Take your playing to a whole new level! Music workshops on an array of instruments are designed to meet the needs of enthusiastic students. Curriculum includes: small and large ensemble training; digital music and art (composition, recording, design); ear training; theory and appreciation; individual practice; working with faculty and accompanists; daily/weekly student and faculty recitals in Tateuchi Hall. Workshops may include field trips to local music festivals and professional environments, based on students' interest. Download fliers to see descriptions of and prerequisites for all workshops. For more information, contact Workshop Coordinator Carrie Campbell at ccampbell@arts4all.org or 650-917-6800 x336.

See more than 100 pieces of children’s art work, including collages, drawings, paintings, murals and more, at Allegro Framing and Art in Cupertino. Attend receptions and enter a drawing offering a choice of prizes, including art supplies, pottery painting session, picture framing, and art classes at Allegro and at CSMA. All proceeds from the sale of drawing tickets will support CSMA’s Arts in Action programs at Santa Rita, Springer and Montclaire Schools. To view the childrens' artwork, visit Allegro Framing:

Visit the Main Street Cafe and Books, 134 Main Street, Los Altos during the month of May to see artwork by 40 Arts in Action students (Gr. K-6) from Montclaire, Santa Rita, Springer and St. Nicholas Schools. The work was created during the 2007-08 school year in weekly AIA classes taught by CSMA faculty members Edie Bella (Springer School), Celeyce Matthews (Montclaire and St. Nicholas Schools), and Pamela Ritchey (Santa Rita School). The exhibition is co-sponsored by the Los Altos Cultural Association and CSMA.

Piano students of Alla Dobrish have been busy earning accolades!

Vincent Shea performed at the 15th Annual Concerto Concert at Boston University's Tsai Performance Center on February 24. Vincent, a sophomore at Bellarmine College Preparatory High School, played Concerto by J. Haydn in D Major H.XVII: Vivace with the orchestra, conducted by Mr. Dylan Moore.

Six-year-old Merit Scholar Andrew Gao performed at the 16th Annual US Open Music Competition in Oakland on February 18. Andrew, the youngest contestant, won second place.

On April 5, a group of Alla's students took the Music Teachers Association of California Certificate of Merit exam. The exam consists of five parts: technique, sight reading, performance, theory and ear training. All of these students passed the exam with a score of "Excellent":

• Olivia Brown, Mitchell Lai, and Jaclyn Liang, Preparatory Level
• Eason Liu, Level I
• Shruti Juneja, Level III
• Roy Zheng, Level VIII
• Tin-Yun Tang, Advanced Level

Christopher Isaac Lee, a student of Claude Ferguson, won third place in the Grade K-2 Division of the 13th Annual Cray-Pas® Wonderful, Colorful World Contest. This national contest draws thousands of entries each year. Artwork, created primarily using oil-based pastels, is judged on image originality, creativity, emotional content, skills, and age appropriateness. Judges said that Christopher's entry, "Christmas Surprises Dancing in My Head," created "A feeling of wonderment … with great color and form."

Nineteen students from schools where CSMA provides Arts in Action throughout the year can continue making art this summer through camp and class scholarships. "Each year CSMA's Arts in Action teachers nominate students based on talent, dedication and financial need," said Visual Arts Director Linda Covello. "Recipients come from every public elementary school in Mountain View, plus schools in Los Altos, Menlo Park and other local communities."

Two hundred eighty fifth-grade band and strings students from the elementary schools in Mountain View Whisman District and Trinity School in Menlo Park performed in four Gala Concerts in Tateuchi Hall between March 31 and April 3. The joint concerts allowed these beginning and intermediate students to experience playing in a formal concert hall and in a large ensemble. Bravo!

Monta Loma Students Jimmy Manke and Hilla Novat

Thanks to CSMA faculty and staff, 100 young people in Zimbabwe will receive athletic shoes. The shoe collection coincided with the annual Run for Zimbabwe Orphans and Zimbabwean Fair at St. Joseph’s School in Mountain View in April. CSMA's Arts in Action students provided a display of African-inspired artwork at the events.

The Italian American Heritage Foundation is offering specially-priced tickets to CSMA students, families and faculty to their 21st Annual Opera San Jose Benefit on Friday, May 16, at 6:30 pm. The evening includes a fine Italian dinner, concert featuring stars from Opera San Jose and raffle! Tickets are $20 per person (a savings of $15 per person). For tickets, contact Martha Best at mbest9926@sbcglobal.net, or call 408-293-7122.