Community School of Music and Arts

I was recently invited to the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) to see the open house and to view the children’s artwork that was created in the Summer Camps. I am in awe of the talent at that school. I photographed the children’s creations. Their final summer camp session started on August 9th and runs through August 20th. After that, the next camp is in December. I watched parents and grandparents proudly pour over the art of their little ones. Those children created some really incredible pieces of art and I’m pretty sure that several of the parents are headed straight to a frame shop to have their child’s pieces professionally framed. They’re that good! I watched the Broadway Bound 2010 performance and thoroughly enjoyed watching the kids do “There’s No Business Like Show Business” while wearing their glittery top hats. Some of them are natural born stars and it’s so obvious that they love performing. The audience was full of parents with video cameras. To think that those kids learned the choreography and all the words to the songs in just a few weeks is incredible. 

CSMA has all kinds of activities on their calendar, but several free events in the very near future are:

• Music School Open House (Sun, Aug 22, 10 am-4 pm)
• Meet the Preschool Teachers (Sat, Aug 28, 9:30-11 am)
• Music Preview Sessions (Aug 28-Sept 3)
• Reception and Artist talk by William Dunn watercolor artist (Aug 20 6-8 pm)

The Fall semester starts Aug 21. You can take classes or private lessons. I’ve always been a fan of classes instead of lessons just because I like to see what other people are doing too. However, I might actually be able to sing if I had taken private lessons! Some of the music classes that are sure to be popular are Beginning Voice, Intro to Guitar, Peninsula Children’s Chorale and a “Garage Band: Pop, Rock and Other Contemporary Styles” class. Go to their Music Preview event to check out what you might like to try. Details for all of their events and classes are on their website.

 The art classes that caught my eye are Ceramics, The Draw and Paint Club for Children, Collage and Assemblage, and an Outdoor Photography class. CSMA has art and music classes for everyone, all ages and all skill levels. They offer 5 different music classes and 6 art classes for preschoolers. And I love that their catalog says that “there is on wrong way to do something” in an art class. Just go for it. I felt welcome the day I stopped by CSMA for a visit and I definitely want to go back and spend some time exploring all that they have to offer our community. CSMA is just another reason to love Mountain View.