Merchant of the Week: Janet Angier, Music in Chappaqua

Photos by Kevan Full, at kevanslens.com
June 8, 2012
by Rob Greenstein

I was really happy to hear that the gazebo would be put to good use this season, starting with a concert by Janet Angier’s “Music in Chappaqua” rock students on June 15.  The Chamber of Commerce wants to make these events even better by inviting local merchants to provide food to sell.  The town gave us permission, and so did Janet!

Janet Angier

Music in Chappaqua
225 North Greeley Avenue
Chappaqua, NY 10514
Ph: 914-238-3123
Fax: 914-238-3538

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
www.musicinchappaqua.com
www.facebook.com/musicinchappaqua
www.facebook.com/newyorkrockacademy

When was Music in Chappaqua was first established, and when did you open in downtown Chappaqua?

I began Music in Chappaqua in 1993 and opened in downtown Chappaqua in 2002.

Is your instruction limited to any specific instruments?

We teach all instruments in all genres.

Do you also provide lessons for adults?

Yes, we love teaching adults!

Is it all private instruction, or do you also provide group lessons?

We have group lessons in our rock department and we have group cabaret and glee classes.

Tell me about your state-of-the-art music studios.

We have Steinway grand pianos in four of our studios and a fully outfitted rock room studio. All five of the studios have computers to download music to listen to and to print.

Do you also make house calls?

Yes, we teach in our studios or in the comfort of students’ homes.

Tell me about your Rock Workshops.

Rock workshops are student rock bands we put together at the school. They rehearse for an hour once weekly with their band instructor and prepare for our New York City Rock Shows at the end of each 12-week session.

And what happens from the time a new student first walks in your door and then finds him or herself performing for friends and family at a New York City Rock Club?

When a student first applies to join the Rock Workshops, they come in for an audition/interview. We then listen to them play, unless the student is a complete beginner, and we discuss playing experience, look at their musical and technical level, musical taste and then place the students with like-minded musicians who are compatible musically, socially and similar in age.

Tell me about New York Rock Academy 2012 Day Camp with Dave Bickler.

This is our eighth summer and we are really excited to get started. Students come in eager to learn—whether they are complete beginners or seasoned veterans. They meet from 10am-4pm Monday-Friday each session. During each day they study their major instrument, have two full band practices in real size Rock Band that they are placed in, and they will cover other courses of study such as Rock History or Song Writing and/or a second instrument. This summer we will be doing the first three weeks in White Plains, and the last three weeks in Chappaqua.

Dave Bickler comes in every Thursday to play for the students, talk to them about his career and answers any questions they may have. Then he listens to the students play and mentors them with his helpful tips of the trade. Fridays at 4:00 p.m. the campers hit the stage for the final live Rock Show for friends and families. This is an great event that everyone works hard to prepare and is loved by the students and audience alike!

And do your students leave with the “Eye of the Tiger,” Bickler’s hit single from his album of the same title?

I believe so. My 11-year-old daughter just spent some time recording vocals with Dave on her new demo and now Atlantic Records is showing interest in her as a young artist!

I was happy to hear that the Gazebo will soon be put to good use.  Tell me about your upcoming Chappaqua concert—at the gazebo!

We are so excited to be putting on a Chappaqua Show for our middle school aged rockers. The Town Rec Department asked Music in Chappaqua and the New York rock Academy to co-organize this event and it will take place on Friday, June 15 from 2:45-5 p.m. Dave Bickler will be opening the show with our faculty band, followed by an incredible line up of young rockers!! This event is free and open to the public.

What would you recommend to make our downtown hamlets more vibrant?

I love the pocket park and all the new beautiful seating areas. They promote community and the desire to take a moment to relax in town. So often we’re too busy dashing here and there doing our errands that we don’t take the time to stop and say hello to people. I think these new beautiful spots are just delightful and encourage people to meet their neighbors.

Any discounts or promotions for NewCastleNOW readers who mention this article?

Sure! Any new students that read this article are welcome to take 30% off one session of the NYRA Camp if they register within a week of its release and/or 25% off of summer private lesson tuition.

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Visit NCNOW.org’s Local Merchants Section to see other “Merchant of the Week” pieces by Rob Greenstein.