Best Wishes from Kaya!

Alex Stanton • July 3, 2023

My name is Kaya Giroux and I have been a Voice Instructor here at Sunburst for a little under a year. I was very scared at first because I had only ever taught a few people and had just finished my undergraduate degree (yes, teachers get scared too!). However, as I got to know everyone I started to ease into a teaching flow. For everything I have taught my students, they have taught me something in return. Being a teacher at Sunburst has made me a better musician, caretaker, colleague, and overall person.

I have absolutely loved getting to know each and every one of my students at Sunburst. A really special moment for me was seeing five of my students get up and sing in front of an audience for the first time at our recent student recital. I have also loved and appreciated each and every note, drawing, and candy I have received from my students. Another highlight for me was performing some Puccini with Bank at the staff recital. I also can’t forget to mention that during my time at Sunburst, my best friend, Jacob, got hired as a fellow voice instructor which made working even more fun.

I am so proud of each and everyone of you for having the courage and dedication to pursue music studies. Studying voice isn’t the easiest thing in the world. As I have said a thousand times before, it is the only purely internal instrument. I will be leaving Sunburst on July 15 to continue my own vocal studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, this time getting my Master of Fine Arts degree in Vocal Performance. This will allow me to follow my own dreams of being an opera singer, which I have wanted since I was a little girl. My time at Sunburst has led me to a job at Songbird Studios, the equivalent of Sunburst in San Francisco. I will miss all of my students, colleagues, and friends so much. I have nothing but gratitude for my time here and I can’t wait until our paths cross again. Never forget to sing from the heart.

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5 Reasons to Start Playing in a Band

July 30, 2025

As summer break comes to a close, we’re gearing up for the next term of the Sunburst Band Program and would love to see some new faces this fall. Playing in a band is one of the best ways to progress as a musician, so we put together a list of five reasons why we encourage our students to seek out opportunities to play in groups—whether it's starting a band or jamming with a couple of friends. Progress Your rhythm, timing, and listening skills improve quickly when you start playing in a band or group setting. While private lessons and solo practice are essential pieces of the puzzle, playing with others introduces new variables—like tempo changes, dynamics, and coordination—that challenge you to stay in sync with your bandmates and adapt to each other. We’ve seen so many students level up after just a couple months in the Sunburst Band Program–the progress happens fast! Friends and Connections We love watching our students and their families become friends and our band program has been a natural starting point for many of those relationships. Some of our current bands have stayed together for years, and it's awesome to see them hang out outside of lessons and support each other at shows. Plus, one of the best ways to get gigs is through connections with other musicians! Motivation Playing in a band is super motivating because you're part of a group working toward an exciting shared goal. Whether you're learning a new song, building a set list, or getting ready for a show, the process becomes more exciting and rewarding when you're making music you love with people you enjoy being around. That shared energy turns practice into something much more fun and meaningful. Performing Performing can be nerve-wracking, but it gets easier the more you do it, and being on stage with your friends makes it less scary. We love seeing how our students' stage presence and confidence grow with each performance—it’s one of our favorite parts of being teachers! As we mentioned, shows are a great place to make connections with musicians who you’d like to collaborate with in the future. Simply put, playing more shows leads to playing more shows. Creative Outlet Music is a powerful tool for expression, and it’s important to have outlets for that at any age! Life is very fast paced for many of us, and it can be tough to pause and do the things you enjoy. Band practice can be a consistent anchor in your week—something you can rely on for connection, processing, and creating with your bandmates. As corny as it sounds, playing music is good for your spirit! If you’d like to know more about the Sunburst Band Program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We also recommend talking with your private lessons instructor so that they’re aware and can help you prepare.