Subject: 🎷 April News from MCMA 🎸

Studio Updates

April 2026

It's April at MCMA, and we're already getting excited for all that summer has to offer, including the wealth of live music in our area! Two of our summer camps include the incredible opportunity for students to perform at the North Atlantic Blues Festival or the Maine Lobster Festival! Early bird registration is open, so it's the perfect time to start planning for summer excitement.


Read on to learn more about our summer camps and Music Together® classes, meet our Student of the Month, plan ahead for our Student Open Mic, and hear how three of our students will be getting an early taste of fame when they perform live on the Good Morning Rockland radio show on April 20!

MEET OUR APRIL STUDENT OF THE MONTH!

Cyrus has been part of MCMA’s Blues Intensive and Jazz Intensive camps, is a member of our Jazz Ensemble, and since November of 2023 has studied with Heather Beers, who had this to say about her student:


"Over the course of this brief time, Cyrus has developed into a fantastic musician with innumerable skills. The transformation as been remarkable. He is now able to transpose melodies on the spot, transcribe very difficult songs in a variety of styles, and play just about anything he wishes to play in many styles. He is a voracious learner, consuming every bit of music theory, history, and practice technique I share with him while also interpreting music in a very sophisticated manner. Cyrus is hungry to learn. He has recently added slap bass into his toolbox and has incorporated that technique into his playing quickly and seamlessly. Cyrus brings a bright mind and sharp intelligence to his lessons along with deep gratitude and humility. Cyrus always carries an "empty cup" which is why he is able to integrate information so quickly and what makes him one of the finest students I have ever worked with. Additionally, over the course of our work together he has gained confidence, self possession, and the ability to express himself with a much greater range. I’m immensely proud of him and the work he has done." Photo by Siri Jones Photography.

MCMA OPEN MIC MAY 1!

Join us for our Student Open Mic Friday, May 1st 6:00-7:30pm at the Villager Café, 25 Mechanic Street in Camden! Doors will open at 5:30pm so you can order food before the music starts. Students who are interested in performing should fill out this form, OR talk to their instructor and fill it out together. 


This event is open to the public! A $15 donation is suggested, and any amount is welcome! Donations will help cover event costs and allow MCMA to continue to host performance events throughout the year.


We're very grateful to our friends at the cafe and Midcoast Villager for hosting what's going to be a wonderful night of music. Students of all ages will be sharing their gifts with the community. 

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION

Registration is open for MCMA's amazing summer music camps!


Girls Rock Mini-Camp: June 29-July 3


Blues Intensive: July 6-10, which includes a performance at the North Atlantic Blues Festival!


Gig Camp: July 27-31, which includes a performance at the Maine Lobster Festival!


Jazz Intensive: August 10-14


We're offering an early bird discount until April 15th, and tuition assistance is available!


MUSIC TOGETHER® SPRING SESSION

Music Together® classes are back in Belfast and Rockport! These mixed-age classes for children from birth through age 5—and the grownups who love them—are the perfect way to start your child’s music story early and successfully! Tuition assistance is available.


This session features the energetic Maracas Song Collection! Songs include the American children’s song, "Ha Ha This a-Way" made famous by legendary blues guitarist Huddle Ledbetter (aka "Lead Belly"), the enchantingly rhythmic "Al citrón," based on a traditional Latin American children's game, and "'Bout My Friends," sure to have everyone dancing to its funky blues.


Tuesdays at 9:30am at Waterfall Arts in Belfast

Fridays at 9:30am at MCMA in Rockport


 STUDENTS ON THE RADIO APRIL 20TH!

MCMA will be featured on the Good Morning Rockland show on WRFR at 8am on Monday, April 20th! Students Alder Hancock (top, photo by Siri Jones Photography), Cyrus Huff (middle, photo by Siri Jones Photography) and Isa Rico (bottom, photo by Wyatt McConnell) will be joining our Executive Director Jen Feldman to play live on the air and talk about their experiences at MCMA.


You can catch the show live on the radio at 93.3 FM, stream it online on WRFR's website or listen to a recording of the show later at this same link.

FACULTY UPDATES

Kate Fiano

Kate will be playing music at a Garden Party at the Carriage House (9 Green St, Thomaston, ME) on May 1.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Watts Hall:

Blues Night ft. Johnny Rawls, the Mississippi Blues Man (presented by Paul Benjamin, founder of the North Atlantic Blues Festival and MCMA board member!)

Friday, April 24, 2026

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Watts Hall Community Arts 174 Main St, Thomaston $25 in advance / $30 day of show. Tickets here!

Rockport Opera House:

Folk, Fiddle and Feet

Sunday, April 12, 2026

2:00 - 6:00 PM


A lively matinee concert at 4pm with an Appalachian flatfooting workshop first!

Tickets here!

Strand Theatre:

Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man, a whale of a tale told in the classic tradition, accompanied by projections of Robert McCloskey’s iconic artwork alongside live music by Halcyon String Quartet.

Strand Theatre, Rockland

Saturday, April 11, 2 pm, $0-$20 sliding scale.

Tickets here!

IMPORTANT DATES

  • April 20, 8amMCMA on WRFR, 93.3 FM

  • April break 20-24 (MCMA closed)

  • May 1, 6pm: Open Mic Villager Café


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