In This Month’s Newsletter

Sensory-safe Music Lesson Rooms

Fun and Important Dates
Upcoming Recitals and Concerts
Welcome Our New Students
Student of the Month
Spotlight on Miss Esther
Did You Know?
Inspirations
Music Playdates in the Parks
Join Choir!
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
Referral Program

Sensory-safe Music Lesson Rooms

A sensory-safe room is a space designed to provide a calming, controlled environment for individuals who may be sensitive to sensory stimuli, such as bright lights, loud sounds, or chaotic environments. These rooms are often used to help individuals with sensory processing challenges, including those with autism, ADHD, or anxiety, to feel more comfortable and reduce overstimulation. The goal is to create a soothing space where people can regulate their senses, feel secure, and focus on tasks without being overwhelmed by external stimuli.

Our sensory-safe music room caters to music students who need a more controlled auditory and visual environment while learning music. Our sensory-safe music lesson room includes soft lighting, acoustic panels to reduce sound intensity, and when possible, adjustable volume controls to keep music at a comfortable level. Instruments including a piano, small percussion instruments, and a guitar are present, but students have the ability to adjust how loud or quiet they play. Additionally, the room includes items like weighted blankets, soft seating, and calming sensory objects to help students feel more relaxed during lessons. The space offers headphones or ear protection for students sensitive to certain frequencies or loud noises.

The benefits of a sensory-safe room are numerous. By creating a calm, adaptable environment, these rooms help reduce anxiety, increase focus, and make learning more accessible for those with sensory sensitivities. A sensory-safe music room in particular allows students to engage with music education at their own pace, without feeling overwhelmed. For some students, it is helpful that items in the room are "soft" and not breakable. All this leads to better learning outcomes, greater participation, and a more enjoyable experience overall.

Sensory-safe rooms benefit a wide range of individuals, including children and adults with autism, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, or those who simply find certain environments overwhelming. In the context of music education, these rooms ensure that students who might otherwise struggle in traditional settings can still experience the joy of making music.

For these students, music education in a sensory-safe environment opens up a world of creative expression, growth, and joy. Music lessons become less about managing discomfort and more about exploring rhythm, melody, and creativity. The joy of learning music in such a space allows students to fully embrace their musical journey, building skills, confidence, and a lifelong love for music, free from the stress that might come in a standard classroom.

FUN and IMPORTANT DATES

**Veterans Day**
Monday, November 11
**Thanksgiving Day**
Thursday, November 28
**Off-week**
November 24 - December 1

Upcoming Recitals and Concerts

**Studio Recitals**
Wednesday, November 27,
Laguna Hills Community
Center &
Friday, December 8
Norman P. Murray Center
Mission Viejo
**Concert Performance Team Recitals**
Sunday, November 17
Palm Terrace Healthcare &
Rehab Center

Please welcome

our NEW Students who enrolled

in September

Ellie A.

Jacqueline C.

Nadia L.

Eden L.

Joseph L.

Sierra M.

Aarya M.

Maryam N.

Caroline P.

Bardia P.

Adam R.

Michael R.

Wynne W.

Ella W.

Sadie W.

Oliver W.

Shirin W.

Student of the Month

Daniel Garshasbi

Daniel started taking piano lessons in January of this year (2024). He's been making steady progress at the keyboard and is now in Part 4 of his *Presto! It's Piano Magic, Book 1*.

Daniel has performed in several studio recitals, and is on our school's touring Concert Performance Team, where he has performed in two special concerts so far.

Daniel loves music! His favorite thing about playing the piano is learning new music to play. He would also like to play the violin some day, and maybe also the guitar and flute. Daniel enjoys learning new things, and finding new friends to play with.

His family is originally from Iran. Daniel was born in Toronto, Canada, and moved with his family to California when he was 3. He also lived in South Africa for a couple of years, which was a good experience for him. He likes playing tennis and swimming, and is also "a huge fan of all types of art." He writes and draws comic books in his spare time, and his "other favorite activity is playing chess with my Dad!"

Spotlight on Miss Esther

Miss Esther was born and raised in Iran and comes from a family of music enthusiasts, namely her mother who taught classical piano for the entirety of her adult life. Miss Esther studied piano under professor Emmanuel Melik-Aslanian, an Armenian-Iranian pianist and composer. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she started teaching piano at a young age, working with children as young as six and adolescents.

Miss Esther holds a bachelor’s degree in French and has a fascination with European culture, art and music. She has also completed a certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from UC Irvine. She enjoys working with children and helping them develop an appreciation for piano by tending to their individual needs and learning styles. She hope to connect students to their musical abilities in order to help them build a lifelong affinity for music and art.

Miss Esther moved to the United States in 1995 where she raised her family and has been living in Orange County since 2005. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to classical music, practicing yoga, gardening, and watching movies. She spends the majority of her time with her husband, her two adult children, and her tuxedo cat named Sylvie.

Did You Know?

We are designing a Sensory-safe "Soft" Room

Our goal has been to create a warm, calming, soothing, sensory-safe music room for students who will feel comfortable learning in such a room. We are calling it the "Soft Room." Here are some features:

A color scheme of deep blues and browns. Blackout curtains. Soft rugs, soft chairs, bean bag chairs, weighted stuffed animals, blankets. Wood wall shelving, solid and/or up high. Soft baskets for musical items. Acoustic brown piano. Acoustic brown guitar. Quiet drum practice pads. Noise dampeners for the walls. Color-changing sunset lamp and other reduced/calming lighting sources. Silent clock.

We will send photos when all is completed!

Inspirations

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health,
as it goes well with your soul.”

— 3 John 1:2

“There is October in every November and there is November in every December.
All seasons melted in each other’s life”

— Mehmet Murat Ildan

Music Playdates in the Parks

Laguna Niguel and surrounding areas.

Weekly playdates on Wednesday and Saturday

mornings from 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Meet friends, dance a little, sing along, play with some musical instruments,

and other fun toys!

Find us near the playground.

Join Choir!

In Laguna Niguel

Children and Youth

Saturdays

1:00p (ages 8-12)

2:30p (ages 13-17)

Adult

Tuesdays, 6:15p

Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?

November 2024

To encourage everyone to read the Dennis Frayne Music Studio Newsletter, each month we’ll feature a new contest winner or a new contest. Be sure to read your newsletter each month to see if your name has been drawn or you might miss out!

This month’s winner is Sophia Monarrez