October Newsletter 2025
Happy Fall, SSM Students and Families! Our October 2025 newsletter is packed with many exciting updates and shining moments from our incredible students. Take a little time to check
out all the happenings at Soundscapes!
Save the Date: SSM 2026 Winter Recital
Mark your calendar for the upcoming Soundscapes School of Music Winter recital! You won't want to miss the chance to applaud the tremendous talent and hard work of our students and teachers, who always pour their hearts into every performance. Join us on January 10, 2026, at 3 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Decatur. Bring your family and friends along to enjoy an afternoon filled with beautiful music and joyful celebration. We can't wait to see you there! More details regarding recital sign-up will be coming your way soon!
Big News: Soundscapes Nominated for "Best of Georgia" 2025
Soundscapes School of Music is in the running for "Best of Georgia" 2025! With less than two weeks remaining, the countdown is on. Let's make some noise and bring home and back-to back win for Soundscapes. Vote as much as once a day here: https://gbj.com/stone-mountain/arts-entertainment/soundscapes-school-of-music
Costume Week (October 27th - Nov. 1)
The week of October 27th will be Costume Week, where everyone is encouraged to come dressed in their best costumes for lessons. Whether you’re a superhero, a pumpkin, or anything in between, we can’t wait to see your amazing outfits! Plus, to make things even sweeter, we’ll have delicious treats for everyone to enjoy. So, mark your calendars and come join the festive fun!
Music Together Classes Off To A Great Start
Our Music Together Classes are filled with fun, laughter, and exciting musical adventures! Children aged 2 to 5, along with their family and friends, enjoy singing songs from different cultures and languages. They also get to explore various instruments like drums and shakers, making it a joyful experience for everyone involved. Watching these little ones move and groove while learning about music is truly heartwarming. If you're curious about the internationally recognized Music Together program, click here for more details: https://www.soundscapesmusicstonemountain.com/musictogether.
December Musical Meetup: The 99th Annual Morehouse-Spelman Christmas Carol Concert
Join us on Sunday, December 7th at 6PM for the 99th Annual Morehouse-Spelman Christmas Carol Concert, a beloved time honored tradition. This free gift to the Atlanta community is a wonderful opportunity for families to ring in the Christmas season with the world-renowned Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Clubs.
Welcome to Our New Students
Jordyn M.
Shay T.
Marie-Michelle N.
Feben E.
Dieunel D.
Jacob S.
Kyndalyn A.
Janelle W.
Avery T.
Ethan S.
Kaycee T.
Logan M.
Phillip W.
Winter M.
Bryan L.
Phoenix M.
Amalia N.
Moses N.
Lillian L.
Rosalyn W.
Frances L.
Ava F.
Nova T.
Jabari B.
Zaire W.
Taylor G.
Jennifer H.
John G.
Grace K.
Auria H.
Elijah G.
Welcome To Our New Teachers
We have four amazing new teachers joining the Soundscapes team: Ms. Taylor (Brass, Flute, Guitar, Piano, and Voice), Mr. Adam (Drums), Mrs. Calisa (Piano and Voice), and Mrs. Heidi (Piano and Violin). These teachers bring a wealth of teaching and performing experience to our music lessons! To learn more about them, visit https://www.soundscapesmusicstonemountain.com/#MeetOurTeam
Not A Student Yet?
Not a student yet? More and more people are discovering Soundscapes and we are growing, so get in on the ground floor while slots are still available! We’d love to have you join us! Get
started at https://www.soundscapesmusicstonemountain.com, call or text 404-919-4514. We’re open six days a week.
Currently Open Spots
Mr. Adam (drums)
Thursdays (Open Availability Starting a 2PM)
Ms. Alicia (piano)
Mondays: Three spots left
Wednesdays: Five spots left
Fridays: Five spots left
Mrs. Calisa (voice/piano)
Tuesdays: Two spots left
Thursdays: Two spots left
Fridays: Two spots left
Saturdays: Two spots left
Mr. Courtland (multiple instruments)
Mondays: Open Home School Hours Availability (10-3)
After School Hours: Two spots left
Wednesdays: Open Home School Hours Availability (10:30-12)
After School Hours: Open availability
Mrs. Heidi (violin/piano)
Tuesday: One spot left
Thursday: Two spots left
Saturday: Five spots left
Dr. J (piano)
Mondays: After School Hours: Three spots left
Tuesdays: Open Home School Hours Availability (10-3)
After School Hours: Two spots left
Wednesdays:Open Home School Hours Availability (10-3)
After School Hours: Two spots left
Thursday: Open Home School Hours Availability (10-3)
After School Hours: One spot left
Friday: Open Home School Hours Availability (10-3)
After School Hours: Two spots left
Ms. Taylor (multiple instruments)
Mondays-Wednesdays (Open Home School and After School Availability)
Mr. Taylor (drums)
Wednesdays: (Open Home School and After School Availability)
Student Spotlight: Marie-Michelle, violin
Marie-Michelle has been at Soundscapes for three months, and her progress has been truly impressive! Under Ms. Heidi's guidance, she has shown remarkable dedication and seriousness in her music studies. Ms. Heidi often praises her for being a focused and hardworking student who really puts in the effort during her practice sessions. It's wonderful to see Marie-Michelle’s passion for learning shine through, and we can't wait to see how much more she will grow. Keep up the great work, Marie-Michelle! Click here to take a listen to Marie-Michelle's progress!
Kyndalyn Named A National Winner of MLK "Messages of Peace" Literacy Competition & More
We are thrilled to celebrate Soundscapes student, Kyndalyn, for two outstanding honors that showcase her talent, voice, and commitment to peace and the arts. Kyndalyn was recently
selected as a child reader for the Faith Ringgold exhibit at the prestigious High Museum of Art, lending her voice to a powerful celebration of storytelling and visual culture.
In addition, Kyndalyn has been named a national winner of the MLK “Messages of Peace” Literary Competition. Her inspiring poem, Petals of Peace, is now featured in the Peace Rose Garden at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, GA — a beautiful tribute to her vision of harmony and hope.
Kyndalyn’s accomplishments are a testament to the power of youth voices in shaping a more peaceful and creative world. Congratulations, Kyndalyn!
Musical Ladder Achievements
Congratulations to all our students who passed their challenges and earned their Musical Ladder awards! Soundscapes is the only licensed Musical Ladder System® school in the State of Georgia where students earn certificates, colorful wristbands, and trophies for their musical achievements!
Brielle earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 6 months!
Alanna earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Marius earned his certificate, wristband, and trophy for 6 months!
Lauren earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
RJ earned his certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Sami earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 6 months!
Chloe earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 6 months!
Christian earned his certificate, wristband, and trophy for 6 months!
Darius earned his certificate, wristband, and trophy for 6 months!
Zane earned his certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Logan earned his certificate and wristband for 3 months!
Jordyn earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 6 months!
Elias earned his certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Utalio earned his certificate, wristband, and trophy for 6 months!
Matthew earned his certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Avery earned her certificate and wristband for 3 months!
Kaycee earned her certificate and wristband for 3 months!
Aubrey earned her certificate and wristband for 3 months!
Robert earned his certificate, wristband, and trophy for 6 months!
Phillip earned his certificate and wristband for 3 months!
Grace earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Brenda earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Hanan earned her certificate and wristband for 9 months!
Alex earned his certificate and wristband for 3 months!
Sophia earned her certificate and wristband for 3 months!
Kyndalyn earned her certificate and wristband 3 months!
Kailey earned her certificate and wristband for 3 months!
Marley earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Coainelle earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Zora earned her certificate, wristband, and trophy for 1 year!
Mayleena earned her certificate and wristband for 9 months!
Brixton earned her certificate and wristband for 9 months!
August-Gregory earned his certificate and wristband for 9 months!
Not Pictured:
Amir C. (Songbird - 6 months)
Auston M. (Musician - 9 months)
Jalen J. (Rockstar - 1 year)
Azzah N. (Musician - 9 months)
Lennox B. (Musician - 9 months)
Upcoming Dates
Thanksgiving Break: November 24th - 29th (No Lessons/Classes)
Winter Break: December 21st - January 3rd (No Lessons/Classes)
Refer A Friend or Family Member!
We are excited to offer you the opportunity to earn a gift card of your choice—either a $25 Visa, Target, or Chick-Fil-A card—for each new student you refer who successfully enrolls at Soundscapes School of Music. This is not only a great way to share the joy of music education with your friends and family but also a chance for you to be rewarded for your support.
2025 Spring Newsletter
Welcome to Our New Students
- Darius E.
- Amir C.
- Aria M.
- August W.
- Azzah N.
- Brielle R.
- Coainelle D.
- Daphne C.
- Ehgay M.
- Hanan W.
- Lennox B.
- Madhavi C.
- Marley C.
- Murdie B.
- Robert W.
- Stephanie R.
- Utalio S.
- Steve O.
- Chloe D.
- Christopher D.
- Barbara W.
- Lin B.
- Zaire B.
- Sami D.
- Grayson A.
- Kairo M.
- Cali B.
- E. Rodriguez
- Marius B.
2025 Spring Recital Update: SAVE THE DATE
We are looking forward to our 2025 Spring recital. The tentative date for
the recital will be June 7th, 2025. Please save the date. Be on the look
out soon for more info about the time and location.
MATTHEW RECEIVES "FIRST CLASS HONORS" ON ROYAL CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC EXAMINATION
Wow, let’s give it up for piano student, Matthew! He just crushed the Royal Conservatory of Music Level 1 Examination and snagged "First Class Honors!" That’s one of the top scores you can achieve, and it’s no small feat! It took serious dedication and hard work to prepare those five pieces from various musical eras, not to mention mastering ear training, sight reading, and rhythmic reading! We at Soundscapes couldn’t be prouder of you, Matthew! Your achievement not only shines a spotlight on your talent but also inspires all of us in the Soundscapes family to reach for the stars in our own musical adventures! Matthew is a student of Dr. Darius Johnson
LAUREN RECEIVES EXCELLENT EVALUATION IN THE MUSIC TEACHERS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION eFESTIVAL!
Piano student, Lauren, submitted a video of her playing Florence Price's "Ticklin' Toes" to the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) eFestival. The eFestival is an opportunity for students to receive constructive feedback about their playing and progress from experts (college professors, master teachers, etc.) from around the country. Below is an excerpt from Lauren's feedback: "Ticklin' Toes (Florence Price) - You love playing this piece, and it shows! Your memorization is confident and solid. You move around the keyboard so smoothly. Wonderful job with the syncopated rhythms and with keeping the tempo flowing steadily. The dance never stopped! One of my favorite moments was the ending, with your big, dramatic accelerando and crescendo! So fun! Your playing brought a smile to my face today. Keep up your great work with the piano! You have already developed many excellent skills and are a poised performer. I'm glad I got to listen to you play today. Thank you for sharing your video." Lauren was evaluated by Katherine Wright, NCTM. Wright is a nationally certified teacher of music who teaches in Chesapeake, VA. Lauren is a student of Dr. Darius Johnson. Congratulations, Lauren and keep up the good work!
Participation in the MTNA eFestival is open to all Soundscapes students at any level. Let your or your child's teacher know if you are interested.
CONGRATS TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS FOR MOVING ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF PIANO ADVENTURES!
Marley (Moving to Level 1). Marley is a student of Ms. Alicia Taylor.
Zane (Moving to Level 2). Zane is a student of Dr. Darius Johnson
Zora (Moving to My First Piano Adventurers Book B). Zora is a student of Ms. Alicia Taylor.
PIANO STUDENT, ELIAS, HEADED TO ODYSSEY OF THE MIND WORLD FINALS
Elias and his Odyssey of the Mind (OM) team won 1st place in their division in regionals in Columbus, GA. OM "is a creative problem-solving competition that gives kids the confidence to think for themselves and to create solutions to any challenge." They will compete in the World Finals in May on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI (the alma mater of Drs. Johnson & Johnson - Go Spartans!). Congratulations Elias and good luck at the World Finals!!
OPEN SLOTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR DRUMS AND VOICE
Drum Lessons
Our drum teacher, Mr. Taylor, now has spots available and is accepting students for Wednesday lessons. Interested in lessons for you or a family member?
Voice Lessons
Our voice teacher, Ms. Bria, now has spots available and is accepting students for Wednesday lessons. Ms. Bria has opened for major stars such as Gladys Knight, After 7, and the Temptations.
Give us a call at 404-919-4514 before all spots are booked!
Spots Still Available for Music Together Classes
Spots are still available for our internationally recognized early childhood curriculum, Music Together! This vibrant and engaging program is designed to nurture your child's musical development in a playful and joyful environment. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to share in the magic of music-making with your little ones! Be sure to register by April 23rd to secure your spot for our exciting Spring session, which kicks off on April 26th. Learn more and enroll here: https://soundscapesschoolofmusic.opus1.io/w/ssmmusictogetherenrollment
SOUNDSCAPES SCHOOL OF MUSIC IS NOW A ROYAL
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC PARTNER SCHOOL
We’re thrilled to share that Soundscapes School of Music is now a Royal
Conservatory of Music Partner School! Get ready to take your musical
journey to new heights with us! Interested families and students can now
participate in the internationally recognized RCM certificate program.
“The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program is a comprehensive
system of music study and assessment from Elementary through to
Advanced levels. In many countries, it is considered the gold standard
for developing high-calibre musical literacy.” Let your teacher know if you
are interested in this opportunity!
DR. JOHNSON & FAMILY FEATURED IN FEBRUARY ISSUE OF LILBURN LIVING MAGAZINE
In February, Dr. Johnson and Family were featured on the cover of Lilburn Living Magazine. Next time you are in the waiting room, give it a read to learn more about the Johnson family!
ENJOYING YOUR EXPERIENCE AT SOUNDSCAPES?
REFER A FRIEND
When you refer a friend to Soundscapes, you’ll receive a $25 gift card for each student who enrolls, as a heartfelt thank you for helping us grow the Soundscapes community!
MISSING GLASSES?
Someone left their glasses. If they belong to you, give us a call at 404-919- 4514 to claim them.
JANUARY NEWSLETTER | 2025
SOUNDSCAPES SCHOOL OF MUSIC IS NOW AN OFFICIALLY LICENSED MUSIC TOGETHER CENTER
We are excited to share that this spring, we will offer the internationally recognized early childhood music curriculum, Music Together®. Our mixed-age classes for families with children ages 3-5 will bring families together for 45 minutes of singing, creative movement, and instrument play. You’ll explore and experiment with rhythm sticks, egg shakers, resonator bells, gathering drums, and more. The mixed-age model means that the whole family can take class together, and gives unique opportunities for social-emotional learning, creativity, and confidence building. Music Together is an excellent way to build students' music fundamentals prior to enrolling in our private music lesson options. Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, you can learn more about Music Together here.
January 2025 Winter Recital Recap
Wow, what an absolutely amazing winter recital we had! We couldn't be prouder of our talented student performers who dazzled us all with their incredible skills. Each and every one of them brought their A-game, and it was a joy to see them shine so brightly! As we bask in the glow of this success, we’re already buzzing with excitement for our upcoming spring recital—get ready for more unforgettable performances! Don’t miss out on the fun—check out our brand-new promotional video featuring some highlights from the recital, along with a collection of photos that capture all the magic!
December Meet Up: Morehouse-Spelman Christmas Carol Concert
What a joyous occasion the 98th Annual Morehouse-Spelman Christmas Carol was, truly the perfect way to jingle all the way into the holiday season! The talented voices of the world-renowned Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Clubs filled the air with delightful Christmas melodies. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and students who joined us. We can’t wait to see you at our next musical meetup
Pleased With Your Experience? Refer Someone!
We are excited to offer you the opportunity to earn a gift card of your choice—either a $25 Visa, Target, Amazon, or Chick-Fil-A card—for each new student you refer who successfully enrolls at Soundscapes School of Music. This is not only a great way to share the joy of music education with your friends and family but also a chance for you to be rewarded for your support.
Sick Policy
We truly value the health and safety of our community, and we understand that sometimes illness can strike. While we will miss your presence in lessons, we wholeheartedly encourage you to prioritize your well-being and stay home if you are feeling unwell. By doing so, you are not only caring for yourself but also protecting your fellow students and instructors from potential illness.
