Sunday, March 16, 2025
AZLE — Students at the Azle Music & Enrichment Academy got to show off their talents and put their skills to the test at an open recital Feb. 22. The event, held at Eagle Mountain Plaza, was the first of its kind since the academy opened in October.
The Azle Music & Enrichment Academy offers private lessons in a variety of instruments, including guitar, piano, ukulele, drums, violin, singing and more. It also offers test preparation in addition to STEM and art classes.
Among the standout performers was 3-year-old Luther, a student in the academy’s early childhood music program. Luther took the stage, playing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” on both the xylophone and keyboard.
“We were so proud of him!” said his mother, Macy Witthaus, a dyslexia teacher for Azle ISD. “Luther was so excited to participate in the recital and talked about it all day leading up to his performance! The look on his face when he finished his song was priceless. I could tell he was so proud of himself.”
Witthaus said going to lessons at the academy has allowed Luther the opportunity to really dedicate himself to his love of music and get exposed to new instruments. He has quickly learned to feel at home on stage, she added, and his confidence is growing daily.
“Luther has always loved participating in music classes and we were so excited to have something so close to home that he could attend,” Witthaus said. “We also loved that his classes were one on one and that he got to explore all different kinds of instruments, so that we could see which one he would be most drawn to.”
Along with a wide variety of musical performances, students had a chance to dazzle their families and spectators with their artistic feats and science knowledge. An original art gallery and a robot demonstration from the academy’s STEM camp students accompanied singing and instrument playing at the event.
Breanna Reed, the academy’s co-founder and a Gifted and Talented Program teacher at Azle Elementary, expressed her gratitude for the community’s support and excitement for future events. Breanna and her husband, Jon Reed, started the academy to give kids a place to explore their talents after being inspired by their son’s avid drumming.
“It was an incredible evening that truly highlighted the talent and dedication of our students,” Reed said. “Eagle Mountain Plaza has graciously agreed to host many more of our events, and we’re thrilled to continue providing opportunities for our students to share their work.”
Readers can find more information at www.theazleacademy.org/home or visit their location at 413 W. Main St. in Azle.
