The stories of just some of our fpaca alumni
Anthony b. class of 2012 - fpaca music studies
I currently attend Valparaiso University. My current studies include Vocal Performance and Music Industry with lessons in Voice, Piano, and Composition. I am a member of Phi Mu Alpha, the music fraternity at Valparaiso. I continue my involvement in music through my participation in the Handbell Choir, Vuvox (All Male Acapella Group), and singing in the church choir, Kantorei. FPACA well prepared me for both semesters of music theory and ear training courses. I was able to get through each class already understanding the lessons being taught and was able to expand on the knowledge I gained through FPACA. Because of this experience, I was inspired to be involved in so many musical groups. FPACA helped fuel my passions toward continuing my involvement in music and opened my eyes to new opportunities that will help me in my years to come.
Jacob c. class of 2013 - fpaca music studies
I currently attend school at Wayne State University as a Vocal Music Education major. I definitely have a head start in areas such as music theory and ear training because of the knowledge I accumulated while in the FPACA. An example of the superior abilities that come with being a member of the FPACA is my ability to rapidly gain competency on the French Horn. I went into my senior year in high school playing Alto Saxophone in concert band and left high school second chair French Horn in Symphony Band. Since graduation I have played in two orchestras for separate productions of Les Miserables. Superior musical training leads to magnificent musical capabilities. It only goes to show what academy can do.
Nicholas d. class of 2012 - fpaca music studies
I wasn't in any extra programs through high school. I had a huge problem--I
didn't feel like I belonged to anything and I didn't feel like I fit in. During my sophomore year I felt very lost, and ended up finding peace within music. I was already in band class, and decided that I wanted to learn how to play guitar. I looked up how to read tablature and my favorite song and started to learn it. I felt accomplished, and played for hours on end. By the end of that year I felt like I could really play an instrument I truly loved! I heard about the Preforming Arts program coming the next year, but I didn't feel as if I was good enough. My junior year came and I started to meet people who were in the academy and I was even more intrigued, but still not sure. I decided that I would talk to Mr. Pascaretti and see where I stood. After a discussion, I was enrolled in the FPACA. My following years of high school could not have been better. I went through with my brand new musician friends, and learned about something I truly found interesting. By the end of my high school career, I had learned so much about music that I would not have if I didn't join the academy. The following year I enrolled into Wayne State University studying Music Business. I instantly realized the level of theory and ear training I learned from the academy helped me through my first year of college, and I was only in the program for two years. I also realized I had a much better understanding of what I wanted to do within music. Today I am still studying Music Business at Wayne State University. I feel like if I needed any help with any of my studies, I could comfortably ask my mentors for advice knowing they could give me advice. Without the FPACA, I would not be where I am today. I highly recommend anyone that has thoughts about doing something within music, to join.
didn't feel like I belonged to anything and I didn't feel like I fit in. During my sophomore year I felt very lost, and ended up finding peace within music. I was already in band class, and decided that I wanted to learn how to play guitar. I looked up how to read tablature and my favorite song and started to learn it. I felt accomplished, and played for hours on end. By the end of that year I felt like I could really play an instrument I truly loved! I heard about the Preforming Arts program coming the next year, but I didn't feel as if I was good enough. My junior year came and I started to meet people who were in the academy and I was even more intrigued, but still not sure. I decided that I would talk to Mr. Pascaretti and see where I stood. After a discussion, I was enrolled in the FPACA. My following years of high school could not have been better. I went through with my brand new musician friends, and learned about something I truly found interesting. By the end of my high school career, I had learned so much about music that I would not have if I didn't join the academy. The following year I enrolled into Wayne State University studying Music Business. I instantly realized the level of theory and ear training I learned from the academy helped me through my first year of college, and I was only in the program for two years. I also realized I had a much better understanding of what I wanted to do within music. Today I am still studying Music Business at Wayne State University. I feel like if I needed any help with any of my studies, I could comfortably ask my mentors for advice knowing they could give me advice. Without the FPACA, I would not be where I am today. I highly recommend anyone that has thoughts about doing something within music, to join.
Steven F. class of 2012 - FPACA Music studies
In my sophomore year of high school, after hearing about Fraser High School's excellent music program, I became very interested in switching schools. However, when I found out about the Fraser Performing Arts Career Academy, I had made up my mind. I was going to Fraser. My first year at Fraser was the very first year of the academy. I knew that I wanted to study music in college, but I had absolutely no idea what to expect. The Fraser Performing Arts Career Academy opened me up to a whole new world of music education that I had never experienced before. Incorporating lessons in music theory and ear training were just some of the many things that the instructors excelled at. But the real difference came from the instructors themselves. They taught me an entirely different perspective of music that changed my life and greatly influenced the musician I am today. I am currently studying music at Wayne State University. However, thanks to what the Fraser Performing Arts Career Academy taught me, I was also accepted to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, one of the finest music programs in the world. After finishing my first year of study at Wayne State, it is very obvious to me that the academy has prepared me immensely for music school. It taught me things that others may not have had the chance to learn until they were already in college. I feel as if the academy truly did give me a leg up in my music studies before I even started at the university level. If you want top notch music instruction, teachers that want to see their students succeed, and the very best music school preparation one could ask for, go to Fraser High School, home of the Fraser Performing Arts Career Academy.
Emily G. Class of 2012 - FPACA music studies
Since attending Fraser, and the Fraser Preforming Arts Career Academy, I have been attending Wayne State University as a vocal music education major. I completed my first year of college with a 3.4 GPA and straight A’s in music theory and ear training. Over the summer I also took two classes at Macomb Community College to get ahead in my studies. In addition, this summer I attended the Metro Detroit Jazz Workshop for the 3rd year in a row. The workshop gave me the opportunity once again to work with some wonderful local musicians, and to perform at Cliff Bells. I also recently performed for a charity benefit, the Miss Teen Oakland County Pageant, and University of Detroit Mercy Titans Basketball. On Labor Day I will get the opportunity to perform at the Detroit Jazz Fest, with Wayne State University, The Brubeck Brothers Quartet and the Detroit Choral Society. FPACA has truly influenced my future. I did not test out of any courses, but I was leaps and bounds ahead of my collogues my first semester. After my first year of college I couldn’t be more thankful for FPACA. They prepared me for music school and gave me an education that most budding musicians could only hope for. I have had so many peers express how much they wished they had the same opportunities I did because of FPACA.
Thank you FPACA!
Thank you FPACA!
Jason h. Class of 2013 - fpaca theatrical production
I joined FPACA in my sophomore year, which was FPACAs debut year. When I heard that Fraser was starting a music academy I immediately signed up. I studied in the theater production side of FPACA after school hours to get more involved with my love of audio production and to engage in theater subjects that I was unable to be taught during stagecraft in school. I also participated in various Music Study classes that took place during school hours such as Music theory and Virtual music history as well as being a member of Jazz Band, Symphony Band and Marching Band. I was a Fraser student my whole career as a student and grew up working with amazing music instructors that helped me learn the finer things in music such as reading, theory, etc. From a very young age, I have been a professional percussionist and have been able to tour with some of the biggest names in music such as Motley Crue, God Smack, Theory of a Deadman, Drowning Pool, Rev Theory, 3 Days Grace, Seether, Mountain and many more. While touring, I have been asked many times, “What music school do you go to?” Everyone is very surprised to find out that I went to an everyday normal public school. Fraser’s music department has given me the extra push to teach me the theory that has made it possible for me to also become the youngest music instructor at the School of Rock music franchise at the age of 18. I am currently tour with the up and coming rock band, Pistol Day Parade; I will be touring North America in the fall and winter of 2013/14 in support of the bands first national release. I will be starting at Berklee College of Music in 2014 double majoring in Music Production and Percussion Performance.
Kyle L. Class of 2011 - FPACA Music Studies
I finished undergraduate student at Bowling Green State University studying music composition in 2015. My experience in the Fraser Performing Arts Career Academy not only prepared me for my first year in college but also provided me with an advantage when going into my music core classes. I felt more prepared than many of my peers and had more skills and experience than many of the other students in my classes. Although I was in the FPACA for only a year I was able to pass the entrance exam into the pre-composition major making a score of 9/10. The strings and piano studies classes have also helped prepare me for my composition lessons. The FPACA has provided me with the tools I needed to pursue a degree in music. Without my connections to the students and teachers in the academy I wouldn’t have had the experience of a senior recital in high school; which I am now preparing for at Bowling Green in my private composition lessons. The FPACA provided me with my chance to write and perform my music and allowed me to prove to myself that I could be successful in this career. Without the FPACA I would not have been as prepared as I was when entering college. Thanks to the amazing teachers at Fraser I was given the start I needed to live out my dream in music.
Cassidy m. Class of 2011 - FPACA Theatrical Production
I am currently at Michigan State University and have recently decided to pursue a future in Media and Information. With this major, I have started to take some technical theater classes again and have found that I am better prepared for these because of my 4 years of technical theater background. In just the one year that I was in the Fraser Performing Arts Academy, it has helped me in many ways that I wouldn't have ever expected. First off, resume building. That was probably the most important thing I learned in my class in the technical FPACA. It also taught me great teamwork skills and confidence. No job in the theater is a one person thing,
and you later find in life that nothing is. Also, finding jobs, interviews, and putting yourself out there can be a difficult thing to do, but through auditions and having to speak in front of others, I have built the up the confidence to be able to do so with ease.
Ian n. class of 2013 - fpaca music studies
Hi My name is Ian and I am a proud alumni of the FPACA. Although my time in the Academy was short the skills, knowledge, and musicianship I learned in it not only has helped me in my college career, but will all the want into my life long career. I attend Wayne State University as a Music Education major. The Music Theory aspect of the Academy prepped me for freshman level theory superbly and put me ahead of the game even. As a Music Education major the studies in string instruments have also prepped me wholly and I feel no pressure re-learning the string instruments for college. At Wayne State I have been exposed to all sorts of great musicians, including my private lessons instructor who is one of the premier bass trombonists in the area. I have the chance to play and sing at Orchestra Hall, the same place as the DSO, and in just one year I have met people who will be life long friends and connections. All in all, the FPACA prepped me for the rest of my life, as my life is and forever will be dedicated to making music.
Benjamin S. Class of 2013 - FPACA Music Studies
I will be attending Central Michigan University for Music Education. Being in the Academy prepared me for the seriousness that pursuing Music entails, from going to all auditions prepared to just knowing all the work I have to put in. Not to mention testing out of Theory I! The Academy is now a tight bonded community of the students who are serious about their love and passion, and it is a great environment to be in. All in all, FPACA brought me into the dedication for music that I might've lacked previously, and it was just a great preparatory experience for my future, which is an irreplaceable experience in my educational journey.
Cassandra V. Class of 2013 - fpaca music studies
I am attending Oakland University as a Vocal Performance and Music Education major. The FPACA has been an invaluable tool for me in my musical growth. My Junior year of High School I was sitting in my AP Biology class miserable. Joining the FPACA gave me the confidence to peruse my dreams in music. I am now well on my way to becoming the opera diva I have always wanted to be. While I was in the FPACA I learned many lessons that I would need to become the musician that I am today especially in Music Theory. It was also because of the FPACA that I dismissed the previous notion that I just wasn’t meant to play an instrument and now I play piano and violin and love every moment of it. My time at FPACA has been my most valuable tool in cultivating my college career and beyond.