Instruction & Trainings

Sharing our years of professional expertise with the community–fellow humans young and old–is core to the Sunrise Transparence ethos.

Instruction & Trainings FAQ

Q: Why should I/my student study music?

Besides being simply a fun, life-long skill, there are many benefits to learning and playing music. Here are a few:

Social-emotional benefits: The creative arts foster social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development, as well as self-discovery, insight, and release of conscious/unconscious tension and stress. (cf. UCLArts & Healing)

Academic benefits: “Music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention, making predictions and updating the event in memory.” (Mitzi Baker, Stanford School of Medicine); “Music activates both the left and right brain at the same time, and the activation of both hemispheres can maximize learning and improve memory.” (Dr. Masha Godkin)

College benefits: Colleges like to see well-rounded applicants, and many students use music scholarships to help them afford their higher education pursuits!

Q: What is the Sunrise Transparence Music & Audio difference?

At STM&A, you’re not just an account in a spreadsheet or a task on an assembly line. We pride ourselves on our personalized, mindfulness-based approach to teaching and sharing the joy of music and audio. We believe that everyone—no matter their age or background—can make music and experience its power to help us grow and heal as humans, both internally and interpersonally, and are honored by each opportunity to facilitate this.

Some of the ways we put this into practice are through our signature “Exploration Lesson” program (see below) to allow each student to find the way of music-making that most resonates with them as an individual; through our commitment to inclusion of students with learning or physical differences; and through our person-centered approach which empowers students on each step on their road to music-making success, from breathing in to play the first note to audition/performance preparation, with accessible explanations and playful, creative explorations—no boring, incomprehensible rote memorization here!

Q: What instruments can I study with STM&A?

A: At STM&A, we know that one size does not fit all, and each student is a unique individual! Unlike some music schools which restrict students to a choice of two or three instruments, we offer expert instruction in the following:

–Brass: trombone (tenor/bass), trumpet, horn, euphonium, tuba

–Woodwinds: clarinet (soprano/bass), flute, saxophone (alto/tenor/bari), oboe/English horn, bassoon

–Piano/Keyboard

–Voice

We also teach music theory, improvisation, writing music, and ear training—both in focused, specialized lessons (ie composition lessons or theory lessons), and as a part of all our instrumental/vocal lessons to ensure each student gains a well-rounded understanding of music.

Q: What if I’m not sure what instrument is the best fit for me/the best fit for my student?

A: You’re not alone—many music students are not sure what instrument they’d like to play. At STM&A, we offer an initial “Exploration Lesson” where students can try instruments from the brass, woodwind, and keyboard families—hands-on, with individualized pointers to help them make their first sounds on each. We’ve found that students are much more likely to enjoy and stick with playing their instruments if they’ve had the opportunity to “test drive” a few before deciding which one they click with best, as it may be different than their initial assumption. Call, email, or text today to schedule your Exploration Lesson!

Q: What ages/levels of students does STM&A teach?

A: All ages! Preschoolers, elementary schoolers, middle and high schoolers, and adults have all grown in their musical journeys through lessons and classes—whether complete beginners, intermediate, or advanced students. We also welcome returning musicians who have taken some time away from playing/making music and would like to try a new approach. Each session is tailored to the individual(s) participating, taking into account their strengths, weaknesses, interests, and experience.

If you are not sure whether your student is ready for music lessons, we recommend booking an “Exploration Lesson” where the student will get to try playing instruments hands-on, and the instructor can assess the student’s readiness for ongoing lessons. Contact us with any questions, or to schedule!

Q: Does STM&A accept charter school funds?

A: Yes! Sunrise Transparence Music & Audio is an approved charter school vendor with Blue Ridge Academy; if you are with another charter school, we’d be happy to explore becoming a vendor with them as well! Reach out today!

All programs offered to charter school students are non-religious.

Q: I’m with a performance venue/house of worship/educational institution/etc, and I’m interested in having STM&A train my audio/audiovisual staff/volunteer team/other group. What are my options?

A: Sunrise Transparence is happy to assist with your training needs! We have developed unique comprehensive “Live Sound Basics” and “Recording 101” curriculums (complete with take-home outline notes handouts), which incorporate a balance of lecture and discussion—as well as plenty of opportunities for students to get hands-on experience with audio gear. Each session can be tailored to your venue/organization’s audio needs, configuration, and equipment. Other topics (audiovisual basics, video switching, live streaming, etc) can also be covered—reach out today to find out how we can assist with training your team!

Q: Can I have STM&A come give a class/summer camp/workshop/special presentation/etc to my students/club/community group/etc?

A: Yes! We offer a wide range of such programs; here are some recent examples, or we’d be happy to put something together tailor-made for your group! Give us a call or email—let’s talk about what would work best for you!

Workshops: Breathing Foundations for Success with Brass and Woodwinds; Live Sound Basics’ Music Exploratorium; Reimagining Music: collaborative musicianship – improv – texture exploration; Mindfulness and Improvisation Games.

Music Group Classes (weekly ongoing classes): Preschool introductory music classes (singing, movement, percussion instruments, basic keyboard geography, rhythms, and pitches); Harmony Road (group keyboard/foundational musicianship classes); Recording 101; Beginning Winds/Brass; College-level/AP Prep Musicianship (harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic dictation and sight-singing); Electronic Music Composition (DAW use for composers/producers: Ableton/Logic/ProTools)

Summer Camps/Intensives: Music Explorers’ Camps (for beginning/young musicians); Writing Your Own Music; Recording Studio Camp; Jump-Start Brass and Woodwinds

About Anj

Sunrise Transparence Music & Audio founder Anj Vancura is an active Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist (check out my one-person, 100 piece wind orchestra video below!), audio engineer, and music educator. Anj has been directing and teaching music for 17 years, and has a B.Mus. from the USC Thornton School of Music and an M.A. in Composition for Visual Media from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. [One person wind orchestra video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE1q-84RWtQ ]

In addition to teaching private lessons, Anj’s experience includes designing and leading a variety of workshops, classes, and programs, from Pre-K through the university level. Anj works with each student to build a foundation in solid technique, while incorporating creative activities and relevant pieces. Anj is a friendly, patient teacher who is flexible and adaptive to each student’s interests, helping them to own their musical journey and meet their goals! A performing member of groups from 100+ member wind ensembles and orchestras, to mid-size jazz groups and experimental improv ensembles, to worship bands & church music groups, prog/psych rock bands, and early music groups (specializing in sackbut — the Renaissance ancestor of the trombone), Anj brings fresh insights drawn from this diversity of experience to each lesson.

Anj’s teaching experience includes positions on faculty at Cornerstone Music Conservatory in West Los Angeles and Hills Academy of Music, Art, and Dance in Torrance, CA; as an instructor at Gray School of Music in San Pedro; teaching a musicianship (sight singing and ear training) section at UCLA; and teaching general music and beginning winds classes at West Los Angeles-area schools.

Anj has performed at venues from the Walt Disney Concert Hall to the bluewhale jazz club in downtown Los Angeles and at countless private weddings, anniversaries, and other special events. As a sound engineer, Anj regularly mixed concerts, theatre, and other events at the indoor and outdoor venues of the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. Highlights of Anj’s performing career include opening for John Zorn and Secret Chiefs 3, special performances with Ozomatli and Gwen Stefani, and playing in Kenny Burrell’s Ellingtonia Orchestra. The Los Angeles Symphonic Winds has premiered several of Anj’s compositions (Anj has also been a performing member of the LASW), and Anj has also served as co-artistic director of the Commercium Musicum renaissance winds.