November 2026 - Issue #111
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Last Call: Sign Up for Winter Recital ❄️
- Monster Mash Recap 👻
- Stairwell Paint Job 🎨
- Welcome Denver 👋
- Staff Concerts 🎫
- Jazz Jam '26 Recap 🎷
- DJ Lesson Interest 🎧
- Wheel of Referrals 🎡
- Free Group Classes 🎹
- Sunburst @ Sq. Hill Holiday Wine Walk ✨
IMPORTANT DATES
- House Band @ EQT 10 Miler and 10K - 11/8
- Thanakarn Limtham Trio - 11/14
- Songwriter Club - 11/15
- Piano Club - 11/20
- Sunburst Cabaret - 11/20
- CLOSED (Thanksgiving Break) - 11/24-11/29
- Winter Recitals Begin - 12/4
- Adult Band Night - 12/5
- Sq. Hill Wine Walk - 12/12
- Holiday Break - 12/23-1/1/27
The Time is Here! Sign Up for Winter Recitals!
Our Winter Recitals are next month, and we can't wait to celebrate all the hard work our students have put into their music this season!
Whether it's your first time performing or you're a seasoned Sunburst performer, recitals are a great opportunity to share what you've been learning, build confidence, and cheer on your fellow musicians.
Don't forget to sign up! Talk with your instructor about preparing a piece, and be sure to reserve your spot in one of our upcoming recital sessions.
We can't wait to see you take the stage!
2026 Halloween "Monster Mash" Recap
This year's Monster Mash was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who came out to support our student bands. Our band program students continue to impress us with every performance, and this event was no exception. It was a fun night of great music and creative costumes.
Congratulations to our costume contest winner, Nathaniel, who came dressed as Steve Irwin. Crikey, what a costume!
Our Stairwell Makeover by Poppy Paint Co.
Our former piano instructor, Heather DiCicco, recently gave our stairwell a makeover, and we love the result as much as this full-circle moment!
Heather launched Poppy Paint Co. earlier this year and is available for all your interior painting needs.
PoppyPaintCo.com | 412-345-1696
Welcome Our Newest Instructor, Denver!
We're excited to welcome Denver Vasquez to the Sunburst School of Music teaching team!
Music has been a part of Denver's life for as long as he can remember. He began taking piano lessons at a young age and grew up singing in his community, experiences that eventually inspired him to pursue music professionally. Denver earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Duquesne University, with a focus on vocal performance.
Denver continues to be an active part of Pittsburgh's vibrant music community. He currently performs with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Resonance Works, and Thousand Bridges Opera, bringing a wealth of performance experience and musicianship into his teaching.
Beyond performing, Denver is passionate about making music accessible to everyone. He frequently writes and arranges music so that musicians of different ages, backgrounds, and skill levels can experience the joy of performing together. His philosophy aligns perfectly with what we value here at Sunburst: music is for everyone, and every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, create, and appreciate it.
We're ecstatic to have Denver join the Sunburst community and can't wait for our students and families to get to know him. Please join us in giving Denver a warm Sunburst welcome!
Upcoming Staff Concerts & Events
Video Game Music II featuring the Thanakarn Limtham Trio
Power up, gamers! The Thanakarn Limtham Jazz Trio is back with Video Game Music II, leveling up your favorite game soundtracks with fresh, jazzy twists. Featuring Thanakarn Limtham on keys, Charlie Scott on bass, and Stephen Weinstein on drums, this high-energy set brings iconic video game music to life in a whole new way.
Date : Saturday, November 14th
Tickets : $15 adv / $20 door
Showtime : 7pm
Sunburst Cabaret: Come Fly With Us Around the World in Music
Need a vacation? Join us for the next Sunburst Cabaret and be transported to cities and countries around the world through iconic songs performed by Sunburst staff and students! Tickets are free, with an optional donation to benefit the Sunburst Scholarship Fund.
Date : Saturday, November 20th
Tickets : Free (please reserve yours below)
Showtime : 7:30pm
Be sure to reserve your free ticket using the link below. You'll also see the option to make a donation to the Scholarship Fund and help us continue sharing the joy of music with more students.
Jazz Jam 2026 Recap
Sunburst's first year of jazz jam sessions has come to a successful close. Thank you to all the participants, instructors, and audience members who helped support Pittsburgh's music scene throughout the year.
We look forward to resuming the jazz jam sessions in 2027. Until we meet again, take care!
Learn to Mix, Scratch & Spin at Sunburst!
Ever wanted to be the one keeping the dance floor alive? Sunburst now offers DJ lessons! Whether you dream of rocking parties, soundtracking private events, or just exploring your love of music in a new way, our instructors will tailor each lesson to you using industry-standard Serato software.
You'll learn to build digital crates, master the DJ mixer, craft smooth transitions, and perform a full set. Then show off your skills at one of our seasonal recitals!
Last Chance to Win Our Wheel of Referrals Grand Prize!
Don't miss your chance to spin your way to an awesome prize! Our Wheel of Referrals grand prize giveaway is wrapping up soon, and you could win a Bluetooth Turntable & Vinyl Record Player!
Learn how to enter and find all the details on our website. Thanks for spreading the word about Sunburst, and happy spinning!
Free Classes
Songwriter Group Share - Sunday, November 15th
Are you a seasoned or new songwriter looking to share music and get some peer feedback? Bring your instrument, voice, and what you're working on to our monthly songwriting group, peer facilitated by Abbey Martin. This group is open to all adults ages 18+ and meets on the third Sunday of each month from 3-5pm.
Piano Club - Friday, November 20th
Piano Club is a free monthly class led by Jaime Cohen, full of games, music education, and piano fun! This club is a great opportunity for our piano students to build music theory skills, play interactive games like Music Jeopardy, and gain performance experience.
Age Groups
- Ages 5-7 - 5:30-6:15pm
- Ages 8+ from 6:15-7pm
Don't Miss Sunburst at the Squirrel Hill Holiday Wine Walk!
Sunburst is excited to participate in this year's Squirrel Hill Holiday Wine Walk on Saturday, December 12, from 4-7 PM! As you stroll through Squirrel Hill, be sure to stop by Sunburst and catch some of the live performances on our stage throughout the event!
Learn more and grab your tickets on the Uncover Squirrel Hill website. We hope to see you there!
Thank you for reading!
Let us know if you have any questions or comments. As always, thanks for being a part of the Sunburst Community!
Best Wishes,
–Sunburst Team