STARTING ON THE RIGHT NOTE: Music school open in Anthem

Academy also hopes to stage musicals, offer acting classes

Top, music instructor Peter Andrews, right, shows Dylan Stansbury, 8, where to place his fingers on the guitar strings during a lesson at the New Song Lutheran Church, 1291 Cornet St. Michael Sutorius, 14, plays the clarinet at the New Song Performing Arts Academy.PHOTOS by LOUIE TRAUB/VIEW Top, music instructor Peter Andrews, right, shows Dylan Stansbury, 8, where to place his fingers on the guitar strings during a lesson at the New Song Lutheran Church, 1291 Cornet St. Michael Sutorius, 14, plays the clarinet at the New Song Performing Arts Academy.PHOTOS by LOUIE TRAUB/VIEW Advertisement

New Song Lutheran Church has always been musical, but with the addition of the Academy of Performing Arts, now the musicians are trained.

The New Song Performing Arts Academy opened in the church in September. The music school offers lessons in voice, piano, violin, guitar, drums, trumpet and saxophone. Students can start when they are 6 years old, and adults are welcome.

Dylan Stansbury, 8, who started taking guitar lessons about six weeks ago, said he has played many instruments for fun, but the guitar is the first one he has received lessons for.

"My mom told me I should start with piano or guitar first, and I think I'm going to stick with guitar," Dylan said.

Dylan said he wanted to start with drums, but the academy's music minister, Jason Manlapaz, said students should have some understanding of chords when they go into music.

Manlapaz was the music director for the Venetian Opera Program before he began working with New Song. He teaches voice and piano and has recruited teachers who also perform on the Strip.

"What separates Las Vegas from other cities is that our teachers are also professionals," Manlapaz said. "It's one thing to teach something, but if you do it for a living, too, you bring something more."

Peter Andrews, who performs at The Venetian, has been teaching for 30 years.

"I love the students," Andrews said. "I learn something every single time I work with them."

Andrews said it's nice to have a mixture of children and adult students. Children are so open-minded, but because he has a teaching background, he can really bring those professional aspects in when he's working with adults, he said.

The academy will have two recitals each year, and the church has four additional concerts.

Although academy participants do not have to be members of the church, students are invited to perform during church services.

"This has been a great program," said Dylan's mom, Sue Stansbury. "We're really impressed with it. It's a great environment."

Manlapaz studied musical theater at the Las Vegas Academy and in Miami and London. He said his goal for the Performing Arts Academy is to put on full musicals at the church.

"I would like to provide different entertainment than you can get on the Strip," he said.

There is an acting teacher available, and Manlapaz said they will begin classes as soon as enough students are enrolled.

Manlapaz said the church chose the name New Song because it was important to the founders that music be a big part of the church.

New Song members have been worshiping together for about five years, but the church opened in Anthem at 1291 Cornet St., in September 2006.

Lessons are $45 an hour and $25 each for groups of three or more.

Manlapaz said New Song is applying for grants and would like to give scholarships.

The academy is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Manlapaz said that when those times are filled up, they will expand the hours to include Monday, Friday and Saturday.

For more information, visit www.newsonganthem.org.