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Music Lessons Are Good for the Brain!

January 2nd, 2012
Are you thinking about signing your child up for some music lessons? Studies have shown “a strong correlation exists between musical training for children and certain other mental abilities.” Starting music lessons at a young age improves brain function as well as “affect attention and memory, which provides a mechanism whereby musical training might lead to better learning across a number of domains.”

A fascinating article from www.livescience.com talks about the affects music lessons, on children from the ages of 10 to 13, have on the development of the brain. Also, different instruments have different effects on the brain! Who would have thought? A few years in piano, or perhaps guitar, could set your child up for success in different areas for years to come!

Do you want to read more? Click here for the full article.

Are you ready to give your child this life-long advantage? We have piano, guitar, drum, bass, voice, song writing and audio production lessons!

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The PERFECT Gift: A Holiday Recording Package!

December 13th, 2011

Are you looking for something unique and fun for a singer this Hanukkah and Christmas season? Thanks to our new recording booth and incredibly talented in-house producer, Matt Burk Music Studio is offering a special holiday recording package! This great gift includes:

  • One or two songs of your choice – performed to a track
  • Professional recording, mixing, and editing of vocals
  • Five CDs (additional CDs can be purchased at $5 each)
  • Original CD-cover graphics

You can choose whether a one or two-song package. The one-song package is $200, and the two-song package is $325.

Not only will your loved one be able to experience the fun of singing in the studio, but at Matt Burk Music Studio, our audio engineer is much more than an engineer. He is also an experienced producer and vocal coach, and can help coach your loved one during the session.

So if you are looking for something creative for the holidays, try a professional recording session! You can find all the details of this great gift here!

Has someone in your family been talking about learning to play an instrument or hone their singing voice? Music is a great gift that lasts a lifetime! We offer piano, guitar, bass, drum, voice, songwriting, and audio production lessons as well!

You can find more on our Lessons page, call us at (972) 207-9353, or email us to get started today!

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The Dallas Arboretum Welcomes Max Stalling

September 27th, 2011
Max Stalling.jpg

Interested in some family fun? Max Stalling, a country and western musician, will be performing at the Arboretum in Dallas Thursday, September 29th! Max Stalling was born and raised in Crystal City, TX. Stalling is a singer/songwriter who tours all over the US.

Growing up, he didn’t play any instruments and actually graduated from Texas A&M with a food science degree. He never expected to become a full-time country and western musician. “I didn’t even pick up a guitar until graduate school,” Stalling quotes on his facebook page.

Stalling’s style has been described as modern with a vintage feel. With Jeff Howe on drums and percussion, Bryce Clarke on nylon-string guitar, electric guitar and mandolin, and Jason Steinsultz swapping between stand-up and electric bass and singing harmony, Stalling creates a dynamic live show that’s smart, charming and as listenable as it is danceable. Sound like something your family would enjoy? Tickets can be purchased on the Dallas Arboretum website! Adult tickets are $16 and Child tickets are $9. (If you miss him at the Arboretum, you have a second chance to catch him while he’s in town – He’ll also be performing at Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton on September 30th.)

Interested in performing a concert of your own one day? At Matt Burk Music Studio, we teach students of all ages and skill levels, and all styles of music – country, pop, rock, classical, jazz, blues, R&B, praise and worship and more! We offer guitar, voice, piano, drums, bass, song writing, and audio production/recording lessons. Who knows, you could be the next Max Stalling!

Contact the studio at (972) 207-9353 or email us at info@MattBurk.com to ask any questions, to set up a complimentary interview with an instructor, or to get started!

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McKinney Mash Up!

July 22nd, 2011

 

Calling ALL Singers 13 and over! Here is a fun (and REALLY easy-to-enter) local singing competition with $2,500 in cash prizes and a performance with Taylor Hicks at stake. Its being hosted by our friends at the McKinney Performing Arts Center.

Talented Youth Play at Escape Coffee

Allison Casstevens and William Bogue perform for locals at Allen’s Escape Coffee and Donuts. It’s such a pleasure to witness students of the studio take their talent, along with our instruction, and become performers!

Does all this sound like your dream? Matt Burk Music Studio can prepare you to perform vocals on a big stage, play guitar or drums in a band, and play technically and by ear.

We offer private and group lessons, jam sessions, and in-depth camps for voice lessons, guitar lessons, drum lessons, bass lessons and piano lessons. We also have some exciting new programs in the works that we’ll be announcing soon!

Get Started!

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Our Music Family Expands Again

July 21st, 2011

Welcome Cash Callaway

Matt Burk Music Studio has expanded its voice program to two instructors and (in the process) has gained a teacher of songwriting and audio production – an all-in-one amazing instructor. Cash Callaway came on board this month and on top of teaching voice lessons, he will work with us in implementing an Artist Development program. With his well-rounded and impressive background, we couldn’t be more elated to have him join our musical family.

Cash is a professional performer, producer, songwriter, and audio engineer, as well as a teacher of voice, keyboard, songwriting, and audio production. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in music theory/composition from Baylor University, he has spent 13 years working in the music industry in Dallas and Los Angeles. As an instructor, Cash strives to encourage and stoke a passion in students so that they desire to learn apart from the classroom. He recognizes that every student learns differently, and he employs different techniques of training to help his students gain the most from lessons and to grow into well-rounded musicians. He has more than 10 years of experience teaching students ages 7 to 60, and in practically every genre. Cash has instructed notable students such as Shaylen Carrol, from the HBO TV show “The Wanna Be’s,” Hayley Orrantia, from the Disney Soundtrack “Tinkerbell,” Demi Lovato, and Ryan Cabrerra. (Read more here.)

Summer Camp: Inspiration + Fun

The Summer Camp is great! Aaron really enjoyed the instructor you had yesterday. He’s even been inspired to try writing some music. Thanks for making his summer more fun & interesting. --Aaron’s mom, Carlleen

Thank you, Carlleen for the Facebook Shout Out! Cash is speaking during the Master Class portion of our Summer Camp this week about songwriting and the music industry and students are really loving these couple of weeks!

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Musical Spotlight: Anna Graceman

July 14th, 2011

If you have not heard of eleven year old Anna Graceman yet, you probably will. This young singer/songwriter & pianist is a contestant on America’s Got Talent. Her performance will move you.

She’s Got Talent

That’s pretty clear, right? But did you listen to her typical day? She practices–both before school and after. It’s an imperative part of meeting your musical goals and becoming the kind of performer you’ve always wanted! Do you think these local performers and Matt Burk Music Studio students practice? YES! If you need guidance, take a look at these 10 practicing tips.

Anna wrote her first song at 6 years old. She began this journey with a deep love for words and music.

She started singing a melody of complete songs at 18 months. She loved to sing! She would sing and sing until her parents would ask her to stop so they could get a little quiet time. By 2 years old she was not afraid to sing to large groups and left audiences stunned by her ability to perform well at such a young age. At 4 years old she stopped just playing on the piano and she began truly playing the piano. At this point she was playing chords and learning notes on the staff. “So I Cried” is the first song she wrote. She was only 6 years old and in the first grade. She amazed many with her deep lyrics and knowledge of musical composition. Since then she has continued to write many other songs both lyrical and instrumental – 35 of them have been released in various forms.

Anna Graceman is so captivating! We’re resisting the strong urge to post all her music videos. Take a look for yourself.

Our Inspiration

Stories like Anna’s inspire us to teach daily, to interact with out students and encourage them to practice and work toward their musical goals! We’ve got talent right here at Matt Burk Music Studio and we strive to draw it out of each of our students through our lessons, jam sessions, and special camps–like the Summer Camps going on now! We’re here to enhance you. Through vocal lessons, piano lessons, bass lessons, drum lessons, and guitar lessons, we maintain a fun, yet driven learning environment. Our students have the unique opportunity to perform live either in a traditional recital or in our House of Blues Showcase, both held semi-annually.

 

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Students Put Lessons to Work

July 13th, 2011

The instructors of Matt Burk Music Studio beam from ear to ear when they learn of one of our students putting their weekly lessons into practical practice! Our students are too great not to mention. The studio and our teachers are proud to see the weekly lessons, semi-annual recitals, and of course our students’ dedication, practice, and guts grow into public performances! Great job, guys and gals!

Student Secures Lead in Major Musical

Matt Burk Music Studio wishes to congratulate our very own Hannah Driks for being awarded the leading role in McKinney’s Summer Theatre Musical Camp’s Junior production of Beauty and the Beast! The camp is for ages eight through eighteen where those attending learn by doing. Each day of the camp instructors teach through rehearsals with the final day of camp resulting in a grand performance. At the age of thirteen, Hannah made her talent known to the judges and secured the role of Belle – before others who are five years her senior! As a student of ours, we couldn’t be prouder of you, Hannah. This honor comes, no doubt, from your hard work, diligence, and practice!

Local Coffee Shop Jams

Last Friday at Escape Coffee and Donuts in Allen, a group of our students jammed out for latte and donut-loving bystanders. Matthew Dias and Wlliam Bogue rocked the keys while Micaela Messner – with her beautifully smooth voice and chill style sang some great familiar tunes. Escape Coffee is a super-cute, laid-back coffee house at Bethany & Jupiter in East Allen. It’s a great place to relax on a sofa or around their huge (or a small!) table, or hang out at their internet cafe – all while enjoying a cup of joe and some tunes. And if you missed us last week, no worries! We’ll be back there this Friday (the 15th) at 7:30!

Jealous?

Does all this sound like your dream? Matt Burk Music Studio can prepare you to perform vocals on a big stage, play guitar or drums in a band, and play technically and by ear.

We offer private and group lessons, jam sessions, and in-depth camps for voice lessons, guitar lessons, drum lessons, bass lessons and piano lessons. We also have some exciting new programs in the works that we’ll be announcing soon!

Get Started!

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The Correct Practicing Method

July 12th, 2011

Adopt these ten practicing tips and you will see improvement each time you practice with your instrument. On top of our weekly lessons, we hope that you’ll pick up music two to three times a week. This will get you in performance shape in no time!

The Right Way to Practice

1. Warm Up

2. Practice often

Small, frequent practice sessions are more effective than one or two longer sessions each week.

3. Practice at you instrument and away from it

Next time you’re on waiting for an appointment or riding in the car on a long trip, try practicing without your instrument. Study the score, analyse the harmony, think through the phrasing. You will be amazed at how easy it is to become familiar with a piece when you don’t have your technique distracting you.

4. Take notes

Both in and out of your piano/drums/guitar/bass/voice lessons, keep a pencil handy to make notes on your sheet music and in your journal. Epiphanies and instruction are lost the minute you move on to a different aspect of your practice.

5. Make noise!

Don’t be afraid to sing, clap or count aloud. We’re in the noise-making business! Fill the room with sound.

6. Repetition is key

Keep in mind that the number of times you play a passage correctly needs to far outweigh the number of times you played it incorrectly.

7. Play as many details on your first read as possible

Dynamics, articulation, phrasing, etc are as much a part of the music as the pitches and rhythms.

8. Refer constantly to lesson notes

Prior to each practice session, read over the lesson notes from your teacher. Jot down questions you may have to address in your next weekly lesson.

9. Be aware of your entire body, not merely your fingers.

10. Be inspired

Feed yourself a steady diet of live performances, books on music, YouTube clips and audio recordings of your favorite performers. An easy way to do this is to follow our Twitter feed! We supply you with daily bits that inspire and enhance your musical talent!

We are the premier studio for north Dallas, McKinney, Plano, Frisco, and Allen, TX. We have an arsenal of wonderful instructors teaching piano, voice, guitar, bass, and drums lessons. At Matt Burk Music Studio, we tailor each lesson plan to fit the unique needs of our students and strive to pass on to each student a practical, fun way to learn and play music. Do you wanna learn music?

Get Started!

Credits

Photo Courtesy of gj_theWhite

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BIG July Surprises

June 30th, 2011

Introducing Clarence Gardner

We are extremely excited to introduce our new piano instructor, Clarence Gardner! Clarence comes to us with an exceptionally diverse musical background – in performing, teaching, producing, composing, etc.

Clarence Gardener, Piano Lessons Teacher

Directly out of high school, the prestigious Berklee College of Music recognized Clarence’s talent for composition and piano performance and awarded him the BEST scholarship; he went on to earn a bachelor degree in Professional Music from Berklee.

From volunteering as an instructor and mentor in an after-school program for gifted musicians, to being a sought-after instructor of music clinics and workshops, to teaching both private and group lessons to a diverse group of students, Clarence’s desire to share his passion for music and piano has been a driving force in his life.

Clarence is extremely comfortable teaching various genres of music, including classical, pop, rock, jazz, improvisation, praise and worship, etc. He is passionate about helping students learn the music that they enjoy, and finding creative ways to teach students theory and proper technique while doing so. He also enjoys developing students’ artistic abilities by guiding their creation of original music compositions, as they have an interest in such. Read his full bio here.

In Celebration, A BIG Discount!

At first, we thought we’d thank those new students that enroll to take lessons from Clarence in the month of July with a really healthy discount. Then, we thought, “why not open this offer up to all new students that enroll in the month of July?” And that’s what we’re doing!

Like our Facebook Page and enroll in piano, bass, drums, voice, or guitar lessons in the month of July and you will receive 50% off your first full month’s tuition!

Here’s how to get your 50% discount: Like our Facebook Page and enroll in piano, bass, drums, voice, or guitar lessons in the month of July and you will receive 50% off your first full month’s tuition! This also applies to current students who’d like to add an instrument! When you enroll, just be sure to let us know that you’ve “liked” us on Facebook, so that we apply the discount to your tuition. This is the first time we have ever had an offer like this, and it’s definitely not likely to happen again soon. So what are you waiting for? Don’t you wanna learn music?

Get Started!

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A Career in History and Music

June 27th, 2011

At Matt Burk Music Studio, we not only build musical skills, but we also add value to our students’ futures. Students of ours, whether enrolled in voice lessons, piano lessons, bass guitar lessons, guitar lessons, drum lessons, or voice lessons, acquire the skills needed to pursue a career in music. Today, lets take an in depth look at a curious musical career with a funny name: Ethnomusicology.

Culture + Music

It’s no surprise that with each emerging culture, a musical sound is developed within that same region or culture. Historians know and value the musical heritage of the cultures and communities around the world. The merging of history and musical sound equals Ethnomusicology. When you think of Jamaica, you may automatically think of the Rasta movement and Reggae.  If this kind of education is intriguing, visit Nat Geo’s World Music Page. But beware! This entire site dedicated to learning more about the musical cultures around the world can capture your attention for hours if this is your idea of interesting, as it is ours. Music lessons automatically instill an empathy and awareness of cultures other than the pupil’s. This career path blows the doors wide open on that subject.

The Journey

As a student of Ethnomusicology, you will study what socioeconomic, geographic, and government related influences built the Reggae sound by studying the history of Jamaica and specific regions within the country (we’re using the Reggae sound as an example here). Most ethnomusicologists will closely follow the path of an anthropologist and will require a masters or Ph.D. in order to make the most of their work. The life of an ethnomusicologist is far from traditional. Most will use their musical talent and knowledge to follow those cultures that capture their attention most. This includes spending months and years with those cultures. Learn more about the Society of Ethnomusicology. What colleges offer degrees in Ethnomusicology? Take a look at the big list below. Many Texas schools are included.

We’ll continue to highlight musical careers on our blog, so stay tuned for other interesting career paths.

Do you Wanna Learn Music? Click here to learn about our awesome programs.

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