Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight - Elena B

Alex Stanton • March 9, 2022

What got you involved with music?

I took classical piano in elementary and middle school and although I despised those lessons, I still had a love for music. In middle school, my chorus teacher gave me a love of singing which over time evolved into a less “choral” sound. Over quarantine, I taught myself how to play guitar, which is definitely my preferred instrument, and began to write songs. I guess I have 5 years of classical piano to thank for my love of music and my ability to play other instruments.

How have your lessons with Sunburst impacted you as a musician?

One of the main ways that it has impacted me as a musician is that it gave me the opportunity to join a band, Bad Judgement. The ability to play with other musicians my age during quarantine was a necessity and be with musicians who not only wanted to play my songs with me but an instructor who wanted to help us increase our musicianship and stage presence.

Another way lessons have impacted me is my voice teacher, Casey. She is unbelievably helpful at understanding the direction I want to take and helping me reach that goal. She has always been very excited about my original music and has given me constructive criticisms that have shaped the way I write songs.

What experiences have shaped you as a musician?

The experience of playing with other people has changed my view on writing music and instrumentation. Writing with other people in my band is entirely different than just writing for myself. Having a new way to write songs shaped my opportunities for my music.

Another new experience that has impacted me is playing shows with other bands. Seeing how other people play and write gives you the opportunity to take what you like from them and add it to your own performance.

Any tips for new students?

Play with everyone you can. Your friend that can kinda sing? Play with them! It may not sound good but it is a fun way to practice and a good way to hang out with your friends. You can grow together as musicians and have fun at the same time and over time it will begin to sound good.

Anything else you'd like to say to the people?

Listen to what your instructors say. They have good stuff to tell you. If something they are saying makes no sense, ask them. They have a million ways to get to where you want to go.

Learn to speak up for yourself, especially when writing songs. Telling people respectfully that you don’t like their idea is important and will increase the productiveness of song creation and the quality of the songs being made.

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Sunburst News - August 2025

August 1, 2025

August- Issue #96

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.