Are you ready to challenge your mind and open your creative side?  I have had many students start as adults and learn a brand new instrument, or pick up where they left off years ago.  Playing and learning an instrument can be relaxing, challenging, and social. You will have the opportunity to play at recitals, parties, and even on the street, or you can choose to only play on your own.  Make time for yourself to learn something new!
Guitar classes are on Tuesdays at 6pm, jam band is Wednesday mornings at 9am. There is more information here about group classes.  Or, there are many times available during the school day for private lessons in piano, guitar, cello, violin, mandolin, banjo, bass guitar, and voice. Contact me at hillarysmusic5@gmail.com or give me a call at 814 229 0821.

Are you looking for a gift that lasts more than a few hours?  Give the gift of learning a new instrument with a group!  If you register now and pay for a semester of group classes, ($199) you get a month of free instrument rental that you can pick up before Christmas and put under the tree!  This is good for guitar, band, or orchestra classes.   In February, you can continue to rent for only $20/month or turn in the rental and buy your own.  Don’t need an instrument? Get a free “Hillary’s Music” t-shirt instead!

We had the unique opportunity this year to perform the pre-show entertainment at the ALF pageant.  Nathaniel Lerch and Noel Anthony started us off with beautiful solo performances.


Then the chorus and orchestra classes performed

Students had the opportunity to perform on the sidewalk during the Autumn Leaf Festival in Clarion.  Residents and visitors enjoyed listening to the music as part of their Autumn Leaf experience!

For the third year, students entertained runners while they worked hard to run the ALF 5K and 10K races.
Check out more on facebook

I’m very excited to announce that we have the opportunity to perform, as a school, in the Autumn Leaf pageant!   It will come quickly after the fall semester starts, on the evening of September 24th.   So, in addition to the regualar schedule, I will offer addition rehearsal times for all group classes on Fridays from 4-5:30pm.  The only required Friday will be the 23rd, but, if you can make it to practice on the 9th or 16th, for any of the rehearsal time, that will help ensure a smooth perrformance!  I will be making t-shirts for all performers, so I will need t-shirt sizes soon, you can email them to me at hillarylefay@gmail.com.

Just a few weeks ago we rocked out the Highland Oaks nursing home.  It is a tradition that I love revisiting.  The residents always enjoy the students’ performances, and the mingling and chatting that happens afterwards.  This year I was able to show off the work of the group classes as well as many talented individuals.  The orchestra opened the afternoon with “Jingle Bell Boogie”  I have a lot of talent in that little group, which will be expanding this semester.  I also enjoyed being able to combine the different groups to perform with each other.  So, the Friday morning band accompanied both a solo vocalist and my chorus. Then the group guitar class finished off with the chorus singing “Rocking around the Christmas Tree”
In between all of the group performances were many amazing soloists and duets.  Some were new students, some veterans to performing.  Thanks to all the performers, parents, grandparents, and family who support these performances and lessons.  It is a pleasure to teach and encourage all year.  Then to witness the performances is a reward itself.
Check out a snippet of  “Jingle Bell Rock” with chorus and band.  This was recorded on a phone and turned out pretty well.  However,  in 2016 we will be adding digital audio and video to our studio and I am excited about the future quality of what we will be able to share.

Part of my teaching philosophy is community service. I believe that we can use our music to not only entertain, but also encourage and enlighten.  In Clarion, we have the Autumn Leaf Festival week to bring crowds to the streets.  We took advantage of this by performing in as many places as we could.  The library holds a fundraiser dinner on Friday night and was seeking local performers. I prepared 3 of my best pianists, Noel Anthony, Nathaniel Lerch, and Maialen Petrissans to perform for the masses.  They filled the time with their repertoire and some improvisation. I heard from many attendees that they played beautifully and added to the atmosphere of the evening.  
Then, on Saturday morning, we lined Wood Street to play for the runners passing by.  This was the second year that we were able to perform for the runners, and it was just as appreciated as the first time!  Many runners actually cheered on the performers!  
We planned to play on Main Street for the full week of the festival, but the weather didn’t cooperate until  Wednesday.  We had many solo performers and our chorus and band come out to play.  I know we drew some attention from passersby who throw spare change and dollars into the case on the sidewalk.  
On a chilly craft day, some diehards showed up to play and were able to control frozen fingertips on violins, keyboards, and guitars.  Many people paused in the middle of shopping to listen and appreciate.
Great job to everyone who fought through nerves, cold, and exhaustion to bring music to our community!