In This Month’s Newsletter

The Benefits of Learning Guitar and Related String Instruments
Fun and Important Dates
Upcoming Recitals and Forum
Welcome Our New Students
Teacher Spotlight: Suzanne Cleveland
Did You Know?
Learning Both Lead Guitar and Chords Builds Real Musicianship
Inspirations
Music Playdates in the Parks
Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?
Referral Program

The Benefits of Learning Guitar and Related String Instruments

Learning a string instrument is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding ways to begin (or continue) a musical journey. Instruments like guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, and mandolin are especially inviting because students can start making real music right away.

With just a few simple chords or patterns, they can accompany songs they already love, play with friends, and feel a genuine sense of accomplishment early on.

One of the greatest benefits of learning these instruments is how naturally they support creativity and independence. Students can sing while they play, write their own songs, and explore a wide variety of musical styles, from folk and classical to rock, pop, jazz, and bluegrass. These instruments also develop important musical skills such as rhythm, coordination, listening, and musical memory, all while keeping the experience fun and engaging.

Each instrument offers something a little different:

The guitar is incredibly versatile. It can be used for melody, harmony, and rhythm all at once, making it a wonderful “all-in-one” instrument for both solo playing and group music-making. Whether acoustic or electric, it opens the door to countless styles and musical experiences.

The bass guitar has a unique and powerful role. It provides the foundation of the music, connecting rhythm and harmony. Students who play bass often enjoy being the “glue” of an ensemble, and they quickly develop strong rhythmic skills and a deep sense of musical timing.

The ukulele is small, approachable, and full of charm. Its size makes it especially comfortable for younger students, and its simple chord shapes allow beginners to play songs quickly. It’s a joyful instrument that encourages singing and sharing music with others.

The banjo brings a bright, energetic sound that is instantly recognizable. Its picking patterns are both fun and satisfying to learn, and it connects students to rich musical traditions, especially in folk and bluegrass styles.

The mandolin offers a beautiful, ringing tone and is often used in ensemble settings. Its paired strings create a rich sound, and students enjoy learning melodies and rhythmic strumming patterns that fit into many styles, from classical to folk to contemporary music.

Perhaps most importantly, these instruments invite students into a lifelong relationship with music. They are portable, social, and deeply expressive.

Whether played at home, with friends, or on stage, they provide countless opportunities for creativity, confidence, and joy.

For many students, picking up one of these instruments is not just the start of learning music—it’s the beginning of making music a meaningful and lasting part of their lives.

FUN and IMPORTANT DATES

**Flag Day**
Sunday, June 14
During Off-Days (6/13 to 6/15, Closed)

**Father’s Day**
Sunday, June 21
Lessons are ON (Open)

**Juneteenth**
Friday, June 19
Lessons are ON (Open)

Upcoming Recitals and Forum

Recitals

Forum

**Please welcome**
**our NEW Students who enrolled**
**in April**

Elliott E.
Grey E.
Alex G.
Nathan P.
Nick Y.
Thalia Joy Y.

Teacher Spotlight

Suzanne Cleveland

Miss Suzanne has been teaching at the Laguna Niguel School of Music since 2023, where she teaches private individual, small group, and "Mommy & Me" music lessons to students of all ages.

She also leads our weekly Music Playdates in the Parks, creating joyful and engaging musical experiences for families throughout South Orange County. And, Miss Suzanne always looks forward to running the studio’s piano summer camp programs, planning all our studio recitals, and arranging community recitals for our Concert Performance Team (CPT).

Miss Suzanne's passion for music and dedication to her students shine through in every aspect of her work. At the heart of her teaching, Miss Suzanne strives to build meaningful connections with students and create learning environments where all students feel comfortable and excited about coming to their lessons.

Miss Suzanne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in mild/moderate special education. She also holds certifications in Early Childhood Education and TESOL (ESL), allowing her to support a wide range of learners with care and expertise.

A lifelong musician, Miss Suzanne began taking piano lessons at the age of six and continued her formal training for ten years. During her childhood, she had the opportunity to participate in a statewide music competition, NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association), where she earned a performance score from a panel of judges.

Outside of the studio, Miss Suzanne enjoys spending time with her family, her young adult son and daughter, and her husband; together they own and operate a local residential painting business in Mission Viejo.

Miss Suzanne believes that “the goal of every lesson is not just skill, but joy, confidence, and belonging.”

Did You Know?
Learning Both Lead Guitar and Chords Builds Real Musicianship

When a student learns guitar, there is real value in developing both sides of the instrument: lead playing and playing chords. Lead guitar invites students into melody.

It sharpens the ear, strengthens phrasing, and helps them think musically in a linear, expressive way.

Students begin to hear direction in sound, to shape lines, and to connect what they play to what they hear internally.

Playing chords, on the other hand, builds a harmonic foundation. It develops rhythm, timing, and a sense of structure. Students learn how music is supported, how progressions move, and how to create a steady, confident musical framework for others to play or sing over.

When these two approaches are learned together, students begin to experience the guitar as a connected musical language. They understand how melody and harmony relate, and they can move between roles—leading, supporting, accompanying, creating—with flexibility and confidence. This kind of balanced approach leads to more complete musicianship. Students are not just learning songs. They are learning how music works.

Inspirations

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and
sisters, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that the testing
of your faith produces perseverance.”

— James 1:2-3

“And since all this loveliness cannot be
Heaven, I know in my heart it is June.”

— Abba Louisa Goold Woolson

Music Playdates in the Parks

Weekly on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings
from 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Meet friends, dance a little, sing along, play with some musical instruments, and other fun toys!
Find us near the playground.
See park schedule on our website.

Did You Read Your Newsletter Contest?

June 2026

To encourage everyone to read the Dennis Frayne Music Studio Newsletter, each month we’ll feature a new contest winner or a new contest. Be sure to read your newsletter each month to see if your name has been drawn or you might miss out!

This month’s winner is Carter Jax Carranco