recitals, Forums, and Exams
Fun and Important Dates
Upcoming Recitals and Forum
Welcome Our New Students
Student of the Month: Alyson Chen
Spotlight on Wylie Harris
Did You Know? Music has always been a part of Labor Day celebrations!
Inspirations
Music Playdates in the Parks
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
Referral Program

Building Confidence through Music:
The Value of Recitals, Forums, and Exams

At Dennis Frayne Music Studios and the Laguna Niguel & Lake Forest Schools of Music, performance opportunities are woven into the learning experience — not treated as rare, high-pressure events.

Frequent recitals, themed concerts, and the unique Forum give students safe, supportive stages to share music, build confidence, and learn from peers.

These experiences help transform private lesson skills into public performance strengths, nurturing stage presence and courage that carry into school and life.

Meanwhile, structured programs like MTAC’s Certificate of Merit and The Royal Conservatory exams provide clear goals, national standards, and feedback that motivate consistent practice and measurable growth.

Together, these opportunities create a powerful cycle:
perform, reflect,

refine, and repeat.

Students learn how to prepare, manage nerves, and celebrate growth in community —

— developing not only stronger musicianship but also resilience,
self-confidence, and joy in sharing their music with others.

FUN and IMPORTANT DATES

Upcoming Recitals and Concerts

Please welcome
our NEW Students who enrolled
in July

Henry B.
Madeline B.
Mikaella H.
Ruben K.
Alaiya L.
Lea O.
Alex O.
James T.

Student of the Month

Alyson Chen

In addition, Alyson enjoys singing along while she plays. She is also interested in the violin "because it sounds beautiful and is easy to carry. I want to be part of an orchestra as a violinist at school."

Alyson likes art class at her school. In first grade, she learned how to draw a 3D cake, and she drew hers "with cute eyes." Sometimes when her class does really well at something, they earn a 'camera point,' and when they receive five camera points, they celebrate 'camera day,' where they get to use cameras and take pictures. "It’s really fun!"

Teacher Miss Esther writes: "Alyson is very enthusiastic about learning and playing the piano and always comes to class with a positive attitude. She welcomes challenges and works hard to overcome them. She also likes to make notes and draw interesting symbols in her book to help her learn new concepts better."

Alyson plays softball on the Laguna Niguel Girls Softball 8U team. This summer, she traveled with her family to France, Switzerland, Italy, and the Vatican. In Switzerland, she went snow sledding and snow tubing at Jungfraujoch, even though it was August! She enjoyed eating Italian food, especially gelato — "so delicious and fun!"

Spotlight on Wylie Harris

Wylie Harris is a musician who embraces all styles and genres he encounters with open arms. He is active as a soloist, conductor, chamber musician, composer and teacher. His curiosity limitless, Mr. Wylie "composes and performs music as a means to empower the performers and articulate the sonic soundscapes brought to life by them."

As a teacher, Mr. Wylie believes the practice of music is a gift, and it should be available to anyone regardless of background. With students ranging from beginners to amateurs, the youngest to the oldest, his teaching is as varied as the background of those who learn under him.

As a pianist and conductor, Mr. Wylie's forays range from the classical canon to the present, from improvisational jazz music to the latest in contemporary concert music. "The piano is a canvas of possibilities," and he thrives in exploring the infinite combinations of touch and key, hammer and string, shape and color, action and reaction.

Mr. Wylie's composition work includes music for solo instruments, chamber ensembles, art songs, choir, concert band, wind ensemble, and symphony orchestra. Following studies at CSU San Bernardino, Mr. Wylie earned his BA at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and his MM in composition at the University of Redlands.

Did You Know?

Music has always been a part of Labor Day celebrations!

In 1894, it officially became a national holiday, honoring the dedication and hard work of all people who build, create, and serve in our communities.

So while you enjoy a day off with family and friends, you can also celebrate the “labor of love” that comes with learning and making music!

Inspirations

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. ”

— Proverbs 4:23

“September showed up right on schedule, and lasted a whole month.”

— Jenny Wingfield

Music Playdates in the Parks

Weekly on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings
from 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Meet friends, dance a little, sing along, play with some musical instruments,
and other fun toys!
Find us near the playground.
See park schedule on our website.

Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?

September 2025

To encourage everyone to read the Dennis Frayne Music Studio Newsletter, each month we’ll feature a new contest winner or a new contest. Be sure to read your newsletter each month to see if your name has been drawn or you might miss out!

This month’s winner is Willow Hartman