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Practice Challenge

Time to get practicing! We’re kicking off our Practice Challenge!

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We're a fun-loving music school in SF inspiring creativity and cultivating musicianship with music lessons & classes for all! #MakeMoreMusic #MusicEd

Composer of the Week: Missy Mazzoli (b. 1980) Mis

Composer of the Week: Missy Mazzoli (b. 1980) Missy Mazzoli was born on October 27, 1980, in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and has become one of the leading voices in contemporary classical music. Working at the intersection of classical, indie rock, and electronic sound worlds, she is known for emotionally intense music that feels both modern and deeply human. Mazzoli has written operas, orchestral works, chamber music, and film scores, including the operas ‘Breaking the Waves’, ‘Proving Up’, and ‘The Listeners’. In 2022, she made history as one of the first women to receive a Metropolitan Opera commission. Beyond composing, she is a passionate advocate for living composers and co-founded the Luna Composition Lab to support young women and nonbinary composers. Mazzoli’s music expands the boundaries of classical tradition while insisting that new music can be bold, expressive, and urgently relevant. What else can you learn about Missy Mazzoli this week? #ComposerOfTheWeek #MakeMoreMusic #MusicEducation #MusicHistory #MissyMazzoli

Composer of the Week: Dorothy Donegan (1922–1998)

Composer of the Week: Dorothy Donegan (1922–1998) Dorothy Donegan was born on April 6, 1922, in Chicago, Illinois, and became one of the most electrifying pianists in jazz history. A prodigy who studied classical piano at an early age, she later embraced jazz, developing a fearless, high-energy style that blended stride, swing, and virtuosic flair. Performing mainly during the bebop and post-swing eras, Donegan was known for dazzling technique, dramatic stage presence, and unpredictable improvisations. She toured internationally and performed at prestigious venues, often reworking familiar standards into bold, explosive performances. Despite facing racism and sexism throughout her career, she carved out a space through sheer musical brilliance. Donegan’s playing combined humor, power, and technical mastery, challenging expectations of what jazz piano could be. Today, she is remembered as a trailblazing performer whose artistry demanded attention and respect. What else can you learn about Dorothy Donegan this week? #ComposerOfTheWeek #MakeMoreMusic #MusicEducation #MusicHistory #DorothyDonegan

A little Tchaikovsky to brighten your day! 🎵

A little Tchaikovsky to brighten your day! 🎵

Composer of the Week: Ludovic Lamothe (1882–1953)

Composer of the Week: Ludovic Lamothe (1882–1953) Ludovic Lamothe was born on January 26, 1882, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and became one of the most important composers in Haitian musical history. Often called the “Black Chopin,” Lamothe was a pianist and composer who fused European Romantic piano traditions with Haitian folk rhythms and dances. Working in the early 20th century, he helped elevate Haitian art music by drawing from méringue and other local styles while maintaining classical forms. His piano works, including pieces like ‘Nibo’, ‘La Dangereuse’, and ‘Languissante’, are known for their elegance, rhythmic vitality, and national character. Lamothe’s music played a vital role in shaping Haitian cultural identity during a period of political change and artistic awakening. Through his compositions, he demonstrated how classical music could reflect local traditions and voices. Today, Ludovic Lamothe is celebrated as a pioneer who laid the foundation for future generations of Caribbean composers. What else can you learn about Ludovic Lamothe this week? #ComposerOfTheWeek #MakeMoreMusic #MusicEducation #MusicHistory #LudovicLamothe

Composer of the Week: Jon Batiste (b. 1986) Jon B

Composer of the Week: Jon Batiste (b. 1986) Jon Batiste was born on November 11, 1986, in Metairie, Louisiana, into a deeply musical New Orleans family. Growing up surrounded by jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues, he began playing percussion before switching to piano as a teenager. Rooted in jazz but constantly crossing genres, Batiste has built a career that blends improvisation, soul, pop, and classical traditions. He first gained national recognition as the bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, bringing live music back to late-night television with energy and purpose. As a composer and recording artist, his work includes albums like ‘We Are’, which earned multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Batiste also writes film scores and concert music, using his platform to advocate for joy, community, and cultural connection. His music celebrates the power of creativity to unite people across styles and backgrounds. What else can you learn about Jon Batiste this week? #ComposerOfTheWeek #MakeMoreMusic #MusicEducation #MusicHistory #JonBatiste

Composer of the Week: Valerie Coleman (b. 1970) V

Composer of the Week: Valerie Coleman (b. 1970) Valerie Coleman was born on January 3, 1970, in Louisville, Kentucky, and has become one of the most influential American composers of the 21st century. A flutist, educator, and cultural leader, she is the founding member of the acclaimed wind quintet Imani Winds. Coleman’s music blends classical traditions with jazz, blues, gospel, and African American musical history, often telling stories of resilience, community, and social justice. Works such as ‘Umoja’, ‘Fanmi Imèn’, and ‘Seven O’Clock Shout’ are celebrated for their rhythmic vitality, emotional depth, and strong sense of narrative. In 2023, she made history as the first living woman to have her music performed by all five major American orchestras. Beyond composing, Coleman is a passionate advocate for equity and representation in classical music. Through her artistry and leadership, she continues to reshape the concert world with music that speaks directly to the present moment while honoring the past. What else can you learn about Valerie Coleman this week? #ComposerOfTheWeek #MakeMoreMusic #BlackHistoryMonth #MusicHistory #ValerieColeman

We at LMS stand firmly with our immigrant & margin

We at LMS stand firmly with our immigrant & marginalized communities and support actions to protest the recent atrocities committed in Minnesota & beyond. While we are unable to close tomorrow, 1/30, & want to continue to support our teachers, we encourage you to use music as a form of meditation, release, or even protest. Music has a long history of protest, from Fela Kuti’s ‘Zombie’, or Dmitri Shostakovich’s ‘5th Symphony’, to the impactful lyrics of Nina Simone & Billie Holiday, music holds power. Power to create change & spread ideas across time. Power to help us process emotion. Power to connect. LMS is founded by an immigrant & a number of our teachers are immigrants. And we all work to help our students understand the power that music can give each of them. We will be here teaching & encourage you to support your musical community here. ✊🎵

Composer of the Week: Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928–

Composer of the Week: Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928–2007) Karlheinz Stockhausen was born on August 22, 1928, in Mödrath, Germany, and became one of the most influential and radical composers of the 20th century. Emerging from the aftermath of World War II, he sought entirely new ways of organizing sound, becoming a central figure in the avant-garde movement. Stockhausen pioneered electronic music and explored serialism, spatial composition, and unconventional performance techniques. Works like ‘Gesang der Jünglinge’ combined electronic sounds with the human voice in groundbreaking ways, while ‘Kontakte’ experimented with the movement of sound through space. His ambitious seven-opera cycle ‘Licht’ reimagined music as a vast cosmic ritual unfolding over days of performance. Though often challenging for listeners, Stockhausen’s ideas reshaped how music could be created and experienced. His influence extends beyond classical music, inspiring experimental composers, electronic musicians, and popular artists alike. Stockhausen’s legacy is one of fearless innovation, an artist who expanded the very definition of what music can be. What else can you learn about Karlheinz Stockhausen this week? #ComposerOfTheWeek #MakeMoreMusic #MusicEducation #MusicHistory #KarlheinzStockhausen

Composer of the Week: Ernesto Cavallini (1807–1874

Composer of the Week: Ernesto Cavallini (1807–1874) Ernesto Cavallini was born on August 30th, 1807, in Milan, Italy, and became one of the greatest clarinet virtuosos of the Romantic era. Performing at a time when instrumental technique was rapidly advancing, Cavallini dazzled audiences across Europe with his warm tone, expressive phrasing, and astonishing technical control. He served as principal clarinetist at La Scala Opera House, one of the most prestigious musical institutions of the 19th century, and later became a respected professor at the Milan Conservatory. Cavallini composed extensively for the clarinet, writing fantasias, variations, and caprices that showcased both lyrical singing lines and brilliant virtuosity. His works expanded the expressive range of the instrument and helped establish the clarinet as a serious solo voice on the concert stage. Today, Cavallini’s music remains a cornerstone of the clarinet repertoire, challenging performers to balance elegance, drama, and technical mastery, just as he did in his own legendary performances. What else can you learn about Ernesto Cavallini this week? #ComposerOfTheWeek #MakeMoreMusic #MusicEducation #MusicHistory #ErnestoCavallini

One special week of summer camp this year! Student

One special week of summer camp this year! Students can choose from Jam Band, Guitar Ensemble, or Singing in a fun-filled musical week! Enroll before March 15th, 2026 for that early bird discount! #makemoremusic #summercamp #musiccamp #musiceducation #sf

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Little Mission Studio

445 Hampshire Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

415.857.3408

info@littlemissionstudio.com

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