July News: Summer Dates, Winter Shindig & Tailored Music Support

I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the summer sunshine!

July is always a busy and exciting month as we prepare for holidays and look ahead to the new school year. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your music journey running smoothly.

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🎶 Summer & Winter Holiday Dates

Our last day of lessons before the annual summer holiday will be:

🗓 Monday 4th August 2025

Lessons will resume on Tuesday 26th August 2025.

Looking further ahead, our Winter holidays will run from:

🗓 Tuesday 23rd December 2025 – Monday 5th January 2026

If you ever forget our holiday dates, you can easily check them on our website:👉 Layston Music Term Datesor on your MyMusicStaff calendar.

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🎤 Save the Date: The Winter Shindig!

I’m thrilled to confirm that our much-loved annual performance event — The Winter Shindig — will be held on:

🗓 Saturday 13th December 2025

It’s a brilliant opportunity for students to share their progress and perform for family and friends. More details will follow in the autumn!

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📅 Planning for the New School Year

As September approaches, many families’ timetables shift due to school, clubs, or other commitments.

If you know you’ll need to change your regular lesson slot, please let me know as soon as possible. Early notice helps me keep the timetable running smoothly for everyone.

We may also need to make some adjustments to our own weekday daytime (9am–3pm) lesson slots in September, depending on our own children’s learning schedules. As soon as we know what September brings for our family, we’ll be in touch with anyone affected.

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📚 A Quick Reminder About Our Terms

At Layston Music, your slot is a regular weekly booking, and I’m very grateful for your commitment.

✅ Holidays: I completely understand that families take time away, so if you’re planning a holiday, please tell me as early as possible. This allows me to offer your slot to someone else for that week.

🚫 Other Cancellations: We don’t offer cancellations for other reasons. However, if you let me know at least 24 hours in advance that you can’t attend, I’ll record a video lesson so your learning continues uninterrupted.

💻 Online Options: If you’re struggling to get here, we can always switch to an online lesson instead.

🤒 If I’m unwell and can’t teach, I’ll do my best to reschedule your lesson for a Tuesday (my flexible day), or I’ll issue a credit on your MyMusicStaff account.

❗ Stopping Lessons: Should you decide to stop lessons, please remember we require one month’s notice.

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🎵 Music Mentoring & Song Therapy Available

Music isn’t only about learning to play an instrument — it’s also a powerful tool for emotional well-being and self-expression.

Alongside traditional music tuition, I’ve worked extensively in special schools and alternative education delivering Music Mentoring and Song Therapy.

If you or your child would benefit from a more therapeutic or flexible approach in sessions — whether for emotional support, mental health, or confidence-building — please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can tailor sessions to meet your needs.

Curious to learn more about my background and approach? Visit:👉 Meet Talena and Paul Cuthbert

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Thank you so much for being part of the Layston Music family. I wish you a joyful summer ahead and look forward to many more wonderful lessons as we continue making music together!

With warmest wishes,

Talena CuthbertLayston MusicMusic and Health Practitioner | Piano Teacher & Music Mentor | Song and Sound Therapist | Vocal Coach