4062 Columns Drive • Marietta, GA 30067

Questions? Call Marilyn 770-690-9968 or marilyn@courtnayandrowe.com

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The Music Studio at Vinings.

Fall 2012

We are so excited to be entering our 24th teaching year, growing better each year, from our fabulous staff of multi-talented teachers, to our ever-expanding lesson offerings, and our burgeoning studio location with recording studio! We are so honored to write about your children and all the great things they

are accomplishing, and sharing a little about our amazing teachers in these fun newsletters! We hope that you enjoy reading as much as we enjoy learning more about our families!

Hope to see you at the next Open Mic Night!

Honor student, dancer, musician, actress, and athlete. Meet Charlotte and Amanda Merrill, 15 and 13 years of age, who claim all of the above titles. Somehow, they both manage to fi t all these activities into their lives and still excel at each one. Oh, and yes, they still make time to socialize with friends.

“As involved in life as I am, I’ve really learned the skill of balancing my time so that I can do everything I want and still be able to give it my all,” says Charlotte, radiating with positive energy.

In 2010, the Merrills started taking private music lessons with Courtnay & Rowe. Charlotte plays piano and Amanda is a vocalist, yet they both take lessons from the same C&R teacher.

“I can’t say enough good things about her!” the two sisters agreed in admiration of their teacher. “I particularly like how she talks to me like I’m an adult, and allows me to pick out songs that I want to learn. And she is such an incredible musician!”

In addition to private music lessons, Charlotte is involved in cheerleading, broadcast journalism, the Send a Smile club, and manages the Hangar for Hearts charity, which was founded by her older sister Emily (who graduated this past year). Amanda is involved in tennis and student council. Both perform in the Atlanta Ballet’s

Spring Concert, and in theater productions at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Each theater production requires an audition, but that’s no cause for intimidation.

“I feel more confi dent than other girls that audition because of all the dance lessons and performances that I’ve experience throughout my life,” the sisters reminisced with confi dence.

With so much going on in Charlotte and Amanda’s lives, there is one key person that helps make everything possible. “We have a supermom. Sure, we have plenty of ambitions, but nothing would be possible if no one drove us to each of our activities every day.” Supermom Tracy Merrill lives a very active life herself, playing tennis in a league, taking adult classes for ballet, and is the Drama Chair of the Fine Arts Alliance at Holy Innocents’. “All this, and she still manages to have a home-cooked meal for us every night!” said the girls with expressions of deep appreciation and gratitude.

This is a publication of Courtnay and Rowe Corp., Atlanta’s Premier In-Home Music and Education Service since 1989. We teach piano, guitar, voice, woodwinds, strings and much more in your home or in our Vinings studio location.

Visit our website for more information www.courtnayandrowe.com or call us at 770.690.9968.

Charlotte & Amanda MerrillHonor student, dancer, musician, actress, and athlete.

Meet Charlotte and Amanda Merrill, 15 and 13 years of age, who claim all of the above titles. Somehow, they both manage to fi t all these activities into their lives and still excel at each one. Oh, and yes, they still make time to socialize with friends.

“As involved in life as I am, I’ve really learned the skill of balancing my time so that I can do everything I want and still be able to give it my all,” says Charlotte, radiating with positive energy.

In 2010, the Merrills started taking private music lessons with Courtnay & Rowe. Charlotte plays piano and Amanda is a vocalist, yet they both take lessons from the same C&R teacher.

“I can’t say enough good things about her!” the two sisters agreed in admiration of their teacher. “I particularly like how she talks to me like I’m an adult, and allows me to pick out songs that I want to learn. And she is such an incredible musician!”

In addition to private music lessons, Charlotte is involved in cheerleading, broadcast journalism, the Send a Smile club, and manages the Hangar for Hearts charity, which was founded by her older sister Emily (who graduated this past year). Amanda is involved in tennis and student council. Both perform in the Atlanta Ballet’s st

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Welcome to the Fall!

Guitar teacher Jay Zaffos recently received some accolades in the video game music community for a song

he recorded for a Final Fantasy I tribute album. The album, entitled “Final Fantasy: Random Encounters,” was released through ocremix.org, a non-profi t organization dedicated to the appreciation of video game music. The judging panel on ocremix.org only accepts the best video game remixes submitted by artists, and is known for their harsh criticism. Zaffos’s “Secrets Abound,” a remix of “Matoya’s Cave” from the Final Fantasy I offi cial soundtrack, stood out from the crowd and was widely accepted by fans and judges alike.

“Nobuo Uematsu’s original compositions on the Final Fantasy video game series have been, and still remain a huge infl uence on my original music style of composing,” says Zaffos. “For this particular track, I took the original

arrangement of ‘Matoya’s Cave’ and meshed it with my original style, which consists of classical, rock, progressive rock, and metal. I stayed fairly close to the original composition throughout most of the track, while striving to mimic the sound of the orchestral instruments used with just my electric guitar, amp, and a few Boss distortion pedals. I also added an interlude and solo section in the middle to highlight my unique style of lead guitar playing over a chord progression that was reminiscent of the original song.”

Congratulations, Jay! Anyone interested can easily listen to Jay’s recording and the judge’s critique by visiting the following links on the Internet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVZCyfHrMtg

http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR02452

(If the links don’t work, you can search for “Secrets Abound Midgarian Sky” in a Google search)

recently received some recently received some recently received some accolades in the video game accolades in the video game accolades in the video game music community for a song music community for a song music community for a song

he recorded for a Final Fantasy I tribute album. he recorded for a Final Fantasy I tribute album. he recorded for a Final Fantasy I tribute album.

featured music spotlight Jay Zaffos“Secrets Abound” [Matoya’s Cave]

For Infant – PreKMini Mozarts “Mommy/Family & Me” Music Program

Sept 4- Oct 27 Fun on the Farm

Bring Mom along and join Old MacDonald and his dog B-I-N-G-O along with other farm animal friends for Fun on the Farm!

An eclectic mixture of kids farm songs and Appalachian folk music featuring the fi ddle, dulcimer and guitar plus homespun instruments like the musical saw, spoons and washboard.

Oct 30 – Jan 19 Winter Wonderland and Jingle all the Way to January!

Family Fugue: 10am or 11:15am, Tue through Sat

Making Music Myself: 1:30pm or 3pm, Wed and Thu

For Grades K-5thSinging! Acting! Choreography!…SHOWTIME! Fall’s theme: Broadway Bound!

Showtime! students will be headed for the Big Apple in a show featuring scenes from your favorite Broadway musicals and the sights and scenes of New York City!

So “come on along and listen to The Lullaby of Broadway” as well as songs from The Sound of Music, Annie, Oliver and Grease!

Thursdays 4pm or 5:15pm, 16 weeks Sep 13 - Jan 17 (with holiday breaks)

The Etiquette School of Atlanta – www.esatlanta.com

We are thrilled to bring etiquette classes to The Music Studio at Vinings, and especially with renowned Barbara Hickey of The Etiquette School of Atlanta! Please check the calendar for appropriately aged workshopsfor your child.

Everyday Etiquette for Children, starting Wednesday, Oct 3, 2012

6 week afterschool course (skips Oct. 31)

Wednesdays at 4:30 - 5:20, Ages 6-8Thursdays at 4:30 - 5:20, Ages 9-12

Holiday Manners Workshop, 2 weekend classes

October 20 and 27, Ages 9-12November 10 and 17, Ages 13-17December 1 and 8, Ages 9-12

Fall/Winter Workshops at

More added monthly – see calendar at www.cr-themusicstudio.com for all current class descriptions, times and dates!

stars Amy Grant and Vince Gill. Jared Goldman is another student under Bradly’s tutelage making remarkable strides, having played on stage with Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland, and also performs around town. Other students of Bradly’s such as Clay Houle, Dennis Love, and Frank Keith have been on tour with their own bands, following in the footsteps of their awesome teacher. These milestones remind teachers like Bradly of the responsibility they have to their students, and what a profound blessing spreading knowledge can be.

“Teaching lessons afforded me the chance to pursue my own musical goals wholeheartedly. I still remember having to pull my car over the fi rst time I heard myself on the radio! I know I owe my dreams all to God.

Being a teacher’s also afforded me to meet some of the coolest parents along the way like the Goldmans and the Arnolds, and every student I’ve taught and parent I’ve met over the years have been a blessing to me.”

Over the years, when not teaching, he’s continually sought out to do studio work, becoming a go-to guitar guy for R&B musicians, providing back tracks to artists ranging from Jagged Edge to Jason Champion. Even with being pursued as a musician and travelling all over the country to record, he has continued a full schedule and loves – and is loved – by his students.

Bradly has discovered a new-found appreciation for teaching children and watching them grow now that he and his wife, Midori, an executive at a major car parts company, have a daughter of their own, almost 2 year old Kana. Bradly is already helping Kana “write” her fi rst songs, with him mixing tracks to her sweet babbling. “Having my own child now makes me really respect who these kids are and the people they are growing into,” Bradly says. We can only imagine what is next for Bradly, and how his eager students will use his footsteps as markers along their own musical journeys.

Bradly – continued from inside

Upcoming EventsOpen Mic Night @ St. Angelo’s

Sept 23rd 6:00-8:30 ❊ October 28th 6:00-8:30❊ December 2nd Holiday Open Mic 5:30-8:30 ❊

Sunday, September 23rd 6:00-8:30Sunday, October 28th 6:00-8:30

Sunday, December 2nd — Holiday Open Mic 5:30-8:30

C&R Open Mic Nights

Come on down for an evening of music, great food and fun. For parties over 6, please call for reservations: 404/794-9254.

It all began with choosing band over the orchestra and chorus when being faced with selecting which music elective to take during fi fth grade. Murphy Alexander, nine years later, is now playing the tenor saxophone in the Howard University Marching Band and Pep Band. One of the secrets to Murphy’s musical success lies in the quality of the private lessons that he received through Courtnay & Rowe. We were fortunate enough to sit down with Murphy just before his fall semester classes started for his sophomore year to fi nd out more about his musical experiences and future plans.

How would your music life be different without Courtnay & Rowe?

Oh man. Nothing would be the same. I wouldn’t be nearly as passionate about music as I am today. I would never have challenged myself to try playing jazz music, nor would I have had the drive to practice my instrument during my free time. Courtnay & Rowe helped give me an edge over the competition. I’ve always found myself at the top of my section. For example, during my senior year of high school, I was a featured soloist in one of our marching band pieces.

What’s it like playing with the Howard University Marching Band?

Intense, but fun. We just fi nished our marching band camp, which went from 5:45am to 10:30pm each day for one week. During the fall season, we practice every day for two hours in the evening, and perform at football games on the weekends. We’ll

also travel with the football team for the away games. Some noteworthy experiences I’ve had during the past year include a performance during a Washington Wizards basketball game, and a few performances for locals in Bermuda for a marching band conference.

Do you know what you want to major in at Howard University?

I decided to major in Biology. I have a passion for medicine and the sciences. Luckily, my god aunt and uncle own their own medical practice in Atlanta, Georgia. I worked there this summer and gained some experience with organizing fi les and other offi ce maintenance work. Plus, I had the privilege of shadowing my uncle perform a few surgeries – they were nothing major, but I think surgeries are really neat and fun to watch. It was very inspiring!

Can you share some tips about what makes you so successful in life?

You can do anything that you want, but you need to put the time and energy in. With music, practicing when you aren’t required to helps beat laziness, instills good habits for life, and guides you toward success.

also travel with the football team for also travel with the football team for also travel with the football team for the away games. Some noteworthy the away games. Some noteworthy the away games. Some noteworthy experiences I’ve had during the past experiences I’ve had during the past experiences I’ve had during the past

aunt and uncle own their own medical aunt and uncle own their own medical aunt and uncle own their own medical

“Where Are They Now?” Murphy Alexander

teacher spotlight Erin LivinghouseFor seasoned instructor Bradly McDonald, music is about the

journey you take every day to strengthen your bond with the craft

– more of a long term success. As he starts his 11th year teaching

guitar with C&R, we talked to Bradly about his musical journey:

“Born in Mississippi, I was surrounded by great music, but was

especially inspired while trying to play guitar with my uncle, with him

saying “Boy, you better get that thing in tune!” I told myself: I’ll be

better than you one day and then we’ll see who is in tune! Ha!

Also, my mother and her sisters had a group for time when they

were younger called “The Delaney Sisters” and still sing around

the house anytime they’re together. They were pretty much over

by the time I was born, but were popular in their day and even

had a hit album. Playing the guitar gave me chance to be a part of

their music, and even the chance to sing with them.

And, of course, seeing a good friend play “Sweet Child of Mine” on guitar to his girlfriend over the

phone confi rmed the guitar was defi nitely on my priority list! But I can honestly say that I never purposefully

practiced guitar - just was so addicted to it I never put it down. I had no idea I would still be doing it this long or

that I would even want to!”

The next stop on Bradly’s journey was Atlanta, moving on his own to make a place for himself in the world.

He tried juggling working full-time during the day, attending school at Atlanta Institute of Music and

Technology and also playing gigs in the evenings, but soon realized drastic measures were needed if he was

to move forward with music.

“I was around 22, and one day while on a ten minute break at my job, laid down in my car exhausted and

prayed “God, if music is something I’m supposed to do or something you will allow me to do, please make

something happen soon. If not, please take it off of my heart so I can be good at something else.” I suppose the

9 to 5, plus playing shows till all hours of the night had fi nally started getting to me. That very same night I had

a dream where God told me to quit my job on June 5th. Next day, I got a phone call from a friend of my sister

who hadn’t heard me play since I was 13. She asked if I had a demo tape I could send to RCA records as they

had a new band whose guitarist wasn’t working out. By the beginning of July, I was on a plane to Canada to

play some shows with the band and it was my start to being a full time musician. It was a dream come true – got

my fi rst song on an internationally sold record – and I think it’s actually still that band’s #1 downloaded song.”

After spending time with RCA records, Bradly returned to Atlanta and started up with his band again. It

was at a gig in Little 5 Points where a friend (and fellow C&R guitar teacher) approached him about

teaching with C&R. At fi rst, Bradly was unconvinced that he would be a good guitar teacher, but C&R

gave him the confi dence to try.

“So I went to interview with Marilyn and since that day, have actually had the

time of my life. Never thought I would enjoy teaching like I do, but when I’m

teaching - adult or child student – it’s like Ive been whisked away back to

Mississippi and I’m 12 again, playing and hanging out with my best friends

– watching them learn to play and just enjoy how awesome music is. Sounds

cheesy, but it’s kind of magical! To make it even double awesome, Jack has

been like a father to me ever since we met. I’ve really enjoyed having that

relationship with him.”

Reemphasizing the benefi ts of developing relationships with students

throughout the years, Bradly states many accomplishments that he is

most proud of involve C&R students. For instance, Kappy Arnold, a

blossoming singer/songwriter who Bradly teaches, has made leaps

and bounds in her craft within the past few years. Kappy released

an EP of self-written songs which Bradly helped with, along with a

huge performance they played together beside country music

journey you take every day to strengthen your bond with the craft

journey you take every day to strengthen your bond with the craft

especially inspired while trying to play guitar with my uncle, with him

especially inspired while trying to play guitar with my uncle, with him

saying “Boy, you better get that thing in tune!” I told myself: I’ll be

saying “Boy, you better get that thing in tune!” I told myself: I’ll be

had a hit album. Playing the guitar gave me chance to be a part of

had a hit album. Playing the guitar gave me chance to be a part of

And, of course, seeing a good friend play “Sweet Child of Mine” on guitar to his girlfriend over the

And, of course, seeing a good friend play “Sweet Child of Mine” on guitar to his girlfriend over the

phone confi rmed the guitar was defi nitely on my priority list! But I can honestly say that I never purposefully

phone confi rmed the guitar was defi nitely on my priority list! But I can honestly say that I never purposefully

“So I went to interview with Marilyn and since that day, have actually had the

“So I went to interview with Marilyn and since that day, have actually had the

time of my life. Never thought I would enjoy teaching like I do, but when I’m

time of my life. Never thought I would enjoy teaching like I do, but when I’m

Mississippi and I’m 12 again, playing and hanging out with my best friends

Mississippi and I’m 12 again, playing and hanging out with my best friends

– watching them learn to play and just enjoy how awesome music is. Sounds

– watching them learn to play and just enjoy how awesome music is. Sounds

The adjective “talented” is an understatement that doesn’t even come close to describing this wonderful Courtnay & Rowe teacher. Living a truly multi-faceted lifestyle, Erin Livinghouse redefi nes what it means to be “great” while living life to its fullest. Teaching piano, clarinet, saxophone, fl ute, and voice with C&R is just the beginning of her story. She also brings to the table a deep passion for science, health, exercise, nutrition, knitting, and crocheting. Let’s discover more about what makes Erin tick and how she incorporates all of her passions into every single day of her active life.

How do you handle teaching so many different instruments?

Music has been a part of my life since I was a toddler. I started singing when I was just two years old, and learned how to read music by the time I was four. At around twelve years old, I started playing a piano located at a senior center where my grandfather, a jazz musician, taught me about chords. Since I didn’t know how to read the bass clef yet, I would play music from lead sheets by playing arpeggios for all of the chords. And I played a few woodwind instruments during middle and high school too. So teaching multiple instruments actually comes very naturally to me.

With so much time dedicated to music, how do you fi nd time for anything else?

I meet with numerous clubs and groups of people at different times for varying things. In one of the clubs, we crochet together. We have a goal this year to create and donate 100 scarves to homeless shelters before Winter

arrives. I’m also training with a group of people for a Half Ironman Triathlon coming up in 2013. We go through training regimes called brick workouts where we bike for 30 miles, then run for 5 miles. Over time, we increase the miles and training combinations (i.e. bike/run, or swim/run) until we’re fully prepared for the actual triathlon, which is 70.3 miles long: bike for 56 miles, run for 13 miles, and swim for 1.3 miles.

Of all your activities and interests, you chose to major in Nursing?

I’m getting close to graduating with a major in Nursing and a minor in Piano Performance. Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve been working out in gyms and staying on a healthy, nutritional diet. I am very passionate about science and staying healthy and I see nursing as a way to be able to share that passion with other people. And to complement my music teaching, I’m working toward achieving a concert level of piano performance with the minor in Piano Performance program.

What will you do when you graduate from the university?

My goal in life is to inspire greatness in people. As I continue to strive toward reaching my full potential in life, I want to share my passion for music, science, and living a healthy lifestyle with as many people as possible. I plan on doing this through my career as a Nurse, and by continuing to teach music so that I can continue nurturing all of my blossoming music students.

P I Z Z A , W I N G S & M O R E

“This summer, working with severely disabled children at the Mustard Seed Community in Kingston, Jamaica taught me so much about the value and dignity of human life. We went with the idea of helping them, but it was their love that really blessed all of us!”

— Corinne Orr

Cathedral of Christ the King Mission Trip

Did your child or family do something extra meaningful this summer?

We’d love to know! cecilia@courtnayandrowe.comBradly – continued on back cover

Mary Martha Wiggers, a junior at the Lovett School, was one of 26 students chosen to attend Brown Theatrebridge this summer. Theatrebridge is a 6 week acting intensive that is six emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting weeks on the Brown University campus completing one of the most rigorous and brilliantly constructed pre-college Theatre programs in the country. Mary Martha attended classes from 9 am to 10:30 pm, writing,

developing and performing theatrical works. Mary Martha loved every minute of her experience!