.Wanda Cullen, Assistant Director and Director Emeritus of the Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts and the River Ridge School of Music & Dance had a mission back in 1978 to help students of all ages learn the love of music through piano lessons and piano instruction.Since that time so many years ago, the River Ridge School of Music & Dance has evolved from a piano school in the back of Wanda's home in New Orleans toLouisiana'spremier,privateacademyofmusic,danceandtheperformingarts.Our music and dance faculty are hand picked by the school directors from the many hundreds of applicants that we receive annually. Great care is taken to select candidates who are not only incredible performers and excellent all around musicians, but also outstanding educators who are able to break down key concepts in numerous ways. As each student is unique in his/her learning process, this ensures that our music and dance faculty are able to have at least one way of communicating these concepts to the individual student that will be easily understood.We also offer preschool programs, rock pop and jazz band ensembles.Our dance program offers instructionforallagesin ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, creative movement, parent & tot as well as Zumba classes. We are the only dance program in New Orleans to additionally offer private coaching and choreographing for your upcoming wedding or special event! . The Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts'(Laapa's)RiverRidgeSchoolofMusic&Dance is the largest,private academy of music,dance,and the performing arts in the Greater New Orleans,Louisiana area.There are many considerations to be made when selecting a school of music,school of dance,dance instructor,or a private music teacher. We invite you to compare all programs,features,and options to see why we are the number one choice for music lessons and dance classes in the Greater New Orleans,Louisianaarea. Our River Ridge School of Music & Dance campus,located in Harahan,just outside of New Orleans,offersmusiclessonsforallages&dance classes and instruction for children ages (walking - adult). Our schools serve students and parents from the surrounding communities of New Orleans,Metairie,Kenner,River Ridge,Harahan,Mandeville,Covington,Hammond,Slidell,Madisonville,and Folsom,LA.Music&DanceClassesofferedattheRiverRidgeSchoolofMusic&Dancecampusinclude: Piano,Voice,Singing,Guitar,Violin,Viola,Cello,Drum,Bass,Banjo,Mandolin,Ukulele,Trumpet,Trombone,Flute,Clarinet,Saxophone,Composition,Music Theory,Preschool Music,Choir,Rock Band Classes,Jazz Band Classes,Dance,Ballet,Tap,Jazz,Hip Hop,Zumba,and Musical Theatre Classes in one location!.:. Preschool Music ClassesPreschool music classes offer an excellent first formal introduction to music for toddlers and lap babies ages birth-4 years. Preschool classes provide these young students with a basic foundation in key concepts that prepare them for private instruction..:. Piano LessonsAt our school age 5 is the youngest that we begin children in private piano lessons. At this age they have begun to develop longer attention spans and can retain material with ease. .:. Guitar LessonsAge 8 is typically the best time to begin guitar lessons. Some students display a talent and desire to learn guitar as early as age 6 and this is possible with the right teacher and school but is mostly dependent on the physical build of the student. Bass guitar students may begin studying between ages 9-10. Bass guitars are usually larger/heavier instruments whose physical demands are most often best left to this age bracket..:. Voice LessonsAge 5 is recommended as the youngest age for voice/singing lessons. Due to the physical nature of voice lessons (proper breathing techniques,development of the vocal chords,and lung capacity),special care must be taken to select repertoire that is appropriate to the developing voice especially between the ages of 5-11. At LAAPA,children ages 5-11 learn how to properly use their voices in a fun/relaxed environment.Dance Instruction (ages walking-adult) Programs include Parent & Tot,Creative Movement - Intro to Dance,Ballet,Tap,Jazz,Hip-Hop,Musical Theatre,Wedding/Special Event Prep Classes,and Zumba (adults only). Classes start at 45 minutes to 1 hour each week.