January 2026 Newsletter

In this month’s newsletter

Learn about the current events and student accomplishments in Myriad’s Music Lessons, Music Classes, Dance Classes and Art Classes and upcoming Summer Camps. We feature students of all ages and all levels, from our surrounding communities of San Mateo, Burlingame, Millbrae, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood Shores, and Foster City. Read all about it! Music Lessons, Music Classes, Dance Classes and Art Classes for preschoolers, young children, school-aged children, teens, and adults near me.

• Upcoming Events Info – MUSIC, DANCE & ART FUN!
• Owners’ / Directors’ Smart Tips for Parents & Students
• ART Shows and MUSIC Performances – Save the Date!
• DANCE Spring Showcase – Save the Date!

Featured Students & Teachers

• Welcome to Myriad’s Newly-Registered Students!
• Student & Teacher Spotlights of the Month
• Winners of Myriad’s Practice Challenge Pathways
• Teacher / Director Expert Tips of the Month

UPCOMING EVENTS

It’s not too late to join the fun at Myriad!
ALL OF OUR CLASSES are open for enrollment year-round.
SUMMER CAMPS & CLASSES are open for registration on January 1st.

Dec 19 – Jan 4: Winter Break
Jan 1: Summer Reg: Camps and Classes Open for Registration
Mar 16 – 21: MUSIC FOUNDATIONS, DANCE, & ART: Parent Progress Week
Mar 30 – Apr 5: Spring Break
May 3 – 9: MUSIC: Workshop Week
May 14 – 16: MUSIC CONCERTS – Intermediate and Advanced
May 31: DANCE: Spring Showcase

SUMMER MUSIC CAMPS, DANCE CAMPS & ART CAMPS at MYRIAD!

Registration is open January 1st for all Summer Music Camps & Dance Camps & Summer Classes in San Mateo and surrounding areas. Families from San Mateo, Burlingame, Belmont, San Carlos, Millbrae, Foster City, and Redwood Shores love our Summer Camps and programs.

Summer Camp 2026 Savings at Myriad!
Bring-A-Friend Discounts apply to all Summer Camps.
Or take advantage of our multiple-week savings!

We are ready for enthusiastic campers of all ages this Summer! Choose your Summer Music Camp, Summer Dance Camps, Summer Art Camps,  Summer Music Classes , or Summer Dance Classes. Older students will love the experience they will gain through our Summer Leadership In Training Camps.

REGISTER TODAY to reserve your spot in our Summer Programs 2026! Myriad has a long tradition these past 19 years of cozy summer camp fun for Bay Area Kids of all music and dance interests. Our Summer Camps have always had a small student to teacher ratio, with lots of attention for each student. In addition to Summer Camps, choose a summer-themed Summer Music Classes or Summer Dance Classes. Older students will love the experience they will gain through our Summer Leadership In Training Camps.

We are looking forward to seeing your children become more confident, playing and dancing their way through summer, making friends and learning new skills. All of Myriad’s Summer Music and Dance Camps & Summer Classes utilize indoor and outdoor classroom spaces and multiple classrooms are in rotation, keeping the environment stimulating, varied and dynamic all summer long!Text on the left and image to the right

ART Classes at Myriad! 

The Magic of Watercolor Paint!

Since watercolor is all about the interaction between water and pigment, this prompt focuses on a “magic” element that kids find mesmerizing. It’s called The Secret Message Landscape.

What you’ll need:

• Watercolor paper (or thick cardstock)
• A white wax crayon (or a candle stub)
• Watercolor paints and a medium-sized brush
• A cup of water

The Steps:

• The Secret Drawing (2 Minutes): Have your child draw a “secret” scene on the white paper using the white crayon. Because it’s white-on-white, they won’t be able to see it clearly yet. Encourage them to draw stars, a sun, or even just “invisible” swirls and dots.
• The Big Reveal (5 Minutes): Ask your child to choose two or three “sky colors” (like blue, purple, or orange). Have them load their brush with plenty of water and paint right over the entire paper in big, sweeping strokes.
• The Observation (3 Minutes): Watch as the wax from the crayon rejects the water, causing the “secret” drawing to pop through the paint. While the paint is still wet, drop a tiny bit of a darker color into the wet areas and watch it “bloom” around the wax lines.

Read more here: How the Arts Benefit Your Children Academically and Behaviorially

Spring: MYRIAD MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHTS

The Music Teachers at Myriad have made their selections! These are Myriad students who have something unique & inspiring to share with other students and families.

Featured PRIVATE LESSON STUDENT, Kylee T. Age 12, Voice Student with Teacher Jenny

Why was Kylee nominated? Kylee is wonderful to have in class. She loves musical theater as much as I do. She is constantly growing as a singer and musician. She is always auditioning for performance opportunities, so I’m always excited to see what she needs to work on next. – Teacher Jenny

Q: How long have you been taking music lessons?
A: This is Kylee’s second year!

Q: What do you enjoy most about your music lessons and seeing your teacher each week?
A: Teacher Jenny is really funny and makes the class so fun. I just love learning a lot about singing.

Q: Do you have a favorite genre of music that you like to listen to?
A: I love Musical Theater and Pop

Q: When you are practicing your instrument at home, between lessons, what helps you do your best? Practice advice / tips to share with other music students?
A: Consistant practice and making sure that I do not have a lot of distracions nearby when im practicing helps me stay focused on my sound and practice habits!

Q: What are some of your other interests? What do you do for fun besides music?
A: I also like to play soccer and musical theater!

Q: What life skills have you developed, as a result of taking music lessons / developing as a musician?
A: Being consistant is a big life skill that I have developed through music! time to practice.

Spring: MYRIAD YOUNG MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHTS

Featured YOUNG MUSICIAN Luna Victoria B. Age 5, Mini Piano Plus with Teacher Chelsea

Why was Luna nominated? Luna is such a great student. She listens very well and follows all directions and is always a team player. I can always count on her to be a model student in class. – Teacher Chelsea

Q: What Music Classes are you taking at Myriad?
A: Mini Piano Plus

Q: What do you love most about your music class and seeing your music teacher each week? Describe the fun activities you enjoy in your class.
A: “I love playing piano!” Luna is a great listener at the piano and has a great musical ear!

Q: What are some other special things you’d like to share about yourself? Does anyone else in your family play a musical instrument? Do you have a pet? Do you play any sports? Tell us more about YOU! What are some of the things that makes you special?
A: Luna is 5 years old and loves to go hiking with her family, and play catch at home!

Spring MYRIAD ART STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Featured ART STUDENT, Felix H. Age 6, Art with Teacher Jenize

Why was Felix nominated? Felix is such a creative and independant artist! He is very kind and always happy to lend a helping hand to his classmates. – Teacher Jenize

Q: How long have you been taking art classes?
A: 1 year

Q: What do you love most about your art classes and seeing your teacher and fellow artists each week? Describe some fun or inspiring things you do together in your class.
A: I like using the clay to build things.

Q: Is there anything you’d like to share about becoming a good artist, that may inspire other art students?
A: Building a good pyramid out of clay!

Q: What are some of your other interests? What do you like to do for fun? Is there anything special about yourself that you’d like to share here?
A: Making fun things out of clay like a skunk!

Spring: MYRIAD DANCER SPOTLIGHTS

Featured DANCER, Casey L. Age 5, Ballet / Tap with Teacher Kenya

Why was Casey nominated? Casey brings so much enthusiasm and focus to our dance class. She inspires and encourages others to do their best. It’s a pleasure having her in dance class! – Teacher Kenya

Q: What Classes are you taking at Myriad?
A: Pre-Dance

Q: How many years have you been taking dance classes?
A: This is Casey’s second year at Myriad!

Q: What do you love most about your dance classes and seeing your teacher and fellow dancers each week? Describe some fun or inspiring things you do together in your class.
A: Casey loves having fun in her dance classes and then showing her cat her dance moves at home.

Q: What are some of your other interests? What do you like to do for fun? Is there anything special about yourself that you’d like to share here?
A: Casey is five years old and in addition to dance, she loves to read lots of books!

FEATURED ADMINISTRATOR of the MONTH

Admin Sophia!

Administrator Sophia is currently working towards a Bachelors Degree in Music Production through Berklee online. Sophia loves seeing familiar faces each week in the lobby. Whether it is a student or parent, seeing in-person who I am scheduling makes what I do at Myriad more personal and rewarding.

“I love the community of people at this school. Myriad’s teachers are so unique and dedicated, and the students show to really connect with their teachers. It’s fun to see!”

Music lessons, Dance Classes, or Art Classes?  Call, email or text today, to register!

YOUNG MUSICIANS, DANCERS & ARTISTS: Enroll Today!

Stay on top of Myriad’s best programs, by reserving your music, dance and art classes. Here is how this works:

Summer Camps and Classes Registration opens up on January 1st!
Myriad’s Private Music Lessons run year-round, with exclusively-reserved lesson times, ensuring our students keep their favorite teachers.

Dance Academy
Art FUNdamentals Classes
Preschool Music
Mini Piano Plus
Superstar Young Musicians
Mini Flutes
Mini Singers
Glee Singers
Rock.Pop Band Project
Adult Ukulele Band

Join Myriad Today and start your music, dance, or art journey!

DANCE NEWS ~ EXPERT TIPS & UPDATES for YOU!

Dance Academy Students! The DANCE SHOWCASE SPRING 2025, held at The College of San Mateo, is …

Enchanted in Wonderland!

Myriad’s Dance Academy Showcase “Enchanted in Wonderland” will be held on May 31st, 2026. More details to follow

Expert Tip!

Great dancers don’t just follow the beat—they interpret it. This month, challenge yourself to listen deeper. Before practicing your combo, take 30 seconds to hear the music without moving. Notice the accents, the pauses, the textures, and the emotional tone.

Now ask yourself: How can my movement match—or contrast—what I hear?

Maybe your arms soften during a quiet phrase, or your jumps hit right when the music peaks. Connecting intentionally to the music makes your dancing feel more expressive, confident, and professional.

Pro Tip: Try dancing your routine once at half-speed while keeping the musical details sharp. Slow practice strengthens control and helps your artistry shine.

PRACTICE CHALLENGE CLUB

Private Music Lesson & Team Students! Whether you are taking piano lessons, guitar lessons, flute lessons, voice lessons, singing lessons, ukulele lessons, cello lessons, violin lessons or viola lessons, do keep tracking your practice minutes! Every practice step adds up, and we want to celebrate YOU! Check back in our next newsletter for featured Music Students who are rocking their practice minutes at home, at all ages / all levels. It makes such a difference in weekly progress! You’ll be amazed at the improvements you can make year after year, minute by minute, as you transform into a truly skilled musician!

TOP practice minutes as of 12.16.2026

3000+ Minutes Club!

Sean H.
Byron P.

2500+ Minutes Club!

Clara M.
Gaby S.
Neil V.

2000+ Minutes Club!

Lottie P.
Isabelle W.
Mailliw J.
Rachel K.

1500+ Minutes Club

Liam C.
Haley S.
Ellie K.
Kylee T.
Tiffany Z.
Elaheh H.
Addy U.
Benji D.
Amara S.
Esteban M.
Emma C.
Theo B.
Elyse L.

And there are 100’s more students rocking it! Too many amazing students and not enough room to list everyone! Congratulations! Keep up the great work!

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Refer a friend for music lessons, learning the piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, singing, violin, viola, cello or flute. We specialize in music classes for young children and kids, giving our youngest musicians ages 3-6 a smart musical foundation. Dance Academy classes offer ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, tap or AcroDance dance styles. Art Classes are well-rounded, exploring watercolor, drawing, oil pastels, clay and collage. Families in San Mateo and surrounding areas around the Peninsula seeking music, dance and art classes receive savings when they refer a friend.
Join the fun today!