GGS students featured with Halsey for Billboard’s Women in Music Awards airing on Lifetime TV Dec. 12.
GGS welcomed pop singer-songwriter Halsey to our studio last week. The private mentoring session was captured on film for Billboard’s upcoming Women Music Awards which will air on Lifetime TV Monday, Dec. 12 where Halsey will be given the “Rising Star” award. The show won’t air until next week, but you can see a sneak preview of it here:
Halsey met with GGS students to answer questions about the music industry and song writing among other things. A few GGS students even got a chance to play for the special guest. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to welcome Halsey to our studio and thank her for taking the time to stop by and share her experience and insight with us.
Behind the scenes:
I would like to extend my personal thanks to Halsey, Jessica Rovniak and Billboard for bringing this inspirational opportunity to GGS students. Welcome to our small but mighty tribe of girl guitar goodness, Halsey. Keep doing what you’re doing and know the girls at GGS got your back. We hope to see you again soon. – October
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To find your own inspiration on the guitar, email us at girlsguitarschool@gmail.com to schedule a lesson in person or online.
Be sure to check out the GGS YouTube channel, too! : http://www.youtube.com/user/girlsgtr
Follow us on Twitter @girlsgtrschool or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GirlsGuitarSchool
New classes for teens and adults at the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge begin January 12
Happy New Year! Did you get a guitar during the holidays? Or maybe you’ve made the resolution that 2016 will be the year you finally learn how to play guitar. If so, we’ve got great news for you, especially if you live in the Glendale, La Canada Flintridge area. We’ve partnered with the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge to offer group classes for teens and adults throughout the year. These classes are open to both women and men. The first session begins Tuesday, January 12 with The Power of Three and Thursday, January 14 with Guitar 101. All classes are taught by GGS founder, October Crifasi.
For class information and to register, please see:
The Power of 3 Chords (3 weeks)
Instruments are not provided.
The Girls Guitar School program has shifted to private, semi-private instruction both in the studio (Sherman Oaks location) and via Skype. Please contact us at girlsguitarschool@gmail.com or (818) 903-7763 for rates and availability.
2015 saw our first collaboration with the legendary McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica for a one-day workshop on the stylings of Taylor Swift. We are in the midst of planning more female-centric workshops and classes with McCabe’s for 2016 so be sure sign up to receive our updates to ensure you get a seat.
Going to NAMM at the end of the month? Stop by the Lessonface booth on Thursday and say howdy.
As always, please feel free to contact us with your questions, and have a wonderful and musical new year.
October
Fall workshops in Glendale, Ukulele 101 launches at Clockwork Couture & more!
We know it has a been a quiet summer for GGS announcements and wanted to let you know that while GGS group class program is currently on hold our private studio is open and currently accepting new students. Days with most availability are Mondays-Wednesdays. For rates and scheduling information, please call (818) 903-7763 or email us at girlsguitarschool@gmail.com. Don’t live in the Valley? October Crifasi is teaching private and group instruction online at LessonFace.com. Click here for more information about LessonFace and October’s current availability .
October will also be leading several group classes through the Glendale Community College Community Services Education program beginning October 11. Classes are open to teens and adults as listed, to register click link.
Blues 101 for Adults:
| Dates: | October 11-25, 2014 |
|---|---|
| Meets: | Sa from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, 3 sessions |
| Hours: | 4.50 |
| Location: | Garfield Campus, Tropico Building TR 204 |
| Instructor: | October Crifasi |
| Fee: | $59.00 |
Students will learn the rhythms and chords used to play and write a standard 12-bar blues song, using open chords, a simple blues shuffle and more. Each week will introduce a new group of chords and rhythms that can be used together to create an original composition by week three. Acoustic and electric guitars are welcome (instruments not provided, bring your own). Beginners and intermediate players welcome! A $10 materials fee is payable to the instructor at first class meeting. Register
The Power of Three course has been cancelled.
Just added! A special eight-week introduction to the Ukulele for teens and adults at the fabulous Clockwork Couture in Burbank.
Unfamiliar with this wonderful store and community? Well, look no further: www.clockworkcouture.com October will be teaching this introductory class on Saturdays from October 11 – November 29, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Tuition is $150 is paid in full, $20.00 per class. Instruments not provided. Email girlsguitarschool@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
And last but not least, be sure to pick up the current issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Not only does it include a wonderful interview with guitarist and songwriter, Ani DiFranco, but it also includes an introduction to using Bandcamp.com.
As always, please feel free to contact us with questions or to schedule a lesson in our private studio. Happy playing.
Registration for Chicago Workshops Now Open
March 21; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. $20
Prerequisite: Knowledge of open chords and simple strumming.
Saturday, March 22 & Sunday, March 23
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. each day
Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic open chords, power chords, partial F and B chords, and basic strumming.
GGS Takes it On the Road
We are thrilled to announce that GGS is picking up and taking it on the road (for a few days). Chicago, Illinois we’ve got you in our sights next month.
In partnership with the Old Town School of Folk Music, GGS founder, October Crifasi, leads a two-day songwriting intensive workshop for women the weekend of March 22, 2014 and a workshop for teens on Friday, March 21. Registration opens March 1.
Tuition and registration information will be posted in the next few days, so please check back or see
http://www.oldtownschool.org/workshops .
Also making its debut this month is October’s first column for Acoustic Guitar Magazine, with the article, “It’s a Family Affair”. Culled from feedback during GGS Parents & Practice Nights, the article suggests several ways guitarist parents can encourage their daughters to play. This article is a part of the “Here’s How” section of the magazine and will continue to have October at helm for the rest of the year.
Don’t live in Los Angeles and would like to get private instruction? GGS has partnered with LessonFace.com to offer one-on-one private lessons via the internet. Please contact us for details or see http://www.LessonFace.com . Read a recent review from mom Renee Bergeron of A Baker’s Dozen and Apollo XIV by clicking here http://bakersdozenandapolloxiv.com/2014/02/26/lesson-face-review/
Happy Spring, Everyone. Updates on GGS local programming coming soon.
Free Intro Guitar Class and Open House, Sunday, October 20 at 1:00 p.m.
GGS students rocking at the Sherman Oaks Street Fair 2012
Join us this Sunday for our Fall Open House & Free Intro to Guitar class. No prior experience necessary, all you need to bring is the guitar. Girls will learn parts of the instrument, how to read a chord chart, how to play three simple chords and leave with a song they can play at home. All that in just 45-minutes! Our classroom space is limited, please send us an email at girlsguitarschool@gmail.com to reserve a seat.
Class starts at 1:00 p.m.
Stay after class and meet current students and families of both the private and group programs. There will be student performances and light refreshments, too. Outside the store, the Sherman Oaks Street Fair will be going strong, so please, join us for a fun day of guitar playing and community.
We are located inside Baxter Northup Music, 14534 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA, just look for the pink GGS banner once inside the store. Guitars and related accessories are available for purchase before and after class. Parking can be limited during this event, please plan travel times accordingly.
Other upcoming events
November 3
Fall Session 2 gets underway with Guitar 101 for Teens at 2:00 p.m. and Guitar 102 for Girls Ages 8-10 at 3:15 p.m.
November 6
Parents & Practice Night 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
November 9
Girltopia, Los Angeles Covention Center, October and current girl scout students will be in the Leadership Cafe to talk about playing music and how to empower other girls to do the same. More information www.girltopiala.com times TBA
Have questions? Please feel free to contact us at girlsguitarschool@gmail.com or by phone at (818) 903-7763. See you in class!
Fall Session Starts Sunday, September 8
School is back in session and so are we! Six-week classes run Sept. 8 – Oct. 13. Tuition is $180.00. Please contact us at (818) 903-7763 or by email at girlsguitarschool@gmail.com for more details or to register for classes.
Guitar 101 Sundays, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. The perfect class for absolute beginners. Girls will learn simple chords, strumming and melody playing songs they know and songs they create together. No prior experience necessary.
Guitar 102 Sundays, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. This class picks up where Guitar 101 left off, with more complex strumming, simple leads and introduction to reading music. Some prior experience with chords and strumming required.
GGS Girls Guitar Ensemble (Photo: Frank Guttler)
Our classroom and private studio are located in Sherman Oaks, CA at 14534 Ventura Blvd. Limited private, Skype and semi-private lessons on guitar and ukulele also available year-round.
Did you know that practicing a musical instrument increases brain function and enhances learning? According to the Children’s Music Workshop, “Recent studies have clearly indicated that musical training physically develops the part of the left side of the brain known to be involved with processing language, and can actually wire the brain’s circuits in specific ways. Linking familiar songs to new information can also help imprint information on young minds.” Click link to read more from the PBS article: The Benefits of Music Education .
Happy playing, we’ll see you at the studio!
Upcoming Events:
Fall Session, September 8 – October 13 (see schedule above)
Free Intro Guitar Class
Sunday, October 20, 12:30 p.m. All ages welcome.
Sherman Oaks Street Fair – Strum Along and Performance
Sunday, October 20, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of outdoor student performance and strum-along. We’ll be outside of Baxter Northup Music playing our favorite female-created music and answering your questions about the GGS program. Come meet our students and make some music (or just learn more about what we do and how you can become involved).
