Photos courtesy of On Stage Academy.
On Stage Music Academy is flinging its doors wide open this Saturday and extending an invitation to the Long Beach community.
Community Day, which will go from noon to 3:00PM, is intended to serve both children and adults who are curious about learning to play an instrument as well as musicians of all levels. Free workshops include vocal health for singers, musicianship and rhythm, sound for bands and live shows, stage presence and performance, guitar stringing and tuning. Kids’ activities include making your own kazoo and drums as well as music and movement games.
“We want to get to know the people in the community, and this is one way to do it without any obligation,” said Bill McRae, On Stage Music Academy’s founder and director. “A lot of this stuff is what we do on a regular basis, but some of these topics are just good to know. We’d like to be a resource for the community.”
McRae, who has been living in Long Beach for five years, began playing music in the third grade. He is a pianist, guitarist, vocalist, bassist and has a degree in composition and music theory. He’s also played in bands all his life while teaching English and literature in schools. Since founding On Stage Music Academy in December of 2014, he has been at the helm of a growing team of instructors.
“It’s exciting in this neighborhood,” McRae said. “This is what I wish I had when I was a kid, where you can learn to play music and be mentored on how to be a band. It’s exciting to see people growing and enjoying themselves.”
On Saturday, instructors will put on live performances and invite their students to jam along. Community members, of course, are also welcome to jump in on a song, McRae said.
“If you haven’t played music before, it’s a chance for you to experience being a musician even just for one day,” he said.
On Stage Academy’s eight professional teachers teach private lessons in all levels of voice, guitar, bass, drums, piano/keyboards, violin, viola, trumpet, ukulele and mandolin. The Academy also offers guided band rehearsals as well as programs in songwriting, recording and artist development.
“I really had a good chance to understand what education is about and how to work with people in the long haul with a larger vision,” he said.
For more information, visit http://onstagemusicacademy.com/.